" Even if she did trick him, can't you just deal with that later? That's probably the least important thing going on right now. "

"That wasnt her 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. There was a ripple of horror and disbelief that went through the crowd. 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 half-breed daughter of the Summer lord."

"Yes." 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 Isiea's, bright and anguished, begging forgiveness.

(Sorry!! There's just so much drama to write out xD)

If she has any emotions about this, it's not visible.

Lise was a bit surprised too, and was on the edge of her seat as she anticipated what Ash would say.

(XD Tbh that's the best one yet)

"I cant."

Silence fell over the field. Puck stiffened; it was possible to 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."

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 Isiea with the scepter. "She will die, Ash. She is only human. She will grow old, wither and die, and her soul will flee to a place you cannot follow. 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. Grimalkin had told them once that faeries banished from the Nevernever would die, that they would fade away until nothing was left. "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 Isiea. 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."

She's visibly surprised. It's fairly obvious she wasn't expecting that.

Her eyes widened and she stared at Ash in shock.

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 was a shadow of fear cross his face. But then his expression hardened, and he swept through the door without looking back.

Lise couldn't even believe it.

She stays dead silent.