Hey guys!!! How are ya!

SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG. I haven't had time to update and/or type this up.

Gomen, gomen. (sorry, sorry) IDEFK WHY I SAID THAT. I am tired and feeling like crap after today. Your author has really annoying (and dumb) people in her science tomorrow.

ANYWAYS, ENOUGH OF ME. LET'S GET STARTED! 

(Btw, do you guys want to ask questions and stuff???)

EXTRA LONG CHAPTER CUZ I WENT OVERBOARD 

ENJOY!

____________________________________________________________________________________

She had been in this damn bathroom for more than an hour! Remelle had expected that Rowan would free her but no, he probably wasn't even in the room. Running off to comfort the queen now that he knew my plan, she fumed. It wasn't fair.

Half an hour later, a female voice sounded through the door. She didn't recognize it for a few minutes until she realized it was the shifter woman; this voice sounded much gentler than when they had 'spoken' earlier. She heard her name being mentioned in what the female was saying and Remelle realized that Rowan was in the room. She grew furious that he had been here all this time and hadn't bothered to free her.

"Let me out!" she screamed, pounding on the door. The voices grew silent before starting up again. What the hell? she thought, annoyed that they weren't going to help her.

...

Rowan's shoulders slumped as Lysandra explained what had happened with Remelle, settling down next to him on the bed.

"Remelle hold a grudge against my queen," she said. He recoiled slightly—my queen. Not our, not anymore. "She admitted to wanting to separate you from Aelin, believing that you belong to her. She used your past relationship with Aelin to get to her before hogging your attention."

He flinched again as she said past. But she was right, he had lost Aelin. Lysandra continued relentlessly.

"She thought it would be funny to make Aedion, Evangeline, Elide and I watch Aelin, so she used you to get you, if you know what I mean."

They longer they talked, the sadder he felt. Maybe he should apologize and beg for her forgiveness.

"I want to fix this but I don't know how," he admitted. Lysandra paused, looking surprised.

"You could apologize, I suppose," she said, voicing his thoughts. "But I doubt she will forgive you. I've only seen hurt in her eyes every time she's seen you or Remelle. Or you and Remelle together." She hesitated before continuing in a gentler tone, "Aedion says he's seen guilt but we don't know what the guilt is for. So far, Evangeline is the only one she's spoken openly with. Aedion and I know what happened of course, she's told us. Just saying, Aedion still wants to kill you and so do I."

Lysandra shut up and kept him company for a good half hour when Remelle pounded on the door again, screaming to be let out. The shape-shifter gave him a challenging look, as if daring him to unlock the door. Rowan realized that Lysandra had been the one to lock her in there and that this was a test. To see who he cared about more. It was against a male's duty and honor to not help a female in danger but it didn't mean he couldn't just let her stay in there for a while, as long she had what she needs to survive.

Lysandra spoke up, "Well?"

Rowan shook his head. "No. I do not want to feel shittier about myself right now."

She gave him a doubting look. "Sure."

"Anyways, back to the topic. What do I do?"

The conversation carried for what felt like the whole night, but was really just an hour, about what he could do to earn their trust again and, more importantly, to win Aelin back. Lysandra bade him goodnight and exited but before she left, she hesitated at the door.

"I shouldn't tell you this," she said. "But she's happier now, with Evangeline." He nodded to show he had heard while staring down at the ground. He heard the whisper of fabric as she left, her steps echoing. He pondered for a while about what he should do: apologize, beg, plead... anything he was willing to try.

He gave up as one thought kept nagging at him. So far, Evangeline is the only one she's spoken openly with. At least she was talking but Aelin was shutting him out. Maybe for good; it hurt but who's to say he hasn't earned it. He changed his clothes and healed himself as he went out into the hallway, padding down to Aedion's. Knocking softly, he waited. To his surprise, Aedion did answer the door a few seconds later, half-naked that is. The queen's cousin raised his eyebrows.

"No Remelle?" he asked, aggravated.

...

Aedion had opened the door for Rowan, having scented the warrior when he knocked quietly. He deliberated on whether he could talk to the prince without losing his temper.

