The Iron Queen Part 24

Ferrum rose into the air like a vengeful phoenix, hair and robes snapping behind him. "Insolent child!" he screamed, "I shall not toy with you a moment longer! I will take my power back right now!"

He flew at me, covering the arena floor in a blink, though I saw everything clearly. I watched Ferrum close on me, his face twisted into a mask of rage, lunging forward. I saw those deadly talons, stabbing at my chest. I knew I could block it, step aside...

I'm sorry, Ash.

I closed my eyes instead.

Ferrum hit me square in the gut with the full power of his hate behind it, driving his claws deep into my chest. The force bent me over, punching the breath from my lungs, a moment before fire blossomed through my stomach. The pain was excruciating. I would've gasped, but there was no air left in me. Somewhere far away, I heard Ash scream in rage and fury, Puck's cry of dismay, but then Ferrum stepped forward, pus.h.i.+ng his claws in even farther, and everything melted into a red haze of agony.

Bent over the false king's arm, my body shook and convulsed, and I concentrated on not pa.s.sing out, not giving in to the blackness that crawled at the edge of my vision. It was tempting, so tempting, to give in, to let go of the pain and sink into oblivion. My blood dripped to the floor between us, a growing crimson pool; I could feel my life leaking away, as well.

"Yes," Ferrum whispered in my ear, his breath smelling of rust and rot, "suffer. Suffer for stealing my power from me. For thinking you were worthy to carry it. Now, you will die, and I will become the Iron King once more. The power of the Iron King is mine once again!"

I raised a trembling, blood-soaked hand and grabbed the collar of his robes, raising my head to meet the false king's triumphant gaze. My life was fading fast; I had to be quick. "You want it?" I whispered, forcing the words out, when all I wanted to do was scream or cry. "Take it. It's yours." And I sent my power, the merged glamour of Summer and Iron, into the false king.

Ferrum threw back his head and laughed, swelling with power, his voice ringing through the chamber. Glamour flared around him like a dark fire, and he seemed to swell, to grow as the ma.s.sive power of the Iron King flowed into him.

Suddenly, it sputtered, the cold black corruption flickering with tongues of green and gold, heat and warmth. Ferrum jerked, eyes going wide with confusion and fear, staring at me in horror.

"What...what are you doing to me? What have you done?" He tried pulling back, but I clamped my fingers around his wrist, holding us together.

"You wanted the Iron King's power," I told Ferrum, whose eyes were bulging and crazy now, glamour swirling around him like a colorful vortex, "you can have it. Iron and Summer both. Afraid you can't separate them, now." Glamour continued to pour into Ferrum, as I clung to him with my fading strength. "You might've killed me, but I swear, I won't let you touch the Nevernever. Or my family. Or my friends. The Iron King's reign ends right now."

Branches erupted from the false king's chest, twisted and bent, rus.h.i.+ng up toward the ceiling, and Ferrum screamed. Ripping his claws from my stomach, he staggered back, clutching at the limbs, trying to tear them out. I fell to my knees, stayed upright for a split second, then collapsed, my head striking the ground with a thump.

Reality blurred, and time seemed to slow. Ferrum writhed and thrashed, his screams filling the chamber as his arms split and turned into branches, his fingers becoming gnarled twigs. I saw Ash, his face frighteningly out of control, slam his brother's sword away, step forward and plunge his blade through Rowan's armor, into his chest. A flash of vicious blue, and Rowan arched back, going stiff as if frozen from inside. Ash yanked his sword up and out, and Rowan shattered, falling to the floor in a million glistening pieces.

A howl from the other side of the room showed two Pucks holding Tertius between them, while a third Puck raised his dagger and plunged it into the knight's chest.

"d.a.m.n you." Ferrum's voice was a croak, and my attention flickered back to the false king. He was almost gone now, a tiny, gnarled old tree, bent and withered. Only his face showed through the trunk, hateful eyes boring into me. "I thought I'd seen evil in Machina," he wheezed, "but you are far, far worse. My power, all my power, gone. Wasted." His voice broke, and he made a noise like a sob before turning a last sneer on me. "At least I can take comfort in the fact that neither of us will have it in the end. You will die soon. Not even the power of the Iron King can save you n-" His voice abruptly cut out, or maybe I lost consciousness for a moment, because the next time I opened my eyes, Ferrum was gone. An ugly, skeletal tree was all that remained of the false king.

