ASH POV
We stay there, lying in the grass until the moon comes out, enticing fireflies and pixies to come out. Meghan lies in my arms entranced, until one pixie decides to take her chances and pulls hard on a strand of her hair, making her yelp. Swatting the pixie away, I ease Meghan off my lap and pull her up with me.
"I think that's our cue to leave don't you?" She smiles shyly at me and reaches for my hand. We walk back to her room hand in hand. Puck is leaning by the door, his jaw dropping slightly when he spots us.
"Well I was going to ask if you wanted some company tonight Princess but it seems like it's not necessary." Meghan blushes, her cheeks turning a pale pink and I roll my eyes at Puck.
"Leave it alone Goodfellow." He bows mockingly in my direction.
"Whatever ice-boy. I was just here to tell you that Lady Weaver will come by tomorrow to make you 'presentable' for Elysium." Puck grimaces. "That's a fate I don't wish on anyone." Meghan looks mildly sick at the thought and so I quickly push Puck aside and lead her into the room so that, if she does have a panic attack, it will at least be in the privacy of her room.
"Charming. What was that for ice-boy?" Puck asks, staggering back melodramatically.
"You're not helping Goodfellow." I watch Meghan out of the corner of my eye as she sits on the bed. "We might be getting somewhere; I don't need you ruining it now. Got it?" Puck grins at me.
"Trust me Ash, I have no intention of ruining this for you. It's been a long time coming huh?" I rake a hand through my hair and nod.
"Way too long, but we're getting there. She's getting there."
"You think she'll be okay at Elysium." I sigh.
"Honestly? I have no idea. I hope so, but…I don't know. We'll just have to keep an eye on her." Puck nods, peering over my shoulder into the room. I follow his gaze and smile when Meghan catches my eye, blushing furiously as she looks away.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it I guess. See you later love-birds." Puck says loudly, waving at Meghan who waves back, before heading off down the corridor, whistling innocently. I shut the door firmly, because I know he'll be listening, at least for a couple more minutes. I know Robin Goodfellow all too well.
"Idiot." I mutter under my breath for good measure. A giggle comes from behind me and I turn around smirking slightly. I thought that had been too low for Meghan to hear, apparently not. I stay by the door, watching Meghan, waiting for a sign that she wants me to come closer, or to leave her alone and go away. I try to convince myself that leaving her alone will be fine, that I've done it every day for the past few days, but with all the progress we've made this afternoon, leaving her alone now will be harder than it has ever been before.
"Come here." She says quietly, patting the side of the bed. My heart lifts. She's really willing to let me stay? Not just stay, but sleep next to her like I used to? I walk over slowly, sitting on the edge of the bed, conscious of pushing her too far. She smiles at me.
"I don't bite you know. You can come closer." I smile back, shifting so that I'm lying next to her.
"Meghan you don't have to do this you know." I tell her, despite my body screaming at me to shut up, to just take this for what it is. She shrugs.
"I know but, it's like I told you earlier. I don't want to be scared of you anymore Ash. It's exhausting." I laugh and she shoves my shoulder. "It is! Especially when I don't know what I'm afraid of."
"I can imagine." I murmur.
"I'm sorry." Meghan says, resting her head on my chest again. I freeze at the unexpected gesture before slowly wrapping my arms around her. "I didn't mean to make you sad."
"I'm not sad Meghan. I haven't been this happy in such a long time. I don't want you to be scared of me either." She takes a deep breath, holding it for so long that I start to worry that she'll faint from oxygen deprivation, before letting it out in a quiet gasp and shifting in my arms so she's looking in my eyes.
"This is the first step right? It's working anyway; I don't feel like my heart's about to jump out of my chest in fear like it usually does." I can feel her heartbeat and it's still incredibly fast. When I point this out, she smiles shyly, looking at me through her eyelashes. "It's beating for an entirely different reason. Prince Ash." She whispers this last bit, before leaning down and brushing her lips to mine softly. Before I can kiss her back though, she pulls away.
"You're exhausted Ash. Get some sleep." I roll my eyes as she turns and tries to move away. Like I'm going to let that happen. I tighten my grip and bring her back so her head is on my chest again.
"As you wish Your Highness." I tease before settling back and closing my eyes, sleep taking me quickly.
I wake to the sound of knocking on the door. Meghan is still fast asleep in my arms and I smile at the sight before groaning as yet another round of knocking commences, so loud that Meghan stirs beneath me.
"Wha?"
"Someone's at the door. Do you want me to get rid of them?" I'm selfishly hoping that she says yes. Of course she doesn't.
"It's alright Ash. It's probably Lady Weaver." And with that she slides off the bed and pads over to the door, opening it a crack and peering through it before opening it fully. I collapse back onto the bed, barely concealing a groan.
"Miss Chase." A harsh voice says. I open my eyes and watch as Lady Weaver sweeps into the room.
"Lady Weaver." Meghan replies quietly.
