Winters Love

by HadesAngel

When Meghan honored her side of the contract with Ash, the youngest son of Queen Mab, she never expected to run into Ash's horrid older brother, Rowan. Nor did she expect the love that would soon blossom between them. Now Meghan has to deal with defeating the False King, boy troubles, and, oh yeah, a baby on the way.

4. Chapter 4

I have been on a role here lately! This is the longest chapter I have ever written! Over 5,000 words! On Word it came out as almost 13 pages. Inspiration has hit me like a ton of bricks. Of course it helps to have your chapters planned out. Anyway I'm not going to bore you with anymore of my chitter chatter. You didn't come here to read about that. You came here to read my story. So with further ado I present to you chapter four of Winters Love. I hope you all enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Rowan, Meghan, or any of the other characters that show up in the Iron Fey series. The only characters I own are the characters I may or may not make up in the future chapters. Everyone else belongs to Julie Kagawa.

I had been woken up by the sound of conversation going on downstairs. Yawning, I sat up in my bed and stretched. Throwing back the covers, I stood up out of my bed and slowly headed to the door, wondering what the commotion was all about. Reaching the bottom of the stairs I looked at the scene before me in astonishment.

Fey of the small variety that I didn't even have a name for were scurrying around the living room, fabric and other supplies scattered across the floor. They were all female, or at least appeared to be, and looked like gnomes. One of the gnomish creatures caught sight of me and began to talk hurriedly in a language I didn't understand to the others. They all turned to me and began chittering, obviously agitated by my appearance.

"Quiet!", a woman who I had not even noticed was standing in the kitchen, shouted. She was beautiful, extremely so even for fey standards. Vivid red hair spilled down her back in loose curls and ice blue eyes raked over me appraisingly. Her lips curled up into a smirk at my unkempt appearance and I fiddled with the bottom of my pajama shorts self-consciously.

"I can see why he called me here," she said as she gracefully approached me a glass of wine in her hand. "You really do lack any and all fashion sense."

"Be nice, Minerva," Rowan scolded as he descended the staircase behind me. I looked back at him and gave him a questioning gaze. He smiled at me and motioned me to the kitchen. I followed behind him, curiosity getting the best of me. After we had secluded ourselves in the kitchen I raised an eyebrow at Rowan.

"So, are you going to tell me what exactly is happening in your living room?"

Rowan smirked at me and then turned toward the fridge. He pulled out a beer and took a sip. I looked on in surprise. I never figured Rowan for a beer drinker.

"I am having a dress commissioned for you."

My eyes widened in surprise at his statement. Commissioning a dress? For me? Thoughts whirled around my head about why he would do something like this. My gut was telling me it would not be for an event I would enjoy.

"What event will I be expected to wear this dress to?"

"Your high school Winter Formal."

I choked on the water I had been drinking. My high school Winter Formal! Was he insane?!

"Are you crazy?! We can't go to my high school! I've been missing for months. What will everyone say? How will they react?"

"To be honest, Princess, they've probably already forgotten about you by now. You are half fey after all. We tend to be forgotten by the human population."

His words triggered a memory of me talking to Oberon, my biological father. He had told me about human tendency to forget the fey. As sad as this sounds, for once I was happy to have been forgotten, and hopefully, they wouldn't remember me either. I looked up at him and sighed.

"I don't have a choice do I?"

"No, not really," he said, smirking as he continued to sip from his beer. I growled at him in irritation which only made his smile widen. A few of the gnome like creatures scuttled into the kitchen and grabbed my hands tugging me in the direction of the stairs. I looked back at Rowan, my face begging him to stop them. He chuckled at my facial expression and continued to drink his beer.

"They're just taking you upstairs to get started on your makeup. The dress should be finished before the Winter Formal."

I scowled at him before being dragged upstairs. I shivered at what these creatures were fixing to do to me.

Rowan's P.O.V.

I lounged across my couch and watched as Minerva and her servants created the dress for the half-breed princess that was currently upstairs. I could hardly wait to see her all dolled up. Meghan was naturally beautiful because of her fey blood but I bet that she would be drop dead gorgeous with a little makeup on. And that is what I requested, a little makeup. I was never a fan for the girls who caked it on by the pound. It was actually quite the turnoff. I was drawn out of my thoughts by Minerva's continuous glances at me. I narrowed my eyes at her and she quickly looked away.