The pain was still there, but it was a dull, distant thing now, insignificant. Somewhere far away, someone called my name. At least, I thought it was my name. I blinked, trying to focus, but my thoughts were fuzzy and slipped away like smoke, and I was too tired to call them back.

Closing my eyes, I let myself drift, wanting nothing but the chance to rest. Surely I had earned it by now. Defeating a false king and saving all of Faery-there were certainly worse ways to die. But, even as I hovered on the edge of the void, I could still feel the labored heartbeat of the land, the poisoned trail Ferrum had carved on his journey, and the corruption seeping into the Nevernever. Just because Ferrum was gone didn't mean the Iron Realm would disappear. The last of the Iron King's power still flickered inside me, weakly, a candle held up to the wind. It was still my responsibility, this power. What would happen to it when I died? Who would I give it to? Who could could I give it to, this new glamour of Summer and Iron, without killing them? I give it to, this new glamour of Summer and Iron, without killing them?

"Meghan!" The voice called to me again, and I recognized it now. It was his his voice, the voice of my knight, frantic and tormented, pulling me back from the void. "Meghan, no!" it pleaded, echoing in the blackness. "Don't do this. Come on, wake up. Please." The last word was a desperate, whispered sob, and I opened my eyes. voice, the voice of my knight, frantic and tormented, pulling me back from the void. "Meghan, no!" it pleaded, echoing in the blackness. "Don't do this. Come on, wake up. Please." The last word was a desperate, whispered sob, and I opened my eyes.

Ash peered down at me, silver eyes suspiciously bright, his face pale and wan. Cradled in his arms, I blinked as the sounds of the world came back, the crackle of energy above, the shuffle of metal boots from the Iron knights still surrounding us. I spared a quick glance over, and saw that all the knights had laid down their arms and were now watching us with identical grave expressions, waiting.

I looked back to Ash, seeing Puck standing over his shoulder as well, white and pale. "Ash," I whispered, my voice sounding weak and breathy in my ears. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think...now you'll fade away because of me, because I asked you to take that vow."

He pressed his face to my hair, closing his eyes. "If you are gone," he whispered back, his voice shaking, "then I will welcome nonexistence. There will be nothing left for me to live for." He pulled back, his silver eyes boring into me. "There's still time," he murmured, standing easily with me in his arms. "We have to get you to a healer."

Puck was suddenly there, intense and angry, his hair a stark contrast to his pale face. "Dammit, Meghan," he snapped. "What the h.e.l.l were you thinking? We have to get you out of here, now!" He eyed the ring of knights and his eyes narrowed. "You think the bucket brigade will let us go, or should I carve a path through them?"

"No," I whispered, clutching Ash's s.h.i.+rt. They both looked at me in surprise. "I can't go to a healer. Take me..." I winced and fought a gasp as a bolt of pain clawed my stomach, and Ash's grip tightened. "Take me to the tree," I forced out. "The ruins. I have to go back...to where it all began."

He stared at me, expressionless, but a tremor went through him. "No," he whispered, but it was more of a plea.

"Princess, there's no time!" Puck stalked forward, desperate. "Don't be stupid! If we don't get you to a healer now, you'll die!"

I ignored Puck, holding Ash's gaze, steeling myself for what I had to do. "Ash," I whispered, tears flooding my eyes. "Please. I don't have...much time left. This is my last request. I have to...get to that tree. Please."

He closed his eyes, and a single tear crawled down his cheek. I knew I was asking him to do the impossible, and it was tearing me apart that Ash was suffering. But at least I would make it right in the end. I'd promise him that much.

"Don't listen to her, prince." Puck sounded almost frantic then, grabbing Ash by the shoulder. "She's delirious. Get to a healer, dammit. Don't tell me you're going to listen to this insanity."

"Puck," I whispered, but suddenly noticed the empty silver chain, dangling from Ash's chest. The amulet was gone. Where the crystal had once been, only a blackened shard remained. It must've finally shattered during the fight with Rowan. My stomach twisted. "Oh, G.o.d, Ash," I breathed. "The amulet. You won't be protected in the Iron Kingdom anymore. Have someone else take me back."

He raised his head, his eyes bleak but determined, a look I'd seen before, when he had nothing left to lose.

"I'll take you."

"No, you won't!" Puck stepped in front of us, and suddenly his dagger was pressed against Ash's throat. Ash didn't move, and Puck leaned in, his face savage. "You'll take her to a healer, prince, or so help me I will cut out that piece of ice you call a heart and take her myself."

