Aelin grinned as she wiped her blade clean with her sleeve. She sighed, and bent to return the dagger to its strap on her calf. As she stooped down she caught a glimpse of Chaol, standing to her right, ankle deep in the sewer water. In the dim light she could still see that he was staring at her from the corner of his eye. She would of- should of brought Rowan instead on the Valg hunt, but she couldn't meet his eyes after what she had done last night.

Aelin was positive-although his eyes were as cold as his ice-that he was disgusted. Yes, the man had been a rapist and monster. But it takes a monster to kill a monster, especially so cruelly. The worst thing was a revolting part of her enjoyed it, like she always had. Maybe she was as much as a sadist as Maeve, maybe Rowan had realized he had just signed himself to another sadistic queen. He hadn't even gone to bed after he escorted her to her bedroom. Rowan had just flown out into the night. And she had lain on the bed completely numb, her finger still twitching from the remaining adrenaline. Aelin rose from her crouch and splashed through the water, maneuvering around decapitated bodies to the exit.

As she emerged from the sewers she saw that the sun was gone, and replaced by the moon. Aelin watched her visible breath float out of reach while she heard the scraping of Chaol rising from the hole. They had not spoken a sentence to each other, despite being together all day. Though she had noticed his stares, his careful observation of her actions, and his sharp breaths when she severed another head.

She stalked into the alley that would lead them home, aware of Chaol silently following her. She heard the crunch of gravel as he crept closer to her. Aelin dismissed the action and walked on, as if nothing had changed, her arms swinging by her sides. Her index finger brushed a callused hand and before she could register it her back was against the alley wall, and his body was pressed against her, his familiar lips on hers, her mouth filled with a distinct taste that was Chaol.

Aelin took in a sharp breath, his hands were hovering around her waist, with his tongue he asked for entrance, and for some reason Aelin decided to give it to him. Chaol felt his heart flutter as their tongues began to dance. He lightly caressed her waist, sending sparks through her, and pushed her further against the wall. She found herself kissing him back, it was a welcome distraction from what had been plaguing her mind, from Rowan, from life... from everything. She looped her arms around his neck, and he gripped her tighter. She shuddered, the air seemed colder.

Rowan was sore from circling the apartment in his hawk form all night, he hadn't allowed himself to sleep in bed with Aelin. Especially after he had come so close to losing control last night, he didn't trust himself to be around her without doing something stupid. Rowan had grudgingly allowed her to go with Chaol so he could think clearly. But even with her out of sight, he found his thoughts drifting to her. She had avoided his eyes and subtle gestures in the morning and he was afraid she had assumed the worse, and after the sun had set he had set off to look for her.

Rowan's wings were beginning to throb so he shifted to fae form, landing on a roof near to the apartment in a crouch. A gust of wind came his way and he caught the fiery scent of his queen wafting through the air. He peered into the alley to see Aelin strutting down it, Chaol closely following her. Rowan's breath caught in his throat as Chaol grabbed Aelin, pushing her against the wall. His lips on her. For a second Aelin did nothing, then she kissed him back. Rowan snarled, as Chaol firmly grabbed her waist. Aelin's arms slithered up his chest and looped around his neck and pulled him close her. Rage, cold rage streamed through Rowan and he could feel but couldn't prevent the air turning cold as his magic reacted to his emotions.

How dare he touch her after he broke her, why would she even let him? Chaol's hands drifted down, as he kissed Aelin harder, her back arched against him and she moaned softly.

Rowan lost it when he heard her moan. He leapt from the roof sending a violent stream of wind at Chaol. Chaol stumbled backwards, away from her, it was all Rowan needed. As he descended Chaol turned towards him, Rowan punched him in the center of his chest, sending him flying backwards.

"Rowan?! What are you doing?!" Aelin screamed at him from behind. "For gods sake! What in the hell was that!?"

Rowan turned towards her, she was centimeters away and his breath caught for a moment,"He kissed you." he growled.

"I can kiss who I please."

His breath was ragged, and he was barely restraining himself from slitting Chaol's throat. "Not him. Not after what he did." They were so close Rowan's voice was a whisper, and his eyes kept drifting down to her swollen lips.

"I can kiss whoever I please." she repeated level and loud.

"You don't want to kiss him." Rowan persisted almost begging.

If Aelin didn't know better she would have sworn a glimmer of fear shown in his eyes, she took one step back and crossed her arms, "Maybe I do"

He turned away and pushed past her, letting his finger latch to hers for one fleeting moment. Rowan could feel himself crumbling at thought of them, an rushed home to her bedroom. He lay face-up, she was killing him. All he wanted was her. He sighed and closed his eyes, allowing her scent to encase him.

"So.." Chaol said as he stood up and brushed himself off. He tried to keep the hope from his eyes as he faced Aelin.

"Oh shut up." Aelin muttered and stormed back out of the alley. She just wanted to forget- a distraction. But Rowan was right, she didn't want to kiss Chaol, so she turned to the good old fashioned bottle.

Rowan sat up as he heard the bedroom door crack open, it was early morning and Aelin had still not come. That's when she stumbled into the room, in the dark light all he could see was the empty gleam of her eyes. He bit his lip, as she walked towards the bed and fell onto it, staring at the ceiling. Her outstretched arm was carelessly flung across his chest. He felt the bed shift as she rolled atop of him. Her body was limp as she peered mindlessly into his eyes. Aelin sat atop him her lean legs startling Rowan.

His breath hitched as she leaned down, her mouth coming dangerously close to his before whispering in his ear, "I tried to be someone else." She inhaled deeply, "But nothing seemed to change." Aelin exhaled, "I know now, this who I really am inside."

Rowan held his breath and he suppressed a shiver as her breath creased his ear, he could smell the alcohol on her breath. She withdrew and he let out a ragged breath, her head lolled down and shoulders where thrown back. "What if I wanted to break?", she questioned, her voice empty and hollow, "What if I fell to the floor?"

Aelin raised her head, her body swaying," What if I wanted to fight?" For the first time in two days she held his stare, "What would you do?"

She lowered her face, and their lips brushed, this time he couldn't repress the shiver. Rowan clenched his hands to keep from drawing her closer. She held herself there, they shared one breath. Aelin's eyes fluttered close and she slumped to the side. Her arms and legs still draped around him.

Ummm so, I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. I was debating even posting it but? Ehhhh. There are A LOT of 30STM references so yeah. Tell me if you liked it?