Without You... (Iron Fey Fanfiction. 2nd book to Meghan's Life.)

Chapter 9

Puck's  P.O.V

"So, where do we find them?" Ash asked, staring at me with a new look of hope on his face.

I drew in a sharp breath. "I, uh...I really don't know. I would normally ask Meghan but seeing as she's not here, I have no clue where to start." I said.

"You said you went with the summer king last time?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Your out of your mind if you think your just gonna strut in that castle and demand something of the king." I said, noticing what he was getting at.

"And that is why I'm not going in." He says and slides out of the booth.

I chuckle at this. "Your even more demented if you think the Erkling is gonna tell me anything."

"I'm not demented, Goodfellow. I'm desperate." He says, looking down at my still seated figure. We maintain eye contact and I take note of the very visible dark rings under his eyes, and the overall look of resignation on his face.

Finally, I sigh and a smile manages to creep onto my face. "When am I ever known to back down from a challenge?"

The corner of Ash's lips turn up as he smirks.
"Let's go."

Meghan's P.O.V

"Where are we going?" Devin asked, as we quickly walked down the long path leading to all the sleeping cabins.

"To Johnathan's house. We'll be staying with him for now." I answered, heading for his cabin, making sharp turns where needed.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Devin asked.

I raised an eyebrow at my guard who was on my left. "Do you see a problem with it?"

"Well given the fact that he just witnessed something substantially traumatizing coming from you, the person he's known for ages, yes I do see a problem with this."

"That is all the more reason I should go."

"But won't the Winter Prince and Goodfellow know to find you here?"

"Possibly."

"And your okay with that?"

"I have bigger problems than that right now."

"Setting straight some childhood friendship is more important than keeping the two loves of your life alive?" He questions and I spin on my heel, my mouth shut tight as I quickly get annoyed with him.

"Devin, I'm going to need you to stop asking questions and criticizing things that you do not understand."

"Actually, My Queen. I think I understand just fine." He responded back, keeping a level face.

"Excuse me?" I ask, anger creeping up to match the level of my irritation.

"As much as you love the Winter Prince and Goodfellow, you've know Johnathan forever and therefore your in a rush to set things straight with him and clarify anything he may be doubting. But as your loyal guard, I must warn you, My Queen, that this silly action could have detrimental consequences that you will not be able to recover from and therefore I must ask you to reconsider and weight out your other options first." He spoke in a smooth, calm voice to let me know he wasn't saying these things just to start an argument but that didn't hide the fact that I was still angry with him for telling the truth.

"We are going. End of story." I say, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Yes, Ma'am." He says and quickly bows. I turn around and continue the short walk to his house.

We reached Johnathan's cabin a couple minutes after walking in silence. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door 3 times and immediately it swung open to reveal a worried/energized Johnathan.

I smiled, tucked my hair behind my ears and waved at him, not knowing what else to do.

John on the other hand, always knew how to break the ice as he stepped outside the door and scooped me up in a hug. I felt tears rush to my eyes as I wrapped my arms around his torso and buried my face in his shoulder.

"Don't ever scare me like that again, Meghan." He said, kissing the top of my head before resting his head on it. I couldn't help the silent tears that rolled down my cheek as I nodded my head. I felt him start to pull away and I squeezed him tighter, making him stop.

"Not just yet." I said, my voice coming out all stuffy. I sniffled and squeezed him again. "Just a little longer." He didn't say anything, just rested his head on top of mine again and silently rubbed my back. After a couple moments I sniffled once more and pulled back, noticing him look at my puffy red eyes but not saying anything. Instead, he let me go completely and looked beside me to Devin who was standing there silently minding his own business.

"Sup, Devin." John said, giving him a lopsided smile.

"John." He simply replied back, with a nod of his head.

"How did it end?" John asked, looking back to me, now with a certain intensity.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"When Ash came up behind you, Devin dragged me away," He shot a glare at Devin and looked back to me. "How did Ash and Puck get you to stop? You know, snap out of it?" He asked again.

"Huh." I said, looking away from his eyes as I thought about it. "I don't know."

It was silent for a while, as John stood there purposely avoiding my eyes. I had a feeling he wanted to ask or say something, and I knew exactly what it was. Finally he took a subtle deep breath and his blue eyes met mine again.

"Are you and-"

"John." I interrupted him, my eyes never straying from his.

"I'm sorry I just...I need to know."

"Were still dating, John. I don't think we ever stopped, it's just...complicated."

"It doesn't look like it." He said, quietly. I didn't respond and he took that as a cue to keep going. "I'm sorry, Meg, I just don't understand. Why are you here?" I finally look away from his eyes as I wrap my arms around myself. 

"I need somewhere to stay..." I say quietly. John didn't respond he just stepped out of the way and let me and Devin into his cabin.