There is pain. There is screaming.

Every inch of me was drowning in bone shattering agony, as if every single cell in my body had grown nails and was viciously tearing into each other, into me.

It is fire.

It is ice.

I must be getting slowly carved with a rusty butcher knife

Or starving fire ants were devouring my intestines, their jagged pinchers consuming me, dismantling me piece by microscopic piece .

I wanted to crawl out of my skin and get away from this all consuming pain, to hide, to shut it out - but I couldn't.

I couldn't move.

I am paralyzed, no matter how desperately I order my limbs to move, to do something. I could swear I was getting ripped down the middle, as though two monoliths are warring inside me, clawing at each other while simultaneously pushing away from one another in revulsion. This torture is relentless. Inescapable.

I can't see.

My eyes are open and I'm blind and all I see is red and panicked shadows. I taste the copper bite of blood.

And then there was the screaming. A high pitch, merciless sound hammering into my ear drums - practically cracking my skull in half with the intensity.

"Hold her down!" Powerful arms pinned me to the floor, something clamping down across my mouth and muffled the terrible howls. Wait...that was coming from me?

I had lost all control of my body. My brain is telling me I am paralyzed, but my appendages have grown lives of their own as they thrash against the binding hands.

Oh god.

This is it.

I'm dying.

I'm dying.

There are ragged, wheezing breaths somewhere to my right, someone calling out a familiar name.

And then, my body couldn't handle anymore. It finally shut down.

I drifted, neither awake or really asleep. Half formed dreams, memories, and snippets of reality swam across my vision, mixing and swirling together until I could hardly tell the two apart.

"It's time to murder that traitorous little bitch!" Someone screeched. Virus, I realized with detachment. Not surprising.

"I dare you to harm my queen," someone challenged softly, but not quietly. It took me a while to place them. Machina? Weird. He sounds...different somehow.

A vibration shivered through the room, making the walls groan and the windows creak ominously. Beyond the thin membrane of my eyelids, I could tell the glow of fluorescent lights suddenly dimmed, and in the abrupt change the room became infused with the scent of ozone. Electricity pulsed through the air, making my hair stand on end.

There is a long pause and absolute silence, not even a shift of fabric or inhale of breath, before he continued. "You have labored against my queen since she has come to the Iron Kingdom, and exhausted my patience in the process. I will only say this once, Lieutenant: Your oath is your only value to my court and the only reason I refrain now from executing you. Treasonous words and actions will not be tolerated again." His voice is lethal and unyielding as iron itself, making even me shrivel in fear.

I could hear glass crack, and then finally shatter, hitting concrete like icy shrapnel. The sound made me mentally cringe. I would have been curled in a ball if I could have moved… or if I could run, taken cover in the nearest bomb shelter.

"You will no longer make threats towards my queen, nor will you so much as think about undermining, disrespecting, or harming her. You, Lieutenant, will protect your queen with your life, and no one," Machina's voice deepened to a reverberating, savage snarl, "will deny me my wrath again should she ever be harmed on your watch. Am I clear enough for you?"

There was a stab of a stiletto and a shift of fabric as Virus bowed deeply. "My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty." Virus murmured warily, "I was out of line. Your will is mine, Your Majesty."

I floated away from the charged, uncomfortable confrontation, dreaming of Mom, Ethan, even my step dad Luke. I became witness to the slow progression of time as they eventually forgot about their eldest, moving on. My third grade picture disappeared from the top of the fireplace. Ethan was playing in my old room, now an office, all of my possessions either sold or donated. Mom was talking to an officer on the porch, explaining how she didn't have a missing daughter.

No. I tried telling her. I'm right here. Her blue eyes looked right through me, and the lack of acknowledgment had me reeling back into the void.

There was a gloved hand stroking my hair. It felt so nice and comforting, something I didn't know I desperately needed until now. However, there was a low, melodic voice telling me about the great depth of my reckless stupidity. Which wasn't as nice, but the speaker's cadence was so beautiful I didn't mind. I found the two juxtaposing actions rather ironic, comically so. I smiled, and fell back into blackness.

The next time I sort of came to, there was a lot of shouting, explosions.

"Get her out of here!" Someone commanded. Parts of the roof showered to the ground, flakes of debris hitting and sticking to my sweaty forehead. The very earth seemed to vibrate, it roiled like a living thing underneath me.

Am I in an earthquake?

A set of hands grabbed me, and I felt myself limply dangling in another's arms like a broken doll.

"I'll distract her!" Virus yelled, her swarming voice growing further away.

I was jostled about for a while, the white light of a trod piercing my eyelids. Nothing for a while.

This is what floating in a ocean is like. I am a piece of driftwood, rolling amongst languid currents. Sometimes I am close to the surface, where I can see the fractured light of reality, but unable breakthrough. And then sometimes, I sink into a void of silence, deep and peaceful as dreamless sleep; a dark cathedral where there was no need to speak or breathe. And the space between these two extremities were trippy, serene, and beautiful. Pomegranate seeds fell like ruby tears from trees, dripping into my palms. The grass was always fluorescent green, black feathers kissed my cheek, and everything was perfect.

Sometimes I dream of Ash, catching glimpses of his breathtaking beauty, of the possible future we could have had...if he actually loved me. He had kneeled before me, murmuring words that I couldn't quite hear. I had to tilt my head down, listening carefully.

"...Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit. This I swear, on my honor, on my True Name, and my life. From this day on..." I had to strain to catch the last, butterfly whisper, "I am yours."

I couldn't stop the tears, and when he straightened back up, I threw myself into his arms.

"I love you, Ash." My words were thick with emotion, making them difficult to speak. I barely managed to make my lips move, but somehow, the prince heard me. He trembled, and crushed me against him. The unbreakable vow had been made. He was mine and I was his.

Akin to an out of body experience, I peeled myself from that version of me, floating like a ghost above the two lovers in their embrace, watching. From this vantage point, the whole thing was laughable. That will never happen.

Sometimes I dreamed of Puck, usually in his crow form, soaring over buildings, emerald eyes always roving, searching for something or someone.

Me and a freshman age Robbie were in my room, reading passages of Romeo and Juliet for our english assignment. To get us through this atrocity, we had begun acting out the scenes with british accents and an over zealousness that would surely have Shakespeare rolling around his grave. This was definitely one of the better memories of my old life.

He was Juliet, and I was Romeo. Robbie was all feminine grace, standing on my bed with my faded blue comforter wrapped around him like a dress, swooning and batting his eyelashes as we reenacted the balcony scene. I had stuffed a pillow in my shirt to appear more masculine, aggressively bellowing how fair my Juliet was to the coos and sighs of Robbie.

Halfway through our outrageous acting, I collapsed from uncontrollable, side splitting laughter. This only earned a long, screeching monologue from Robbie, eloquently grieving about the untimely death of his Romeo.

This triggers another bout of laughs that nearly killed me from lack of air. Robbie snatches the spoon from my half eaten dinner of macaroni on the desk, and was about to plunge the dirty silverware into his chest and join his pillow stuffed Romeo in 'death' when there was an urgent knock on the door. It was Mom, asking us to keep it down because Ethan was asleep. He always got fussy when his nap time was disturbed. I wondered how Ethan is doing…

There were flashes of a wyvern's skeleton sprawled in a hollow, it's jagged jaws still agape in a last roar. A king wreathed in shadow, slowing turning a pomegranate in his hands. I couldn't see his eyes - or face for that matter - but I knew he was watching me. I am bodiless, an omnipotent being. Driftwood in seas of glowing memories and ethereal images.

