A/N: Here's my chapter – these are all in the present. I had two more characters that I wanted to write about, but I'm too tired, so I will attempt those another time. But for the first time in a while, there's two characters in here that aren't mine! Yay! Sorry if I've got things wrong. This is kind of where I think their heads are at, but if I'm utterly wrong, then I apologise. Anyway, enjoy!

~~ Zach ~~

It had been a long couple of days leading up to the trial, and Zach found he just wanted to get it over with. He was sick of the drawn out wait and the whispering and concealed accusations. He preferred things to be out in the air, rather than unspoken, and he was tired of the worry.

The Clave had cleared out a manor house next to the Gard, where the trial would be held. He and Grace had been told to stay there, so that the Clave could keep an eye on them, with one guard posted at the door at all times. Grace spent the time writing down her defence, but Zach found himself detach from the situation, his feelings and thoughts hidden from view. That had often been his coping mechanism; to fix things that he could fix, and to pretend that everything else was fine.

It had been hard to explain everything that had happened to Gabby over the phone. While she had seemed understanding, as always, Zach found himself left with a prickle of guilt. He had not been able to let her know about Kellan, and while it might have been best for his family, he was unused to keeping anything from her. It felt wrong and deceitful. While she had wanted to come and see him straight away in Idris, they hadn't been allowed visitors, so she had promised to attend the trial to see him. She supported him through everything, as always, and sometimes he wondered if he deserved her. He wondered whether he'd be able to save her, when he had failed to save his brother. He half hoped that she might work that out before she married him.

A couple of times, some Silent Brothers had paid him a visit. He'd always found them eery and disconcerting, but it wouldn't help to let that show. They'd wanted to see his forbidden Rune, and he'd taken his shirt off, so they could poke and prod at it, writing down notes and seeming to talk soundlessly amongst themselves. While he knew the Rune should be removed for their safety, it was a little reassuring to still have some kind of connection with Kellan. That if he was hurt, Zach would know, instantly. The Clave would never allow it, however, and he was sure they would do all they could to get rid of it.

On the morning of the trial, Zach and Grace were up early, and he doubted that either of them had been able to get much sleep. At the brisk knock at the door, Zach started down the stairs first, exchanging a quick look with his sister. There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked nervous, her hands stuffing some notes into the pocket of her pants. He tried to give her a reassuring smile, but he wasn't sure how successful it was. A Council member was waiting at the door to escort them to the Gard, and when she reached out to take Grace's arm, Grace narrowed her eyes.

"Don't touch me," Grace protested, yanking her arm away, on instinct.

The Council member didn't attempt again, moving instead to lead the way. Zach kept close to his sister, keeping an eye on her. That was what Kellan would have wanted. Zach had had a long time to think about the trial, and it hadn't taken him long to come up with a plan. He would make sure to protect his sister at all costs, even if that meant taking all the blame himself.

~~ Rye ~~

Dear Mum and Dad,

I'm sorry to run away and scare you like this. Hurting you is not something I've ever wanted to do.

I love you both and I hope you know that I appreciate you both, and all that you've done for me. I just need some time to find myself, and to experience life, while I still have it. Spending every day at the same place grows old quickly, especially when others my age are out doing things. While I know you were just trying to keep me safe, if I am wrapped in a cocoon forever, I will never really be able to live. Maybe it will be good for me to get out of my comfort zone. I certainly hope so. I'm willing to accept whatever that might mean for my health, because to me, it's worth it.

I want you to know that I'm well and that I have enough medication. I have everything I need here, and there's lots of new people to talk to. I'll try my best to make some friends, and to make the most of my time here. I promise I won't get into any trouble and I'll be careful.

While I can't tell you where I am, It's very busy here, and there's many more Downworlders than at home. It's very different, and I think it will take a while to adjust to. The scenery is different, too. I hope you're keeping occupied, and focusing on other things.

Please don't blame Milo for any of this. It's my fault, not his.

Keep well, and try not to worry too much.

Love from Rye

~~ Ethos ~~

Ethos was not usually one to feel nervous, or conflicted, but many things had changed, lately.

As he walked through the trees, he raised a hand to smooth down some hair that was out of place. He did not yet know what the Queen would decide in terms of Aspen's punishment, and it made him uneasy when he thought about it. Whatever was chosen would affect Kellan, and Ethos wasn't sure how he'd respond. Would he agree to join the Seelie in order to save Aspen? It seemed likely, although it was hard to be completely sure. Kellan had changed in some ways after regaining his memories, after all.

There was that uncomfortable feeling again. Guilt. He had a genuine respect for Kellan, and he did not like having to report on his thoughts and things that he'd felt comfortable sharing. But Ethos was loyal to the Seelie and the Queen, and he had to trust that she knew what was best. That was what he had done his whole life.

His gaze flickered to a gathering in the distance, and his thoughts drifted to what it would be like with Kellan as the Prince, if he agreed. No doubt there would be many celebrations in Kellan's honour, to welcome their new prince. Such a thing was merely natural. Once they got to know him, Ethos was sure that they would come to adore him, and look up to him. Ethos himself, had a fondness for him that he couldn't ignore. The Seelie would be delighted at the news of the Queen's son, and would be quick to draw similarities to the Queen herself. While Kellan seemed nervous about such a role, Ethos knew that he would be a natural at it, especially with the Queen's guidance.