"No Remelle?" he asked, still annoyed at the prince for throwing the fight earlier. Rowan just shook his head in response. Ah, still locked up. Bitch deserves it. Somehow, he heard those thoughts and more but didn't comment or berate him.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked timidly.

"Okay," he said, hesitant as to what Rowan would want to talk about. He pursed his lips and gestured for the Fae prince to come into the darkened room. When Rowan saw the queen on his couch, he froze.

His brows knotted slightly when he saw who else slept there. Aedion smirked slightly.

...

Aelin. She was here. Rowan hadn't realized just how much he'd missed her until the weight of it came crashing down. The heir of Mala Fire-Bringer was asleep, her face peaceful as she slumbered on Aedion's gigantic couch next to—Evangeline. Lysandra had casually forgotten to mention Evangeline was staying over too and Aedion quirked an eyebrow, daring him to ask aloud. Glancing over to the oak doors, he asked silently if they could go outside. The Ashryver male nodded in response, carefully and quietly cracking open one of the heavy doors. Moonlight spilled into the shadowy chamber and he blinked, adjusting to the light. Their clothes whispered against their skin as they slipped out into the night. When they reached the other end of Aedion's courtyard furthest from the door, Aedion halted and crossed his arms.

"What do you want?" he asked flatly.

"To apologize." He decided to go with Lysandra's suggestion, saving the others for when he spoke to Aelin; Aedion looked downright shocked since Aelin had told him he rarely ever bothered with such things.

"What for, hmm?" Aedion's face had rearranged itself into a blank mask.

"I—" he stopped, taking a deep breath before spitting it out, "—I apologize for hurting Aelin. I never meant to."

"It's not me who you need to apologize to, Prince," Aedion replied. His shoulders slumped; he had hoped that this would be enough for Aedion to forgive him. "But I will forgive you, for now," the queen's soul-twin continued. Rowan looked up to see Aedion smiling faintly.

"Thank you," he sighed. It was a relief to learn that this was enough for now; he would work on more later. For now...

"I'll tell her," Aedion added. "What you've said." He gave the young male a grateful look yet he felt like he should be the one who tells Aelin. They went back in and Aedion pushed the door shut, plunging the room into darkness yet again; he blinked and his eyes readjusted to see Aelin and Evangeline still asleep on the couch. Why didn't you move her? he asked Aedion.

The male rolled his eyes. I didn't want to disturb her, or Evangeline. Aedion's face had softened, a look where rarely anyone outside of their small family ever saw. Rowan highly doubted the court had ever seen him like this. Aedion gave him a nudge and he realized he had been staring at the queen; shaking his head to clear his mind, he headed out.

"Enjoy dealing with Remelle," Aedion chuckled. "If I hear a word that you've kissed her again, you're dead."

I don't doubt it. The Ashryver prince flashed his teeth before shutting the door. Rowan went back to his room, content enough that he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, Aelin's scent caressing his nose, his senses. Remelle's scent was there too but he couldn't focus on it, only on Aelin's.

...

Evangeline woke up, blinking at the sunlight in the room. Aelin was awake, been awake for a while, setting breakfast on the table in a suite off to the side of this chamber. Aedion was nowhere to be seen; he's probably messing around somewhere.

"Morning," the queen greeted her brightly. Evangeline got off Aedion's couch and stretched.

"Morning, Aelin. How are you?" The queen's smile faltered, knowing she was talking about Rowan.

"I'm... fine, I suppose. I can scent him though; he was here, probably late last night or early this morning," Aelin said. Evangeline frowned, sniffing delicately. She was right, a trace of the pine-and-snow scent that belonged to Rowan snaked around and went to the courtyard door; she had somehow inherited Lysandra's sharp senses, which was odd, since they had no relatives in common. Maybe a distant ancestor might be the cause, and had chosen to manifest in her now; but her senses weren't as sharp as the Fae.

"Once I get hold of him, I will kill him," she speculated. Rowan's probably already been chewed out by both Aedion and Lysandra. Ren's gone to Perranth to deal with the criminals there and won't be coming back for at least another month, so he won't know until he gets back— Aelin paled slightly; Evangeline knew that she still harbored some feelings for Rowan, though she won't admit it, even if he had broken her heart. Even if he didn't return them.

