He attacks the cape.

She frowns, "You'd take Lin, wouldn't you? Her for him?" She scoffs.

Not much use since it's metal and the kitsune doesn't have many teeth left.

He tries to melt it with his fire.

Machina ignores Claire and steps closer to Lin. His cables caressed her face and arms. "Ive watched you for sixteen years," he murmured, "waiting for the day you would finally open your eyes and see us. Waiting for the day you would come to me. Your father would have blinded you to this world forever. He is afraid of your power, afraid of your potential--a half-fey who is immune to iron, yet has the blood of the Summer King in her veins. So much potential." His gaze lingered on Ash, finally on his feet, and dismissed him just as quickly. "Mab realized your power, which is why she wants you so much. Which is why she sent her best to capture you. But even she cannot offer what I can."


Machina closed the last few steps between them and took her hand. His touch was cool, and she could feel power humming through him, like currents of electricity. "I want you to be my queen, Linna. I offer you my kingdom, my subjects, myself. I want you to rule at my side. The oldbloods are obsolete. Their time is done. It is time for a new order to rise up, stronger and better than the ancient ones. Only say yes, and you will live forever, Queen of the Fey. Your brother can go home. Ill even let you keep your prince if you wish, though I fear he may not adapt well to our kingdom. Regardless, you belong here, at my side. Isnt that what youve always wanted? To belong?"

To rule with Machina, to become a queen. No one would tease or mock her anymore, she would have scores of creatures ready to jump at her bidding, and she would finally be the one on top. She would finally be the most loved. But then the trees, twisted and metallic, and the terrible, barren wasteland in the wyldwood would only become worse. Machina would corrupt the entire Nevernever. All the plants would die, or become twisted versions of themselves. Oberon, Grimalkin, Puck: they would fade away with the rest of the Nevernever, until only gremlins, bugs, and the iron fey remained.

She stays quiet, hugging herself as she backs away towards Ash.

Still no. The cables don't melt

She quickly looks away. She doesnt know what to do- saying yes would free her brother. Saying no would hurt Claire and Ash. She wanted to be able to do both, but she cant. She couldnt decide which was more important.

She waits, showing no emotion.

Machinas expression didnt falter. "If you refuse, then your prince will die. And your brother will die. Or, perhaps, I will make him one of my playthings, half human, half machine. The eradication of the oldbloods will begin with or without you, my dear. I am giving you the choice of leading it or being consumed by it."


Machina reached up and stroked her face, running his fingers down her cheek. "Is it really so terrible to rule, my love?" he asked, tilting her chin up to look at him. "Throughout millennia, both humans and fey have done it. Weeded out the weak to make room for the strong. The oldbloods and the iron fey cannot exist together, you know this. Oberon and Mab would destroy us if they knew about us. How is that any different? Come. One word, that is all you have to say. One word to send your brother home, to save your friends. Look." He waved a hand, and a great iron archway rose out of the ground. On the other side, she could see her house, shimmering through the portal before it faded from view. Machina smiled. "I will send him home now, if you only say yes. One word, and you will be my queen, forever."


And Ash was there. How he could even stand, let alone move, was a mystery. But he shoved Lin aside, his face feral, as Machinas eyebrows rose in surprise. The cables flared, stabbing toward Ash as the prince lunged forward and slammed his blade into Machinas chest.


Machina staggered back, his face contorted with agony. Lightning crackled around the blade in his chest. His cables thrashed wildly, striking Ash and hurling him into a metal tree with a sickening crunch. Ash collapsed against the trunk as Machina straightened, giving him a look of white rage.