Right. She doesn't. "Hmm. Well...what do you suggest?"

"I'm not sure. Sirens are much less prone to deals, so I don't know nearly as much about them or their queen as I do about other societies. She might give him back willingly, or she might not. I'd presume the former noting she's been peaceful in the past."

" and...what does that have to do with me? "

(Isiea you might get her wish after all)
"Okay, so we go ask her for Wren back. And then what?"





The gnome sighed and, for a moment, lost his formal tone. "Because, princess, the courts cannot touch him. The Iron King hides deep within his poisonous realm, and the forces of Summer and Winter cannot penetrate far enough to strike at him. We are losing ground, soldiers, and resources, and the Iron fey continue to advance on both courts. The Nevernever is dying faster than ever, and soon there will be no safe place for us to go."

He cleared his throat again, looking embarrassed, and became proper once more. "Because of this, King Oberon and Queen Mab are prepared to offer you a deal, Liseolette Chase." He reached into his bag and drew forth a scroll tied with a green ribbon, unrolling it with a flourish.

" what deal? " she asked.

"I'm not sure. I think she has a mate, and since you too have a 'mate' you could probably use that. Sirens are strongly family-driven. And, having an alliance with an entire race of creative fey would definitely be useful."

"Here we go," muttered Puck.

The gnome frowned at him, then turned to the scroll and announced in a grand, important voice, "Liseolette Chase, by order of King Oberon and Queen Mab, the courts are willing to lift your exile, as well as the exiles of Prince Ash and Robin Goodfellow, abolishing all crimes and rendering full pardons."

Puck drew in a sharp breath. Ash stood silently; no expression showed on his face. They wanted to go home. They missed Faery, and who could blame them? They belonged there, not in the mortal world, with its vast skepticism and disbelief in anything but science. Small wonder the Iron fey were taking over the world; so few people believed in magic anymore.




She nodded slowly.

She sighs quietly. Even if she didn't want to go back, she couldn't be selfish and not let them.

"In return..." The gnome dropped his hands, averting his eyes. "For journeying into the Iron Realm and eliminating its king."

Well..they were going to do that anyway. " ...okay. "