Note: Sorry for the wait. I'm on vacation visiting my big sister so there isn't much time to write. I hate keeping people waiting so I'll try extra hard to get back on the ball and write as often as I can. But, chapters may not be updated as fast as they have been these next two weeks. Again, sorry!

Mary-Lynnette had been pouring over the Strange Family Tree for over a week. The book was huge and the family branched out over centuries. If it weren't for the fact that the book was first separated by year it would take even longer. And it didn't help that the only people helping her were Hannah and Rowan. And they were just there to write.

Her office door opened and Ash walked in with what looked like dinner.

"These are the family trees?" Ash asked staring at the huge books stacked beside her.

"Yeah," Mary-Lynnette said as though it were obvious, "Is that food?"

"Yeah, you weren't down at dinner so Sara said to bring something up to you," he explained still staring at the books while placing the tray in front of her, "And you have to go through each of those books?"

"No, come here." she replied rolling her eyes. She opened the Redfern book so he could see and looked up the first Redfern, which was on the first page after Maya, "Here, Red Fern, attached to his is his information and the name Talia along with that a list of his children. Here's the reference that tells you. Daughter: Lynn Etta. Illegitimate child. Daughter of Sekate, Hearth Woman and Red Fern, Lamia. More Info: Volume 1-Strange."

She pulled the Strange volume toward her again and flipped back to the first page.

"Sara Strange. Date of Birth blah, blah, blah, Daughter of blah, blah, blah. Age, species, etcetera. Alias: Lynn Etta Redfern-Harman. Husband: Drakon Drache, Prince of the shape shifters. Son: Egris Strange. Illegitimate Child. Human-Witch-Vampire-hybrid. Vitany Lynnette Strange. Illegitimate Child. Human-Witch-Vampire-Hybrid. Bio…" she said looking up at them.

"You can read this?" he asked staring at the words all he could be sure about was the double S's for Sara Strange.

"Yes, it's written in the language of the Oracles. Apparently the Oracles, because they could be any species, had their own language. Sara taught it to me."

Ash stared down at her. So, she was basically doing all the work herself. Interesting.

"What have Rowan and Hannah been doing?"

"Besides keeping me company? They've been writing information down for me. There's like thirty twenty-one year olds in the Strange family. Maybe more. I'm still not done searching the year."

"Do you want some help?" he asked.

"No, thanks. Go do your own thing." She gave him a tight smile. Like she really needed the distraction right now?

"Mary-Lynnette?"

She looked up at him.

"I'm sorry." He replied.

"For what?" she asked instantly becoming confused.

"For whatever I did."

"Ash, you didn't do anything."

"Then, why did you leave me?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Not this again!"

"Yes, this again! I want an answer, Mary-Lynnette. And not some ridiculous bullshit that your spewing from your mouth."

She got up and faced him, "Ash, I just don't want to be with you! I don't know how hard that is to comprehend!"

"That' snot the…"

"Desiring you is not the same as loving you. I don't love you. I can't love you."

"Why not?" Ash wouldn't let her see how much it hurt him to hear her say that.

"Do you even need to ask? How can I ever love someone who holds me back?"

He looked at her in shock, "I never held you back. I've always let you…"

"You may have supported me, but I never felt free to do what I wanted. That last year in high school, college afterwards, I resented you. While all my friends went out and dated I had to worry about poor Ash. When a guy I liked asked me out I didn't feel comfortable saying yes even when we weren't together because you were always in the back of my mind. When I wanted to do something I always asked myself: what would Ash think if he saw me doing this? Would he be okay with it? Would he be embarrassed? Not to mention all the times that I just felt weighed down by the thought that there was someone out there waiting for me to crawl back to him like it was the inevitable sentence."

Ash stayed silent through her ranting. Mary-Lynnette knew he was boiling over, but she went on relentlessly.

Ash couldn't believe what she was saying. She resented him? He'd held her back from living her own life? Did she really hate him that much? Why hadn't he seen that? How could he not have known? Had she hidden those thoughts from him? Did she feel like she'd been obligated to marry him because she'd always feel guilty having a relationship with another man?

"And then I came here and I felt so free. I was in charge of my own life. I didn't have to worry about you showing up at the apartment. I didn't have to worry about waiting for you or being afraid to go out with my friends for fear of seeing you."

"So," he swallowed, "That's what this is about? Your freedom?"

