“Screw the law,” I broke in, startling everyone, even myself. Why the hell was I defending him again? I just couldn’t stop myself when it came to family. Keirran deserved punishment, sure, but I was thinking more community service or maybe grounding him until he was a hundred. Death or eternal exile from his world and family seemed a little harsh, even for him.

Besides, I’d be damned if I let the evil Summer bitch queen have her way here. I might’ve been pissed at my nephew, but I couldn’t stand Titania. “He killed the First Queen,” I went on, staring the rulers down. “The Lady would have destroyed the Veil, and Keirran chose to stop her and end the war himself. That should count for something.”

“You know nothing of our laws, Ethan Chase.” This time, Mab was the one who spoke, though her voice was not quite as venomous as Titania’s. The Winter Queen almost sounded...regretful. Almost. “Prince Keirran is a traitor to all of Faery. He waged war on the courts, trying to bring a usurper to power. Not only that, he attempted to destroy the Veil and throw both the mortal realm and the Nevernever into chaos. He is responsible for the destruction of hundreds of lives and, had his plan succeeded, thousands more. Any one of those crimes would be cause for death or exile. We cannot simply turn a blind eye, even if the Iron Prince is the queen’s son. Even if he is kin to us all.” Mab raised her voice, her tone icy. “The law is clear. He must face the consequences of his actions.”

“If the Iron Queen refuses,” Titania added, smirking at Meghan, “she faces war from both Summer and Winter. Do not think you can let the prince go free. The whole Nevernever will rebel if you do.”

“I am well aware of this, Queen Titania,” Meghan said tightly. “Have I said anything to the contrary? Keirran will be punished, but perhaps you would allow me to decide my son’s fate on my own.”

The Summer Queen glared at her. “He deserves death,” she hissed, making me tense, and Kenzie stiffened in horror. “Exile is too good for him, not with the destruction he has caused. That boy is a danger to the Nevernever and all of Faery, and we should make certain he will never have the chance to rebel again.”

“If any would like to try,” came Ash’s deep, terrifying voice, and a sheet of frost spread over the ground, “they can step forward right now.” Unsurprisingly, no one did.

“What would you have us do, then, Iron Queen?” Oberon asked. “Titania does raise a serious concern. Your son is a prince of Faery, with the glamour of all three courts flowing through him. You have seen firsthand the destruction he is capable of. If we exile him, how do we know he will not someday return with an army of exiles at his back to threaten the Nevernever once more?”

“Oh, come on!” Kenzie exclaimed. “He’s right there, on his knees. Does he really look like he’s going to try to take over the Nevernever again?” Her voice softened, and she gazed down at the prince in sympathy. “He’s lost things, too,” she murmured. “More than you would understand. If you just talked to him, you would know that.”

“Is that so?” Oberon didn’t sound convinced. “Then perhaps he should tell us these things. Speak, then, Iron Prince,” he ordered, gazing down at the kneeling faery. “Now is your chance to state your intentions, before we decide your fate. Do you not have anything to say on your behalf?”

“I throw myself on the mercy of the courts,” Keirran replied in a flat voice, not looking up. “I have nothing to say in my defense. Do with me what you will. But...” He hesitated, then took a quiet breath. “Please, spare the Forgotten. They were pawns in the Lady’s scheme, and she...we, used them terribly. They’re not a threat to the courts or the Nevernever. They truly just want to survive.”

“Not a threat?” Titania mocked, making me want to stab her. “The army that attacked us this very evening, who followed the First Queen and killed for her without fail, are not a threat? They are nearly as dangerous as you, Iron Prince. They must be dealt with, one way or another.”

“Do you wish another war, then, Queen Titania?” Meghan challenged. “Or are you simply advising the complete genocide of a whole race of faery? These Forgotten are not as dangerous as the Iron fey when they were under Ferrum and Machina. Surely there is a way the Forgotten can live without being a danger to Faery.”

A very loud, bored yawn interrupted what would’ve been another challenge from Titania. “I believe,” said a large gray cat sitting on a rock where nothing had been before, “that you are all missing the obvious solution.

“The Forgotten are huddled in the Between,” Grimalkin went on, curling his tail around himself as the entire Summer, Winter and Iron courts turned to stare at him. “They must not become a danger to the Nevernever or the Veil, that is very clear. Who is the only one, besides the First Queen, that can slip between worlds? Who has already carved out a place, an entire kingdom, within the Veil? Whom do the Forgotten already listen to?” With another yawn, the cat shook his head and bent to lick his back toes. “Really, it is a wonder Faery has survived this long,” he mused. “I shudder to think of what would happen were I not here to point out the obvious.”

Silence fell after Grimalkin’s statement. Titania looked like she wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words to argue or protest. Oberon merely looked thoughtful, but Mab had the faintest trace of a smile on her lips. It was gone in the next instant, but it was there.

I looked at Meghan, saw her exchange a glance with Ash. He gave a grim nod, and she closed her eyes.

Straightening her shoulders, she gazed down at Keirran.

“Prince Keirran.” Her voice rang with authority, and everything went perfectly still, holding its breath. Keirran was motionless, staring rigidly at the ground, waiting. “You have been found guilty of treason against the Iron, Winter and Summer courts. As monarch of Mag Tuiredh, I hereby sentence you to exile...in the Between. You are no longer welcome in the Nevernever, the trods will be forever closed to you, and you are not to enter Faery through the Veil or by any other path.” Her voice trembled for just a moment, before growing strong again. “From this day on, you will be known as the Forgotten King, Guardian of the Veil, and you will make sure your subjects never again threaten the Nevernever. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Keirran whispered, sounding dazed.

“Then rise, King of the Forgotten,” Meghan said. “And return to your subjects.” She blinked rapidly as Keirran rose, still in a state of shock. “Go to the Forgotten. They are your responsibility now. Tell them that the war is over, and the courts will leave them in peace if they do the same.”

“I will, Your Majesty,” Keirran said, and there was a change in his voice now. Determined and grave, that same resolve I’d seen before, but without the stubborn abandon. “I promise, I will make this right. I will earn my title and my redemption, even if it takes me a thousand years.”

“It might, Forgotten King,” Mab said softly. The Winter Queen did not seem angry or hostile, but her voice was a subtle warning. “We are fey. We do not forget. We do not forgive. And we will remember this day for eternity. If you hope for redemption, I’m afraid you will be waiting a very long time.”