"Good thing you called me." Someone chirped nearby. "Her Majesty's health is going doooooown the tube, like really down, like more down than that song called "Down" by Jay Sean and Lil Wayne, more down than-"

"Can you help her or not?" Tertius interrupted desperately. Oh yeah. Tertius. That guy who lied to me. I still hadn't forgiven him, but I kinda felt sorry for the general. He sounded absolutely miserable.

The pity lasted only a second though. Good. Feel miserable, you traitor.

"It's the almighty Tesla you're talking to pony boy! Of course I can keep her alive and vigorous as a turnip! But you see how I used the term turnip rather than kangaroo or chinchilla, because she's in total veggie state. The actual waking up part will have to be done on her side."

"Sssshe's tooooooo interesting to diiie!" A mechanical voice yowled mournfully. Hm, I've heard that voice before...Antinette. The centipede that adored spying on me.

"She won't die! As I said, I can keep her as voracious as a cabbage."

"But vegetables are boring! Ssshe might as well be dead!"

"Stop! Both of you!" Tertius interrupts desperately, "Just do whatever you have to, Tesla."

Am I that far gone? I thought with detached curiosity.

Has it been minutes? Days? Years? Well, it didn't matter. The hazy warmth of this weird slumber was rather nice. This must be what floating in Caribbean waters felt like. Eternity was slipping through my fingers like grains of powder white sand. I can stay here forever.

Tertius visited me.

Maybe I was just dreaming of his presence, or maybe he was actually by my bed. But he felt quite real, more real than the misty woods surrounding us, anyway.

"I'm sorry, Queen Meghan. I wanted to tell you... so many times. But I had my orders." He was standing besides me as we stared into the forest. I didn't even look at him.

I wasn't in the mood for this. I was in a paradise, and here he is, reminding me of his treachery, the death of our "friendship"... if it could have ever been called that.

I shook my head. "Get out of here."

"I- I wish to explain myself, but I will leave if you will it."

"You know what? I really don't care for an explanation. In the end, you're just a manipulative back stabber." I laughed mirthlessly, getting a vindictive joy when I saw him wince in my peripheral vision. "I'm tired of always having fey trying to kill, trick, and use me. I thought you were different-"

My voice hitched. I clung on to my anger, and pressed on through the tightness of my throat "-but I learned my lesson. I had enough of you. So just get out of here. I'm done wasting time on you."

He obediently faded away.

He was obedient to a fault.

Growing up with only one best friend made his betrayal all the worse. For me, companions were hard, if not impossible to come by. They were a rarity more precious than gold.

I was the invisible child growing up, trying to make friends with other boys who forgot my name, with girls who were confused whenever I tried making conversation. In the rare moments that I was actually remembered, it was because I was that one loser with hand me down clothes, the daughter of pig farmers … the swamp bitch.

Perpetually friendless, Robbie was the only reason I grew up somewhat normal, and not socially crippled. I tried to count how many friends I had. Robbie. Grim...Did my dog Beau count? I laughed bitterly, rubbing my temples.

Dogs that have a record of supposedly biting children weren't hot commodities for adoption. He was wasting away at a pound, or worse, euthanized. And could Grim be counted as a real friend, since he seems more interested in making contracts and collecting debts? I kicked a pinecone, and it skipped along the ground, leaving black prints whenever it touched the earth. The tar like residue began to spread, eating away at the scenery like spilled ink on an oil painting.

Hell, Robbie became friends with me because he was ordered to protect me. What if his friendship was all an act as well? It would make sense, for being a close friend would make watching over me much easier.

The blackness spread more, consuming the misty woods.

I'm supposed be an all powerful queen, daughter of the summer king...Yet I couldn't save my dog, couldn't make a real friend who had no hidden motives... who liked me, because of me... not because I was useful, or valuable, or they had to fake friendship to obey certain orders... the slow manifesting pain of loneliness chewed on my heart.

I meandered my way back to the Ice Prince, because my stupid, desolate heart couldn't quite let go of him yet. Another failed relationship, another person pulling my strings. Misery begat even more misery, and I'm on a roll.

It was time to confront this unpleasant revelation. I had been so caught up in hiding my emotions, in escaping a war camp, that I didn't have time to freely mourn the ending of the odd relationship between me and Ash.

Was it technically a break up? I had no idea. "Breaking up" makes it sound like we had something official, which was never the case; but at the same time, the phrase was hardly sufficient to describe the loss I felt. Ash was definitely...an ex-something, an ex- maybe, if nothing else.

I imagined me and Ash dancing at Elysium once more. Pastel flower petals drifted down like flurries of goose down. We gently glided across the polished white marble floor veined in gold, silent.

I am lost in the rhythm of music, in our simple little dance, in the thrum of his heart beat. He smelled of dark spice and foreign frost just like I remembered. When I look into his handsome face, it was utterly expressionless, aloof.

Right.

I smiled sadly at the beautiful prince, and he stared impassively back. He didn't really care about me, even in my dreams.

But that's okay.

We had a good run, as short lived as it was. He gave me the craziest butterflies, and I experienced that love-at-first-sight thing...it was nice. But one sided relationships never worked.

This is our goodbye - the grand finale to something that could have been wonderful… if he actually loved me.

I looked up into the lattice work of the ceiling, the arching limbs high above us thick with moss and lush leaves. Spots of sun shimmered through whenever the breeze shifted the branches, creating fleeting dapples of sunlight to dash across the ballroom floor.

I closed my eyes as a stray red petal kissed my forehead.

This is okay.

I'll be okay.

It will take more time to get over him, of course, along with all the other unpleasant revelations.

But this is a start.

And through all misadventures, I discovered that I was much stronger than I thought.

All things considered, this isn't so bad.

I got this.

Ash gave me a twirl around, my silver gown fanning out and scattering fallen petals. When he pulled me back, he was someone else.

Machina.

My heart picked up double time, legs nearly collapsing from shock.

He flashed me a razor sharp grin. "Remember me?"

I was saved from a response when he adjusted his grip on me, grabbing me by the waist and spinning me viciously around. The dance grew terribly complicated then, and I barely kept up with sidesteps and turns, the twists and spins.

"You are a coward and a hypocrite." He accused stormily. My dress was no longer silver. Without my notice, it had bled into scarlet.

"Am not." I tried to snap back, but my voice came out more breathless than I wanted.

If looks could slice open skin, I would have been bleeding from the narrowed eyed glare he leveled at me. "Do you not think, little queen, that you were terribly bold to kick me out of my own peaceful dream? Spouting words about living and fulfilling my purpose? About duty? And yet I find you here, content to hide in your little limbo of fantasies, shying away from reality!"

"What?"

He stopped abruptly then, and I screeched to a halt, our faces inches apart.

"You are not allowed forget." His eyes burned with uncomfortable intensity. "Nor are you allowed to fade." I realized his voice was becoming more real, like I was actually hearing it from an external source rather than from my imagination.

"You dragged me back to life, and now I will return the favor whether you like it or not. You will not leave me now, insufferable woman." Even though his words were sharp and angry as ever… there was something different about them, like they held an undercurrent of another emotion I couldn't put a name to.

