She nods before looking over at Puck.

Puck nodded.

* * *

Their trip back through the Briars was less exciting than their trip in. There were no dragons, spiders or killer-wasp fey.

At the moment she didnt mind, she was thinking to much, barely focusing on where she was going. Just following Puck silently.

Puck stopped after a while of walking.

She stopped as well, looking up at him. "What is it? Why'd we stop?" She asks, looking around.

They had reached the end of the tunnel, where a simple wooden door waited in the thorns a few feet away. Even in the tangled darkness of the Briars, it was recognizable. This was the gate that had led her into Faery, all those months ago. This was where it all began, at Ethans closet door. Ahead of them, Skrae gave a last buzz and flew back down the tunnel, back to Leanansidhe to give his report.

"Wait," Puck ordered. "Are you ready for this, Princess?" he asked softly. "Whatever lies beyond that door isnt Ash any longer. If were going to save your family, we cant hold back now. We might have to..." he trailed off

She nods. "Im ready."

As soon as they opened the door, the cold hit them immediately. Their breath hung in the air. Ethans bedroom was completely encased in ice. The walls, the dresser, the bookshelf; all covered in a layer of crystal nearly two inches thick, but so clear so they could see everything trapped within. Outside the window, a cold, clear night shone through the glass, the moonlight sparkling lifelessly off the ice.

"Oh, man," Puck whispered behind her.

She cursed under her breath before she ran out of his room and into the open area of the house.

The stairs were slick and treacherous. The house was eerily silent, an unfamiliar palace of sparkling crystal.