(Okay, just making sure.)

"Screw it," Puck snapped, stalking past Claire. "Or you could just do this."

He pounced on the guard, driving his knee into the faerys armored chest. The Thornguards arms came up to protect himself, and Puck grabbed one of his gauntlets, ripping the glove away and holding up his wrist.

The sharp tang of metal filled the air, and the circle of curious onlookers leaped back with cries of horror. The Thornguards entire hand was blackened and shriveled, the skin flaking off like ash. And on his long, gnarled finger, the iron ring gleamed brightly against the withered flesh.

"There!" Puck snapped, throwing the arm down and stepping away. "That proof enough for you? Every one of these b*stards has one of those rings on, and its not a fashion statement. If you want more proof, check the brambles at the top of the hill. We left this one alive to explain his little coup ambitions to his queen."

Mab turned her cold, cold gaze on the Thornguard, who cringed and started babbling.

"My queen, I can explain. Rowan ordered us to. I was acting on his command. He said it was the only way to save us. Please, I never wanted to...please, no!"

Mab gestured. There was a flash of blue light, and ice covered the guard, encasing him in frozen crystal. He drew a breath for one last scream, but the ice closed over his face and smothered it.

"He will tell me everything later." Mab smiled coldly, speaking more to herself than to them. "Oh, yes. He will be begging to tell me." She looked up, her eyes as terrible as her voice. "Where is Rowan?"

As the crowds began muttering and looking around, it became obvious: Rowan was gone. They wouldnt find him in the Nevernever; he would flee to the Iron fey, continuing his quest to become like them.

She chuckles, "Coward..."

"Lady Mab," Oberon said, drawing himself up. "In light of this newest revelation, I propose a temporary truce. If the Iron King does plan to attack us, Id prefer to meet him with my forces strong and ready. We will speak on this later, but for now I will be taking my people back to Arcadia. Claire, Goodfellow." He nodded to them stiffly. "Come."

But Mab wasnt about to let them go just yet. "Not so fast, my dear Oberon," she purred, and the smug satisfaction in her voice was clear. "I believe you are for getting something. The laws of our people apply to your daughter, as well. She must answer for turning my son against me." Mab pointed the scepter at Claire as angry murmurs went through the crowd. "She must be punished for tricking him into helping her escape Tir Na Nog."

"That wasnt Claire's decision." Ashs deep voice cut through the muttering. "It was mine. I made the choice. She had nothing to do with it."

Mab turned to him, and her gaze softened. Smiling, she crooked a finger, and he approached at once, never wavering, though his hands were clenched at his sides. "Ash," Mab crooned as he drew near. "My poor boy. Rowan told me what happened between the two of you, but I know you had your reasons. Why would you betray me?"

"I love her." Softly, and without hesitation, as if hed already made up his mind. Whispers and muttering filled the air; some faeries snarled and hissed, baring their teeth, as if they wanted to mob Ash, but kept their distance from the queen. Mab didnt look surprised, though the smile curling her lips was as cold and cruel as a blade. "You love her. The daughter of the Summer lord."

"Yes."

She tensed, eyes wide as she watches for Mabs reaction. All the while thinking he shouldn't have said that.

He looked so desolate standing there alone, facing a mad queen and several thousand angry fey. His voice was flat and resigned, as if hed been pushed into a corner and had given up, not caring what happened next.

"Ash." Mab placed a palm on his cheek. "Youre confused. I can see it in your eyes. You didnt want this, did you? Not after Ariella." Ash didnt reply, and Mab drew back, regarding him intently. "You know what comes next, dont you?"

Ash nodded once. "I swear an oath," he whispered, "never to see her again, never to speak to her again, to sever all relationships and return to the Winter Court."

"Yes," Mab whispered back. If Ash spoke those words, it would be over. A faery couldnt break a promise, even if he wanted to. "Swear the oath," Mab continued, "and all is forgiven. You can come back to Tir Na Nog. Return to the palace, and take your place as heir to the throne. Sage is gone, and Rowan is dead to me."

Mab placed a kiss on Ashs cheek and stepped back. "You are the last prince of Winter. It is time to come home."

"I..." For the first time, Ash hesitated. His gaze met Claire's, bright and anguished, begging forgiveness. "I cant."

Silence fell over the field. Puck stiffened; she could feel his shock. Ash faced Mab calmly, the queen staring at him with a terrible, blank expression on her face. "Forgive me," Ash murmured, and there was the faintest of tremors beneath his voice. "But I cant...I wont...give her up. Not now, when Ive just found her."

She tenses as well, shaking her head. "Whatre you doing?" Her eyes wide, her expression pure confusion.

Mab had gone very still, a beautiful, deadly statue, the ground beneath her coated with ice. Only her lips moved as she stared at her son, the air around them growing colder by the second. "You know what will happen, if you refuse."

If Ash was afraid, he didnt show it. "I know," he said in a weary voice.

"Their world will eat at you," Mab said. "Strip you away bit by bit. Cut off from the Nevernever, you will not survive. Whether it takes one mortal year or a thousand, you will gradually fade away, until you simply cease to exist." Mab stepped closer, pointing at Claire with the scepter. "She will remain young if she stays here. And then, you will be left to wander the mortal world alone, until you yourself are only a memory. And after that--" the queen opened her empty fist "--nothing. Forever."

Ash didnt react.

"This is your final chance, Prince." Mab stepped back, her voice stiff and icy, like she was talking to a stranger. "Give me your solemn vow, or be damned to the mortal world forever. Make your choice."

Ash looked at Claire. There was pain in his eyes, and a little regret, but they shone with such emotion. "I already have."

"So be it." If Mabs voice was cold before, it was in the sub-zero range now. She waved the scepter and, with a sharp crack, a rip appeared in the air. Like ink spreading over paper, it widened into a jagged archway. Beyond the arch, a flickering streetlamp glimmered, and rain pounded the road, hissing. The smell of tar and wet asphalt drifted through the opening. "From this day forth," Mab boomed, her voice carrying over the field, "Prince Ash is considered a traitor and an exile. All trods will be closed to him, all safe holds are barred, and if he is seen anywhere within the Nevernever, he is to be hunted down and killed immediately." She looked at Ash, fury and contempt curling her lips. "You are not my son. Get out of my sight."

Ash stepped back. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the archway, shoulders back and head high. At the edge of the trod, he hesitated, and there a shadow of fear cross his face. But then his expression hardened, and he swept through the door without looking back.

She looks over at Mab then at Puck. "Why would he do that? That's his home..
He didnt even... What?" She asks, her tone showing her anger and confusion.

Puck only shrugged. Mab, her lips curled in a cruel smile, stepped back, giving Claire a clear shot at the open trod.

She glares at Mab before sprinting off after Ash.