He then very deliberately peeled off his black gloves, dropping them to the floor. His slightly calloused hands came up to gently cup my face, and it felt real.

An overwhelming sense of serenity overcame me, gently hushing my racing thoughts, and simultaneously making my skin feel sensitive and alive. I relaxed into his embrace, feeling his warmth like rays of sun.

I had been adrift in sea of images for so long, I forgot what it was like to feel something warm and physical. I parted my lips, sighing.

Machina touched his forehead to mine, and I leaned into him.

The contact had ignited my nerves. Tingles were racing down my spine, making my breath hitch. I inhaled electricity.

"Come back to me...Meghan."

I gasp, eyes flying open. "Machina?" I look around, disoriented as things slowly came back into focus. I was... lying in a bed, no ballroom in sight. What the-

"YOU'RE ALIVE!" I screamed when a humongous centipede popped down from the ceiling, its four glowing eyeballs just missing my nose. "Your Majesty, everyone wondered if you would ever wake up!"

"What the hell! Antinette?!" I rasp, finding speech really difficult. Holy cow when was the last time I talked? "Are you trying to kill me? How did you even - where am I?"

I glance about groggily from my prone position, noticing I was in a bright, peach room, furniture teasing the edge of my vision. As if in response, the centipede enthusiastically wriggled her feet, and I was grateful the other half of her body was still rooted to the ceiling - I don't think my heart can stand the shock of a oversized arthropod acting as a lap dog at the moment.

"I would never try to kill you, Your Majesty." She chortled. "I'm just overwhelmed with joy that you are finally awake! Oh, there is SO much I wish to inform you of! There have been many juicy happenings while you were unconscious for seven days!"

The insect did her creepy rotation of the head thing, so that the two eyes on her chin were now the ones on top and vise versa. "We are in Brazil at an esteemed resort! The weather is wretchedly hot and humid, but the sights are absolutely breathtaking!"

I tried to shake the fogginess from my mind. Was I seriously out for that long? Being in Brazil was only mildly surprising - I was getting rather used to popping up on random parts of the globe. And why is she still calling me queen? I guess I saved Machina...

Machina.

He's alive, and around here somewhere. And, with that unexplainable sensation I felt before our terrible confrontation in the throne room, I felt a pull towards my right. Machina was past that closed door, in another room.

I rubbed my forehead, shaking off that inane sixth sense information. "Okay. You're going to have to start from the beginning. What the hell happened when I passed out?"

"I wasn't there for that." She sniffed, disappointed. "But I was able to piece together what happened, thanks to Siri. After Machina was revived, you just started screaming and flailing about, but eventually stopped. A little later, when it was apparent that Machina was fine, Virus tried to kill you! She thought she could dispose you, seeing as you betrayed the Iron Kingdom with your assassination attempt, and how she simply loathes your guts. But Machina stopped her!"

I shivered, grateful that Machina rescued me from a painful death. If he didn't step in, I would have never woken back up. And if I did happen to reawaken, I would probably be better off dead.

The centipede's voice grew hushed, reverent even, "And then Chrome found your location in Russia. Thanks to Virus' valiant actions, everyone was able to escape unharmed. Once it was clear that your health was deteriorating, Machina sent Tertius to fetch Tesla. If you recall, I last saw you on the morning before you attempted to kill His Majesty King Machina. Such scandal!"

I cringed. She seemed way too enthusiastic about that fact. "Anyways," She chirped, "after our little exchange, I visited my other regular haunts and had caught Tesla leaving the Iron Realm through a trod, and couldn't help but follow. Tesla never goes to the mortal world, and she appeared rather stressed. I immediately knew something was afoot, especially since she had connections with Tertius. Anyways, she was the reason why I got mixed into this ravishing mess! There I was, minding my own business above Tesla's quarters-"

"And you got sucked into this Samwise Gamgee style?" I snickered, "Serves you right for eavesdropping and stalking."

"I was hardly dropping any eves! But yes, I was caught after I heard too much. The first general Tertius isn't as oblivious as Tesla, and found me immediately. They brought me along, for they saw my value as an ally."

Yeah. Right. They were probably afraid you were going to run that big mouth of yours. But the mention of Tertius got my gut all twisted. Ugh.

"Where's Tertius, by the way?" I ask.

"Away on yet another mission. Machina is gathering what forces he can - he sent Tertius to find Iron Horse, and his majesty has contacted Razor to assemble the Gremlin forces."

"Your Majesty!" A new voice rang out. I turned towards the door to find a top hatted figure skipping across the room, screeching to stop before sweeping off their hat to give a dramatic bow.

"It is SO good to see you awake!"

"You must be Tesla." I croaked, recognizing the black haired hacker elf with her left mechanical red eye. This was the same hacker elf that accidently pulled a gun on me when I made my first escape attempt; and the one who provided Tertius the armour that aided us in our little show down with Machina.

"Aye! That is me, Your Majesty! The one and only scientist extraordinaire!" She bowed even deeper, her caramel complexion getting obscured by her curtain of inky hair. "It's been a great honor to serve you, my queen. I can't even tell you how much joy it gives me to be selected to be your personal doctor to see to your health – out of all the other possible candidates that could have been selected, little ol' me gets chosen! Perhaps it's because I'm friends with Tertius, but that's beside point, I'll be sure to be the best doctor you can ever wish for!"

I nod at the bowed figure, muzzy mind trying to comprehend the stream of words that seemed to burst from her mouth at an unprecedented rate. It was like listening to those fast paced rap songs– but in this case I actually had to pay attention to every word.

"Oh goodness, here we go." Antinette grumbled, retracting back to the ceiling.

Tesla straightens back up. "Anyways – let's talk health. Your health, specifically, because you would probably find the general topic of Anatomy and Physiology rather boring if it doesn't directly affect you, because that's how normal humans function, yes? But it's rude to make assumptions, and you're only half homosapien after all, so you should just ask if you want to learn more about human biology. Did you know that the human nose can -"

"Tesla," Antinette interrupted, and if the insect actually had irises she probably would have rolled her eyes, "You are overwhelming her highness with you insistent chatter. Talk slower, will you? And you're getting off topic. As usual."

"Oh, right." Tesla replied sheepishly, scratching her head. "Excuse my ramblings, your highness. My mouth is only trying to keep up with my various thoughts. Yeah, so, after your heroic effort to save his most lovely, gracious majesty King Machina, your body was simply overwhelmed! Tertius - that valiant fellow – nabbed me from my bungalow to beseech me to be your doctor, since you weren't fairing too well. And this nosy insect tagged along." The hacker elf jabbed her thumb towards the ceiling where said centipede was curled.

"Yeah, I heard about that part. Before you came in, me and Antinette were discussing the fall backs of being an eavesdropper."

"I have no regrets." The over sized bug sniffed, "I find this place rather interesting."

Tesla focused her attention back to me. "You exhibited the traits of being comatose with your lack of response to painful stimuli, light, and sound – on top of being incapable of voluntary movement. Usually with commas, there is a high chance of becoming vegetative indefinitely if the brain does not receive oxygen. Lucky for you, your type coma was mainly caused by a malfunction of your ascending reticular activating system, and so your supply of oxygen was not inhibited, allowing complete cognitive -"

"Simple words, Tesla. Simple words." the centipede gave a mechanical, raspy sigh.