Minerva was bold for a Winter fey but she still recognized who was the superior one here. I figured now was as good a time as any to make her aware of my expectations with this situation.

"You will not speak of anything pertaining to me or the Summer princess," I commanded in an icy voice. I could imagine the nightmare that would await me should Mab or anyone else in the Winter Court discover my true intentions with Meghan. It would not end well for me, and most especially for Meghan. Surprisingly I was more worried for Meghan's safety than my own and the thought disturbed me. "You and your servants will swear to me, right now, that you will not breathe a word about this ordeal."

A vicious glint showed in her eyes as she turned and stared at me. It was no secret that I had taken her to bed before. Everyone in the palace knew about it. Hell, everyone in the Winter kingdom knew about it. Minerva was a bragger, and nothing gained you bragging rights like fucking the second son of Mab. I often suspected that she wanted more from me than a quick tup. It wasn't love, no never love. Winter fey didn't experience love and if we did we made sure to keep it hidden. A loved one was a good way to get you killed. No, Minerva did not love me. She wanted the perks that came with being the wife of a Winter prince.

"Why does it matter if I tell or not? Everyone in court already knows that you took that Summer whore to the human world to try and convince her to ally herself with us. Though nobody knows why Mab would want that filthy half-breed. She's good for nothing."

My blood boiled at her words and I could feel my magic begin to swirl through the air. The temperature dropped and the glass I was holding began to ice over.

"You will not speak of her that way. If I hear those foul words leave your mouth again I will freeze your pretty lips shut for the rest of eternity, and how, my dear, will you attract a man after that?"

Her face flushed in white hot fury at my words. It was no secret that she gave herself to any noble who could further her social standing. Often her signature move was to jump you in a secluded hallway and blow you. It was what she had done to me. And she was damn good at it too. Must have been all that practice, because I was surly not her first conquest, though she had never managed to tame me.

"How dare you say those things to me! I am Queen Mab's personal seamstress! I am-"

"You are nothing more than a common servant, lowly, and beneath her notice. She would not save you from my wrath. It would be a waste of her time. Plus, she could replace you in two seconds. You're expendable, and if you and your creatures don't swear to me that you won't speak of anything that happens in my house, I will end your career. No one will even spit on you when I'm through. You will be nothing. Well…more of a nothing than you already are," and with those whispered words I tightened the hold on my glass and it shattered into many sparkling pieces.

Minerva paled at my words, her anger leaving her only to be replaced with fear. She was perfectly aware that I could end her and everything that she had worked towards. She bowed her head in submission and swore her oath. The oath was binding for her servants as well since they were sworn to obey her. I smiled in satisfaction. After ten more minutes the dress was finished and it was a beautiful piece of work. Sapphire blue satin shimmered in the light. It would complement Meghan well. I stood up off the couch and walked forward, finger gently stroking the material.

"You did a wonderful job, Minerva," I said as I turned to look at her. "I will make sure that everyone in the Winter kingdom will know of your incredible work."

Minerva avoided my gaze, still properly chastised from my earlier words. I grinned at her discomfort and started toward the stairs to get dressed in the tux that had already been made before her arrival. At the top of the staircase I looked back down at her and smiled.

"Oh, Minerva," she looked up at my voice and waited for me to continue. "Do be a dear and help the lovely Summer princess into her dress. That is something your qualified to do, is it not?"

Fury lit up her emerald eyes and I could tell she wanted to let her sharp words fly but she simply nodded. My smile dimmed a little at her lack of defiance. Oh, well, I had better things to do anyway than antagonize her. Like getting ready for a date with my fiery princess. I headed to my room and grabbed the tux from where it was hanging on my bathroom door. I dressed and made sure my appearance was impeccable. A Winter prince can't go out looking like a pauper. Satisfied with my appearance I headed back downstairs to wait on the sofa.