She nodded watching him.

"Fine, you have it." He whispered.

Mary-Lynnette's heart had been cracking through the entire speech, but when he pulled the wedding ring off his finger she felt as though her heart had shattered. It was a physical ache in her chest that wouldn't go away. Had he taken a moment to assess her emotions he would've seen the truth. But, he was too busy worrying about his own heart. She could feel him closing his mind to her, shielding himself, and all she wanted to do was run back to his arms and apologize.

He left the room and she barely noticed. She just kept staring at the wedding band until her eyesight blurred with unshed tears. She moved toward the ring and grabbed it crumbling to the floor crying. She rocked back and forth as sobs wracked her body. She wrapped her arms around her hoping that she could keep herself together because surely if she let go she'd float away.

Ash's mind and emotions were in turmoil. It was amazing that he could even form a coherent thought let alone function. But, function he did. He stayed as far as Mary-Lynnette as he could and immersed himself into his work. Even now he tried to focus on his work as he hurried to go meet with Thierry.

Mark came toward him, "Hey, where's Mary-Lynnette?"

Ash shrugged and pretended as though the name didn't cause an ache to make itself more prominently known, "Why would I know? Do I look like her keeper?"

"No, you're her soulmate."

"Yeah, and she'd rather I wasn't."

"Ash, what are you talking about?" Mark was confused. Obviously he didn't know what happened a few days ago.

"Mary-Lynnette and I aren't together anymore, Mark." Ash answered emotionlessly even though it tore him apart to say it.

"What?" Mark exclaimed as though he thought it were a bad joke, "Are you kidding?"

"No, I'm not." Ash replied shaking his head.

"What did you do?" he snapped gripping Ash's arm.

"Nothing." Ash replied shaking him off. He really didn't want to hurt Mark, but he wasn't in the mood for his brother-in-law's overprotective nature right now.

"I swear to God if you hurt her…" he pulled Ash to him and this time Ash snapped.

He punched Mark in the face forgetting himself. Nialu grabbed Ash and pulled him away from Mark before he could do anything else.

"Do not do something foolish, Lord Redfern." He growled in his deep voice.

Ash wretched himself away from Nialu before looking around. People who had been walking and working had stopped to stare. Jade, in all her fairy-like perfection, chose that moment to come out of a door.

"Mark! Ash, what did you do?" she yelled running toward her boyfriend and throwing herself beside him.

"What is wrong with you!" she yelled again as she assessed the damage.

Ash shook his head and turned away. He walked out of the area as though nothing had happened wandering toward the Blooming Palace. What he had just done reminded him too much of the incident right after Mary-Lynnette's graduation five years ago.

Five Years Ago:

Mary-Lynnette was nervous. Today she'd be seeing Ash, if he'd decided she was worth it. Today she'd finally feel happy after months of being in this weird melancholy state. She felt as though a lifetime had passed rather than a year.

She could see Kestrel closer to the end of the congregated group giving her a feral grin. She shook her head and smiled back. Then her thoughts jumped back to Ash. What if he didn't come? What if he didn't think she was worth changing his life for? Too many what ifs.

"I'd like to welcome our valedictorian, Mary-Lynnette Carter to share a few words." Principal Tweedle announced motioning for her to come up.

Mary-Lynnette took a deep breath and walked onto the stage looking out finding her father, Claudine, and Mark were sitting with Rowan, Jade and…Ash. He was looking up at her looking like a smug lazy fat cat. But, she couldn't deny how good he looked in jeans and a moss green sweater. She suppressed a grin and started in on her speech.

Ash couldn't deny how proud of Mary-Lynnette he was. She looked beautiful getting her diploma. Rowan had told him that she'd dolled up just for him, but that he wasn't supposed to repeat that since she promised Mary-Lynnette she wouldn't. Her hair was done up in an elegant bun with wisps of curls framing her beautiful face. He didn't know what she had on underneath the black gown, but the classy black heels she wore looked good on her. He could see she wasn't wearing much make-up, just a little bit of eyeliner, eye shadow, and lip-gloss. She wore the gold hoops he'd sent for Christmas.

He waited outside as she hugged her family and his. And was annoyed when he saw her start talking to a guy, who wasn't nearly as good looking as him, but if he was a girl who didn't know himself then he'd definitely think the guy was cute. He turned away and focused on the line of cars in the parking lot. The last thing he needed was someone to hit or scratch his Corvette.

