Myriam's POV

I crept toward the windows as I heard footsteps coming closer to the house. When I moved the curtains out of the way, I couldn't breathe.

I knew how unlikely it was, but my mother had told me stories of my father-of his silver hair and green eyes. I told myself that it was just a coincidence, that this was just another of Drakon's visitors. But who was that girl with the male? When I saw her face, I concluded that she couldn't be any older than eighteen. Drakon never had couples over, mostly males stop by to chat and drink with him.

I quickly tiptoed to where Drakon was sitting in the kitchen and motioned for him to come over silently. He raised from his chair and before I could whisper what was going on, we heard the knock. I looked at Drakon and saw the question in his eyes-he hadn't invited anyone over tonight.

I knew then, that the man standing at the door was my father.

Aelin POV

I noticed a slight flutter in the curtains at the windows as we walked towards the house, and if Rowan had seen the movement as well, he made no indication that he had. I had never seen him look so conflicted. For once, his emotions were displayed clearly on his face. I squeezed his hand and he weakly returned the gesture, his palms slick and sweaty against mine. I had never been the one to comfort Rowan in this relationship, so I didn't know what to say or do in a situation like this. We made our way towards the front steps and stood in front of the grand door as if it would magically open itself. I wouldn't be surprised if it did. Once I realized Rowan would do nothing but stare at the door, I tentatively reached out and knocked. The door swung open in an instant as if they had been waiting right beside it. I could do nothing but hold in a gasp as my breath was taken away by the sight of the beautiful woman standing in front of me.

She had long, beautiful hair that was braided over her shoulder, shocking emerald eyes, and a certain fierceness that I had only seen in one other person. I glanced over at Rowan and he was staring at the girl in equal-if not more-amazement, mouth opening and closing as if searching for the right words to say. I had never seen Rowan this nervous, it was usually Aedion who was at a loss for words.

Behind the woman was a tall man, built like a warrior. He had a protective hand placed on Myriam's shoulder. He had an expression that probably mirrored my own. He kept looking at Rowan then back at Myriam, eyes getting wider with each movement.

A moment or two passed before a tear slipped down Myriam's face and she breathed out, "dad?"

Drakon's face went from mild to surprised to furious in a matter of seconds. Before he could open his mouth to say something, Myriam lept towards Rowan and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her burying his face in her hair; a missing part of him found. They held on to each other for a solid five minutes before he let go of Myriam, holding her at arm's length. They were both crying, tears sliding down both of their faces.

Drakon caught my eyes and I gave him a genuine smile as a tear fell down my own cheek.

"Can we come in?" I asked with the biggest smile on my face.

"And who are you?" Myriam asked once she broke apart from Rowan. My smile died a bit as I processed the tone of her voice. I shook it off, I was just nervous.

"Myriam, this is Aelin, my girlfriend," Rowan introduced, smiling wider than I'd ever seen him smile. I smiled at Myriam but she just frowned at me.

"No seriously," Myriam said, looking like she was waiting for the punchline of a bad joke. Neither Rowan nor I were laughing. "You've got to be kidding me, she's a kid," she said to Rowan like I wasn't even standing there.

Rowan frowned and I saw a flash of anger in his eyes, but it was gone quickly. I had every sense to light this house on fire. If I didn't know how important this was for Rowan, I would. Who does she think she is calling me a kid?

"No, I'm not kidding. Aelin is a queen-my queen, I swore a blood oath to her and her court; now we fight and rule alongside each other. I wouldn't have given my allegiance and trust to someone who was not mature enough to receive it. So no, Aelin Galathynius is most certainly not a kid," he said, fury boiling up in his voice. Ever my protective fae warrior.

I took Rowan's hand and squeezed, telling him it was okay, even though it was not. Not that I'd ever dare to admit it, but I already knew of the age gap between us and I knew that if we were to ever, for any reason, breakup, he would be okay. Because I was young and insecure and naive, and he was…well he was Rowan. Not that we'd ever breakup, of course, we'd stick together, to whatever end. Myriam's observation did not, however, boost my confidence.

"Let's go inside, shall we?" Drakon interrupted before an argument could erupt.

We walked inside and every few moments Myriam's eyes would shoot daggers at me. I tried my best to keep my hands a good distance away from my weapons-away from her throat.

Myriam and Drakon sait opposite of Rowan and I in identical couches.

"Aelin, is that how queens in your world dress?" Myriam asked, eyeing my suit distastefully. She was feigning innocence, but for some reason she was trying to out me.

I narrowed my eyes slightly and crossed my legs, slinging my one arm on the arm of the chair. "No. Rowan and I actually came here to get rid of the High Lord of the Spring Court, who, as I believe, has been working with the king who keeps you two in hiding. Excuse my manners, but I didn't find it particularly fitting to wear my expensive dresses for this particular...task."

"What is it that you did before you were queen? Certainly a child wasn't on the throne for so long?" Myriam said briskly. I felt anger rise up within me and I had to clench my fists and breath deeply so I wouldn't 'accidentally' set her on fire.