Thirty minutes passed and I continued to wait. My patience was starting to fray and I tapped my fingers against the top of my knee in agitation. No sooner had I stood up of the couch to see what was taking so long did Meghan appear at the top, knocking the breath right out of me. She was more beautiful than I had originally imagined. The color of the dress complemented her skin and eyes perfectly. It hung off her shoulders revealing more creamy skin. I gulped at the sight. Her makeup was done light just like I had requested and it accentuated her eyes. Her silvery blonde hair had been curled and twisted up in an exquisite up do, loose curls came down to frame her face. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I felt the beginnings of something stir in my heart, something forbidden, and I shook it off, thinking it was nothing but my imagination.

She met my gaze and a delicate blush graced her face and her sky blue eyes darted away from mine. I smiled gently at her shyness. I strode to the stair case as she descended. I met her at the bottom and held out my arm for her to take.

"Shall we?" I asked. She nodded and grabbed onto my arm. We headed out one of the side doors to my house that led to a small garden. In the darkest part of the garden lay a trod. This trod though was special. It could take me anywhere in the world as long as there was a trod there to return from. It had taken me years to make this trod. Many years of hard work to make travel more convenient for me. Luckily, there was a trod not too far from the school and a rental car awaiting us on the other side.

I took a deep breath focused on where I wanted to go and then, with Meghan on my arm, I stepped through.

Meghan's P.O.V.

We stepped through the trod and the air hit my skin making me shiver. Rowan noticed and pulled me closer into his side. Not that it mattered. His skin was only a little warmer than the air itself, him being a Winter fey and all. But I appreciated the gesture nonetheless. Rowan whistled softly and within a few minutes a car pulled up beside us. Rowan opened the door for me and helped me into the backseat like an old fashioned gentleman. My heart fluttered at the gesture. He closed my door and walked around the back of the car to get in the opposite side.

After we had settled in, the car moved forward and back onto the road, heading in the all too familiar direction of my high school. The closer we got the more nervous I became. Rowan could sense my unease and he laid a hand on mine, gently squeezing in the process.

"Relax. You'd give a brownie a nervous breakdown."

I gave him a look but otherwise remained quiet, too consumed with my impending reunion with my classmates. Finally, we pulled up outside the school and Rowan quickly got out and came around to my side. He opened the door and held out a hand. I slowly took it and he gently pulled me out of the car. He bent to the driver side window and whispered something to the driver. Afterwards, the driver pulled away from the curb and disappeared into the darkness. Rowan held out his arm and I took it. Together we walked into the school, otherwise known as my own personal hell.

The dance was taking place in the gym and I lead Rowan down the dark hallways to it. The gym was decorated in cheesy looking snowflakes. They were everywhere. Hanging from the ceiling, plastered to the walls. The table clothes where silver and white. Rowan chuckled beside me and then leaned down to whisper in my ear.

"I love the decorator. Maybe I can get some tips for the palace."

I snorted at this and looked up at him, a grin spread across my face. As we were laughing one of my former teachers approached us, clipboard in hand.

"You need an invitation to be here," he said as he glanced at Rowan, a clear look of disapproval plastered on his face. Before I could answer his eyes went blank and he turned and walked away. I glanced up at Rowan and saw him smirking at the man as he walked away. I narrowed my eyes at him but made no comment. We would have gotten kicked out if he hadn't of glamoured Mr. Carter. A slow song came on and Rowan turned to me and bowed.

"May I have this dance?"

I laughed at his antics before I accepted his outstretched hand and he guided me to the dance floor.

"You know, you're about as cheesy as these decorations," I teased as we danced. Rowan spun in me in a circle and then brought me back into the circle of his arms.

"You wound me, Princess."

I giggled at his antics and we continued to dance. The song came to a close and a more fast paced song came on. Rowan grinned wickedly at me. The dancers around us became more frenzied and soon we joined in. We danced together for several more songs before I finally had to stop. I walked over to one of the tables on the edge of the dance floor, Rowan following close behind me. He pulled out a chair for me and I sat, my feet starting to ache from the uncomfortable shoes.

