" He won't let either of us leave, even if you do become his queen or whatever. " Lise definitely didn't remember it at the moment.

"Exactly. He won't. But if I become queen then I can sneak you out." There's a note of urgency to her voice. Lise hasn't ever heard her sound like this before. "I don't want you risking your mental stability when only one of us has to."

" okay. Fine. We'll go with that plan. "

As the girls argued, Ash dropped from the cables, hitting the ground by a metal tree, winded and dazed but still trying to get to his feet, staggering after his weapon. There was a strip of pale wood beneath the trunk--one half of the snapped Witchwood arrow--and lunged after it.

She gives her a quick hug. She hasn't hugged her in 10 years, ever since Lise found out what Isiea had done.

Lise was clearly surprised, and hugged her back. But she soon let go as she noticed Ash. " We have to help Ash. He'll die. "

She nods, and raises her voice so she can be heard over the noise. "We've decided. You two can stop now."

Actually, Isiea had a contract to uphold. Besides, Ash wasn't going to just let the Nevernever as they knew it fade away. A cable wrapped around his leg, jerking him off his feet. Ash's blade slashed down once more, cutting into the cable, severing it. More cables whipped toward him, but the Winter prince stood his ground, sword flashing as iron tentacles writhed around him.

Yeah. But she didn't intend to break that contract. She's simply postponing her side of it for a day, maybe two days. She repeats herself, louder. "You guys can stop now."

" I don't think they're going to stop. " Lise mutters.