Hey guys, sorry this is taking a while, I'm enjoying my hols and have way too much homework. I have been thinking a lot about this chapter, but never really got round to writing it until now. Thanks for all the amazing reviews, I really appreciate them.

By the way, it's gonna have quite a slow start, so I'm sorry for the boringness. Just building up the relationship drama. Hope you enjoy!!!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THRONE OF GLASS.

AEDION'S POV

I was pissed. Really pissed. My life had turned upside down in the space of a few minutes, and there was only one thing I knew for sure. I could never trust Lysandra again. What I felt for her — what I had felt for her, had disappeared so quickly that only my shredded heart knew it had been there.

As I glance around the longboat, assessing all the dangers, I catch the bitch staring at me. There was such grief and longing in her eyes that I realised she had lost not only her Queen, but also her best friend—the assassin who saved her from the hellhole in which she had spent her life—the girl who had seen her for what she was and had not turned her back on her. No, she had set her free—she had set us all free.

Without realising, tears slipped passed my guard and fell silently down my dirt streaked cheeks. I hadn't realised that it was possible to miss someone this much, to feel like your heart was being ripped out and twisted until you felt like you would never be capable of loving again. I was so used to keeping my emotions locked up that it was a blessed release to let it out. I let go of all pretense of reason as I fell to the floor on my knees and cried the shredded remains of my heart out.

Although I was wrapped up in this endless chasm of grief and pain, I was still alert enough to sense a figure pad silently into my vision. I managed to wrestle control of my raging feelings and raised my tear-streaked face to meet the worried, loving, jade-green eyes of a snowy ghost-leopard.

I waited for the non-stopping anger and betrayal, but instead I felt grateful that no matter what I had said (every single one of them I suddenly regretted), Lysandra didn't judge me, and she understood how much it hurt to lose my cousin, the wild girl filled with a raging fire who I had spent my whole life protecting, loving, and then finding after so many years.

Deep down, I knew that I could never hate Lysandra – or Aelin for that matter – for what they planned. The shifter would do anything for her Queen, just as I would. That was how I found my calloused hands reaching cautiously toward the only girl who had seen who I truly was and hadn't balked. As my fingers reached towards her, I looked directly into Lysandra's eyes and found them filled with understanding.

I knew in that moment that she realised how shattered my heart was, and that I forgave her but also needed a bit of time and space before our relationship could be normal again. Well, almost normal. After all we had been through, it was bound to be a little different. She understood all that and more, and in that moment I realised that I was way too lucky to have as good a friend as her.

As my fingers gently stroked through her deep fur, she purred, and seemed to decide that I wouldn't explode for she moved forward and nuzzled into my side. I surprised myself at the desire and warmth that flooded through me, but, not wanting to do anything wrong, I just curled into her warmth and let the tears flow, just like a child would. Even though I was choking on tears, I managed to get out what I wanted – just about. "I forgive you." I felt her soft form relax by my side, and I changed my mind. "Actually", I began, and she went ramrod straight, ready to run away. "Scrap that. I was never mad at you in the first place. I was just too deep in grief and I needed someone to blame it on. You just happened to play a part in her disappearance, so I threw everything we had in your face because I couldn't believe what had happened. The question is: do you forgive me?"

I finally overcame my cowardice and looked straight up at her, only to find the ghost-leopard replaced with a beautiful woman of coal black hair and slightly uptilted eyes of emerald–not to mention the most delicious, full breasts that caught my eyes instantly. Even though she noticed my eyes glazing over, she still spoke steadily.

"I can't say I forgive you since you haven't done anything wrong. But you should know that no-matter what you do wrong, I will always forgive you and accept it as part of your personality." Her full lips pulled into a small smile, but I could only thing.

"If I ask you something, do you promise to say yes?" The words were out before I could stop them. Instantly, the shields in her eyes snapped down and she replied cautiously.

"That all depends on what it is!" Her voice held humour that didn't quite meet her eyes. I didn't blame her, considering surprises were Aelin's favourite form of scaring the shit out of people. I took a deep breath, knowing that this was likely to increase the tension between us.

"Could I...I mean...Please could I kiss you? Just once. It's OK if you don't want it to mean anything...It's OK if you don't return my feelings. I just want one kiss. Have wanted it since I first set my eyes on you. Please." Once I had started, the words started pouring out, and from the look in Lysandra's eyes, I had pushed my luck too far. An awkward silence followed, and I had just started praying to every god I knew when she finally answered.

"A second ago you would barely look at me. I'm not sure how long this attitude is gonna last, so I might as well make the most of it." I could barely believe it.

"Is that a yes?!"

Lysandra sighed, exasperated. Then, slowly, she leant forward until her body was flush with mine and her lips were almost touching mine. Her scent was calling me, mint with a delicate balance of chocolate as she spoke.

"Hurry up and kiss me already!" She didn't know just how much I wanted to push her up against a wall and kiss her senseless. But I paused, giving her time to sort out her feelings, especially as I detected fear rolling off her in waves. I suddenly realised that this was probably her first kiss outside of doing her job as a courtesan. I'd better make it special.

She glared at me, waiting, and I smirked before leaning in and brushing my lips against hers. It was like the answer to a question I didn't even know I had asked. Her lips were soft and tasted of honey. I heard a word ring in my head.

Mate.

I pulled back quickly, knowing it to be true. Lysandra had her eyes closed and there was a faint blush across her milky skin. She didn't seem to realise what I just had. There was an irresistible pull towards her, and I couldn't stop my raging feelings.

I lunged at her, my mouth coming down on hers; hard. My hands locked around her slim waist and hers tangled in my honey-blonde hair. But then that word ring in my head again, and I knew what I had to do. She should live her life to the fullest, and not chain it to me.

I did the worst thing possible. I pulled away and stepped back.

"Aedion? Are you alright?" She looked so distraught. Then she broke my heart. "Did I do something wrong?"I had to stop her feelings for me.

"You didn't do anything wrong. I did. I shouldn't have kissed you in the first place. Her eyes widened, despair flooding them, but I forced myself to turn my back on her, and walk away into the velvety night, back to my cabin below.

Walking away is what I did best – after fucking my way out of things, of course.

I know I said it was gonna be a 'slow start', but I started writing and couldn't stop. It will still take a while before they become a thing.

I'm sorry it took a while, I'll try to update once every two weeks.