"I'll go get us something to drink. Don't go wandering off, Princess," Rowan teased and I stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed as he walked away toward the refreshment table. As I waited for Rowan to come back an extremely surprising person graced me with his presence. Scott Waldron, the golden boy of my high school, and my former crush was sitting in the chair opposite me. A seductive smiled blazed across his handsome face and if I would've been the same girl I was before all my fairy misadventures I would've swooned, but as it was he no longer affected me. There were way more handsome boys in the world. An image of Rowan on the beach popped into my head and I blushed slightly.

"Hi, my name is Scott. You may have heard of me. I'm the quarterback for the football team."

I stared blankly at Scott my mind trying to wrap around the fact that he didn't remember me. After all, he tried to make my life a living hell after the computer lab incident. He leaned in and gave me what he probably considered a sexy smirk.

"You know, babe, I'm having a party tonight. Sort of a…after party. I was wondering if you would like to go, gorgeous."

I opened my mouth to reply but was interrupted by Rowan, who had seemingly appeared out of thin air.

"We would love to go."

Scott gave him a wary look before turning his attention back on me. He slipped me a piece of paper and winked.

"My address and time of the party is on there. I hope to see you there," and with that he got up from the table and disappeared into the crowd. Rowan took his vacated seat and set a glass of punch in front of me. I glared at him as he calmly sipped his own punch and gazed into the crowd.

"I don't want to go to Scott's party. He wasn't all that nice to me when I used to go here."

Rowan turned his gaze on me and lifted a brow. He gestured to my punch and I picked it up and took a quick sip of it. He gave me a satisfied smirk and continued sipping on his own drink.

"I accepted because I thought it could be fun and you, Princess, need to lighten up and have some fun. You never know what could happen at a teenager's party."

"Rowan, please don't make me go. I've already went to this stupid dance. Isn't that enough?"

"No, it's not. We're going. End of story. So, you better get used to it now, Princess."

I viciously glared at him which only caused him to give me an amused look. That's how we spent the rest of the dance. Me glaring daggers at him and him calmly sipping his drink. Eventually, the crowd started to scatter and Rowan led me out to the car that was waiting for us. The trip home was made in silence. When we walked through the door Rowan headed up the stairs and to his room. I followed behind him slowly, not at all eager to go to Scott's party.

Rowan paused in front of his door way and glanced back at me. I watched him warily.

"Go find something nice to wear and meet me downstairs in twenty minutes. I don't need to remind you what will happen if you don't heed my requests."

I nodded at him and he turned and went into his room, closing the door behind him. I flipped his door the bird before sighing and going to my own room. I flipped through the clothes in my closet, contemplating what I was going to wear. I had never been to a party before so I had no idea what to wear. I finally just decided on a pair of dark blue jeans and an off the shoulder long sleeved black shirt. I slipped on some ankle boots, pulled my hair out of it up do, and checked my makeup. Finding my appearance acceptable I headed back down stairs to wait for Rowan, if he wasn't already down there that is.

My hunch was right and Rowan was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. He was wearing black jeans that were tucked into black combat boots. A gray t-shirt hugged his chest perfectly and a black button up with the sleeves rolled to the elbows lay over it. He looked incredibly sexy. I cursed myself as I descended the stair case. I should be thinking about all the ways I could kill Rowan for forcing me to this party, not how good he looked in that outfit.

Rowan gave me an appraising look and his trademark smirk made an appearance on his face.

"You clean up nicely, Princess."

"Can we just go and get this over with please? My bed is calling my name."

"You're such a Debby downer."

"Did you just use the term, Debby downer?" I asked incredulously. He just gave me a goofy smile and headed for the door that led out to the garden.

The same car was waiting for us on the other side of the trod. Rowan handed the driver the paper Scott had given me. We drove in silence. You could hear the party before you could see it. Music pounded through the air and you could hear people conversing. We pulled up outside Scott's house and quickly exited the vehicle. Rowan did not act the perfect gentleman this time. He was too into his element. I frowned at his back as we headed up the sidewalk and into the house. People were scattered every which way. Most had cheap red plastic cups in their hands. Some bumped and grinded to the music that poured from the speakers. I rolled my eyes at their actions.