He could sense her before she came to him, but he kept himself turned away.

"I'm sorry to bother you, sir. But, I'm looking for this really handsome vampire who was supposed to meet me as soon as I got my diploma. Have you seen him?"

He tried to stifle a grin, "Well, it would really help if you could tell me what he looked like."

"Well, he's extremely tall and has ash blond hair. He's really arrogant and he's really handsome so I guess he has reason to be. Now, if I could only remember the color of his eyes…." She said tapping her finger on her chin.

"Well, I'm sorry, I can't help you. I haven't seen anyone that looks that good. Are you sure there is someone that magnificently beautiful? And as for arrogant? I guess you can forgive him that when he's been slaying dragons."

"Like a knight? Oh, please, what a cliché! Well," she said shrugging, "Since he isn't here I guess you'll just have to do."

"You are so cheeky." He mumbled taking her into his arms and kissing her. The electric shock that ran through him thrilled him as he deepened the kiss knowing that once he pulled away she'd be breathless.

"You're going to ruin my heels!" she whispered against his lips.

"I'll just buy you new ones." He whispered back kissing her once more before pulling back some.

He put his hands on either side of her face and took her in. Goddess, he missed her. He'd almost forgotten how beautiful she was. She was breathtaking. And he thanked whatever god or goddess who made it possible that she still had that unnerving love in her eyes. Remembering her or just seeing pictures didn't do her justice. Nothing beat seeing her in the flesh.

Thank-you, she whispered into his mind kissing him again.

He groaned, Unless you want me to do something out here we're going to regret you should probably stop kissing me.

She laughed mentally, Are you telling me Ash Redfern has been celibate since he left?

That's exactly what I'm telling.

I don't believe you!

Look for yourself.

She looked up at him and he felt her mind and soul digging through his memories. And she smiled up at him.

"You kept your promise." She whispered.

Yeah, I did. "What about you? Any prospective boyfriends I have to beat up?"

"None," she answered with a grin.

"I don't believe you." He answered.

She smiled up at him, "You just want to know what I've been up this last year."

You're right. He answered nuzzling her cheek wrapping his hands around her waist again, keeping her close.

So, look, you big idiot. She answered laughing.

"Ugh, if you two could be anymore cute I'd barf. You're just as bad as Jade and Mark." Kestrel called coming toward them with Rowan, Jade, and Mark in tow.

"No one told you to come out here, did they? Thanks for ruining a moment. But, then that is your thing isn't it, Kest?"

"Kest? Ugh, no one's called me that since I left the island. And if you call me that again I'll kill you." She said smiling maliciously her eyes flashing gold.

Ash's mauve eyes took a metallic color making them look like a mixture of silvery-purple-blue. His own smile had grown cold and dangerous. Kestrel moved back and lost the metallic color of her eyes.

"Come on, we're headed over to Mary-Lynnette's house for a graduation party." Rowan said separating them by putting herself in between.

Rowan beamed at the two of them before carting her sisters and Mark away from the group leaving Ash and Mary-Lynnette to get into the Corvette.

Mary-Lynnette had changed out of the black knee-length ruche dress and into her favorite dark flared jeans and black lace camisole. She still wore her heels since Ash seemed to like them so much. Ash's eyes lit up when she opened the door to let him into the room and desired filled his black eyes.

"You like?" she teased.

"I love." He growled pulling her toward him and kissing that place on the back of her neck that made her shiver.

She pulled him into the room and he looked around. Nothing, he guessed, had changed. The room was still dark blue with glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. Books still lined every surface of the room and astronomy books took a big part of the mess. He fell back on the bed taking Mary-Lynnette with him.

She snuggled up to him and he breathed her in. It had been a long time since he'd smelled anything so delicious as his soulmate. He loved the feel of her pressed against him.

He sighed contentedly, "I could do this every day and never get bored."

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it." Mary-Lynnette said sitting up, "Some people have lives to attend to."

"Nah, I'll make you my little house girl. You'll sit in a room all by yourself being showered with gifts until I need you."

"Yeah, until I go so crazy with boredom that I slit your neck and steal your money becoming one of the wealthiest woman in the world." She replied.

He could feel the dislike at his teasing. She would never let herself become a little trophy housewife. He chuckled playing with a piece of her hair.

"Scary, huh?"