Something that he avoided spending much time pondering over, was what his role would be, if Kellan became the Prince. The hierarchy would return, and certain things would be inappropriate. Ethos wondered whether Kellan would move on and have little time for him, anyway. Certainly, he would meet many more Seelie, including those who were more suited to him and his status than Ethos was. Maybe that would make things easier.

Straightening, he continued on to observe the gathering from a distance, trying to hide any kind of uncertainty from his expression or his posture. Now was not the time to seem anything but sure. Many were relying on him, after all.

The Queen knew best, he reminded himself again, as he watched the faeries dance around in a circle, without a care. He could almost envy them.

~~ Aspen ~~

That night Aspen hadn't been able to sleep, and thoughts had churned around in his head before he'd finally managed to escape the Faerie. Finding himself in the Downworld Towns, Aspen wandered through the streets without any real purpose. He couldn't afford a hotel room, and while he could go back to Nyx's old place, he knew it would be a bad idea. It felt off now that Caspian had slept there, as if two worlds had collided, that shouldn't have. He definitely knew that if Nyx were still alive, he would have been furious at the thought of Cas drinking his wine and sleeping there. Then again, Nyx was dead, he had to remind himself. Still, sometimes it felt like Nyx lingered somewhere at the back of his thoughts. It was like a nagging voice that he wished he could ignore.

Caught up in his thoughts, he didn't notice someone approach him, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a passing alleyway. Before Aspen could pull away, he was released, the warlock who was watching him, looking a little smug. "Aspen, what a pleasant surprise. Do you remember me?"

Aspen stared at him for a long moment, but he couldn't place him. He'd been with too many people to count, that most of them had either blurred together, or he'd long forgotten them. "What do you want?" he asked, not in a particularly friendly manner, if only to avoid answering the question. He was not in the mood for company.

The warlock's lime green eyes glinted as he leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I want us to have a good time again," he said, pushing some money into Aspen's hand.

Aspen's gaze turned mistrustful, and he instantly pulled his hand back, not touching the money, instead letting it fall to the ground. The warlock didn't seem to notice, his hands reaching under the hem of Aspen's shirt, his breath quickening.

Hissing, Aspen pushed him away forcefully, so that he was against the alleyway wall. Still, the warlock laughed. "You were so good before. Will you be good again tonight? You remember the part you played, right?"

The warlock still seemed to think it was part of the game, until Aspen drew a blade from the sheath at his side.

The warlock didn't quite look so suave and sophisticated then. It was almost amusing, he thought, as he watched him, as if he was prey caught in his web. Aspen grabbed his chin, to force the warlock to look at him and he savoured his reaction, his other hand raising the blade and setting the end of it lightly against his cheek. "What?" he chuckled, watching the warlock flinch. "Was this not the Aspen you were looking for?"

"Let me go," the warlock demanded, but the fear was still evident in his eyes. He was obviously not used to being the one dominated. "You'll get in a lot of trouble if you hurt me. I have friends in high places."

Aspen studied him for a moment longer, before licking his lips. "I'm afraid I'm not in the mood to be nice," he remarked, in a mild manner, before he pushed down on the blade, cutting a line down his cheek. He made sure to press hard enough to make a mark and draw some blood, and it dripped down his cheek, before catching on his neck and his shirt. The warlock gasped, struggling to get out of his grip, but Aspen held him steady.

"There now," he said, his voice dropping to a murmur, "It's not hard to keep still, now is it? Be a sweetheart and get on your knees, and I promise nothing else will happen. Otherwise, I'm gonna hurt you real bad."

Drawing the blade back slowly, he watched in satisfaction as the warlock shakily lowered himself to his knees. He couldn't deny that he felt a rush seeing him like that. He was a warlock, likely hundreds of years old, and here he was, on the ground at his mercy. "Good. Now, if you tell anyone about this, I'll hunt you down, and I'll kill you. Got it?"

The warlock nodded, averting his gaze as he swallowed, raising a hand to his cheek to press against it to try and stop the bleeding.

Aspen smiled, watching him for a moment longer, before he quickly reached down to grab the money off the ground, and tuck it into his pocket. It was stained with some blood that had dribbled onto his fingers, but he ignored it for now. Straightening, he whistled quietly as he started back down the street, sheathing his blade again.

After a while of walking, his satisfaction turned to numbness, and he looked down at the blood on his hand in slight disgust. Perhaps Caspian had been right. Maybe he was turning into Nyx. Sometimes he didn't even realise.

Sighing, he turned in a different direction, towards a shop where he knew the owner well enough to slip out the back and get himself cleaned up. The blood was starting to dry on his fingers, and he didn't like the feeling. Gritting his teeth, the warlock's face flashed through his mind again and he didn't know whether he felt any regret or not.

There was definitely something wrong with his head.