Not too long after we stepped into the overcrowded living room a swarm of wasted girls descended on Rowan. They flirted and flashed glimpses of their cleavage at Rowan. He smirked at them and flirted back. A spark of jealousy lit my heart but I quickly shrugged it off. I didn't have the right to get jealous over Rowan. He wasn't my boyfriend or anything like that. The girls started to drag Rowan off and he followed willingly behind them never giving me a second look. I stood in the living room, feeling very out of place and awkward.

I sighed and started wandering through the house, trying to find a quiet place to hole up until Rowan was done fraternizing with his whores, and trying to avoid the many wasted kids that dominated most of the space in the house. I eventually found a quiet corner in the study. I sat down on the plush loveseat and relaxed. Hopefully no one would bother me in here. My hopes were dashed when the door to the study opened. I waited; dread filling my stomach, sure that it would be a couple come in here to have sex. I was surprised to see, not a drunken couple trying to find a place to get it on, but Scott Waldron.

He saw me and gave me, what he thought was, his sexy smile. He sauntered toward me and sat down next to me. I scooted away a tiny bit, uncomfortable with his close proximity. I noticed he had a drink in his hand but one glance at his clear blue eyes and you knew he wasn't drunk. Not even a little bit.

"What are you doing in here alone? I thought you would've been with that boy that you were with at the dance."

"I guess he found better company," I said shrugging. That little surge of jealousy reared its head again and I had to battle it down.

"I understand. It was pretty uncool of him to abandon you at a party with people you don't know."

I laughed at his statement. He had no idea how well I knew these people, especially him. Scott's smile widened at my laugh. I assumed he thought that what he said had been funny. He abruptly stood and I watched him warily.

"Where are my manners? You must be thirsty and it is awfully hot in here. Could I maybe get you a drink?"

I thought about his offer for a minute and then nodded at him.

"Soda, please. I don't drink alcohol."

"No problem, I'll be back in a second."

He headed to the kitchen, shutting the study door behind him. Deciding that it was indeed hot in the room I followed him out. It was a little better out in the hallway but not by much. The hallway, like most of the house, was crowded with people. I glanced down the hallway to see Rowan disappear into the crowd with one of the skanks that had accosted him at the door. Jealousy flared up inside me and this time I didn't try to bite it down.

I jumped as Scott appeared back at my side another drink in his hand. He took it from him and took a big gulp. I turned and looked back down the hallway but I couldn't get a glimpse of the Winter prince. Scott's gaze had followed mine and he turned to look down at me.

"Forget about him. He ain't worth your time."

I went to give him a smile but suddenly I felt very drowsy. My vision blurred and I fell into Scott. He caught me around my waist and then hoisted me into his arms. I tried to open my mouth to ask him what was happening but I couldn't find the strength. As we headed up the staircase, my brain that had been sluggishly trying to find the answer to why I was suddenly weak, finally gave me the answer. Scott had roofied me! I tried to move but I couldn't manage more than a twitch. Scott cooed down at me and turned and headed down a hallway to the left of the stairs.

I prayed that someone would come up and stop him but I knew that no one would. Half the people were drunk and the other half probably wouldn't think it was odd that he was carrying me up the stairs and if they did they wouldn't confront him about it. He knocked on one of the doors and it opened to reveal another member of the football team. I couldn't remember his name but I do remember him being a giant jerk off. He wasn't the only one in the room though. There was another football boy standing in the corner. Scott tossed me on the bed and they all stared at me, lust shining in their eyes.

All three of them approached me at the same time and began to strip me out of my clothes. Tears leaked out of my eyes at how powerless I was to stop them. I was fixing to be gang raped. It was a fate that I never imagined happening to me. I had been too careless. The knowledge of what was fixing to happen to me became too much and I started to black out. Before I completely descended into darkness I felt the stinging chill of Winter magic hit my naked flesh. I smiled in relief. Rowan was here…

Rowan's P.O.V.

My anger at these filthy mortals was an understatement. I wasn't just angry. I was absolutely livid. I killed the first one before he could even see me coming. The two other boys turned in the direction of the snap of their friend's neck. The shorter one rushed me but I stepped out of the way and, quick as a flash, sank my dagger deep into his throat. He gurgled on his own blood for a couple of seconds before I ripped out my blade and he collapsed to the floor, twitching occasionally. I turned my gaze back to the Waldron boy. He was huddled against the opposite wall, and from the smell that permeated the air, had pissed himself.