"Puck," I whispered again, "please." He didn't look at me, but tears brimmed at the corners of his eyes, and the hand holding the dagger trembled. "I have t-to do this," I went on, as Ash and Puck continued their staredown, neither giving an inch. "This...is the only way to save everything. Please."

He drew in a shaky breath. "How can you ask me to let you die?" he choked, still keeping the blade at the prince's throat. A thread of blood formed under the knife, and ran down to Ash's collar. "I'd do anything for you, Meghan. Just...not that. Not that."

Gently, I reached up and closed my fingers around the knife hilt, easing it down and away from Ash's neck. Puck resisted for a moment, then stepped back with a sob. The dagger fell from his grip and clanged to the floor.

"Are you sure this is what you want, princess?" His voice was strangled, his eyes begging me to change my mind.

"No," I whispered, as my own tears spilled over, and the arms around me tightened. Of course it wasn't. I wanted to live. I wanted to see my family and finish school and travel to distant places I'd only read about. I wanted to laugh with Puck and love with Ash, and do all those things that normal people took for granted. But I couldn't. I was given this power, this responsibility. And I had to finish what I'd started, once and for all. "No, Puck, it isn't. But, this is how it has to be."

Puck took my hand, gripping it as if he could keep me here just by holding on. I looked into his green eyes, s.h.i.+ning with emotion, and saw all his years as Fey, all his triumphs and failures, loves and losses. I saw him as Puck, the devilish, legendary troublemaker, and as Robin Goodfellow, a being as ancient as time, with his own scars and wounds gathered in his immortal life. Puck squeezed my hand, tears running unabashedly down his face, and shook his head.

"Wow," he muttered, his voice choked with tears. "Here we are, the last night and all, and I can't think of anything to say."

I pressed my palm to his cheek, feeling the moisture beneath my fingers, and smiled at him. "How about 'goodbye'?"

"Nah." Puck shook his head. "I make a point of never saying goodbye, princess. Makes it sound like you're never coming back."

"Puck-"

He bent and kissed me softly on the lips. Ash stiffened, arms tightening around me, but Puck slid out of reach before either of us could react. "Take care of her, ice-boy," he said, smiling as he backed up several paces. "I guess I won't be seeing you, either, will I? It was...fun, while it lasted."

"I'm sorry we didn't get to kill each other," Ash said quietly.

Puck chuckled and bent to retrieve his fallen dagger. "My one and only regret. Too bad, that would have been an epic fight." Straightening, he gave us that old, stupid grin, raising a hand in farewell. "See you around, lovebirds."

Glamour rippled through the air, and Puck disintegrated into a flock of screaming ravens, flapping wildly as they scattered to all corners of the room. The knights ducked as the birds swooped over their heads, cawing in their harsh, mocking voices. Then the birds vanished into the darkness, the sound of wings disappeared, and Puck was gone.

THE KNIGHTS LET US THROUGH without a fight, bowing their heads as we pa.s.sed. Some of them even raised their swords, as if in salute, but I didn't really notice much. Cradled gently in Ash's arms, my body and mind numb to everything, I concentrated on not falling asleep, knowing if I did, I might never open my eyes. Soon I could rest, give in to the exhaustion claiming my body, lie back and forget it all, but I had one last thing to do. And then I could finally let it all go. without a fight, bowing their heads as we pa.s.sed. Some of them even raised their swords, as if in salute, but I didn't really notice much. Cradled gently in Ash's arms, my body and mind numb to everything, I concentrated on not falling asleep, knowing if I did, I might never open my eyes. Soon I could rest, give in to the exhaustion claiming my body, lie back and forget it all, but I had one last thing to do. And then I could finally let it all go.

Soft flakes touched my cheek, and I looked up.

We were outside the fortress now, standing at the top of a flight of stairs, gazing down at the field. The sounds of battle had ceased, and silence hung over the field as every eye, be it Summer, Winter, or Iron, turned in my direction. Everyone was frozen, staring at me in shock, unsure of what to do.

Ash never stopped, walking deliberately forward, his face unreadable, and the ranks of Summer, Winter, and Iron fey parted for him without a word. Faces pa.s.sed by me, silent in the falling ash. Diode, his whirling eyes wide with alarm. Spikerail and his herd, lowering their heads as we walked by. Gremlins trailed us, hushed and grim, weaving their way through the crowd.

