Btws, I changed a little detail in the first chapter. Ira now looks like a nineteen year-old, not a sixteen year old. You'll see why later on. I just chose sixteen at first on a whim. I felt like everything happened at sixteen, lol.

By the way, I can't use the word now if I'm writing in past tense, right? I know there are a lot of different situations where it can be used but Ergh. Whatever.

=:- Love and Respect -:=

Anger and Panic

It's amazing how words can manipulate feelings— my oh-so-human-like ones not being an exception.

For example, if I heard the word sage, I'd feel indifference.

If I heard the word rowan, I'd smile my way into a human bar and start a large fight.

Then, there's a specific, three-letter word that manages to twist and mold my emotions in such extreme ways. If I heard it, I'd think of multiple things like the leftovers of a campfire, a type of tree, cigarette remains, and the cause for a growingly-dark sky after a recently erupted volcano. Then, other things come to mind that aren't exactly equivalents of the actual word but of an existence.

Horrible tricks, merciless taunts, and steely, dispassionate grey eyes that could easily deceive me by filling with warmth, hiding the cruelty and mockery behind them.

If I heard the word ash, I'd hold no responsibility for my actions because all sense of rationality and reasonability and control would fly out the window. Along with a couple of bodies.

It was him. I knew it. There may be millions of others in this world who go by the same title, who've made acquaintance with my queen, but I just knew that she was talking about him.

Usually, when I hear some fey talk about him, I don't do much other than throw a few temperamental fits that are slightly more destructive than the one's I have when I hear Rowan's name. Usually, I don't think about going and tearing his head from his neck because I'm too busy with monsters or the human police chasing me down after a fit. Usually, I'd never feel the urge to track him down to make him repent for his misdoings in the name of another instead my own.

But, my queen had fallen in love with the heartless bastard.

But, my queen got hurt.

So, my response was not the usual one.

It came in a powerful surge. My grasp on control loosened significantly, and I saw the forest around me, a deep evergreen, be subdued by a fog of murky red. The blood roared in my ears, deafening but not enough so to distract me.

Because that bastard hurt my queen.

"Where are you going?" The question was as sudden as the grasp on my arm, but they did little to faze me. Once I had a goal, especially of vengeance, I couldn't be snapped out of my murderous state.

"I'll be back," I muttered noncommittally, shrugging off his hand. "Let go."

"But you're still hurt," he stated, gesturing at my shoulder which wasn't radiating pain like it was a few moments before.

"I'm fine," I snapped bitingly. The anger was welling up in my body, causing my hands to tremble and for my breathing to turn uneven.

The things I've done before were just little tantrums that I had convinced myself were genuine expressions of my anger.

I was deluding myself because this— this is true fury.

I may not have had a queen for the longest time, but I will always know loyalty. I will always know dedication. I will always know respect. Meghan is not only my queen, but someone who is more than worthy of all of those from me, and no one will get away with hurting her.

Ash, I'm coming for you, you mother—

"Ash? You're going after Ash?"

My body stilled, blood running cold as a small chill traveled down my back.

"How did you know that?" I asked sharply, my gaze snapping onto him.

"You told me," he answered hesitantly, locking his eyes on mine and running a hand through his red hair.

"No, I didn't. I would never tell you," I sneered, "and it's not like I mumble unconsciously."

The fey can't lie.

Suddenly, I felt wary. The anger was still there— that was undeniable— but I also felt threatened. I never feel threatened since I don't care what happens to my physical form. I'm partly human, so that means I have a soul that will continue to exist. Though, my mind is something that I can't have being invaded or tampered with. Ever.

But the confusion in his eyes told me that was exactly what had happened.

"Okay, okay," he said, raising his hands. "This is now completely weird. The shocks are strange enough, but now we have to add mind reading to this freak fest? We should really try and—"

"We are not doing anything," I hissed, absolutely enraged. Him injuring me was one thing, but to enter my mind somehow— that's completely unacceptable.

"You will keep your distance from me," I stabbed my finger into his chest, and then pointed at myself, "while I will stay away from you. I am so sick of this. It was excruciating before, but now its completely unbearable. The only time there will be a we is when we avoid each other like the freaking plague. Got it?"

Whirling around, I stalked off towards where I felt Meghan's strong glamour. Feeling too angry, frazzled, and panicked, I dismissed the uncharacteristically stony expression he had worn on his face.

"Fine by me."

Them feels. Well, I hope you guys feel them feels xD I dunno how well I do on the emotional impact part :/ Some writers out there can make me cry, I swear, and I have no idea how-they-freaking-do it.

But thank goodness that I got my story back on track. The thing about Ash was not planned btw.

This is short, but I PROMISE THAT I WILL BE UPDATING A LOT SOONER FROM NOW ON! REALLY! I WILL! -coughs and smiles sheepishly-

Btw, if you're wondering why Puck and Ira forget about the Ash thing is because they get so freaked out about the mind-reading thing (-cough Ira cough-)

Mackie Effing Mad: Whoa, it was fast? Really? Cool. Well, I don't think you'll be saying that about this one, heh heh. Lol, badass is what I aim for :D Psh, whatchu tawkin bout. You have really cool action scenes too *o* Aha, I just like memes on FB. That's good enough for me :) And thanks yew :3

Queenie: Psh, naw. You're just busy. You know, court to rule and people to turn into frozen statues, the deal. LOL. Iraish. That sounds... At first I was going to say it sounded like a curse but since I said it outloud, it sounds like Irish. XD Seriously? Yessss. I like this Meghan :3 Lol, it's not possible for any reviews to be mad, honestly. ^-^

fantasyfreak133: Aww, thanks :) It is a lot different, but in this story, it's totally... unstable is the only way I can describe it. From my first chapter to this one, my writing is different. I guess I was just experimenting, lol. Thanks for reading :D

Like a Ninja