As he finished, the snow whirled madly around them, shrieking and tearing at their clothes. Ares' fur coat blew off as the blizzard pelted them all with snow, burning their cheeks and blinding them. Their limbs were frozen stiff to their sides. As the whirlwind calmed, they found themselves encased in ice from the neck down, unable to move. Puck and Ares were similarly frozen, except their whole heads were covered in ice.

Ash was unharmed, staring at them blankly. So much for that deal.

Lise huffed softly, not even attempting to struggle. This is exactly why she trusted absolutely no one.

"I think I prefer summer." Isiea sighs.

The whirlwind of snow solidified, merging into a tall woman with long white hair and blue-tinged skin. A white gown draped her elegant body, and her black lips curled into a smile, turning to Ash with a mock horrified look. "Ash, darling, I believe you've been hiding things from us."

"Narissa," Ash murmured. He sounded disinterested, bored even, though it was possible to see his fingers twitch toward his sword. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

The snow faery regarded the girls like a spider watching an insect in its web, before turning pupil-less black eyes on Ash. "As I recall, our queen ordered us to bring the daughters of Oberon to her," she purred, drifting over the ground toward the prince. "Are you fraternizing with the enemy now?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Ash's voice was flat as he leveled a sneer in their direction. "I would never betray my queen. She wants Oberon's daughters, I will bring her Oberon's daughters. And I was in the middle of doing so, until you showed up and interrupted my progress."

Narissa looked unconvinced. "A pretty speech," she crooned, running a finger down Ash's cheek, leaving a trail of frost. "But what of the girls' companions? I believe you swore to kill Robin Goodfellow, Ash darling, and yet you bring him into the heart of our territory. If the queen knew he was here...and I don't know what that thing is, but I'm sure that it doesn't belong here."

Isiea just rolls her eyes. "Don't pretend you don't know what a kelpie is. They're not exactly rare."

Lise couldn't help but roll her eyes. Everyone in this place was so overdramatic.

Narissa only scoffed.

"She would allow me to deal with him on my terms," Ash interrupted, narrowing his eyes. The anger on his face was real now. "I've brought Puck along because I want to kill him slowly, take my time with him. After I've delivered the half-breeds, I'll have centuries to exact my vengeance on Robin Goodfellow. And no one will deny me that pleasure when it comes."

Narissa floated back. "Of course not, darling," she placated. "But perhaps I should take the half-breeds on to court from here. You know how impatient the queen can be, and it really isn't fitting for the prince to be the escort." She smiled and drifted toward the girls. "I'll just take these burdens off your hands."

Ash's sword rasped free, stopping the faery in her tracks. "Take another step and it will be your last."

"How dare you threaten me!" Narissa whirled back, snow flurrying around her. "I offer to help, and this is my reward! Your brother will hear of this."

" can you both just do whatever you're going to do and not make a scene out of it? Because its completely unnecessary. "

She watches them silently, glaring.

They both ignored her. "I'm sure he will." Ash smiled coldly and didn't lower his sword. "And you can tell Rowan that if he wants to gain Mab's favor, he should capture the half-breeds himself, not send you to steal them from me. While you're at it, you can inform Queen Mab that I will deliver Oberon's daughters to her, I give my word on that. Now," he continued, making a shooing motion with his blade, "it's time for you to leave."

Narissa glared at him a moment longer, her hair billowing around her face. Then she smiled. "Very well, darling. I shall enjoy watching Rowan tear you limb from limb. Until we meet again." She twirled in place, her body dissipating into snow and wind, and blew away into the trees.

Ash sighed, shaking his head. "We need to move fast," he muttered, striding over to them. "Narissa will tell Rowan where we are, and he'll come speeding over to claim you for himself. Hold still."