"I won't really do it," she assured the queen. "I bet Aedion and Lysandra have already done that for us."

"Alright." Aelin sashayed over, bearing multiple plates of food and set them on the table. "Breakfast is ready." Once they ate, they set out in search of Aedion. They had looked absolutely everywhere and were about to give up when he sprang at Aelin from behind while they were walking down one of the numerous hallways.

They both squealed, causing a half-naked Aedion to double over with laughter.

"Aedion!" Aelin cried in delight. "Where have you been?"

...

Aelin had caught a whiff of her cousin's scent just before he pounced on her and Evangeline. The two shrieked and turned around, in time to see Aedion hunch over, laughing.

"Aedion! Where have you been?" Just then, she noticed his bare torso gleamed with water and she raised an eyebrow.

"Rowan and I were walking near the lake and he pushed me in," he explained. Beside her, Evangeline giggled.

"Fae beasts," she commented. "And why are you still wet?"

"I just came in, what did you expect? I had to take my shirt off or I'll get sick." He frowned at them.

"I don't think so," Evangeline piped up. "I think you just took your shirt off so the females would swoon over you."

She and Aedion laughed, but what the girl had said was true. Aedion was very impressively built; powerful shoulders, heavily muscled, towering and an overwhelmingly handsome face: the inherited stunning turquoise eyes with a core of gold, full lips, arching eyebrows and high cheekbones. Aedion grinned at them both, startlingly white teeth showing.

"Well, I have to go get changed," he announced before padding off, leaving puddles behind. Aelin rolled her eyes, watching the servants flit around, mopping up after him. Just then, Elide came out of her suite, dressed in a fine tunic of gold and black pants, her hair loose. Evangeline tugged on the girl's sleeve and Elide knelt down.

"Can I do your hair, Lady Elide?" she asked. Elide glanced at Aelin and the queen gave a small nod.

"Alright, let's go back to my room," Elide suggested, giving Aelin one last apologetic look. She just waved them off.

"Go. Enjoy yourselves." The two headed, Evangeline asking what hairstyle she wants. Left by herself, she headed alone to the dining hall. Aelin sensed his presence even before scenting him; before she knew it, she was turning around in response to a hand on her shoulder. The smell of pine and snow registered. She flinched, seeing the male. Rowan.

...

Aelin turned to him, flinching, those stunning Ashryver eyes terribly hollow. Rowan swallowed hard but before he could say anything, the queen's cousin appeared at her side, hair rumpled and damp, wearing fresh clothes. The Ashryver general laid a hand on Aelin's arm and she spun back, eyes lighting up again as she saw Aedion. Her focus slipped to over her cousin's shoulder and pure delight filled her face when she beheld Lysandra, Elide, Evangeline and, surprisingly, Ren Allsbrook behind the young general. The slightly older lord and another general wasn't supposed to be back from Perranth for another month.

"Ren? What are you doing back?" Aelin asked, unknowingly voicing his thoughts. The sole heir of the Allsbrook family gestured down to his light armor.

"Turns out I didn't need that many months to deal with the thieves in Perranth," Ren explained. "I left a few days ago and got here somewhere around twelve."

"When I saw him milling around the entrance hall like a sad bastard," Lysandra interjected. "We came to meet up with Aedion then ran into the others." She made a hand gestured towards the red-gold haired girl and the now-Lady Elide.

The latter male nodded and Aelin grinned at her cousin and darted forward to hug him before planting a kiss on his cheek. Color creeped up the male's face, grinning slightly, Aedion slung his arm around Aelin's shoulders and folded her into his side. Ren excuses himself to get changed, but not before Aelin gave him a hug and a kiss too. The young lord's ears turned red as he back out, slightly embarrassed. The heir pivoted and half ran towards the sectors he shared with Aedion, flushed and smiling. Evangeline tugged on the queen's sleeve and Aelin crouched down; whispering something into her ear, Aelin laughed. Aedion dropped his hand on her hair, smiling down at the pair; Rowan felt like an outsider, intruding on something private and that he didn't really exist for them. He started slightly as Aelin rose, the girl's hand in hers as they headed in the general direction of the library. Aedion raised his eyebrows when he subconsciously followed after them, right before the Ashryver prince himself prowling after the two. Rowan and Lysandra were left standing in an awkward silence before the shape-shifter simply stated, "they'll be gone awhile," before grabbing his elbow and led him to the front yard.