"Well don't just stand there girl, we have a lot of work to do to make you look half way presentable." I bite back the cutting remark on the edge of tounge although it's extremely difficult when I see the dejected look on Meghan's face. Meghan follows Tansy into the bathroom, pausing at the door to give me a small smile. I nod in what I hope is an encouraging gesture as the door is closed firmly behind her.
Lady Weaver follows Meghan's gaze and her jaw drops when she sees me and I fight the urge to scratch as her gaze pierces me to the bed.
"What are you doing in here?" She demands. I stand smoothly and turn to face her my expression colder than ice as I remember how she just spoke to Meghan.
"It's none of your concern why I'm here." I reply bluntly. To her credit, it takes a long time for Lady Weaver to shift uncomfortably under my gaze.
"Tell Meghan that I'll be waiting in the hall for her when she's done. And I suggest you learn some manners, and start speaking to her as you would Lord Oberon. She is, after all, his daughter."
"You dare to lecture me? I will speak to the girl how I wish!" She splutters, red anger bursting around her.
"I do dare. You will treat the Summer Princess with respect. Or Lord Oberon will hear about it and I don't think he'd be happy to hear you've been disrespectful to his daughter. Do you?" She stares at me shocked as I head to the door. "Don't forget to tell Meghan what I said, will you?" With that, I turn and leave a dumbfounded seamstress standing in Meghan's room.
MEGHAN POV
I stand in the middle of my room as Lady Weaver finishes adjusting my dress. My legs feel like they're jelly and I'm having to fight to keep my breathing calm and steady. The mere thought of going to Elysium is making me a nervous wreck and that's before you account for the fact that this Elysium is being held in Tir Na Nog, the home of my worst nightmare. Yeah, this night is going to go well.
"Alright Miss Chase, take a look." Lady Weaver says. She's been very polite to me today. All fey are polite but there haven't been any scathing remarks about the state of my outfits like usual. I don't know what happened when I left Ash in here with her earlier but whatever he's done I can't say I'm not pleased about it. It's been almost pleasant.
I turn to face the mirror and gasp. I'm wearing a pale blue strapless dress, with tiny jewels decorating the bodice and trailing down the skirt. A small border of jewels line the edge of the skirt in an intricate lace pattern and my hair has been curled into ringlets that bounce slightly when I move. For the first time, I truly feel like a princess.
"It's beautiful." I tell Lady Weaver who offers me a small smile.
"Well, not many could pull it off." I try not to let my mouth drop open at the obvious compliment. Lady Weaver realises what she's said and turns around, picking up a white cardigan, with full sleeves a large jewelled button at the front. "This is to wear when you get to Tir Na Nog, it's too cold to just wear that dress." I nod in reply, folding the cardigan over my arm. She nods in approval.
"Alright then, go on. Your Winter Prince is waiting outside for you." I take one last look in the mirror before turning and walking, a little unsteadily in the heels I've been put in, out of the door.
Ash is leaning against the wall in the black and silver uniform I first saw him in. He looks up when the door opens, his eyes managing to take in my whole outfit without ever leaving my face. I blush a little and he smiles, pushing himself off the wall, before taking my hand and kissing it gently.
"You look beautiful Meghan." I smile and look down self consciously . He pauses. "There's something missing though." I lift my gaze from the floor and I'm surprised to see a mischievous glint in his silver eyes. I swallow, reminding myself that Ash won't hurt me, that he's never hurt me and that he love me and I love him.
"Oh really?" I tease, gaining some confidence again. "And what would I be missing." Ash's smile widens. He gestures to my bare neck and says;
"Something there." I watch as he pulls a box out of a pocket and holds it out to me. "Maybe this will do the trick." I take the box from him and open it. Nestled on a black velvet cushion is a silver necklace, with a small, glittering snowflake hanging from the end. I take it out of the box and hold it up to the light, my mouth dropping when it flashes blue. The same blue of Ash's sword.
"Do you like it?" I tear my gaze away from the necklace and launch myself at Ash, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.
"It's beautiful! How did you get this? When did you get this?" He laughs and pulls back, his arms dropping to my waist.
"Just because I haven't been in Tir Na Nog, doesn't mean I can't get you something nice from there. It does have some charms."
"How did you know I'd be coming to Elysium, let alone going with you."
"Well, I didn't know for sure. I hoped and anyway, even if you hadn't come to Elysium, I'd still have given you the necklace. It just makes it even more special that you are going to Elysium with me." I turn out of his arms, passing him the necklace.
"Will you put it on for me?" The jewelled snowflake rests on my neck, a cool presence in the summer heat that's ever present in Arcadia. Ash bends down and kisses my shoulder before taking my hand.
"Ready to go?" I take a deep breath and nod.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
"Then lets go, Tir Na Nog awaits us." I shiver at the thought.
So Meghan and Ash are off to Elysium together but what will happen when they get there? Will everything run smoothly? Tell me what you think guys - next chapter will be up soon xxx