"For once, Antinette is right. It's a little too early to be using medical terminology." I yawned, my jaw popping. "Don't get me wrong, it's interesting. I'm just trying to understand what the heck happened, and what is currently happening."

"Right! Great point your majesty! Swift and direct as always! Okay, here's the long story short - on top of the coma, your organs began shutting down. I put you on life support for a bit, inserted a feeding tube until I restored you vitals. I removed the feeding tube when your RAS became more active after Machina visited you, and now you're awake."

Machina. I felt that insistent pull to my right again.

"How is he doing?"

"Machina? Well, it took a couple days for him to completely recover, but he's a true Iron King! He's almost fully revived from that near death experience. I didn't even have to touch him – his immune system is simply marvelous, especially if he decides to sleep! Oh yes, I got a little bored, so I took the liberty of healing all your scars, Your Majesty. Your skin is porcelain fine once more!"

I looked down at my arms, and sure enough, Tesla was right. The scar that ran the length of my forearm – that constant reminder of Machina's savagery – was now nonexistent, along with all the newer wounds from our lethal battle. It was odd, looking down at this flawlessly smooth skin that might as well belong to a stranger. It was like the evidence of my history had been washed away, and I now have a clean slate to work with. Perhaps this new chapter in my life was exactly that – a new beginning.

It wasn't the best of beginnings – I still hardly knew what was going on – but so much has happened, and the ensuing changes was nothing short of a dawn of a new age. For me at least. The twisting, nagging guilt that had resided in my gut is now gone. Nothing was as I thought it was. And Machina is alive.

I felt that slight tug to the right again. I sat up on my elbows slowly. I got a better look at the room I was in, and became momentarily flabbergasted by my luxurious surroundings.

Beyond the foot of my bed, huge windows and a glass door lead out to a patio, a crystalline ocean sprawling beyond. The curved coastline reveals a bay of white sand in the distance that gradually gave way to cliffs crowned by lush forests. The peach-cream room itself was decorated with tasteful paintings, mini palm trees in ceramic vases, a love seat, an expensive looking dresser, and a side table sporting a vase of fragrant lilies and other unnamable plants. Antinette wasn't joking about staying in an esteemed resort. This room alone belongs on the front of vacation brochures. It would have taken four years worth of allowance money to spend a single night here.

"His majesty has quite the taste in selecting resorts, doesn't he?" Tesla pipes up, breaking into my ogling. "He has bought out the entire escape, and has only kept a couple of glamoured humans to keep up on the house work. That's the great thing about this day and age – everything is done by credit card, and money is no more than numbers on a screen. With the twitch of his little pinkie, he can create a credit card without limits. If his Majesty was ever inclined, he could command all of the earth's computer systems at once!"

"You don't say?" I murmured, distracted by that niggling sixth sense. I wanted to see him, but the very thought filled me with apprehension. How was I supposed to act around him now? How will he act around me? I gulped, remembering all too clearly that time on a beach made of books, our conversation that revealed more questions than answers...and the ensuing kiss.

My cheeks reddened at the memory. It was done purely out of necessity to wake him up...but the practical reasoning couldn't erase the memory of his arms and cables twining around me, his soft lips, or the way his silken hair tangled in my fingers... Oh god, what had gotten into me?

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I temporarily felt dizzy as all the blood rushed from my head, but I was glad to have a physical distraction from my thoughts.

"I'd take it slow if I were you, your majesty." The hacker elf laced her hands behind her back. "You haven't used your legs in quite the while. I - " She paused, and I could tell she had to bite back the flow of medical terminology that was about to spring forth from her mouth. "If humans remain inactive for a certain amount of time, muscle atrophy will occur. I took measures to ensure your strength stays the same, but you should take it slow. Oh my, I got carried away and hope I haven't come off as inconsiderate. Would you like some water to rehydrate? Or food?"

I wasn't really hungry, but I accepted her offer of water. She poured a glass from the pitcher that resided on the bed stand, and I drained the cup greedily. I could feel the cold water slide down to my stomach, making me sigh in relief. When I was done, I felt refreshed enough to stand without getting overwhelmed by dizziness.

"Shall I help you up?" Tesla was balanced on the balls of her feet, poised to sweep in to assist.

"I think I got this." I stand slowly and felt perfectly fine. I wiggle my toes on the warm dark wood floor, stretching to pop my back and shoulder joints. I finally noticed I was in a fresh set of comfortable cotton pants and orange tank top, a far cry from the grime streaked clothes I last remember wearing.

I tried not to think who changed and washed me. I needed to find Machina and wrangle some answers out of him. Yup. Let's just forget about other's stripping me while unconscious. And that kiss. Especially that kiss. Time to focus on the bigger problems at hand.

"I appreciate all the medical help, Tesla."

"Oh! It was such a great honour, Your Majesty!" She gushed, sweeping into another deep bow.

"I'm going to talk with Machina. Would you mind babysitting Antinette here to make sure she doesn't follow and eavesdrop?"

I think Antinette tried to give me a pleading, innocent look. It was hard to tell with her alien like face though, "You wound me, your majesty." she whined.

"Ha ha! I get to baby sit you!" The hacker elf pointed at her victoriously, "Now come down here so I can sit upon you steely body!"

"Absolutely not!"

"But how can I baby sit you properly without using you as a chair!?"

"That's not what Her Majesty meant, you imbecile!"

Snickering, I slipped from the room to leave them to their ridiculous banter, convinced that the over enthusiastic elf would fulfill the duty I gave her. I wondered if Tesla was serious about sitting on Antinette, or if it was all a joke. Either way, I couldn't bring myself to go back and clarify – it would be rather hilarious if Tesla actually succeeded, and Antinette did deserve it with all the unwanted spying she had done on me.

Spacious halls greeted me, and I didn't have to think twice as to what route I was taking. I wandered through lavish sitting rooms, past meticulously groomed tropical plants, and even a intimate massage parlor.

I combed my slightly shaky hands through my hair, taming the bed head. I wondered what Machina would be like, if it would be the same as it was on the book strewn beach, or if he would resume his royal jack assery now that we were back in real life. Those two realities were completely different – one was more intimate, for I was in his head and caught him off guard. In the real world, we have never successfully communicated without a fight or a hostile glare. How should I even react if he was the same?

And, on top of all of that, I had become involved in some backwards conspiracy; and who knows how deep and convoluted that went. I was first trapped in a bargain to marry the Iron King, and then the king manipulated me to murder him. And that is just scratching the surface. How deep does this rabbit hole go?

I clenched my jaw. I was used like some game piece to achieve some sick and twisted goal. I'm living, breathing person, who had to live with the consequences.

My blunt nails dig into my palms. No. I can't be angry when I confront Machina. I needed answers, not a fight. Besides, the consequential guilt and nightmares were short lived, seeing how he was alive. It's more important to get to the bottom of this than get hung up on the emotional baggage.

I paused before dark wooden double doors, a contrast to the surrounding eggshell walls. It reminded of a staring, dilated pupil.

I knew Machina was just beyond.

My stomach fluttered, and I made some last ditch attempts to pat my hair into place and to straighten my sleep wrinkled tank. I distractedly wished that I actually took the time to brush my hair and change; but foot itching, needle pricking antyness had consumed any petty thoughts of personal appearances. Until now that is. Great.

