Julie Kagawa - The Iron Queen

Eleven years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared.

One year ago, on the very same day, my brother was taken from me, as well. But that time, I went into Faery to take him back.

Its strange how a journey can change you, what you can learn from it. I learned that the man I thought was my father wasnt my father at all. That my biological dad wasnt even human. That I was the half-breed daughter of a legendary faery king, and his blood flowed in my veins. I learned that I had power, a power that scares me, even now. A power that even the fey dread, something that can destroy themand Im not sure I can control it.

I learned that love can transcend race and time, and that it can be beautiful and perfect and worth fighting for but also fragile and heartbreaking, and sometimes sacrifice is necessary. That sometimes its you against the world, and there are no easy answers. That you have to know when to hold onand when to let go. And even if that love comes back, you could discover something in someone else who has been there all along.

I thought it was over. I thought my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices for those I loved, was behind me. But a storm was approaching, one that would test those choices like never before. And this time, there would be no turning back.

M Y NAME IS M EGHAN C HASE.

In less than twenty-four hours, Ill be seventeen.

Dj vu, right? Shocking how quickly time can pass you by, like youre standing still. I cant believe its been a year since that day. The day I went into Faery. The day that changed my life forever.

Technically, I wont actually be turning seventeen. Ive been in the Nevernever too long. When youre in Faery, you dont age, or you age so slowly its not worth mentioning. So, while a year has passed in the real world, Im probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, Ive changed so much I dont even recognize myself.

Beneath me, the tatter-colts hooves clopped against the pavement, a quiet rhythm that matched my own heartbeat. On this lonely stretch of Louisiana highway, surrounded by tupelo trees and moss-covered cypress, few cars passed us, and the ones that did flew by without slowing down, tossing leaves in their wake. They couldnt see the shaggy black horse with eyes like hot coals, walking along the road without reins or bit or saddle. They couldnt see the figures on its back, the pale-haired girl and the dark, beautiful prince behind her, his arms around her waist. Mortals were blind to the world of Faery, a world I was a part of now, whether Id asked for it or not.

What are you afraid of? a deep voice murmured in my ear, sending a shiver up my spine. Even in the humid swamps of Louisiana, the Winter prince radiated cold, and his breath was wonderfully cool against my skin.

I peered at him over my shoulder. What do you mean?

Ash, prince of the Unseelie Court, met my gaze, silver eyes gleaming in the twilight. Officially, he was no longer a prince. Queen Mab had exiled him from the Nevernever after he refused to renounce his love for the half-human daughter of Oberon, the Summer King. My father. Summer and Winter were supposed to be enemies. We were not supposed to cooperate, we were not supposed to go on quests together and, most important, we were not supposed to fall in love.

But we had, and now Ash was here, with me. We were exiles, and the trodsthe paths into Faerywere closed to us forever, but I didnt care. I wasnt planning to ever go back.

Youre nervous. Ashs hand stroked the back of my head, brushing the hair from my neck, making me shiver. I can feel it. You have this anxious, flickering aura all around you, and its driving me a little nuts, being this close. Whats wrong?

I shouldve known. There was no hiding what I felt from Ash, or any faery for that matter. Their magic, their glamour, came from human dreams and emotions. So Ash could sense what I was feeling without even trying. Sorry, I told him. I guess I am a little nervous.

Why?

Why? Ive been gone almost a year. Mom will hit the roof when she sees me. My stomach squirmed as I imagined the reunion: the tears, the angry relief, the inevitable questions. They didnt hear anything from me while I was in Faery. I sighed, gazing up the road to where the stretch of pavement melted into the darkness. What am I going to tell them? How will I even begin to explain?

The tatter-colt snorted and pinned its ears at a truck that roared by, passing uncomfortably close. I couldnt be sure, but it looked like Lukes battered old Ford, rattling down the road and vanishing around a curve. If it was my stepdad, he definitely wouldnt have seen us; hed had a hard time remembering my name even when Id lived in the same house.

You tell them the truth, Ash said, startling me. I wasnt expecting him to answer. From the beginning. Either they accept it, or they dont, but you cant hide who you are, especially from your family. Best to get it over withwe can deal with whatever happens after.

His candor surprised me. I was still getting used to this new Ash, this faery who talked and smiled instead of hiding behind an icy wall of indifference. Ever since we were banished from the Nevernever, hed been more open, less brooding and angst-ridden, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. True, he was still quiet and solemn by anyones standards, but for the first time, I felt I was finally getting a glimpse of the Ash I knew was there all along.