Machina's cables waved threateningly, trying to move Lise back. "I did not take your brother because I wanted him. I did it because I knew it would bring you here."

Isiea still doesn't say anything.

She glanced back at the cablea, moving forward towards him. " Why? "

Machina smiled. "You were well protected. Robin Goodfellow is a formidable bodyguard, and I could not risk taking you without drawing attention to myself and my realm. Fortunately, your brother had no such protection. Better to draw you here, of your own volition, than risk the wrath of Oberon and the Seelie Court. Besides..." Machina's eyes narrowed to black slits, though he still smiled at them. "I needed to test you, make certain you were truly the ones. If you could not reach my tower on your own, you were not worthy."

She still doesn't speak.

" Quit being so vague and ominous. Worthy of what? "

The Iron King stepped closer. His cables caressed their faces and arms. "I've watched you for 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 couple of half-fey who are immune to iron, yet has the blood of the Summer King in their 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 their hands. His touch was cool, and they could feel the power humming through him, like currents of electricity. "I want you to be my queens. 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. I'll 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. Isn't that what youve always wanted? To belong?"

Isiea considers this for a moment. "What would that entail? Would it change us, mentally or physically?"

" what would happen to them? And all the summer and winter fey? "

Machina's expression didn't falter. "It matters not. And 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 dears. I am giving you the choice of leading it or being consumed by it. 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?" He brushed a kiss over both of their lips, featherlight and vibrating with energy. "Come. One word, that is all you have to say. One word to send your brother home, to save the pathetic prince. Look." He waved a hand, and a great iron archway rose out of the ground. On the other side, they could see their house, shimmering through the portal, before it faded from view.