I smoothed out my cotton black pants. Shit. I have no idea what kind of mess I'm stepping into. I took a deep, steadying breath, trying to quell the swirl of doubts and stress that plagued me. Knowing Machina, he was bound to turn my world topsy turvy. Again.

Well, there's no use standing around and fretting about it. If he wanted me dead, I wouldn't be here right now. So what's the worse that can happen? I indulged in sarcastic snicker meant just for myself. I turned the right bronze knob.

Cracking the door halfway, the first thing I noticed was a work table, cluttered with wood and foreign tools, wood shavings making a dusty halo on the floor around it. I gulped, bracing myself once more. Opening the door a little further, I finally saw him.

He was waiting for me, as usual.

Across the spacious room that was bare except for the work table, Machina was leaning against the window ledge, one arm crossed across his midsection, a wine bottle dangling from his grasp in the other. The window behind him was vast, its checkered pattern running across the length of the wall to allow natural light in. Its geometric shadow was thrown across the hardwood floor, making it look like we were on a slanted chess board of sorts.

I took a jagged breath of air in.

"Hello again, little queen." He quietly murmured, those depthless eyes pinning me in place.

I forgot what it felt like to be in same room with him. His very presence had a way of filling whatever space he was in - no matter how big – and commanded everyone's full attention. I thought I had gotten used to it with all the days we had spent together, but something about it was different. More intense. Heavier, even, like it was a physical weight on my shoulders. His electric aurora made my hair stand at attention, to be hyper aware of my every move and word, and be constantly aware of his proximity to me.

The cables in his back reflected brights sparks of silver wherever the sun caught it just right. They were fairly still, except for the tips which slowly curled and uncurled. The way he was quietly studying me made me even more self conscious, nervous even. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, his aquiline features giving nothing away.

"Hi." I cautiously approached him, the sound of my soft footsteps the only sound between us. The craving to touch him made my fingers twitch. I wanted to make sure he was real, that this wasn't a continuation of my delirium; but I dug my nails into my palms instead.

Another pause of silence as Machina took a deep swig of wine, not breaking his line of sight on me. I stopped a safe distance from him, waiting itchily.

I didn't know what to say, or where or how to start. "How's it like to be back from the dead?" came to mind, or, "What are you staring at?" Each remark sounded snide or a lame jab at humor for the situation at hand. We were always so quick to bicker, and I didn't want to say the wrong thing, causing a relapse back into our antagonistic ways.

"I suppose you want an explanation." his voice is soft, but it fills the room all the same - clear and void of any emotion like cool spring water. He finally released me from his penetrating gaze, and examined the contents of his bottle as he swirled it around. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Yeah." I crossed my arms, grateful that he was the first to break the silence and was speaking civilly. "Honestly, this whole situation is surreal. I've been in one trippy coma for a week, and I wouldn't be surprised to find I was still in it."

"You're not anymore. Welcome back to reality." he assured mildly. He was speaking slower than usual, as though cautious himself.

"Yeah." I hesitated, "Were you the one who woke me up?"

"Hardly, you did most of that yourself." His dark eyes glinted, a corner of his mouth curling, "Why? Did you dream fondly of me?"

"I dreamed of a lot of things. I was out for a week, there wasn't much else to do." I replied, perhaps a little too defensively. I was so sure that he was there, urging me to wake up, cupping my face and sending indescribable shivers throughout my body... is there a reason why he's hiding his role in my waking, or was it really a vivid hallucination?

I shook my head, "Care to explain why you tried to commit suicide through me then?"

He took another swig of wine, brows furrowing. "Ah, yes. Funny how things turned out. You have quite the aptitude for making mess out of things."

"Kind of like you." I reply with a cocked eyebrow.

He gave me a dry smirk, "Fair enough."

"But really. I wake up, and a mildly crazy hacker elf and giant centipede are calling me 'majesty' again, even after I performed high treason? Like everything's just hunky dorey, attempted murder is no big deal." I began pacing, "And I heard that Ferrum took over the Iron Kingdom, and I dream of a very odd lady who bosses me around. What the hell is going on?"

He took another swallow of wine, making me raise my eyebrow once more. He seemed perfectly sober, but the rate he was draining that bottle could knock out a seasoned alcoholic.

"Then let me begin with the Lady you dream of, since she was the catalyst for my seemingly irrational actions."

"You dream of her too?" I ask, surprised that he was haunted by the same omnipotent being. I guess this proves I'm not completely crazy afterall.

"Yes, perhaps more so than you. You called her 'the high priestess', although her name*

remains a mystery. She is elusive." His coils snapped testily, revealing his annoyance at the lack of knowledge to be had on the mystery faery. "The only information I have gleaned is that she is a seer unaffiliated with any court, and is deeply connected to the Nevernever. The seer acts as a spokeswoman for the land's interest. She has paid me visits through dreams as well, and showed me vivid visions of what would happen to the Nevernever should I win the war that I was preparing for."

"I'm guessing it looked a lot like the Iron Realm?" I recalled the bronze trees me and Puck encountered in the Wyldwood, all that time ago. Puck. I wonder where he is now?

Machina nodded, his level voice distracting me from my brief reminiscence. "Naturally, what I saw is perfectly acceptable to me. However, the seer revealed that the very nature of the Nevernever is built upon the beliefs of old—too much Iron would be fatal for the realm itself. It would collapse sooner rather than later, taking all oldbloods and Iron fey with it. "

Machina gave his wine bottle another swirl, thumb absently rubbing small circles against the smooth green glass, "I'll admit, I suspected her words were trickery of some sort, and so the Iron Kingdom moved forward with war plans. Yet she persisted. She was very blunt and persuasive, especially so since fey cannot lie. Even though she is an oldblood, I would have been a fool to entirely ignore her warnings, so I sought evidence, which proved her assertions true. Yet the Iron Kingdom still found itself in a position of war or extermination. The oldbloods were as much an existential threat to us as I had planned to be to them. The only change was to my flexibility in options. Our associate, however, was generous enough to offer a solution," he recalled mockingly with a humorless chuckle.

"Me killing you?" I asked doubtfully.

"Yes."

"But...why?"

He ignored my question. "Do you know what makes an Iron monarch an Iron monarch, little queen?"

"In my case, it was only a deal. But I know I was an exception, because everyone else had to earn their positions." I recalled. It seemed like ancient history now, but Tertius had once explained that some of the Iron fey didn't like me because I hadn't earned my queenship, in their eyes at least. That slowly changed overtime of course, once I started becoming more involved in their politics. "So I'm guessing you're looking for the answer 'power.'"

He gives a slight nod of approval. "Power is the foundational requirement, and the kind I speak of is very unique to the Iron Court's kings and queens. There is a semi sentient mantle of power that is passed on from ruler to ruler. The power-mantle of the Iron King is the most potent Iron Glamour, granting the monarch an unparalleled amount of magic. Whoever wears this mantle is monarch; it is indisputable and absolute. It can abandon its bearer as it did Ferrum and it can choose the successor to the throne as it did in my accession. Or the bearer can bestow it...but only at the moment of death." He gave me a very meaningful look before taking another deep drink.

"You-" I stopped, everything starting to make terrible sense. That's what Machina meant when he said he had given me everything, when the high priestess mentioned the two types of glamour within me.

