A/N:

Hey guys sorry for not posting sooner. Life is hectic. Then again. I keep getting in trouble for writing this on the school computer when I'm supposed to be doing maths. (Be honest, which one would you rather do) Anyways, please review. Tell me your thoughts. Any suggestions or characters you want included.

Thanks for reading. I can now tell my teacher that I have a 'legitimate' career and should not be bothered by schoolwork!

Aelin sheathed her knives at her hips and strutted up to the rail as the three fae males entered followed closely by Aedion, Luca and Lysandra. Elide was noticeably absent but Aelin didn't blame her from wanting to avoid the inevitable drama that would surely ensue. "Well, well, well." She drawled flocking a lazy eye over Rowan. "Look what the cat dragged in." Fenrys burst out laughing. " Was that a joke?" He asked between peals of giggles. ( Who knew Fae could giggle?) Even the bastard Lorcan cracked a smile. Hassar hid her mouth behind her hand and Gwenevieve snorted. Rowan shot them a disgusted look. "You call this a training room?" He asked looking around him with his signature stony glare. "Since I have no doubt you know what a training room is." Aelin retorted. " And this is certainly not a book store. I'm going to take that as an insult." The bastard smirked. " What are you going to do about it." Quick as a flick of a whip, Aelin drew a small knife from her boot and threw it at Rowan, where it stuck- quivering- in the wall by his head. Aedion smirked and Lysandra's eyes widened in alarm. Rowan's bastard expression was gone. He looked almost… surprised.

He pulled the knife out of the wall and examined it. Then he threw it at Aelin's head. She only just managed to roll out of the way. It bit into the dirt just inches away from her. Aedion and Fenrys blurted words of equal rudeness. Probably words that should not have been uttered in a Lady's company. Lysandra's hand went to the back of her neck where- Aelin knew- she kept a knife strapped to her back under her gown. Lorcan lunged closer to Rowan. To protect him or stop him, Aelin didn't know. Hassar vaulted over the railing to stand with Gwenevieve, between Aelin and Rowan. "That's blasphemy Rowan!" Luca protested. " You can't attack the Princess!"

Rowan glared at him. " This little brat needs to be taught a lesson."

"Hell no!" Aedion snarled.

" Bring it!" Aelin said baring her teeth.

Gwenevieve and Hassar quickly got out of the way when Rowan vaulted into the arena. Yet another reminder that this male was possibly the most powerful person in the room.

Rowan unsheathed the wicked looking blade across his back. " You know.." He said in typical bastard fashion. " I like your courage, however foolish. It'll be a pleasure beating you."

" Likewise." She growled.

And she sprung at him.

Rowan knocked her knives away from his face and swung his blade at her knees. She dove over it and lashed out at his legs. He fell she kicked his sword away. She turned and threw herself on him again pushing her knives toward his face. He grasped her wrists, and twisting them, forced her to let go of her knives.

She leaned down and bit his hand. He yelped in pain and threw her across the arena. Aelin crashed into the sawdust and lay there for a moment groaning. " I'm going to stop them." Fenrys said but he didn't really sound sure.

" Just let it play out." Aelin heard Lorcan say. "Its just getting good!"

Aelin ran at Rowan, jumping and kicking both of her feet into his chest. He grabbed her ankles and threw her onto the ground flinging a hand into her face. She turned her head to the side and spat blood onto the floor then flung a fist back. The two of them fought. Staining the sawdust around them a dark crimson and splattering each of their faces lovely shades of blue and purple. Then Rowan pinned Aelin underneath him and she caught a whiff of his scent, pine and wind and snow. He smelled like Terrasen. Like home. Someone screamed. Or that might have been her, she couldn't be sure. ' 'This is our mate!' Cried a voice in her head. It was a happy little voice and one she had not heard in quite a while. That of a little girl, one who burned down libraries and couldn't hold books when she got too emotional because she would burn the things she loved. The one who the world hadn't yet fucked up. The little girl who longed for her mate- her equal. The one person who she might be able to touch without burning.

But that was before magic disappeared and that was a little girl that Aelin didn't know. That was a stranger.

Aelin pushed Rowan off her and jumped the railing of the arena. Lysandra caught her arm before she could make it out the door. "Aelin.."

She shook her head at her friend. Horror trapped in her eyes. Then she fled the room. Flying up staircases and through corridors until she got to her bedchamber and slammed the door. The latch clicked into the silence.

Second A/N:

This is pretty much where writer's block kicks in so please review and tell me any ideas you have. This chapter was dedicated to my wonderful readers. (As far as I know I only have 6) And those of you who have made my day with your positive reviews. You can't imagine how lovely it is to read something like the stuff you guys write and then go to school with a smile on my face for once, not dreading school.