Weeks went but… or was it days? Years? It was hard to tell anymore. Either way, I was stuck in the same suite and going crazy.

I paced back and forth, thinking about doing what prisoners do – marking a wall for every day they've been there. However, it hard to tell when a day ended and another started. There were no clocks and the scene out my bedroom bay windows was a hologram that had a tendency of showing day scenes. Last time it was London, and today it was a tropical beach. The swaying palm trees and pristine ocean looked deceptively peaceful. I wanted it to shatter. Or show a volcano about to blow. At least then it would match my mood.

I felt like a prisoner, even though the door to the rest of the tower wasn't locked. The first time I had popped my head outside I was met by four stoic knights. Apparently, I could go anywhere I wanted as long as I kept them with me.

Yeah, right.

My fancy room may feel like a cell, but it was better than being supervised/spied on by guards. Their supervision presented a dilemma - Ash would have to defeat them if he was coming back from me. But more immediately worrisome - I couldn't even begin to plan an escape attempt without tipping them off.

Entering the Nevernever was simple. All I did was react to every crazy thing thrown at me. I usually had someone helping me along, such as Grim or Puck.

This situation was the complete opposite.

There was nothing to react to in this lavish suite.

I was alone.

And well and truly stumped.

So worry it was.

Worry chewed my edges raw. Did Ash get back okay? Is he after me now? Is he inside the Iron kingdom? If he is, is he alright? Is Puck still healing in the Dryad's tree? Did the changeling leave when Ethan came home?

I wandered to the entertainment room, picked up a controller, and tried to distract myself with a video game. It was weird that they actually had an X box and Play Station in the Nevernever – but I guess it shouldn't be surprising that the Iron fey would own a TV and other hi-tech stuff. They were born from them in a weird and convoluted way.

When exhaustion took over, I flopped in the bed that was the size of Timbuktu, wrapping myself tightly in the white down comforter. Slept for a while. Woke up. Nibbled at the food the servants left. Paced. Looked out the window. Today it was a lake speckled with swans. Worry. Played games. Slept. Repeat.

My cycle continued until one day (night?) I had visitors. There was a knock at the door.

Startled and a little confused by the intrusion, I shouted "Come in." from the couch Four knights shuffled through the door. One of them was painfully familiar – Tertius.

"The King requests your presence," Tertius said.

His voice was deeper than Ash's, a little rougher. I knew it wasn't him, but it didn't help the sudden wave of memories and longing. They jumbled in my head in a confusing tangled mass before I realized that I was gaping like a retarded fish and he was waiting for a response.

Snapping my jaws shut and shaking my head a little bit, I asked, "What does he want from me?" my voice sounded surprisingly hoarse from disuse.

"I think his Majesty would prefer he said himself."

"Ah. Well…" I stretched and rubbed my eyes.

I wanted to ask what he did about the witch wood arrow. A small part of me desperately hoped he kept it, or at least Machina didn't destroy the only weapon that was capable of killing him. I bit these questions down. For some reason, I trusted Tetris for answers that would help me out of this mess. Maybe it was only because he looked like Ash, but I had a feeling he was the only thing in this place that wasn't eager to betray or use me. Either way, asking about the arrow in front of an audience wasn't wise.

"Does he want to see me right now?"

"Yes. We are to escort you to him."

I eyed my casual pajamas, sighing, "Let me get ready then."

Once the guards left my room, I took my sweet time making my way to the vast walk-in closet, intent on keeping Machina waiting. The closet was designed like a high-end boutique - the artificial lighting tastefully presented the rows of professional business suits - a subtle suggestion as to how I was expected to dress.

Ignoring the pencil skirts and blazers, I grabbed a t-shirt and jeans from a drawer and pulled them on. After a thorough tooth and hair brushing, I stepped out of my prison-like chamber to meet the king with my escort.

For the first time, I got a good look at the tower. It looked like the elves from Lord of the Rings decided to have a go at creating a castle out of metal. The arches that ran down the hall were elegant and curvy and each door frame was intricately detailed with geometric engravings

The corridor led into a bigger one, and I had to almost run to keep up with the knights' brisk pace. I heard the faint thrum of music through the walls – Techno? Rock? And laughter lilting in the air.

We took too many turns to count and encountered only a few of the Iron fey, most of them crazily colored from their hair to their feet like they just jumped out of a Manga. I tried to ignore them as they pointedly stared at me. One with violet eyes and spiky electric hair caught my eye and winked, slowly clapping as he gave me a wolfish grin. "The queen has come out of hiding at last!"

My guards gave quick bows but kept moving, "Glitch" one of them murmured. Before I could come up with a reply we were already too far apart and at a giant set of metal double doors. They gracefully swung open without warning, revealing the throne room.

Machina lounged on a throne, one boot-clad leg casually propped up on the armrest. My guards immediately knelt down, a fist over their hearts. "Your Majesty, I have brought your Queen as asked," Tertius announced.