Mab and Oberon came into view, their eyes at once blank and sympathetic. Ash didn't stop, even for Mab. He marched by the faery rulers without even a glance, continuing through the gray drifts, until we reached the edge of the field and the huge frost dragon waiting for us. The dragon s.h.i.+fted, settling back to stare at the Winter prince with ice-blue eyes.

"Take us into the Iron Realm." Ash's voice was soft, but several degrees below freezing, leaving no room for argument. "Now."

The dragon blinked. Hissing softly, it turned and crouched low, stretching its long neck for Ash to get on. Without so much as a jolt, Ash stepped onto a scaly forearm and leaped up between the dragon's shoulders, settling me in his lap. As the dragon rose up, spreading its wings to launch, Razor let out a buzzing cry, and the gremlins exploded into shrill, high-pitched wailing, leaping up and down and pulling at their ears. Though startled, no one moved to stop them, and their keening voices followed us into the air, until the wind swallowed them up.

I DIDN'T REMEMBER FLYING. DIDN'T REMEMBER FLYING. I didn't remember landing. Just a soft thump as Ash slid off the dragon's back onto solid ground again. Raising my head from his chest, I gazed around. The landscape was blurred and fuzzy, like a fading, out-of-focus camera, until I realized it was me and not the surroundings. Everything was gray and dark, but I could still make out the tree, the great iron oak, rising from the tower ruins to brush the sky. I didn't remember landing. Just a soft thump as Ash slid off the dragon's back onto solid ground again. Raising my head from his chest, I gazed around. The landscape was blurred and fuzzy, like a fading, out-of-focus camera, until I realized it was me and not the surroundings. Everything was gray and dark, but I could still make out the tree, the great iron oak, rising from the tower ruins to brush the sky.

Behind us, the dragon made a low rumble that sounded like a question. "Yes, go," Ash murmured without turning around, and there was a blast of wind that signaled the dragon had fled, back to the Nevernever where it wouldn't be poisoned. I noted, in my numb state of mind, that Ash didn't tell it to wait for him.

Because he wasn't planning to leave, either.

Ash's step was firm as he carried me through the tower, drifting through the empty ruins, slipping through the shadows, until we reached the base of the tree. Only when we stepped into the central chamber and the branches loomed above us did he start to tremble. But his voice was steady, and his grip didn't loosen as he approached the trunk and stopped, lowering his head to mine.

"We're here," he murmured. I closed my eyes and reached out with my remaining glamour, feeling the pulsing heart of the tree and the roots, extending deep into the earth.

"Lay me down...at the base," I whispered.

He hesitated, but then stepped beneath the tree and knelt, depositing me gently on the ground between two giant roots. And he stayed there, kneeling beside me, holding my hand in his. Something splashed the back of my hand, cold as spring water, crystallizing to my skin. A faery's tears.

I gazed up at him and tried for a smile, tried to be brave, to show him that none of this was his fault. That this was how it had to be. His eyes glimmered in the darkness, bright and anguished. I squeezed his hand.

"It was...quite a ride, wasn't it?" I whispered, as my own tears ran down my cheek, staining the hard ground. "I'm sorry, Ash. I wish...we had more time. I wish...I could've gone with you...but things didn't quite work out, did they?"

Ash brought my hand to his lips, his eyes never leaving mine. "I love you, Meghan Chase," he murmured against my skin. "For the rest of my life, however long we have left. I'll consider it an honor to die beside you."

I took a deep breath, chasing back the darkness on the edge of my vision. Now came the hardest part, the part I'd been dreading. I didn't want to die, and even more, I didn't want to die alone. The thought made my stomach clench, and my breath come in short, panicked gasps. But Ash would not fade away. I would not let him die because of his vow. This was the last unselfish thing I could do for him. He had been with me every step of the way; now it was my turn to set him free.

"Ash." I reached up and touched his cheek, tracing the line of his jaw. "I love you. Never forget that. And I...I wanted to live the rest of my life with you. But..." And I paused, trying to catch my breath. It was getting hard even to speak, and Ash's outline was fading at the edges. I blinked hard to keep him in focus.

"But I...I can't let you die because of me," I continued, seeing understanding dawn in his eyes, followed by alarm. "I won't allow it."

"Meghan, no."