If it would have been any other occasion I would have laughed but this incident was too serious. I slowly approached the boy and he curled in on himself, shrinking away from me in the process.

"Pl-Please, don't kill me!"

"You don't get the option to live you disgusting piece of shit. You tried to rape what's precious to me. You won't get away with it."

And before he could react to my words I slashed my blade across his throat. I watched him choke on his own blood for second and then hurried to Meghan's side. She was almost completely stripped of her clothes, the only thing still on her body being her panties. Dark fingerprints marred her flesh, especially around her breasts. I growled in fury. Their deaths were too swift! I went to get her clothes off the floor but realized that they wouldn't work. Those savages had torn them to shreds in their hurry to get her naked.

I shrugged off my black button up and slid it on her. I buttoned it up and made a call to the driver of the rental car to hurry and pick us up. I gathered Meghan up into my arms and carried her downstairs. I was completely unconcerned with the partiers downstairs and whether or not they saw us. They would just forget what they had seen anyway. The car was out front waiting for us when I opened the door. I quickly raced to it and opened the door. I gently sat her inside and buckled her up before sliding into the seat next to her.

We were back to my house in a few minutes and I carried her up the stairs to my room. I placed her on the top of the covers before making my way to her room to grab a pair of her pajamas. I quickly changed her into the tank top and shorts that I had brought for. I pulled back the covers and placed her under them. I then went to my dresser and grabbed a pair of black pajama bottoms. I stripped out of my clothes and put the bottoms on.

A noise from the bed made me hurry to Meghan's side. She opened her eyes and look up at me. She reached out and grabbed my arm but there was no pressure behind it. She was too weak to do any more than that.

"Rowan…?" she asked softly.

"Yes, Meghan. I'm here."

"I'm, I'm going to be sick…!" she managed to get out. I scooped her up and whisked her to the bathroom. No sooner had her head hung over the toilet then she began to heave. I settled behind her and held her as she vomited into the toilet. I gently brushed the hair out of her hair. She was sick for a good twenty minutes before her heaves subsided. I helped her off the floor and sat her on the edge of the bath tub while I flushed the toilet.

"Could you- Could you get me my toothbrush, please?"

I nodded at her and then went to do as she had asked. I brought it to her and watched carefully as she brushed her teeth. After that was all taken care of I scooped her back up into my arms and carried her to my bed. I got her settled in and asked her if she would like some water. She nodded weakly and headed to the kitchen to get her a cool glass of water. As I filled the glass with water I felt an emotion that I never thought I was capable of, guilt. I never should have left her. I never should have gotten jealous at Scott talking with her.

Shaking myself out of my thoughts I headed back up the stairs. I sat her up and held the glass to her lips. She took slow sips and then raised her head signaling that she was done. I set the glass on the nightstand and settled her back down against my pillows.

"Meghan?"

She hummed at me and opened her eyes, gazing up at me, her eyes starting to uncloud.

"I'm sorry that I let this happen to you."

A hand softly brushed my cheek and I looked at her in shock. She smiled gently up at me and stroked my cheek. I placed my hand over hers and leaned into her touch.

"It wasn't your fault, Rowan. I should have been more cautious of Scott."

"I shouldn't have left you at the party. I made you go and then I abandoned you. Would it be too much to ask if you could forgive me?"

"I forgive you," she murmured. I smiled down at her and then carefully extracted myself from the bed. A hand latched onto mine with more force than I thought she was capable of. "Don't leave me, please."

"I won't," I assured her. I went around the bed and slipped under the covers with her. She turned on her side and snuggled into my chest, sighing softly as she did. I sat there stunned at her actions before I eventually relaxed, stroking her hair in the process.

"Goodnight, Meghan," I softly whispered but she was already deeply asleep. I smiled softly at her and then joined her in the depths of sleep and for the first time in a very long time, I didn't have nightmares. Instead I dreamt of a lovely Summer princess who was stubborn but kind. And who was beginning to worm her way into my heart.