"You took longer than I would have hoped for," Machina said lazily, his eyes sliding from the guard to me. The cables that protruded from his back limply hung over the armrest to the floor. He wore a trench coat, and I idly wondered how he was able to get into it.

"How have you been enjoying your stay, Meghan Chase?" He asked. "Have all your needs been met?"

For a moment I didn't say anything and stared loathsomely into his black eyes before it hit me that he asked a question, and I should probably answer. My anger was a hot, smoldering coal in my chest. Even if he's acting civil, I couldn't forgive him for what he did to Ethan and how Ash almost died.

"What do you want?"

He eased gracefully from his throne, sauntering over. "To the point." Amusement danced in his black eyes as he offered me his arm, "I wanted to take a walk with my fair Queen. Is that too much to ask?"

Yeah right. I had a feeling there was more to this. I ignored the silent offer to take his elbow and crossed my arms "Where are we going?"

"To the private gardens," He replied lightly, unperturbed my rejection as he led the way towards a side exit.

I blinked. Wait, I thought we are on a giant piece of metal. "You have gardens here?"
"Of a sort yes. They are not the ones you're used to."

Like a gentleman, he opened the door for me and led me down a hall that seemed seldom used, but meticulously kept nonetheless. I thought about the things I wanted to say to him as we strode in silence, something along the lines of hating for what he did and hoping that he would choke on his choice in the end. He seemed content with the silence, the scuff of my shoes the only sound between us.

Finally, we came to the end of the passage that spilled us onto an alien sight. The garden was the mockery of a forest – The trees were twisted scraps of copper, their fingers stretched in an almost painful way towards the sky. Metallic flowers sprung in random patches, their petals made of delicate foil. Everything rasped whenever a puff of wind blew through.

I noticed that we both stopped walking and he was gazing at me intently, as if fascinated by my reaction.

"Do you think this hideous?" He asked, one of his iron cables snaking to the ground to pluck an iron flower.

"No…it's just different."

"Soon the Nevernever will look like this garden."

I thought about Puck. When he woke up and returned to the world of faery, would he find a metal forest instead? The Nevernever was his home, where he was happy and could be himself. I remember the first time we entered the world of faery, how excited he was. My heart squeezed in sympathy. If he came back to something like this, it would break his heart. No! I thought I won't let this happen.

I suddenly felt self-conscious under Machina's scrutiny. Being in a casual t-shirt and jeans didn't help my confidence level either.

"This," He motioned at the landscape of twisted metal and took the plucked flower from his cable, "may not be what you're used to. Many would abhor such an abomination replacing Mother Nature. But this is not a reflection of me or my wants – it is the reflection of the mortals and what they strive for. That is what the fey are Meghan, fragments of dreams, belief, and emotions." He swiftly tucked the blossom behind my ear before I had time to jerk back.

"I already know what the fey are," I sighed irritably, untangling the offending flower from my hair and nonchalantly threw it aside. I didn't expect a debate and wasn't in the mood for one, but I wasn't going to pretend that I agreed with what he said.

"So, who gave you the title of being the dominate part of human dreams? Since allfey are reflections of dreams, emotions, etc., what gives you the right to kill them?"

He was still a moment, and for a second I was terrified that I pissed him off and he would turn me into an IPod, queen or not.

Suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed. It made me jump. "Ah, you might be more entertaining than I thought," he chuckled more to himself than me. "The Iron fey are no different than the others. Have you ever wondered why the fey fight each other constantly?"

"Because their bored and bloodthirsty." I swatted at a metal insect that flew too close to my face.

"That," he started walking again, and I followed, "and because humans fight. They struggle to make their voice dominate over others, that their ideals be followed or agreed with. The fey, manifestation of ideals and beliefs, do the same."

"That is why I will eventually take the Nevernever. Not because of my opponent's weakness to iron, nor my determination to conquer, but because an overwhelming amount of humans will it so. If I don't do it, or if I fail, another will take my place."

"You make it sound you don't have a choice," I cocked my head to the side, thinking "Everyone has a choice. Just because you were created from people who dream of technology doesn't mean you have to do what they want."

He shook his head "You make it sound so easy. Do you believe in God?"

"Um…" The question caught me off guard. "I honestly never thought about it."

"If he didn't want you to do certain things, wouldn't he have made it impossible for you do them? Such as living an eternal life, staying youthful forever."

"But who's to say what we are and aren't supposed to do?" I asked defiantly "God didn't give us wings, but we still have airplanes and fly, don't we? We overcome obstacles, become better, because that is what we want and choose to do."

His brow furrowed, and for a moment he seemed to be in deep consideration. The expression only lasted a second though, and his face returned to its usual unreadable mask.