"It's all right if you hate me," I continued, speaking faster so he couldn't change my mind. "In fact, that might be for the best. Hate me, so you can find someone...someone else to love. But I want you to live, Ash. You have so much to live for."

"Please." Ash gripped my hand, "Don't do this."

"I release you," I whispered. "From your vow of knighthood, and the promises you made. Your service to me is done, Ash. You're free."

Ash bowed his head, shoulders heaving. I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat, my stomach churning painfully. It was done. I hated myself for it, but it was the right thing to do. I'd asked so much of him already. Even if he was prepared to die, I wasn't going to let that happen.

"Now," I said, releasing his hand. "Get out of here, Ash. Before it's too late."

"No."

"Ash, you can't stay. The amulet is gone. If you're here much longer, you'll die."

Ash said nothing. But I knew that stubborn set of his shoulders, the flare of resolve around him, and I knew he would stay with me regardless. And so, I did the only thing I could think of. He would curse the day he met the human girl in the wyldwood, vow to never, ever, fall in love again. But he would live.

"Ashallyn'darkmyr Tallyn," I said, and he closed his eyes, "by the power of your True Name, leave the Iron Realm right now." I turned my head so I wouldn't see him, forcing out the last words. "And don't come back."

I'm so sorry, Ash. But please, live for me. If anyone deserves to come out of this alive, it's you.

A soft noise, almost a sob. Ash rose, hesitated, as if fighting the compulsion to obey. "I will always be your knight, Meghan Chase," he whispered in a strained voice, as if every moment he remained was painful to him. "And I swear, if there is a way for us to be together, I will find it. No matter how long it takes. If I have to chase your soul to the ends of eternity, I won't stop until I find you, I promise."

And then he was gone.

Alone at the base of the giant oak, I lay back, fighting the urge to cry, to scream out my fear and desolation. There was no time for that anymore. The world was getting dark, and I had one last thing I had to do.

Closing my eyes, I reached out with my glamour, feeling both Summer and Iron rise up in response. Cautiously, I probed the roots of the giant oak, following them deep into the cracked, dry earth, sensing the devastation of the land around it. The Iron glamour that was killing one species but sustaining another.

I thought of my family. Of Mom and Luke and Ethan, still waiting for me at home. I thought of my human dad, Paul, and my real father, the Summer King. Of everyone I had met along the way: Glitch, the rebels, Razor. Ironhorse. They were of the Iron Kingdom, but they were still fey. They deserved a chance to live, just like everyone else.

I thought of Grimalkin, and Puck. My wise teacher and my brave, loyal best friend. They would live, I would make certain of that. They would laugh and inspire ballads and collect favors until the end of time. This was for them. And for my knight, who had given everything for me. Who would've been there to the very end, had I let him.

Ash, Puck, everyone. I love you all. Remember me. And in one final, determined push, I gathered the power of the Iron King into a ma.s.sive, swirling ball and sent it deep into the roots of the giant oak. And in one final, determined push, I gathered the power of the Iron King into a ma.s.sive, swirling ball and sent it deep into the roots of the giant oak.

A shudder went through the tree, continuing into the land around it, like ripples on a gla.s.sy pond. It radiated outward, spreading to the dead trees and vegetation, and the once-withered plants stirred as the new glamour touched their roots. I sensed the land waking up, drinking in the new magic, healing the poison that the Iron glamour had seeped into the land. Trees straightened, unfurling new leaves from steel branches. The hard obsidian plain shuddered as green sprouts pushed their way to the surface. The mottled yellow clouds began to break apart, showing blue sky and sun peeking through the cracks.

A cool breeze blew in from somewhere, cooling my face and causing a rain of leaves to flutter around me. The air smelled of earth and new gra.s.s. Lulled into a deep peace, listening to the sounds of growing things all around me, I closed my eyes and finally surrendered to the darkness.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE.

THE IRON QUEEN.

Machina waited for me on the other side.

"h.e.l.lo, Meghan Chase," he greeted softly, smiling in the brightness that surrounded us. No longer the black void of dreams, or the harsh whiteness of my mind, I didn't really know where I was. Coiling mist surrounded me, and I wondered if this was just one more test before I reached the afterlife, or whatever lay beyond the fog.

"Machina." I nodded. He was barely discernible in the mist, but every so often the fog would clear and I saw him, though sometimes he appeared as a ma.s.sive tree. "What are you doing here?" I sighed. "Don't tell me you're guarding the pearly gates. You never struck me as the angelic type."