"I was an assassin," I answered lightly, lifting an eyebrow and giving them a sweet smile. I saw the utter surprise on both their faces so I took that as encouragement and went on. "You see, my parents were murdered in cold blood when I was a child. The man who found me after my parent's death trained me my whole life to become the best assassin in our world. Without him, I would be dead. If I were to be dead, magic-the same magic that keeps the two of you so cozy in this city, hidden from harm-would be banished from my world and every single Fae in my world would be dead. The world would be ruled by a tyrant, possessed by an ancient spirit that shows no mercy. My world would've been taken over by demons who rip the flesh off of people and wear it as their own," I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself calm. "I only claimed the throne that was rightfully mine mere months ago. Yes, I may be a child in your comparison, but instead of hiding from the thing that threatens me, I had to make tough choices and put myself, along with the people I love, in danger in order to destroy it. Oh, I also saved the world along the way, with the help of your father of course." I felt sick at using the word father to describe Rowan.

It was silent for a few moments. Myriam and Drakon were both stunned by the looks on their faces. They had probably thought I was a snobby princess who got lucky and became a queen. She probably thought I wasn't worthy of Rowan. She just didn't know. I didn't care what they thought. I did care about what Rowan thought. My hand was still in his, but I didn't know if he was angry with me or not. I glanced at him, trying to apologize.

Rowan? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. It's just-

Fireheart. Don't be sorry. It's ok. I'm sorry I didn't say anything when I noticed her attitude toward you. We've just met her. She feels threatened by you. She's just jealous of you. You were much worse when I met you, trust me. Let's give her a chance. She's my daughter after all, territorial behavior must've been passed along. I could just imagine him smirking on the inside. I gave him a tight-lipped smile and nodded.

Rowan and Myriam continued conversing, Myriam conveniently leaving me out of the conversation. I gave up trying to be polite and join into the conversation when I was clearly not wanted. I could feel Drakon was feeling the same way.

At one point, Drakon and I slipped off to fix everyone drinks in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry about before, sometimes she can be…" he trailed off. "Is he good?" Drakon asked, a skeptical look in his eyes. An odd question, but I knew exactly what he meant.

"He's the best there is," I said, smiling to myself. Drakon and I sat in the kitchen for a while so I could explain everything, save for the wyrdmarks I'll have to draw when Rowan and I leave; best not to terrify him too early. When I got to the part about being from a different world, I swear he stopped breathing. So he had believed that Rowan just abandoned Myriam.

"Before this morning, he believed she had died before she was born," I told him. I saw the guilt in his eyes before he moved his gaze to his hands in his lap.

"I feel terrible. Myriam told me that she didn't really know where her father was but I thought he was just a deadbeat who at least lived in the same world. I should have known," he said quietly. I knew how he felt, to think so little of someone then be proven wrong. I, myself, had thought the same of Rowan only months before. He opened his mouth to add more, but then decided otherwise.

"Go on. I won't bite," I said to him smiling.

"I seriously doubt that," he muttered. I raised my eyebrows but didn't say anything. It was true after all. "Why does Rowan look like he's going to kill me?" he said after a while.

I laughed and shook my head. "Rowan looks like that to anyone he's just met. You'll get used to it before he'll get used to you. Also, we know the story about Myriam being 'gifted' to you and it doesn't really help your situation. If he was going to kill you, he would have done it before now. He's only here to give his daughter a bit of closure, if only for a little while." I hated to pry Rowan away from his daughter, I really did, but he'd told me earlier that he wanted to be home before sunrise.

"You're leaving?" Drakon asked.

"Yes," I stood up, motioning for him to follow suit, "we must be going. Rowan and I have a kingdom to attend to." I turned the corner and saw Rowan and Myriam holding each other again. I walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder, an apology written all over my face. He backed away from Myriam.

"It was nice to meet you both," I said as sincerely as I could muster. I thought I heard Myriam mumble a "yeah right," but I couldn't be sure. I internally rolled my eyes, I had all of eternity to win her over and if I couldn't, I had all of eternity to show her why I earned the title 'fire-breathing bitch queen.'

As Rowan and I walked out and Myriam closed the door behind us, Rowan didn't say a word. I kept looking at him expectantly, wondering what he thought of the whole encounter. We'd only walked for a few minutes before Rowan turned and picked me up in a hug, spinning us around and around. We were both laughing uncontrollably until he gently put me back on my feet and placed his mouth on mine. I could sense the gratitude in the gesture as he held my face between his hands.

He pulled his face away from me to look me in the eyes and said, "thank you, Aelin, for everything. I know that that encounter was trying for you, so thank you." He looked away, not meeting my eyes.

"Hey," I said insistently, "to whatever end." I stood on my tiptoes and gave him one more kiss.

"To whatever end," he said. Then, to my delight, he added, "want to go shopping?"

My eyes widened in excitement as I grabbed his hand and dragged him through the streets and into every store I saw. He didn't stop smiling once the whole night.