She nods.

"Ethan's not in the Unseelie court and we need help finding the Iron realm and King Machina, but in return, I will go back with you." She states.

Puck nodded. "Well, I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Machina..." Ash muttered there was nobody in either of the courts by that name, and if this realm really did exist it was a threat. "He's that important to you? Your freedom in exchange for his safety?"

She nods. "Yes."

"He'll be dead by the time we find him.. that is, if he's not already." She mutters.

Puck rolled his eyes. "No he won't. You're just in a bad mood because you just got carriedaway by a pack of gremlins and almost abducted by a huge iron horse."

He inclined his head, trying to puzzle her out. "Claire, you've got yourself a contract," Ash said, before grimacing and sinking to his knees, arms around his middle. Dark blood trickled between his lips.

She clearly doesn't believe him.

She doesn't bother screaming, her instincts kicking in as she begins healing his wounds with plants known for the capable healing powers. "PUCK!" She snaps.

Puck turns and looks but stays right where he's at. "Oh, so we're playing nice now? Shall we have tea first? Brew up a nice pot of kiss my--"

"Truce, Goodfellow," Ash grated out. "The Chillsorrow manor is a few miles east of here. Right now, the lady of the house is away at court, so we'll be safe there. I suggest we postpone our duel," he said, stepping away from the plants. "Unless you'd like to kill me now."

"No, no. We can kill each other later." Puck padded over to him, shoving his dagger into his boot. Putting his arm to the stubborn prince's shoulders, he jerked him to his feet. Ash grunted and pursed his lips but didn't cry out. "Off we go," Puck said. "You coming, grimalkin?"

"Oh, definitely." He landed with a soft thump in the snow. His golden eyes, bright with amusement, regarded Claire knowingly. "I would bit miss this for the world."

(Timeskip to when they get to the mansion?)

(sure)



Lin stays silent.