"Let me clarify: some things can easily change due to free will and determination, other things are not meant to change. Ever. I don't care much for the mortal's gods, for I have different creators that are much more real, but the concepts remain the same. They are oblivious to my existence, but they have unconsciously created my own destiny. There are certain things I cannot change."

"Alright," I said, suddenly tired of this random argument. I don't know what I was trying to persuade him to do anyways. Make him be the good guy? Coax him out of killing the Nevernever?

"Is that it?" I didn't have to look at him to know that his eyebrow was cocked. I didn't like that tone – it was a mix of exasperation, amusement, and…disappointment? But now he just wanted to keep debating, and I wasn't about to give him what he wanted.

"Yup yup," I made my voice a tinge smug and smiled, taking my cue from Puck, "You are correct my King, I am sorry for ever questioning your flawless, yet depressing, opinions about free will and destiny."

"Excellent," he sarcastically drawled, the cables in his back flicking in agitation "I'm glad to have enlightened you to my ways. If you have any other opinions that you would like me to change, don't be afraid to speak with me in the future."

"I'll keep that in mind." I quipped right back, rolling my eyes. I wanted to say "Why yes, I'd like you to convince me that you're not a total douche bag. Oh wait, you can't can you?"But I didn't want to egg him on further. I really didn't want to get turned into a keyboard, or a toaster, or whatever he does with people that anger him. I was still paranoid about royal fey turning people into animals and objects thanks to Titania.

We were quiet for a while. I was unwilling to break the silence, so I just took in my surroundings and ignored him. It was pleasantly warm outside, and neon blue and purple butterflies with metallic bodies flitted among the flowers. A tree was in bloom, but instead of fruit, it had light bulbs. Even though the sky was a pukish yellow color from pollution, I found myself relaxing. I had been cooped up indoors forever, and this open space gave me a sense of exhilaration.

We came upon a stone balcony which gave a soaring view of the Iron kingdom. I never knew how vastit really was. The heaps of random junk went on and on in all directions. Ribbons of lava slithered through the landscape, giving it a post-apocalyptic look. I imagined hundreds of bloody zombies staggering from the wreckage, moaning for flesh as they mindlessly flocked towards the tower. Even though the thought was ridiculous, it made me shiver.

"I think it's about time we get down to business," Machina's quiet voice interrupted my thoughts. He sat on the wide balcony railing, patting the spot next to him. I crossed my arms.

"I think I'll stand, thank you."

I saw with satisfaction as he took a long, silent sigh. "Suit yourself."

"So what do you want?"

"I want you to marry me."

"What?" I practically screeched, "That was NOT a part of the deal! There's no way in hell I'm going to marry you!" I was appalled. A marriage proposal was the last thing I expected or wanted. What the hell was he thinking?

"You don't have a choice," He smiled wryly, "You have to marry me to become queen, love."

"Don't call me that!" I snapped. No no no no! This can't be happening! "Isn't it enough to give me, what, a crown or something and call it good?" I asked desperately.

He shook his head, humor dancing in his black eyes, "It would be beneficial if we host some kind of ceremony and make a public display of taking your place as queen," He brushed a strand of silver hair from his face, "Usually we don't care for such human like ceremonies, but since I am King it would be wise to make a more official announcement of my new co-ruler. It would also allow you to meet all of my lieutenants and earn their respect."

"But… why a marriage why don't we have some kind of meet and greet instead?" I pleaded. Some people in high school get married before they graduated, but I never dreamed I'd be joining that group. And after marriage … oh god am I expected to give birth to an heir?!

"You don't understand," There was a hint of steel in his voice. I had a terrible feeling that I wouldn't be getting out of this "You willmarry me. My subjects need to see their queen and recognize you as my equal. It is how I rule Meghan – I do not hide behind advisors and messengers. My subjects see me face to face. And you will rule the same and not hide in your room."

Heat bloomed in my cheeks. I clenched my fist to fight the urge to push him off the terrace. Or throw myself over the edge. I know I wasn't the bravest person in the world, but I didn't like getting called a coward and getting forced into a marriage. My eyes started to sting, and I turned away. Don't cry now stupid! I thought, fighting back tears of frustration and anger. I thought about Ash and his ability to be completely stoic and emotionless when needed. I should be acting more like that right now, but just the thought of Ash only made it harder to hold back the tears.

There was a touch at my shoulder. I didn't have to feel the jolt of electricity to know that it was Machina. Without turning around, I marched away. Fey prey on the weak I remembered Ash saying. I couldn't let the King see me like this.

"Alright," I called over my shoulder, trying to keep my voice steady and sarcastic, "See you on our wedding day,"

I didn't hear him following me, and when I was sure I was out of sight I broke into a jog, and then a run. I raced through the garden, my shoes kicking at random scraps of metal. The abnormal trees and plants blurred in my vision, and I pushed myself harder.

Coward! I thought, savagely wiping at my stinging eyes. I guess he wasn't wrong after all.