Later that afternoon, they reached a range of jagged, ice-covered peaks, and the trek turned sharply uphill. The path grew slick and treacherous, and they who weren't Ash had to watch where they put their feet. Puck had fallen back on the trail; he kept casting suspicious looks over his shoulder, as if he feared an ambush from behind

Jason stepped around carefully,the movements fluent and calm.

By late evening, it had begun to snow, and big, soft flakes drifted down lazily from the sky. They literally sang as they fell past their ears, tiny voices dancing on the wind.

Ash stopped in the middle of the path, looking at everyone. Flakes dusted his hair and clothes, swirling around him as if alive. "The Unseelie Court isn't far ahead," he said, ignoring the eddies that spun around him. "We should break from the road. Mab has others besides me looking for you, as well," he said, looking Jason straight in the eyes.

As he finished, the snow whirled madly around them, shrieking and tearing at their clothes. Jason's fur coat clanged as the blizzard pelted them with snow. It was getting hard to breathe, and his limbs were frozen stiff at his sides. As the whirlwind calmed, Jason were encased in ice from the neck down, unable to move. Puck was similarly frozen, except his whole head was covered in crystal glass, his features frozen in shock.

Jason was just as shocked and frustrated as well. "Why the heck are they looking for me anyway?!" He said out loud,but thought 'I'm just another half dragon of what's left of a family trying to keep a realm from ripping apart,what do I matter?' To himself. He felt fire welling up inside his chest,the heave growing extensive as he felt flames flicker to life in the back of his throat,ready to leap out at command.

A deal, perhaps?" whispered another voice. 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. She turned to Ash with a mock horrified look. "Do tell, Ash, darling, I believe you've been hiding things from us."
"Narissa," Ash murmured. He sounded disinterested, bored even, though his fingers twitched toward his sword. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

The snow faery regarded the dragon like watching an insect in its web, before turning pupil-less eyes on Ash. "Did I hear that right, darling?" she purred, drifting over the ground toward the prince. "Did you actually warn the prince? As I recall, our queen ordered us to bring a dragon to her. Are you fraternizing with the enemy now?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Ash's voice was flat as he leveled a sneer at Jason. "I would never betray my queen. She wants a dragon, I will bring her one. 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 his companion? 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-"
"She would allow me to deal with him on my own terms, " Ash interrupted, narrowing his eyes. The anger on his face was real now. "I've brought Goodfellow along because I want to kill him slowly, take my time with him. After I've delivered the half-breed and the other Summer faery, I'll have centuries to exact my revenge on Robin Goodfellow. And no one will deny me that pleasure when it comes."

Narissa floated back. "Of course not, darling. But perhaps I should take the dragon 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 towards them.

Jason growled,eyes golden and cold. He bared his fangs,letting small flames dance around them. He thought that he was supposed to be killed,and now for some reason just because a queen wanted a dragon he had to be dragged all over and then just dumped into a place to be,what,examined tested on or just killed either way?! His gaze flickered to Ash for a brief second,regret flickering over his eyes for a moment before they turned back to Narissa with forced anger.

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."
"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 dragon himself, not send you to steal him from me. While you're at it, you can inform Queen Mab that I will deliver a dragon to her, I give her 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 show and wind, and blew away.

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 two for himself. Hold still."

Jason glared at him now,not trusting him at all. He growled but soon the anger melted away so that he just stared down as the gold melted from his eyes being overwhelmed by hazel brown. "What,now it's a competition? Who drags home a dragon to the queen?" he said softly.

"I do," Ash replied in the same tone as Jason had used. "I'm not sure why she wants you, but I can't deny my Queen."


He put one of his hands on Jason's frozen shoulders. The ice column started to vibrate. The thrumming grew louder and stronger until, with the sound of breaking glass, the ice shattered into a million pieces and he was free. He didn't move to help Puck

Jason only faintly rolled his shoulders,shoving his hands past the jacket fabric and into his hoodie pockets. He stared down with freckle scales the shade of dark gray and black,swirling and swaying like storm clouds. "Then just take me to her,it doesn't matter anymore. Just take me to her,do as your told." he said,looking up at Ash. "I'll give her what she wants,a dragon. I'll shift to my larger form and let you take me. I won't fight....at least not you." He said the last part softer than the seeming gentle tone he used.