Jason flinched,pulling his wings in tightly as he tilted his head. The small motion causing Shade and Fatespeaker to crawl to the side. Shade didn't want to shift but Fatespeaker was fine with the order. But they waited for a motion to indicate if they 100% needed to. Jason glared at Rowan.

"Hello, Ash." The older prince smiled gleefully as he sauntered into the room. He noticed Jason, and he raised a sardonic eyebrow. "And what, may I ask, are you doing with the half-breed? Could it be you're actually helping him escape? Oh dear, what a dreadfully treasonous idea you've come up with. I'm sure Mab will be quite disappointed in you."

Ash said nothing, but his hand on Jason's clenched tight. Rowan chuckled, circling them like a hungry shark. Ash moved with him, keeping his body between Jason and Rowan.

"So, little brother," the older prince mused, adopting an inquisitive expression, "I'm curious. What made you risk everything for our wayward prince here?" Ash said nothing, and Rowan tsked. "Don't be stubborn, little brother. You might as well tell me before Mab tears you limb from limb and banishes you from Tir Na Nog. What is the price of such loyal obedience? A contract? A promise? What is the little whelp giving you to betray your entire court?"

"Nothing." Ash's voice was cold, but Jason might have caught the faintest tremor below the surface. Rowan apparently did, for his eyebrows shot up and he gaped at his brother, before throwing back his head with a wild laugh.

"I can't believe it," Rowan gasped, staring at Ash in disbelief. "You're in love with the dragon whelp!" He paused and, when Ash didn't deny it, collapsed into shrieking laughter again. "Oh, this is rich. This is too perfect. I thought the half-breed was a fool, pining for the unattainable Ice prince, but it seems I was wrong. Ash, you've been holding out on us."

Ash trembled, but he didn't release Jason's hand. "I'm taking him to Arcadia. Get out of our way, Rowan."

Rowan sobered immediately. "Oh, I don't think so, little brother." He smiled, but it was a cruel thing, sharp as the edge of a blade. "When Mab finds out, you'll both be decorating the courtyard. If she's feeling merciful, maybe she'll freeze you two together. That would be tragically fitting, don't you think?"

(Sorry, that was really long)

(That's okay. I don't mind. ^w^)

Jason stiffened as heck,but he knew this wouldn't go well. Not here that is. "I think it would be fitting for me to burn you right here. Ever wonder how hot dragon fire can be? The Fireharvesters say that it feels like your being ripped apart slowly,and it eats farther and farther into your flesh and bone. Sounds fun to me,wanna try?" He clicked sparks around his fangs,pulling away from Ash's hold and pushing between the two brothers. He wasn't about to have Ash take a fall again because of his sorry hide. Not again.

"It's okay," Ash said. He didn't want Rowan to die. They were brothers, after all. Ash pulled Jason back again. "Of course," Rowan went on as if Jason hadn't spoken, scratching the side of his face, "you could always beg forgiveness, drag the half-breed to the queen, and still be in Mab's favor. In fact," he continued, snapping his fingers, "if you go to Mab right now and turn over the prince, I'll even keep my mouth shut about what I saw here. She won't hear a peep out of me, I swear."

Ash went rock still; His muscles were coiling beneath his skin, the tension lining his back.

"Come on, little brother." Rowan leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. "You know it's for the best. There are only two choices here. Hand over the prince, or die with him."

He looked at Ash,pain in his eyes. "We don't have to stay in this realm....the dragons...won't judge." He said,softer than most would be able to hear. "Or just turn me in,don't take a fall." He said,normal tone compared to the first offer.

"I'm not turning you in," he bristled. "And I can't go to your realm, not with the war going on. And please, please, don't try to help me this time. He's my brother," he murmured.

"I don't have to kill to help." He whispered softly. "The war is mostly out in farther territory. The castle is safe.It's just in a mountain,the ice dragons can help keep you cool."

Ash shook his head. "Let me handle this one. Please?"

Jason's shoulders almost slumped but he gave a nod,flicking two fingers to Shade and Fatespeaker and they came back to his side,fluttering onto his shoulders with confused icey squeaks. Shade nipping at his ear as he questioned and Fatespeaker glaring at Rowan from her perch.

Ash nodded once as a thanks, and put a hand on Jason's shoulder before turning to face Rowan. He took one deliberate step forward and drew his sword, completely ignoring Jason now. Rowan's eyebrows shot up as Ash pointed his blade at him, a cold mist writhing along its edge. For a moment, there was absolute silence.

"Get out of the way, Rowan," Ash growled. "Move, or I'll kill you."

Rowan's face changed. In one instant, it went from arrogant, condescending and evilly smug, to something completely alien and terrifying. He pushed himself from the archway, his eyes gleaming with predatory hunger, and slowly drew his sword. It sent a raspy shiver echoing across the hall as it came into view, the blade thin and serrated like the edge of a sharks tooth. "You sure about this, little brother?" Rowan crooned, flourishing his weapon as he stepped up to meet Ash. "Will you betray everything? Your court, your queen, your own blood--for him? You cant change your mind once you start down this path."

Rowan would never let them go. Ash knew it, too, and anyone could see the reluctance in his eyes as he steeled himself for battle. He didn't want to fight his brother, but he would. For Jason.