"You...you gave me this Iron Glamour? To make me the one and only ruler?"

Another little nod, "Yes, little queen." He sat the empty wine bottle on the window sill and slowly strode towards me, his cables undulating behind him. I was rooted to the spot, transfixed by his hypnotic movement. It was like watching the languid movements of a shark in an aquamarine as is swims towards the protective barrier of glass, right at me. It made me tense, even though I consciously knew I was safe.

He came closer, "Though you failed to kill me when you bargained for your brother, you proved to be an adept ruler in your own right." He had begun to slowly circle me, his low baritone voice coming from behind. He kept the perfect distance that didn't quite infringe on my personal space, but didn't make me feel at ease either. I could feel his shrewd eyes assessing me. "I witnessed firsthand your ability to adapt to fey-kind and a realm of iron."

"And you taught me to fight yourself...so I would know what to expect. To know how to kill you." I whisper. He was in front of me once more, and he crossed his arms.

He shrugged. "It's a basic requirement for an Iron ruler to know how to fight. Additionally, you needed to be equipped to survive and thrive after my demise. I engineered and fueled your hate and employed Tertius to convince you of my irredeemable evil."

His head tilted downwards, making complete eye contact with me. He was perfectly expressionless: it was like staring into the undecipherable face of a snake. "It was rather convenient that my general was constructed from the prince you lusted after. You were so earnest, but secluded at court. I knew you would immediately become attached, and eventually trust every word he spoke," he said softly, intently.

I looked away. Again, there was the pang of betrayal deep within my chest. That was why Tertius was always around me – escorting me from location to location, training me, taking care of me when I was hung over after my crazy wedding, showing me secret and beautiful places and sharing equally secret information about his thoughts…

It was all for the sake of gaining my trust.

I looked out the window, the serene sight of green foliage and exotic flowers a stark contrast to my desolate thoughts. Tertius' words were made of honest grey eyes deceitful lies. I felt a similar, although less intense sense of loss when I discovered Robbie was Puck. Robbie, the goofy best friend with lopsided smiles and tendency to cat nap his way through school, was only a disguise. I knew nothing of the famous trickster Puck. They were two separate beings.

I knew nothing of Tertius. The one I knew was only a facade.

Machina's mouth twisted into something that was almost a grim smile, but not quite. It was heavy with self awareness – for his actions and how they affected me - and perhaps a tinge of an apology, if I used my imagination. It was a facial shrug saying 'that's the way it had to be.'

He let my revelation about Tertius sink in for one more second before moving on, "One of the many reasons I continued preparing for the war was for your sake. You needed to see no other alternative to save the Nevernever and those you love, to justify what you planned to do."

The ugly monster of hatred stirred within me. "And that's why you threatened my family's life when I tried to refuse to fight...tell me, how much was the truth?" The old, festering hate resurfaced in full, fresh and raw with those threats of even doing worse to my brother. "How much did you hurt Ethan?" I demanded.

"Still sore about that?" He asked levelly.

"Of course! I now know you had your reasons, but I can't forgive and forget that easily. Did you hurt him for your own amusement?"

He scrutinized me. "I don't expect you to ever forgive me." I clenched my hands into sweaty fists, resisting the urge to sock him in the face. I needed to hear the full truth, to know the extent of the damage. Machina glanced briefly at my hands, appearing unconcerned that he was seconds from potentially getting his pretty nose broken.

"It will relieve you to know that I exaggerated." I relaxed, but only slightly as he continued, "The child was treated humanely. He was poked and prodded by Gremlins before he could be released to a nursemaid; at that time, I ordered my fey not to harass the hostage or his nurse. I was also approached by an engineer who was interested in incorporating the human into a machinery project. It would have been asinine to squander my leverage, though. Accordingly, the proposal was rejected, though the plan was rather intriguing," he recounted perfunctorily.

"So you didn't hurt him?" I breathed.

"Not physically. I needed clout, not a plaything. More to the point, I needed your acquiescence, not your anger."

My shoulders relaxed. Ethan's kidnapping was unacceptable, but at least he wasn't purposely tormented. This wasn't because of the goodness of Machina's heart, but out of practicality. All his actions were carefully crafted to push me to do the unthinkable deed, to earn this Iron Glamour.

"Everything you've done, you've done for me in a dark and twisted way." I mused, more to myself than him. He cocks his head slightly in assent. "But...why me? Why did you go through all this trouble to give me this power? Was it just because the high priestess said so?"

He flicked one of his cables and answered indifferently. "The land becomes a reflection of the monarch that rules it. It is why the land of the Seelie court is lush with life, and the Unseelie coated in snow. The Iron realm is a reflection of me - a blighted wasteland that is ever growing, fatal to the Nevernever."

Of course. Grim had said as much once, which was why it was imperative to kill Machina. But unlike the other rulers, Machina's physical appearance was the opposite of the Iron Realm – the realm was messy, a haphazard junk yard of rust and damaged objects. The Iron King was always the image of effortless perfection and organization, not a hair out of place.

"You know firsthand the improvements to standards of living that technology and progress bring. Despite the obvious benefits, technology can be detrimental to the environment that upholds it; witness the pollution of the human world, little queen. Balance is critical."

Machina continued in such a way that indicated this was an age old topic he was familiar with - like a high school teacher who taught the same thing year after year, but hadn't quite lost interest for the subject at hand. " Technology stagnates without humans to use and advance it, but the relationship isn't completely symbiotic. Mortals still need nature to sustain them; the environment needs a balance between technology and itself for both parts to thrive. You are that bridge between technology and nature; your competing heritages make you so."

He was unnaturally still. "Your humanity is a neutral playing field that grants you the capacity to house the incompatible forces of Faery. Because of this, your queenship can halt Iron's corruption of the Nevernever and end its threat."

Well, that sounds pretty straight forward, if daunting. But I knew becoming queen didn't solve everything.

"So now that I have this Iron glamour, the land will automatically reflect my own traits, just like that? Like have real trees instead of metal ones? Sounds a little too easy."

"Overtime, our realm would have reflected your traits, but the situation has changed as a result of Ferrum's poisoned magic. He is speeding up the corruption of the Iron Realm, becoming a blight to the Nevernever itself. Nevertheless, you have the ability to bind Iron to its borders, separating the realm from the Wyldwood, keeping Iron's toxic magic contained and the competing old magic out. We must annihilate Ferrum to achieve our primary objective," he asserted impartially. "Also, I've lived; this poses another complication."

I gave him a questioning look until he spoke again. If I hadn't been keen on trying to read the emotions beneath his mask, I would have missed the tinge of hesitation in his voice. "The Iron glamour that I intended to give you in full is not...completely yours anymore. I've mentioned its semi-sentiency before; it abides by its own simple set of rules. It was yours in full when I granted it to you, but its protocol was challenged upon my revival. It resolved itself to be split between us. Each of us now bears half of the mantle."

The only sign that this bothered him was the slightest pucker of his brow, a tightening around his eyes of cast iron. Although his voice was carefully emotionless, I could tell that he was displeased to admit this crucial fact. The great Machina wasn't in full possession of the Iron Glamour anymore.

But then... why does he have an even more intense presence? In the past, I would have grown accustomed to it by now, but not this time. Being in the same room with him had my nerves constantly humming, keeping the hairs along my arm raised at full attention. It was like with every inhale, he was super charging the particles of air within his lungs, then released those nerve tingling ions back into the air to toy with me.

