The room exploded with shouts, and Aelin instantly regretted not think her words through. Aedion was by far the loudest, "What do you mean he can stay in your room? Stay in your bed?!"

Aelin's expression turned icy, dangerously level she questioned, "and so what, if he stays in my bed?" The whole room went silent, they all knew her well enough to shut up. Aedion swallowed, but he stood by his statement, a low life fae, that she barely knew, was not good enough to share a bed with his Queen, even if he was a prince. He glanced at the prince, he had removed his hands from her, but still stood an inch away. His stance was tense, as if ready to pounce on anyone who threatened the Queen. His expression was blank, controlled, and stern. Aedion's gaze returned to her's, resignation shown in his eyes, "Aelin, you are a queen. You can't just sleep with whatever boy you find pretty!"

"And why is that?" This time it was Chaol who chimed in, "It isn't proper" He insisted, stepping forward. How dare he? "You never seemed to mind that before, Chaol" Aedion almost choked. "Am I not your Queen?" The men nodded, even Rowan. "Then listen to me when I say this, what I do with my body, in my own time, is none of your goddamn business."

She turned, her fingers fluttering like moths, just itching to get her hands on a knife. In the old days, when she was this angry, she would go and pick a fight with someone, or something, just to get the anger out. But if they were right about one thing, it was that she was now a queen, and couldn't just abandon others. Rowan turned and put his hand between her shoulder blades, oh Rowan, constant, strong, Rowan. She sighed and squeezed her eyes shut, forcing out all the thoughts of her past life. She opened them and with her anger controlled, swaggered into her bedroom. Rowan followed her, his hands clenched, all he wanted to do was to reach out for her, but no matter what the other men thought, that was not how their relationship was. He gently closed the door behind him, catching a glimpse of Chaol sitting in a chair his hands holding his head, and Aedion pacing ferociously.

He turned to face Aelin, her hands were braced against the bed frame, her head hung in defeat, and strands of her silver hair loose, and untamed like fire. He approached her cautiously, his feet padding on the soft carpet. What had happened to her while he was away, what had happened to her before he knew she existed, were there still horrors in her past that even he did not know? She seemed so far away, all he wanted to do was to pull her back and hold her, that was all he had wanted to do ever sense they had separated. She turned and flopped on to the bed, her expression defeated and numb. As if remembering he was there she glanced at him, her eyes roaming his body and then resting on his eyes. He had missed those eyes.

"I could sleep on the couch", he said cautiously, he didn't want her to do something that she would regret.

"Not you too" she groaned. Rowan rolled his eyes, fine. She closed her eyes, then with a new sense of power, she got up and stormed into the closet, muttering, "Not proper? Not proper my ass. I'll show you not proper."

In her closet, she carefully selected the skimpiest and shortest nightgown she had, and it was a large collection to choose from. She could imagine the shock and pure horror on Choal's, and her cousin's face when they saw her emerge from the bedroom, like this, in the morning. She entertained her self with these thought as she slid into the silk and pranced out of the closet. Rowan shot up from his position in the bed, ahhh , she hadn't thought of how he would take it. Oh well. "WHAT IN THE NAME OF WYRD IS THAT?" She slid under the cool covers, relishing the silky feeling on her skin, "By heavens, what in the world are you talking about?" He scowled, and lied back down, defeated. She rested her head on the pillow and drifted to sleep.

Rowan didn't know when, but he awoke to a warm body snuggling against him. He sighed happily, as he looked down at her calm face. His arms were draped around her small frame, he hadn't remembered doing it, but he couldn't bring himself to move away. He smiled happily, and then he remembered what she was wearing underneath the crisp covers. He felt the heat creeping to his cheeks. Calming himself he look down at her again, he couldn't help notice the overwhelming surge of content that swelled in his chest, every time he looked at her. She was so stunning, he pulled her closer, smelling her hair and whispered, "I missed you so much, I will never let you slip away again"

So guys... what cha think? I never expected to get so much support, so thank you all! If you have any suggestions, please, please leave them below! I AM SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO UPDATE, and frankly, I have no excuse, I'm just a master procrastinator.

-Moi