Only You

Just a Consequence

Sam, Aedion and Lysandra were gathered around the small dining room table above the library. When she entered they stopped their game and looked to her.

Aelin was shivering from the cold, her windswept hair in knots around her, her face red and blotchy from the tears she had cried on the way here.

"What is it?"

Aedion strode to her, his hands resting on her shoulders.

"It's Rowan. I— I need to go somewhere and I need your help."

Lysandra made her way over to her. Her friend looked concerned, but listened as Aelin relayed the story to the three of them. None of them said a word as tears started to spill down her face, as she begged them for their help; pleading with them not to stop her.

"I'll help you." Sam had remained at the table, but when she had finished speaking and tried to catch her breath, he had stood and held her hand in his own. "What do you need?"

She did not think as she threw her arms around Sam and sobbed into his shoulder. "Thank you." The words no more than a whisper.

"What can we do?" Lysandra asked.

"I'm meeting Fenrys at the gates of Orynth tonight. I need one of you to deliver a package of food and some clothes for the both of us. When I return to the palace this afternoon I won't be left alone, or at least there will be too many eyes on me to do anything myself. Orlon know's I'll try something so they'll be watching me." She paced the floor. "There's not much to do, I just need supplies for the journey."

The three of them nodded and agreed they would help in whatever way they could. She told them the drop spot where Fenrys would pick up the supplies and then they fell into silence.

Aedion gestured for Aelin to follow him. They huddled into the small washroom and closed the door behind them.

"What you're doing is incredibly dangerous, Aelin. Orlon wouldn't lie about something like this, if you die—"

"If I die, I need you to offer to be the new heir. You have the experience, you have a royal bloodline— you've been in every lesson I have, you know Terrasen as well as I do. I just need you to trust me." Aelin paused. "Do you think I want to die? I am going to do everything in my power to get Rowan back with as little damage as possible."

"And what if Orlon revokes your claim on the throne when you return?"

"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. But I cannot sit here and wait for Rowan to be killed. I cannot bear the thought of not trying to save him. He is my mate and we promised we would find one another no matter what. I cannot live in this world without him Aedion."

He nodded. "I understand."

"Can you tell my parents I'm sorry?"

Aedion nodded. "Of course."

"My mother will be heartbroken. And my father will be angry that I disobeyed a kings command. But I need them to know that I'm sorry and I love them and that when I return I will make up for this in any way I can."

"I'll make sure to tell them."

She embraced Aedion, squeezing him in closer. "I love you Aedion." She pressed her face into his shoulder. "I'm sorry I'm doing this to you."

"She's not even my mate, but if Lysandra was in danger I would do the same thing." They broke apart. "Please come back to us."

She smiled. "I'll try."

They exited the washroom and Lysandra was waiting for her as they did. She scooped Aelin into a big hug, her face tucking into the crook of her neck.