It was a luxurious garden, filled with flowers and plants of every kind, apple trees lining one side; hidden behind them, an entire orchard. Stone benches were littered here and there, the willows nearby were wighed down with hanging boughs of emerald green leaves.

It would have been beautiful, had Rowan been really able to see it, instead all he saw in his mind's eye was Aelin's face when she saw him. Hollow. Empty. Cold.

He sat down on a one of the closer benches, head down, shoulders hunched and hands propped on his knees. Lysandra approached warily, as if he were a spooked animal in need of comforting.

"What?" he asked dully.

"It may not be my place to tell you this, but..." she paused then continued gently, "she's still hurt over what you—"

"You think I don't know that?" he interrupted, not caring anymore about manners. "It hurts for me too; that she so happy around you, Aedion, Ren even... everyone else, yet not with me!" Rowan ran a hand through his hair, which was slowly growing back out and continued. "You think I don't know that this was entirely my fault? I blame myself because I made her this way. I have noticed that she's avoiding me and if only I hadn't done what I—"

"It's not all your fault—" he glared at her but she persisted "—it's Remelle's fault, there is little to no blame on you. We haven't told Aelin yet, about what Remelle and our little fight the other day."

"You haven't?" he asked, bewildered. They were supposed to have told her. Rowan's hearts lifted; hope rushing in to replace despair. "Can I tell her?"

The shape-shifter purses her lips. "If you can stand her shouting at you, then be my guest. You might want to tell the others first though," she added as an afterthought. "Just so they will stay out of your way."

"Okay," he acquiesced. "I'll— I'll be okay with her yelling at me but can you tell them?"

"Fine. Consider this a favor." She frowned when he stood up abruptly. "You might want to apologize later."

"I know. Scouting." Rowan waved a hand at her as he left. "Thanks."

With that, he shifted and flew off.

Evangeline was laughing at their antics. He and the queen were acting out a part from a book. The three of them had retreated to the cool dimness of the library, where they'd cleared a space to move about. Aelin was putting on a fake accent, bowing and pretending to be a female general, Aedion himself acting as thought he were High King. Quite the reversal of roles and they were failing miserably.

"You guys," Evangeline giggled from where she sat on the couch. "This is ridiculous. Stop."

"Nope," Aedion laughed. Aelin, however, sprawled onto one of the numerous couches to the side, grinning. Glancing down at his cousin, he faux pouted but joined her; Aelin shifted so she was sitting up properly and gestured to her lap. Getting the message, he laid down with his head in her lap and she relaxed, ruffling his already messy shoulder length hair.

"Aelin," he complained. "Stop playing with my hair. I am not a girl."

"Too bad," she replied, running her fingers through the gold-colored strands. He frowned but decided to let her; Evangeline snickered, watching them with citrine eyes. Eventually, the young girl got up and picked a novel from one of the shelves, then showed Aelin the title, who nodded. They sat in comfortable silence, the near-teen curled up in a cream-colored armchair, reading, Aelin continuously and softly stroking his hair. Aedion closed his eyes and sighed.

"You're no better than a dog," his beloved cousin murmured, sliding her left hand and the Northern Wolf wove his fingers between hers.

"Well, sweetheart, there is a reason I'm called the Wolf of the North," he said, smirking slightly. They were there for the entire afternoon, enjoying the dim massive space; after a while, Ren and Lysandra joined came in, the former wandering off to look for a book, the latter's scent hit him, belonging to everything and nothing at once. Aedion heard. Rather than saw, Lysandra flop onto another of the love seats with a novel she'd bought.

