I think ... I should go home soon. Mom and Luke are probably going nuts. What about youHe shrugged a casual lift of one shoulder. You tell me. When I left Nevernever I didnt have any plans other than being with you. If you want me around just say the word.

I will be with her again or I will die. There arent any other options

Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. 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. - Ash

Meghan whispered a voice heart wrenchingly familiar drawing me out of the void. I recognized it immediately just as I realized it was a figment of my desperate imagination because the real owner of that voice would never be here talking to me.AshWake up he murmured his deep voice cutting through the layers of the darkness. Dont do this. If you dont come out of this soon youll fade away and drift forever. Fight it. Come back to us.I didnt want to wake up. There was nothing but pain waiting for me in the real world. If I was asleep I couldnt feel anything. If I was asleep I didnt have to face Ash and the cold contempt on his face when he looked at me. Darkness was my retreat my sanctuary. I drew back from Ashs voice deeper into the comforting blackness. And through the layer of dreams and delirium I heard a quiet sob.Please. A hand gripped mine real and solid anchoring me to the present. I know what you must think of me but The voice broke off took a ragged breath. Dont leave it whispered. Meghan dont go. Come back to me.

You made me feel alive again.

I have come from the End of the World. From the River of Dreams through the gauntlet and the Briar and the Deep Wyld in order to stand before you today. I have but one requestto take my place at your side. To resume my duty as your knight and to protect you and your kingdom for as long as I draw breath.

His breath hitched and he regarded me hungrily. Youre playing with fire you know that Thats weird considering youre an ice prin I didnt get any further as Ash leaned in and kissed me.

You are my heart my life my entire existence. -Ash

My name is Ashallyndarkmyr Tallyn third son of the Unseelie Court...Let it be known--from this day forth I vow to protect Meghan Chase daughter of the Summer King with my sword my honor and my life. Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. 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 my True Name and my life. From this day on... His voice went even softer but I still heard it as though he whispered it into my ear. I am yours.

Wow Puck mused standing beside me. The River of Dreams. ... Moons comets and constellations rippled on the surface and other stranger things floated upon the misty black waters. Petals and book pages butterfly wings and silver medals. The hilt of a sword stuck out of the water at an odd angle the silver blade tangled with ribbons and spiderwebs. A coffin bobbed to the surface covered in dead lilies before sinking into the depths once more. The debris of human imaginations floating through the dark waters of dream and nightmare.