She rolled her eyes and got up not even bothering to give him an answer. She took his hand and dragged him downstairs. He knew she felt obligated to mingle so he obliged. He'd have all week to be with her before Thierry needed him back, anyway.

Ash watched as Mary-Lynnette mingled with the small party. It was mostly family. And the small population of teenagers from Briar Creek obviously didn't have anything better to do since they were all located in Mary-Lynnette's house. Ash couldn't understand why he was so jealous as he watched guys talking to Mary-Lynnette. He knew she only had eyes for him, but it still angered him the way the guys tried to flirt.

He pulled her toward him and kissed the top of her head, "I'm going outside for some air."

She smiled up at him, "Okay, see you in a little while."

He stepped outside where a boy with brown hair stepped up to him.

"So, are you the mystery guy Mary-Lynnette's been seeing?"

"Is that any of your business?" Ash asked coolly.

He'd encountered the guy earlier and didn't care for him. It was the guy she'd been talking to at the school. He'd, also, been one of the daring guys who'd flirted with Mary-Lynnette earlier. Actually, he'd been the worst of them.

"Yeah, it is."

"And why's that?" Ash asked in a bored voice taking in the pathetic human in front of him. He'd seen more intimidating humans in Circle Daybreak and some of them were women.

"Because I'm interested in her. I'm going to be with her and some rich asshole from God-knows-where isn't going to ruin things for me."

Ash wanted to roll his eyes, but his telepathy had accidently caught the boy's thoughts. His anger was spiking and it was making his control slip. As he read the boy's thoughts he couldn't stop himself from trying to walk away and he snapped when the boy grabbed his arm.

Without thinking he grabbed the boy around the neck and threw him away from him. Mark and Mary-Lynnette's dad hurried to stop him, but Ash was all ready on the kid punching him. He could hear Rowan, Kestrel, and Jade yelling in his head as they hurried out of the house, but by then he'd grabbed Mary-Lynnette's dad and punched him.

"ASH!" Mary-Lynnette screamed in his head and out loud.

He stopped and looked up at. She looked…frightened. But, she wasn't frightened off him. She was pissed at him. She was afraid of what would happen to him.

Stop! What's gotten into you?

He…He…

Mary-Lynnette looked at his memories and sighed.

Come on.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the dirt lane that led back to the Burdock Farm.

You need to go. She whispered not looking at him.

M'lin, I'm sorry.

Ash, please, just go before the sheriff comes and arrests you.

I love you.

I love you, too. She replied finally looking at him.

I'm sorry.

So am I.

I'll make up for this. I swear.

I know. She replied with a small smile reaching up and pulling him down for one final kiss before pushing him toward the farm.

Ash later found out that Mary-Lynnette's father had come out with a broken nose. As did the kid he'd punched not to mention a rib fracture. It could've been worse. But, it definitely shook him to stay as far away from Mary-Lynnette's business as he could.

He looked around him and found that he'd reached the Blooming Palace. He was just about to open the door when it opened to reveal Drakon and Sara. Sara smiled at him.

"Hello, Ash."

"Hey, Sara."

Ash watched as the smile faded from her face and her eyes grew white and cloudy. What was wrong with her? He looked at Drakon, but he was staring at Sara. Sara's eyes cleared and she gasped looking at him. She grabbed his arm.

"You are better than what you are going to do. Be wise in your decisions, Ash. For your choices have a way of coming back to haunt you." Sara said gravely to him.

Ash looked at her in confusion.

"Goodbye, Ash. And good luck." Sara and Drakon left and Ash watched them go in confusion.

He wandered into the palace and could hear what could only be surmounted as a party. He followed the sound until he opened the door to a dining hall where drinks were being passed around by some of the servants and employees. Ash watched as a blond witch came over to him.

"Hello, Lord Redfern," she said running her fingers over his chest.

"Hey, Katerina, what's going on?"

"We're just having a few drinks. Want to try some?"

He nodded. What the hell? It was just a few drinks. He could use a distraction right now. A brunette witch came up beside Katerina holding a drink in her hand. She handed it to Ash who downed in instantly. They grinned and took both his hands pulling him over to the dance floor. He began moving and not thinking. And for once he relished the coming hangover.

Sara looked back at the Blooming Palace. Had she done the right thing warning him? Had she done the right thing separating him from his soulmate? Or had she just set him up for his demise? Ash Redfern. What would she do with him?