Ren came back nearly and hour later, his steps heavier than when he had first come in; he cracked open an eye to see the cover: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis. Aedion snorted; personally, he loved the series but he hadn't thought that Ren read those types of books.

A maid came in a while later, during which he fell asleep, and curtsied. "Dinner is ready Your Majesty." The girl turned to the others and greeted them by their title, then went out. Aelin gently poked his cheek, waking him from the light slumber he had fallen into. He sat up, stretching his limbs. "I know, I know. Dinner." Aelin shifted behind him, yawning. Aedion got up, shaking his head, trying to sort out his hair. He offered his arm to Aelin, running a hand through his hair; Lysandra and Evangeline just laughed, getting up from where they had been sprawled over the furniture, chatting about what they've read. It seems my cousin's love of books rubbed off on the others, he thought, amused. Sooner or later, it'll probably rub off on him too.

Aelin flashed her teeth and hooked her hand into the crook in his elbow, raising a delicate eyebrow. Shall we?

Aedion smirked. Ren opened the door then followed behind them, like a bodyguard as they walked to the Great Hall. Really, the Allsbrook heir could be easily be mistaken for a bodyguard, with the black fitting clothes and the twin sheathes at his side. When they walked in, food was already on the table, Remelle sitting at the head of the long table. Aedion immediately stiffened and led a pale Aelin next to Lysandra, who had already seen the evil bitch and sat near the other end of the table, as far as humanly possible; he pulled out a chair for Aelin then sat down beside his cousin.

A certain Fae prince was nowhere in sight, however, when they were about to eat, Remelle already having dug in before them, a large white-tailed hawk flew in through one of the windows. The giant bird settled on the back of a chair, ruffling it's feathers. The four of them gave it a glance before digging in, starving.

Tonight, they were eating lamb stew, roasted potatoes and peas; wine aside, it tasted great. Desert, again, was something else: Pavlova with an assortment on fruits.

After shoveling the main down, Lysandra came over to him and Ren, asking them to head outside to 'talk'. Aedion patted his cousin's hair and smiled reassuringly when she looked up at him, worried that he was going somewhere without her. Neither of them had taken well to being apart, not even now; in their youth, whenever she had been upset, he would sneak into her room at night to comfort her. He had gotten caught, but that was to be expected really, he had to have been caught eventually, and by none other than her father, Rhoe Galathynius. Aelin gave him a smile back, concern still pinching her eyebrows together, and started on her slice of desert.

The hawk had watched their exchange like... well, a hawk and suddenly took flight. Stupid fool, he thought, shaking his head as he followed the other two outside.

When they were a good distance away from the Hall, Lysandra spun around and blurted out, "Rowan's going to apologize."

Ren raised his eyebrows. "I thought he already did. A bit after we 'chewed' him out," he stated for Ren's benefit.

"Good. Saves me time and effort," the Allsbrook heir remarked. Aedion chuckled under his breath. Lysandra elucidated what Rowan had said and told them to keep out of his way for a while.

"A day, at the most," Aedion huffed. Ren just gave him a knowing smile and Lysandra blinked.

"They don't take well to being separated from each other," Ren explained for him; turning around, the Lord added, "You guys haven't changed much. Still the same from when we were younger."

By the time they went their separate ways, it was nearing ten. When he entered his room, Aelin was lounging on the couch. Hearing Aedion enter, she sat up, eyes shining; he guessed that with her sharp intuition, she knew what had been said.

"Don't think about it," he said as he flopped down next to her.

Wrapping an arm around his waist, his queen said, "I'll try not to..." her already soft reply was muffled by the fabric of his shirt, making it barely audible. Aedion Ashryver laid his cheek on his dear cousin's head; Aelin's warmth enveloped in his, he squeezed her slender shoulders lightly.

"You'll be okay."

____________________________________________________________________________________

Dedication to @Bananacheese675 for being such a nice friend to read this through for meh!

BE YOURSELF AND STAY CREEPY!

(Lol, got into Creepypastas recently. Idk why. Wattpad suggested fanfics of it. Haven't seen or read the real thing so forgive me if I get anything wrong!)