"Well, that's a good thing, isn't it?" I tried to encourage, "You're alive, and I still have some of the Iron glamour you intended to give me. Sounds like a win-win situation."

"Not entirely. I am now not as powerful as I once was, and you are not nearly as powerful as I intended to make you." Again, there was the subtle sign of dismay pinching his brows. His level demeanor was a fraction more forced, as though he was trying to mitigate something that was a big deal.

"I hate to burst you bubble, but I'm pretty freaking weak no matter what you give me." I look down to the back of my hands, which seemed too smooth to actually belong to me. I was looking down at a new body, with the same old problems. "Ever since that...attempt, I've been unable to use any glamour without becoming super sick or falling into a weeklong coma."

He tilted his head, interest sparking in his dark eyes, "So I've noticed. A half fey-half human bearing two types of opposing glamours. You're the first of your kind," he mused with curiosity. "Congratulations," he then added dryly.

"Since you've only experienced the physical side effects after the assassination attempt," he continued, "it's safe to presume your illnesses are caused by the opposing natures of your magics. It was an unexpected complication, but with time we will find a way around it. I highly doubt our puppet master has led us to a dead end if she is truly working to save the land."

"Right. Too bad she didn't leave a convenient 'how to' manual when it came to wielding two types of glamour."

"That would be too easy, of course." Machina stated wryly. "But I can teach you how to use Iron Glamour, at the very least."

I step back from him defensively, memories of our grueling duels immediately welling up. No way in hell would I ever willingly go through that again. We weren't at court any more. I'm not some object to be abused.

"You will not use any of those sadistic tactics on me like you did before." I retorted stiffly, "You can kiss this whole bridge-between-competing-forces idea goodbye if you ever lay a hand on me again."

His eyes glinted as he exhales slowly, a silent sigh. "It was necessary for you to see me as the enemy and learn as quickly as possible. I would not have done it otherwise."

"It's not 'necessary' to do it again, right? Say it. Right now. Promise." I was surprised how alarmed my voice sounded, the immediate trembling in my hands. I looked down at my right forearm where my scar used to be, but it wasn't there anymore, thanks to Tesla. Which wasn't right. I couldn't see it, but I could still feel it, the jagged metal biting into my flesh, his frighteningly blank expression, the red -

"Meghan Chase." Machina murmured, grabbing my hand. I froze as his gloved hand flipped my palm over, studying it. "You're trembling," he noted quietly.

There was only a thin layer of leather separating us. It wasn't the first time I touched him, but there was something utterly different; my very skin became a jittery mess this close to him, like it was millimeters away from a live wire.

"Promise me." I said firmly, getting a hold of the onslaught of flashbacks and the weird sensation in my skin. What the hell is that about? "Promise me you won't hurt me again."

His midnight eyes met mine, and I could feel myself getting lost in them. "I won't make that promise." Before the full implications hit me, he pressed on, firmly, pitilessly, "I will not tiptoe around you, afraid to hurt your feelings." His other hand smoothed up my forearm, the one that used to bear the scar, making my breath hitch. If it had still been there, he would have been perfectly tracing it. I couldn't look away from his eyes, mesmerized as he leaned forward.

"For what it's worth, I regret your pain. I will not put you through that kind of treatment again."

I took a deep breath, and he blinked and pulled away. He glanced down at his hand analytically before returning his gaze to mine.

"That will have to do, I suppose." I said, forcing my voice to be even, though my heart beat was anything but.

Machina gave me another scrutinizing look before looking out the window, breaking the brief spell that had befallen us. "So, little queen. I believe we still have a deal to see through."

"Yeah." I stuck my hands in my pockets. Business, Meghan. Of everything that's been said and done, that touch shouldn't throw you off. Hell, he technically didn't touch me because he is wearing gloves. Stop feeling all...weird. "You're alive, so I'm still your queen, even after committing high treason."

"You would have never done it if I didn't force your hand," he practically scoffed. "That blame is mine, not yours," he added firmly.

"True." I admitted slowly. "So, how can I technically be a queen with no kingdom?"

His eyes flashed dangerously, but I knew his ill intent was focused on Ferrum, not me. The loss of his Iron realm was no doubt frustrating to a man who always made a point on knowing everything and controlling his kingdom with a firm hand. His pride had suffered too many blows – from the slight loss of Iron Glamour to the complete loss of his throne - and his retribution will be terrifying.

"That is mine to change," he half snarled. More softly, but no less intently, he added, "But yours as well, if you'll have it."

He continued, charmingly persuasive now. "You and I have common goals, Meghan Chase: You want to save the Nevernever, and I want our throne back. In overthrowing the false king, you can heal the land, halt the advance of the Iron realm, and become the champion you so desire to be. Together, little queen, we may achieve both ends."

"I don't want to be some super hero, I just want to prevent the apocalypse." I corrected with an awkward wave of my hand. "So if we do this, and we get to rule over the Iron Kingdom again, there will be no need to wage war on the courts?"

"I cannot crush them as I originally planned without endangering the Nevernever. There won't be a particular need for Iron to declare war on the other courts, but I can't speak for the oldbloods and what sentiments and grievances they may have. Perhaps we can find a diplomatic solution, considering your ties to the Summer Court. In any case, it is a bridge to cross when we reach it. Our primary concern is Ferrum."

"By the end of this fiasco, the old bloods will be weakened by the wars, and, you know, the brush with the freaking apocalypse. Maybe the courts would be too exhausted to even consider a fight."

He shrugged one shoulder. "We can only hope. But immortals are bored and spiteful creatures, constantly desiring bloodshed."

"Speaking of spiteful creatures..." I paused, wondering if it was the smartest idea to bring this up just now. It had been niggling in the back of my mind for some time, and my discussion with the high priestess had only intensified my curiosity.

"Yes?" He prompted, and I could tell he was assessing my hesitation, curious.

I swallowed, "What about Chrome?" I ask. He immediately stiffened, eyes narrowing dangerously. I barreled on, determined to voice unanswered questions. "The high priestess said that you were the only one who can stop her. Why did your sister side with Ferrum and not you? Why did she kill Glitch?"

"That's none of your concern." I could practically feel Machina slamming the metaphorical door to this conversation shut. Thankfully, the room was mostly naturally lit from the sun, for the fluorescent lights behind the decorative panels on the ceiling began to flicker, growing dimmer. His voice got even lower, a clear warning not to press him further. "All you need to know is that she is Ferrum's greatest weapon, and you must avoid her at all costs. I will deal with her."

"Alright. I understand. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." I back pedaled.

Well, that was still a touchy subject. But my insatiable curiosity got the better of me, and if I said things just right, maybe he wouldn't freak out.

"On the same note, she's my enemy too, and it might help us in the long run if I know why she's after us. Maybe I can help you, or we can reason with her-"

"It's not like that." He clenched his jaw, looking more murderous by the second, though I didn't think his anger was directed at me at all this time. Or Chrome for that matter. I took special mental note of that.

"Well, I wouldn't know since you're being secretive and all." I held up my hands in a placating gesture - I didn't want to upset our tentative peace already. "But I'll respect your privacy."

"I'd appreciate that," he said warily. There was something in him that slowly relaxed at my admission, making me breathe a little easier. I wondered if I will ever know more about this Chrome, or if I will forever be kept in the dark.

