He keeps moving once they're out, only stopping when they are far enough away that he can run with her in an instant yet still keep an eye on the single opening. Rowan sags in her seat, bending over to hug Andrian's neck. She buries her face against his mane, letting a single tear seep beneath her closed eyelids as she whispers to him.

"That was so close. So close."

Andrian lifts his head for a moment, looking at their surroundings. Then he shifts, pulling her into a hug. Rowan curls against his chest, letting him hold her as she weeps. Rowan sniffles.

"Why am I like this?"

Andrian sighs. "You've been shouldering everything for far too long. You have been keeping yourself from breaking, but now it's almost over. You've been cracking, Ro. It's too much for you to handle and you've been trying to control it for too much time. I'm honestly surprised that you lasted even this long. So just let it out, Ro."

Rowan leans her head against his chest, curling tighter. The next wave of sobs is ugly, fat tears pouring down her cheeks and horrible sounds clawing their way out of her throat. Andrian makes a soft, soothing sound and rocks with her. When she finally quiets, she looks up at him and presses a hand to his cheek.

"Are you still mad about the name?"

"You mean the Forest King having a special name for you when mine has become widespread?" Rowan nods. "Not really. I'm sad that it isn't special anymore, but I'm still the one who gave it to you. It was still my name for you first."

Rowan flushes. "Even so. The name he chose to call me, Rae? It's a piece of a larger whole."

"What do you mean?"

She switches to speaking into his mind, not wanting to voice it aloud. We found my true name. He doesn't remember it, but I do. Rae is just the first syllable.

Andrian recoils. "What? You can't tell me that!"

Rowan smiles. You told me yours when we first met. I think it's time you have the whole of my name.

"Are you sure?"

As I can ever be. Are you ready? Andrian nods hesitantly. Raearinkari Caorann. A shiver rushes down Rowan's spine and she shudders. Andrian mouths the syllables, getting a feel for them. He finally smiles down at her and leans down to kiss her cheek, bringing a flush to her skin.

"It's lovely."

They sit in a comfortable silence for several minutes before a sound rises from the meadow and Coillen steps from the trees. He frowns at the two of them.

"When did you shift?"

Andrian frowns. "I've been keeping an eye out."

"Really? It looks like the two were doing something else."

Rowan catches a flash of displeasure in his eyes and stifles a giggle, grinning. "What happened?"

Her father frowns. "They have agreed to not come after you, or your family, although they do not yet know who they are." Rowan begins to smile. "However, they do have conditions." Her smile drops.

"Conditions."

"You are to join us, to train in our ways. And . . . you are to be my heir."

Rowan frowns. "By your tone of voice, I'm guessing you don't like that."

He sighs, tilting his head back to look at the sky. "The courts are twisted and dangerous, even for those born and raised inside of them. For you, with the dangers your mortal blood brings, it is a great risk. I did not wish for you to be forced to meet the razor-sharp brambles of the courts." He frowns. "I think it's time you go home, Rae."

Rowan frowns at the apprehensive tone to his voice. "You're coming, aren't you?"

Coillen dips his head. "I think it's time the whole story was known. This is the safest it will ever be. Besides, you will be part of the courts in time, the magic will surround you. Where it was safer before to keep her in the dark, it will now be safer to do the opposite."

Rowan frowns at her father. "You're scared."

"I . . . I am, yes. I'm scared of how she will react."

"To what? You being one of the Aos Sí or you coming back?"

"Both."

"Come on. Putting it off won't do you any good." Rowan glances to the side. "Andrian? Are you going to come?"

"If you want me to."

She smiles. "I do."

~~~

Rowan walks across the field, pulling her father with her. He slows with each step, anxiousness and fear seeping into his heart. Andrian is on her other side in horse form, picking his way through the grass. Someone steps out of the distant house and Coillen stops entirely as she runs towards them. She pushes through the gate and keeps moving, coming to a stop just in front of Rowan. Arwen's face is thunderous and Rowan winces, already knowing what is coming.

"What in the world where you thinking, going into the woods?! You were forbidden from doing so!"

"Mum-"

"No. Just no. Come on."

Coillen speaks, his voice soft and barely audible. "Wait."

Arwen turns back. "Rowan? Did you say something?"

Rowan shakes her head. The air warms around her and she can see her mother's eyes widen as Coillen finally revealed himself. Arwen stumbles back, her eyes widening.

"No. No-"

He reaches for her. "It's me, Arwen. It's Coillen."

Her feet give out beneath her and she sinks to the ground. Rowan follows her, frowning at her mother in worry. "Mum?"

"You knew?"

Coillen frowns. "It's not her fault."

Arwen looks up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Not her fault? You don't get a say. You left." Her voice breaks. "You left me, and you never said why. You left our child."

Coillen crouches in front of Arwen. "I'm sorry, Arwen. I'm sorry I left. But I didn't have a choice."

"How could you not have a choice? What drove you to it?"

She's looking through tears. Rowan watches as Coillen takes one of Arwen's shaky hands and lifts it to the antlers on his head. She trails her fingers along the curves and forks in the golden material, frowning.

"What-"

He lowers Arwen's hand and folds it between his own. "I'm not human. When I left, it was to keep you safe. Both of you. You may never forgive me. I may never forgive myself. But it had to be done, no matter how much it hurt. But I won't leave again. You're safe now."

Arwen's brow furrows. "You're fae?"

Coillen winces. "We prefer to be called Aos Sí, but . . . yes."

Arwen takes a shaky breath. "You promise not to leave?"

"I give my word that as long as it is safe, I will never leave you alone, not like I did."

Arwen looks up at him, blinking away tears. Then she launches forward, pulling him into a hug from their awkward positioning on the ground. Coillen looks at Rowan over her mother's shoulder. She smiles at him and mouths, 'See? It ended up okay.'
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Do you like this? What do you think will happen next? Tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~ Goddess of Fate, signing out