Meghan POV
I wake up in a dark, damp cell. I'm just gonna throw tiny in there as well actually – a dark, damp, tiny cell. If I stretch out, I can plant my feet and arms on either wall without even eliciting pain from my stomach. I think back to how I got here. Looking up to see Rowan in all his iron-worn glory grinning down at me is enough to make anyone scream.
"Go on Princess – scream for Ash." He whispered in my ear. I kept my mouth shut. But when he flung me over his shoulder and carried me out of the tent I couldn't help myself. I screamed.
I hear a door open, rather than see it. Rowan bends down next to me, brushing my hair out of my face. I know its Rowan because of the snide remark he makes as he does so.
"How are you feeling Princess?" I glare at him in the dark.
"What do you want Rowan? Why did you do this?"
"Oh Princess, I haven't even started yet." He says, and I can tell he's grinning. He pushes something towards me – a tray – and says,
"Eat up Princess – you'll need all your strength for what comes next." The door shuts with a bang, leaving me alone in the darkness. I ignore the tray for the time being, and curl up into a ball in the corner. Part of me doesn't want Ash to come - to face whatever is left of me after Rowan starts his 'game'. But he will, I know he will. I just have to hold on till then.
"Please hurry Ash. Please hurry." I whisper into the darkness.
Ash POV
Walking through the Wyldwood with Robin Goodfellow is not relaxing. At all. For one thing, he doesn't shut up, so I constantly have to keep watch for any creature stupid enough to come close. A pine cone whizzes past my head. I stop and I turn to glare at him – silently daring him to do it again.
"Oh good, you are listening. I thought you'd gone deaf ice-boy." I roll my eyes.
"Just keep an eye out Goodfellow, he should be around here somewhere."
"Yeah, if you can believe anything a phouka says." Puck mutters. I raise an eyebrow in his direction.
"I didn't hear you volunteering another plan."
"That's because, as much as I hate to admit it, this is probably the best chance we've got of finding that damn cat. But, if he isn't here then I'm almost afraid of where we'll be going next."
"Well it is a good job I am here then." A familiar voice says. We both spin and look up. Perched in the crook of a tree, is Grimalkin.
"How long have you been there?" Puck asks.
"Goodfellow, I have been near you since you left camp. It is not my fault you don't use your eyes."
"Since we…left…camp?" Puck sputters. "Why didn't you tell us you were here?"
"Because, I wanted to be sure of your intent."
"So you've decided saving Meghan is worth your time Cait Sith?" I growl.
"Yes, for a price." My stomach clenches. Here we go.
"What do you want Cait Sith?"
Grimalkin ignores me, focusing instead on washing a paw. How Meghan hasn't strangled the cat yet is beyond me.
"It will cost you." Grimalkin says, not looking up from his task. I sigh and rake a hand through my hair.
"Whatever it costs I'll pay it." I start.
"Wait a second." Puck interrupts, gaining both mine and the cat's attention. He ignores my what are you doing glare and focuses on Grimalkin.
"What if I took on ice-boy's debt instead? Would that work?" Grimalkin's yellow orbs gleam.
"Very well Goodfellow. You will pay the price for my help."
"Puck. Are you sure about this?" I ask quietly. I don't fully understand why he's willing to make a deal with the cat for me. Puck waves a hand in my direction, dismissing my worry.
"I'm always looking for an adventure to go on ice-boy, you know that, and I'm willing to bet whatever he wants will be pretty epic. But I'm touched that you care – Meghan would be proud." I roll my eyes as he turns back to face Grim.
"I do have some conditions of my own though Furball. I won't harm anyone, I will not turn against friends or allies, and I will not do anything until Meghan is safe and fully healed." The glimmer of a bargain shimmers in the air.
"Very well. You have a deal." Grim says, jumping out of the tree. He trots to the edge of the clearing, bushy tail pointed in the air.
"Oi, Furball! You do know where Rowan is don't you?" Puck calls as we follow. Grimalkin doesn't even turn around when he answers.
"When will you stop asking such foolish questions?"
"Well, I guess that's that then. " Puck says as we follow the grey cat.
"You didn't have to do that you know." I say quietly. Puck sighs.
"I know. But the way I see it, you have enough to worry about – Meghan's not going to come out of this one unscathed – and you don't need the added stress of wondering when Furball's going to turn up and call in his favor." I nod a thanks.
The sky darkens not long after we set off, forcing us to stop. Wandering the Wyldwood at night is just asking for trouble. I take first watch, sitting at the mouth of the cave that Grimalkin led us to, with only the crackle of the fire and Pucks snores filling the air, allowing my thoughts to drift to unpleasant places.
I know Rowan. He takes pleasure in others misery and torment – more so than any other Unseelie I've ever met. I watched him play with Meghan before; one of the many times I cursed the bargain that forced me to take her to Tir Na Nog. Worse, I saw what he did to her. In many ways, it changed Meghan for the better, it made her stronger and wiser. But I will never forget watching her during the Exchange. Watching as Rowan tormented her some more. I listened to their conversation so I know he used me as bait. I was expecting a glance in my direction at least; it's only through centuries of practice that I didn't look at her every time her name was mentioned. But she didn't. I saw her eyes that day, the eyes that were normally lit up with excitement and love. They were dead that day. Cold and distant and, seeing them – seeing her – like that made my heart clench and my stomach drop. She was a shell of the girl I'd fallen in love with and I have never, and will never, forgive myself for letting her become that.
