" i figured as much. " She mumbled. " But we couldn't leave you here to die. "

"I know. It's obvious that it is. But at least you're okay." She murmurs, not letting go of hi,.

A horrible, dark laughter, rising up from the wall behind them. The gears in the fountain shivered, then began to turn backward. With a loud clanking and grinding, the wall behind them sank into the ground, revealing another part of the garden. Metal trees lined the path to an enormous iron throne, spiking into the sky. A squadron of armored knights stood at the foot of the throne with weapons drawn, pointed at them. Another squad entered through the door and slammed it shut, trapping them between the knights.

Standing at the top of his throne, surveying them all with a look of grim satisfaction, was Machina, the Iron King.

Isiea pauses, lightly sets down Ash on the ground by her feet, and stands back up.

Lise stands up and turns, glaring at him.

The figure on the throne threw them a smile as sharp as razors. "Chase sisters," he murmured, his scintillating voice echoing over the garden. "Welcome. I've been expecting you."

The figure on the throne stood tall and elegant, with flowing silver hair and the pointed ears of the fey nobility. He faintly resembled Oberon, refined and graceful, yet incredibly powerful. Unlike Oberon and the finery of the Summer Court, the Iron King wore a stark black coat that flapped in the wind. Energy crackled around him, like thunder with no sound, and there were flashes of lightning in his slanted black eyes. A metal stud glittered in one ear, a Bluetooth phone in the other. His face was beautiful and arrogant, all sharp planes and angles; it seemed they could cut themself on his cheek if they got too close. And yet, when he smiled, it lit up the whole room. A strange, silvery cloak lay across his shoulders, wriggling slightly as if it were alive.

She stays where she is, staying silent but watching and noting Machina's every move.

" what do you want from us? " She asked him.

It seemed a good time to try and kill him now. He seemed vulnerable, no guards too close. Machina regarded them with depthless black eyes. "You are both as beautiful as I imagined," he said, walking forward. "Beautiful, fiery, determined." He stopped a few yards away. "Perfect."

Isiea keeps her expression neutral. Attacking him would be a bad idea right now. They're surrounded by guards.