When we finally reached the trod, my wound was bleeding profusely, I guess it hadn't been just a scratch.

Thanks God, Kierran had put his shirt on again. Dad kept casting worried glances back at me, even though I assured him I was fine.

"Here it is" Grim announced.

An elegant red door was right in front of us. I hesitated. "What are we going to tell her?"

"Nothing. She probably already knows by now" Dad smirked. "That woman is better informed than a newspaper"

Kierran opened the door for us.

We were guided by two half-faeries, like me, to where Leahnansidhe was supposedly waiting for us. She did have a good life, her house was... impressive, she had a lot of musical instruments.

I walked carefully, trying not to put too much pressure on my left leg. "Guys, on second thoughts, maybe I'll need some stiches"

"Stubborn humans" Grim settled himself on a couch and seemed to be taking a nap.

Someone huffed. "Not on my new one" A tall blonde woman came out of nowhere.

"Lea, sup?" Dad walked up to her.

She grinned. "My pet, it's wonderful to see you again!" She noticed Kierran and me. "and you brought friends... So it's true then, you have a daughter, that's splendid! And you must be the Iron prince... Mab's grandson"

"... and Oberon's too, don't forget that part" Dad reminded her.

"Of course, of course," She gazed at him mischeviously. "The combination of Summer, Winter and Iron, how... interesting"

Kierran cleared his throat, unconfortable under her scrutiny. "We came because we need -"

"Shush, I know what you came here for, why don't we discuss that during dinner, I bet you all are starving." And that was not a question.

We sat in a large dining room, three times bigger than my room back home. Leahnansidhe told me about her status as the Queen of the exiled, about how she had been in the Summer's Court once, but Titania was jealous of her and banished her.

"Now, I know you've come here looking for my dear flower," She glared at Grim, who was again napping, this time on the floor. "He explained me everything"

"Great, because it's important. Will you help us or not?" I needed to know now, we only had a week to save the world. Dad reached for an apple.

Leahnansidhe arched a perfect eyebrow. "You are an impacient little thing, my pet"

I drank some juice. "That isn't news"

"Just like your father." She picked up a napkin"Tell me something my dear, you're a virgin, right?"

I chocked on my juice and blushed. WTF? "I think that's none of your business"

Apparently, Kierran and Dad had had a similar reaction. Kierran was trying hard not to laugh out loud, while Dad just seemed plain confused. I bet he hadn't considered all what being a father involved. The two uhhh problematic topics for parents: When they have to explain their children where babies come from, and when they have face the fact their children aren't children anymore. Dad was going through that part now.

"Well, I was just curious you know, since this poison I've been talked about only causes death when used on a pure girl"

My mouth hung open. It was a hard thing to assmilate, I mean, imagine someone comes and tells you "Hey, if you have had sex sometime in your life then you wouldn't be dying now" Uhhh no.

I gritted my teeth. "Then, yes, I haven't..."

This time Kierran couldn't help himself, he started to laugh uproariously. I glared at him.

"Now, that's interesting. I thought from the way this young man looks at you maybe..."

Kierran stopped laughing and his face turned bright red. "No, that it's not -"

"So, you don't want to... with her? You don't think of her that way?" Leahnansidhe asked, clearly enjoying the whole thing.

"I... ummm yes" Kierran stammered. He looked at me "I mean... no, but... Oh God."

I held up a hand. "Kierran?"

"Yes?"

"Shut up"

"Sure"

Leahnansidhe laughed "Come on darlings, I'll show you the flower"