Hey guys! Wow, thank you so much for all the follows and reviews! I really appreciate it XD Sorry, this chapter's a little short but I hope you like it anyway.

Oh, Aelin was pissed.

Aelin was pissed.

Aedion waited for her to shout, or scream, or burn him and Rowan to ashes. But she just stood there, arms folded, eyes narrowed, tapping her foot as blood from Rowan's nose dripped onto Aedion's chin. Aedion felt the cuts on his knuckles knitting back together, his black eye diminishing, and made a mental note to thank Rowan once they got out of this mess.

But for now, he had to deal with a seriously pissy Aelin.

Gods above, he could see the air literally shimmering around her as her eyes blazed. Maybe staying silent was the safest option. Maybe she'd get bored and leave them alone.

Fat chance.

"Aelin," Rowan began tentatively, gently easing himself off of Aedion to sit on the gravel path. Aedion agreed; he didn't think standing was a very safe option, either.

"Yes, Rowan?" She said sweetly, cocking her head as the flames roared around them, searing Aedion's face with heat, "Would you care to explain why you are brawling with my cousin in the small hours of the morning?" She flicked her gaze towards Aedion, "And vice-versa."

For once, Rowan seemed at a complete loss for words. He opened his mouth, and then shut it again. Aedion expected him to get up, but the warrior remained motionless as the stream of blood from his nose diminished to a slow trickle, and then vanished entirely.

Aelin regarded them for a few minutes more, and then the circle of flames winked out as she looked Aedion in the eye, "Hmph. At least you managed to land a proper blow."

With that, his queen stalked away.

Aedion and Rowan sat in the former's bedroom later that evening, neither of them daring to risk Aelin's company. She had been civil enough to them during lunch and dinner, but the roaring hearth fire had given away enough of her feelings. Aedion sat in an armchair, his legs draped over the side and his hands resting on his stomach. Rowan sat on the side of the bed.

"What is it," Aedion asked, stretching, "that makes her so angry when we properly spar with each other? She can't expect us to hold back all the time."

Rowan thought for a minute, "Don't forget, Aedion, that she's only had you back for a few months, and me for even less than that?"

"Surely she doesn't think we'll kill each other?"

"Of course not. But I doubt it's very fun for her when we make each other bleed."

Aedion huffed, "Sorry about your nose."

Rowan shrugged and smirked, "Don't be. You should get more creative with your fighting methods. And Aelin was right- you finally landed a proper blow."

"Don't toe the line, prince, or I'll land a great many more."

Rowan laughed at that, and then a silence fell between them. Not an uncomfortable one, just quiet. It lasted several minutes before Aedion spoke again.

"It's odd... to have someone care about me. I'm having some trouble adjusting."

"Your soldiers in the Bane didn't care about you?"

"Gods, I don't mean that. But we sparred too often and too violently for sympathy."

"I see."

Aedion sighed, looking at the ceiling, "Can I ask you something, Prince?"

"What?"

"What is it like to take a blood oath?"

Rowan looked at him, hard, and Aedion carefully avoided his gaze. It was a prying question, and one he shouldn't need to ask, but he wanted to. He couldn't explain why, but he did.

Eventually Rowan answered, "It feels strange when you first take it. Like a chain links you to the person. Of course, you can't see it. But you can feel it." He adjusted his seat a little, "When I swore my allegiance to Maeve, it didn't take me too long to regret it. She would tell me to do things, and there would be no way I could refuse. Like my tongue and my will had stopped working. Utter control. But Aelin doesn't abuse it like Maeve does. Only once, she commanded me to do something, using the bond."

Aedion nodded, "When she fought the witch." Yes, he remembered. Aelin roaring at Rowan to cross the bridge, and Rowan snarling and growling as he did, but not turning back. As if she'd compelled him.

"Yes, when she fought the witch."

Aedion waited for Rowan to go on, but it seemed that he'd finished. So he settled more comfortably in his armchair and thought about what it would be like to swear himself to Aelin. He hadn't changed his mind, not by a long shot. He still wanted it at her coronation, when this gods-damned war was over. When his queen no longer needed to fret and worry about the Valg and Erewan, he would take the oath. As was his right.

There was a hurried knocking at the door. Aedion dragged himself out of the chair and opened the door, rather surprised to find a flustered-looking servant girl standing there. "What is it?" He asked, puzzled.

The girl quickly bowed as Rowan joined Aedion in the doorway, "Her Majesty wishes you by the front gates. Immediately, she said. Or she'll come and drag you by the ears."

In standard Aelin fashion. "Why? What happened?"

"I don't know, General. But please, get there quickly. Her Majesty is very angry and said you had better get your hulking asses down as soon as possible."

"Lead the way."

The servant girl jogged down the corridor, Aedion and Rowan in tow. As they rounded the first corner, Rowan pressed two daggers into Aedion's hand. He accepted them with a silent nod of thanks.