I'm finished for summer hols, so expect lots! Thanks for sticking with me! Love you all!

Keenan left her where she was, but Niall knelt beside her and picked her up from the ground. She was so exhausted.

This was a side of Niall she had never seen before. She lay in his arms tired from crying.

I feel sorry for her he thought. He brought her inside and set her down on Keenan's bed.

"Aislinn I'll talk to him" he said quietly.

"Niall, please. Just go" she said. Seth was waiting outside.

"What am I going to do Niall? I'm losing her" Seth said hopelessly. Niall looked at him. He couldn't help him. He was worried about his display of affection. Aislinn? It couldn't be. Not her. Never. Bananach stroked Niall's cheek.

"Now are you going to give me my war? The ash girl struck you. Shouldn't you feel angry? Full of revenge

Gancanagh"

Niall walked away. Bananach cackled.

Seth looked once up at Aislinn's window and walked away.

I ruin everything! Aislinn thought uselessly. Time after time she upset Seth, gotten Keenan hurt. She began to cry again. Since when am I so emotional? she wasn't usually this way.

Usually she was in control of her emotions. Keenan came in and she sat up awkwardly. It was his bed after all.

"Keenan" she said.

Keenan looked at her.

"I'm going to Donia's"

"No please stay. I'll be alone" Aislinn pleaded. She wasn't used to this feeling of isolation. Keenan sighed and sat down.

"I've ruined everything, haven't I? Seth's angry with me, and you- you are too"

Keenan smiled.

"I'm not. It's impossible to stay angry with you for long Aislinn"

She smiled too. "Sometimes I wish you were angry, so I could really lose my temper and- and.."

He kissed her forehead. Sunlight blinded her, and she lay her head against his chest, feeling sleepy. And she lay beside him until dawn.

The Summer Queen. Aislinn. Niall sighed. He had been thinking about her all day. And Bananach. Should he give her a war? His court was strong enough, but it would be foolish. He didn't want to hurt Seth's feelings or Aislinn's.

He wanted to talk to Keenan. He was outside the loft, in a matter of minutes.

"Niall? Do you need something?"

Aislinn rubbed her arms in the thin night dress as she walked towards him.

"I need Keenan" he focused his eyes on her. She looked embarrassed and looked away.

"What I really need is.." Niall caught Aislinn by the waist and pulled her towards him. She stared up at him her eyes confused.

He could do this, kiss Aislinn and take whatever happened after. He could also pretend nothing had happened, that his affection for Aislinn had only been in that moment he'd taken her from the ground. Aislinn untangled herself from him.

"Niall are you alright?" she asked softly.

"Niall" Keenan said curtly. Aislinn gave Keenan a small smile and went back inside.

"It's Seth. He's worried. He's worried that you are taking Aislinn away from him. Are you?" Niall said.

Keenan looked at him.

"This is none of your business Niall, Aislinn is my Queen, and she does what she wants. I cannot take her away Niall because I would hurt her. I don't want her hurt"

"What about Donia? How is she coping?"

Niall watched the look of pain in Keenan's eyes.

"She doesn't want me. I cannot force her either"

Niall nodded.

"Well one thing then. If you hurt Seth in anyway, I will hurt you in anyway I can, even if it means you lose Aislinn"

Keenan glared at him and walked away. Niall chuckled quietly. He felt better already.