I cleared my throat, "As you were saying. We have common goals and the oldbloods may still try to kill us after we save their butts."

That dangerous edge finally dissipated in full, his face returning back to his calm demeanor. The light's panicked flickering stopped as well. "If the old bloods are still in a position to wage war, yes. But that's not a pressing concern as of yet."

"Yeah, we should probably deal with Ferrum first."

He cocks his head to the side. "Yes, we should."

I looked at him, realizing the slip of the tongue and his emphasis on the word 'we' had strongly hinted at an alliance. Heck, the way we were talking for the past few minutes already indicated we were on the same side. It made sense. Despite everything that had transpired, we wanted the same thing, and still had that deal binding us together. He didn't hold a grudge after I made an attempt on his life twice, and...well... he did a bunch of shitty things, but he had his reasons. Forgiveness wasn't going to come over night but... this would be a start.

I crossed my arms. "So, me and you are officially a we now?"

"In the sense that we want the same thing, need each other in order to achieve said goal..." He leans in a little, "and married...yes."

The way my eyes slightly widened at the mention of our marriage had him calmly add, "Our marriage is strictly political, of course. You may take lovers when you desire—I only ask that we have a short discussion if you decide to pursue another. There are some technicalities to navigate in regards to practicing safe, extramarital relations."

I didn't know what to think or feel about that. "I'm guessing the same rule applies to you as well?"

"Of course. If we both survive the upcoming war, we will rule together for a very, very long time. It is wise to keep our relationship strictly professional, for the sake of both our sanities and the unity of our court."

I looked away, suddenly uncomfortable about the idea of Machina sleeping around. What did Antinette say all that time ago? I ran a hand through my hair. Right. Him and Virus were a thing, once upon a time. Maybe they still are, judging by Virus' hatred for me. The thought sent my gut twisting. Of all the possible futures I've imagined for myself, being married and in a open relationship was the last of them. No. Wait. What am I thinking? There was nothing romantic between me and Machina from the very start. There is absolutely no reason to be emotionally loyal to this royal pain in the ass, and there's no reason why he would be devoted to me. Of course he's going to see other women then me. Wait. No. He's not even seeing me in that sense. He doesn't like me that way. I don't like him that way.

"Is there something wrong?" His velvety murmur made my throat grow dry. It was a shade off from being a downright seductive purr, like he knew exactly what my thoughts were grappling with. Damn his perceptiveness.

"No." I said, a little too quickly. I tried again, slower this time. "It's weird, the terms of our deal are the same, but everything else is different. I'm just trying to process...well, everything."

"Understandable." He gave me an amused yet cunning look, as though he could see right through my attempt to change the subject; but, for once, he was being polite and didn't point it out.

Wait, I shouldn't shy away from the thought of Machina seeing other people. But the thought made my face burn. I have absolutely no reason to feel...off. I didn't even have words to describe the type of uneasiness that I was feeling.

"Here is my proposition." He straightened back up, and I did as well, mildly perplexed to find I was leaning towards him without conscious thought. "A powerful queen is an asset to my court—I have no interest in a pawn. I intend to shape you into a queen like the Nevernever has never seen before, should you let me. I want you to join me, not because you have to, but because you want to. Will you fight by my side to overthrow the false king and reclaim what is ours, Meghan Chase?"

He was the very image of kingly composure; and here I was, flustered from the turn of conversation and weird emotions. This was a very serious question to consider, and I couldn't afford to be off balanced.

"Hm." In an attempt to hide the flush that was still crawling up my face, I placed my hands behind my back, taking my sweet time as I circled around him. I could think significantly clearer when he wasn't dissecting me with his stare. Machina kept his head forward, although I could swear he had eyes on the back of his head because it felt like he was still examining me.

It was rather unusual to hear Machina ask for anything - I was so used to him ordering me about and coercing me with threats. Of course, his old attitude was purely intentional. It's much easier to have murderous thoughts towards a bossy sadist. This new Machina was someone both familiar yet utterly unknown – A man who perhaps wasn't as evil as I thought, but wasn't the image of goodness either. If I had my pick of ally's, he definitely wouldn't be my first choice.

"What if I say no?" I asked out of curiosity.

"You won't." He asserted arrogantly. I almost wanted to say 'no' just to see his reaction, but I brushed that bratty craving away. If I was serious about saving the Nevernever, I would be a complete idiot to think I could do it alone. When a monarch offers to help, one does not simply say 'no'. But, Machina has proven that he is willing to do anything to achieve his goals, even if it costed him his own life. Could I even trust someone who would throw me under the bus without a blink, if he deems it 'necessary"?

I teetered back and forth, weighing the risks. Judging by the sacrifice he was prepared to make for me in the first place, I doubt he would treat me as disposable chess piece. His proposal expressed as much. On the other hand, he was a master of manipulation, and his words could be crafted to give me a sense of importance. BUT, he wasn't prepared to be alive at this point - he already executed his grand scheme. The only other ambition he had is overthrowing Ferrum.

In the end, it's still going to be a gamble. I'm not stupid enough to fully trust Machina, but at the moment I could think of no other hidden agendas he might have. I would also encounter a dead end if I refused his help – I mean, where would I go from here? I wasn't able to take Machina on alone, and I had no delusions about handling Ferrum iChrome with my one woman army. I needed him. And apparently, he needed me too.

I came around to face him once more. "It's rather nice, you asking me for something rather than bossing me around."

He raised his eyebrows, a corner of his mouth curling upwards into a smirk. He already knew the decision I came to. "Don't push your luck. Old habits die hard."

"They do. But I like how you're trying." I take a step closer, back straight and head high. I looked him in the eye, and his obsidian irises seem to smolder in their intensity.

Well, here's to new beginnings and new wars.

"Let's get our kingdom back, Machina."

A/N: Oh, hello there! It's been a while!

Lets give a huge round of applause to those who have helped bring this monstrous, problematic chapter to life:

Huge thanks to Aeruthe, my beloved Betta, for heavily editing this TWICE. Don't know if you noticed, but Machina sounds better - its due to her magical editing ways.

A thank you to Kaiyella for reading through, and giving me ideas to juice things up!

Thanks to hellokatie254 for reminding me this story exists, and awaits completion!

And of course thanks to Angie and all those who reviewed and encouraged me to press on, even though this has been on hiatus for quite some time. Y'ALL AMAZING!

So story news: Yes, I am working on the next chapter (four pages in!). That will be out before May, and if I'm inspired enough, another chapter will follow it. STUFF WILL HAPPEN. MOST EXCITING STUFF. But once late April and May hit, the story will be on hiatus once more, for I'm going traveling Nomad for an undetermined amount of time. So brace yourselves for yet another long hiatus, but I'll try to get as much done as possible before I leave! Thank you for your patience, and for reading this story! You're beautiful!

And, I always link a song to a chapter, but not one song played a huge role. But lets go with one that is just hilariously fitting. "Back from the Dead" by Skylar Grey.

Lyric sample: "Where do we begin now that you are back from the dead?" and "Should I throw my arms around you or kill you for real?" LOL

Oh and "Victory" by Two Steps from Hell, because Meghan and Machina will soon be kicking ass to this epic song :) Are you excited to see how this team up goes?

*insert plea to review chapter here*

PEACE OUT LOVELIES!