Of course, that was only after one meeting with Rowan – she soon bounced back. I can't help but wonder what will happen after spending days with him. My heart clenches at the thought. No. I think firmly. Meghan is strong. She'll fight whatever Rowan is planning to do to her. I don't convince myself though. Rowan is experienced in these sort of games. He'll know that I'm coming to get her – that his time with her is short. He'll do anything to get the desired effect fast. I shake my head, trying to force the thought, the image of Meghan silent and dead inside, out of my mind. It doesn't work. Instead, I focus on the flames. Absently, I stroke the edge of the blade of my sword which is lying on my lap. There was a time, not too long ago actually, when I felt guilty about attacking Rowan. He is my brother and, although we have never been close, it still pained me to fight him with the intent to kill him. I don't feel any guilt now. His death is long overdue and I won't let him get away this time.
Meghan POV
I'm not sure how long I was left alone. Too long. I haven't moved since Rowan's last visit and my stomach aches from sitting curled up for too long. The food, also sits untouched. A fact I know I will regret later but, for now, I refuse to do as Rowan asks. It won't last much longer – any small signs of rebellion I can manage I will take. For Ash, if not for myself. Sitting there, curled up on the hard mattress, I suddenly realise how Paul must have felt when Puck and Ash were near him. Any sudden movement will draw unwanted attention towards you. As I'm contemplating just how long I can stay in this position before my injury demands that I move, the door opens with a clang. The figure in the doorway is holding a lamp, illuminating the all-too familiar silhouette of Rowan's Thornguards. I stand awkwardly, my body aching. The head guard grabs my wrist harshly, snapping handcuffs around them. They're expecting me to fight, I can see it in their posture, weary yet ready to fight back if the need arises. I raise my chin defiantly. Fine then, I'll go quietly. I'll be a model prisoner if I have to. Besides, this could work well for me; behaving now means they might be less likely to handcuff me in the future, giving me a chance to escape.
I'm led from my cell and it takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the sudden light. When they do, I immediately realise where we are. Machina's fortress. It kind of makes sense for Rowan to come back here. He launched an attack here, making sure no one would be here so he could just take over. It's weird, walking up the staircase to where I first fought Machina, where I was with Ash and Puck a few days before. The place is silent aside from the footsteps of the Thornguards echoing off the walls. I'm led into the Macina's old throne room and the handcuffs are taken off. Rowan is standing under what is now, Machina. I give a small nod towards the tree, comforted slightly by it's presence. Rowan doesn't acknowledge my presence but I feel the steely gaze of his elite guards piercing my back as I slowly walk over to join him. I stop just behind him, feeling my stomach somersault at the familiar appearance. From behind, Rowan is so similar to Ash it's heartbreaking. God I miss him. I think to myself as the silence drags on.
"It's hard to believe that this...thing...started everything, don't you think?" Rowan muses. I roll my eyes.
"Why am I here Rowan?" I ask, managing to keep my voice calm and steady, despite my stomach churning with fear.
"How is dear Ash?" He asks, completely ignoring my question. He turns and takes a step towards me, closing the gap between us. I freeze as he tucks my hair behind my ear.
"Is he on the way yet?" He asks as he brushes stray strands of hair off my neck. When I don't talk, he bends to whisper in my ear, his cold breath making me shiver.
"Not very talkative today are we?" He breathes before chuckling and moving away, giving me a chance to breathe.
"You see Meghan, you've put me in a very difficult position." He explains.
"How so?" I manage to say.
"Mab wants my blood as do many in the Winter Court. Glitch has banned us from the new Iron Kingdom in Mag Tuiredh so I am stuck here, in this derelict castle as the iron gradually kills me and my men off." He turns to look at me. "Yet you and dear old Ash seem to have everything. Tell me Meghan, how did it feel when Ash spoke the oath that would bind him to you? How did it feel hearing his True Name, knowing you hold more power than Mab over him? I know you trust him with your life Meghan and I think that needs to change, don't you?"
He walks back over to me, taking my hand and pressing it to his lips and I have to fight to repress the shudder that threatens to rack my body. Rowan and Ash might look similar, but they are so completely different. Only Rowan could make that gesture, a gesture that I used to associate with the first dance I had with Ash at Elysium, into something repulsive.
"When I am finished with you." He continues softly, "you will hate Ash as much as you hate me." My body goes cold. I still don't know exactly what Rowan is going to do to me but I know that it definitely isn't good. He's persistent and he knows how to play a game. He won't stop until he gets what he wants. And that's what scares me. As Rowan prowls silently round me, I close my eyes and promise myself that I will hold out against Rowan – I won't let him alter my feelings for Ash. I won't. After a few silent seconds, Rowan pounces, flinging me across the room, leaving my promise ringing in my ears.
I won't forget Ash. I won't forget. But my promise sounds depressingly hollow in my ears.
How lucky are you - another update! This is thanks to an amazing Guest reviewer who has reviewed both chapters so far & your reviews totally make my day! It's like reading a running commentary of each chapter (which is totally brilliant so please don't take it the wrong way) - please, please keep reviewing they really make me smile :) :) :) :)