YA Bachelor: Ash from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa

Our bachelor today is Ash from The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. The wonderful Penelope of Reading Fever was kind enough to host this hunk. So check out what makes this fairy prince so delectable!

Ash: faery prince of the Winter Court; immortal; handsome; skilled; temperamental.

Oh, and he’s also the son of the enemy, the infamous Queen Mab.

In a world where honor comes from domination and victory in battle, Ash is one of the toughest fighters around. Being from the Winter Court, he’s as cold as the ice that runs through his homeland…and as deadly, too. He’s the untouchable Prince who betrays no thoughts or emotions he doesn’t mean to, even fooling those closest to him. Wielding his sword, he is pretty much undefeatable. He knows what he wants, and knows exactly how to get it.

And he wants nothing other than Meghan Chase, the daughter of the Summer King.

That’s right; Ash’s cold demeanor is a front for emotions that run deep. He’s willing to do anything to be with Meghan, even if it means exile. To protect her, he follows her into the heart of a place where merely breathing is deadly for the Fae. He’s fought many enemies and promised unbreakable favors to help her. Most importantly, he puts up with Puck—the sworn enemy he has vowed to kill, and Meghan’s best friend. Though that doesn't mean he keeps his thoughts to himself. He happily threatens Puck’s life again and again, reminding him just how easily he could kill him.

And let’s not forget what happens in The Iron Queen!  *Huge Spoiler* Ash becomes Meghan’s knight! He tells her his true name, says the vow that cannot be broken, which essentially gives her command of his entire being, and says that he trusts her completely. OMG, that's so romantic! *End spoiler*

So what does he look like?

Allow me to let Meghan herself describe him:

“Like the other two, he carried a sword, resting comfortably on his hip, and his face bore the fine lines of an aristocrat. But, unlike the others, he looked disinterested, almost bored, with the entire event. His eyes caught the moonlight and glittered like silver coins.” –Meghan, The Iron King

“His eyes, cold and inhuman, glimmered with amusement. Up close, he was even more beautiful, with high cheekbones and dark tousled hair falling into his eyes.” –Meghan, The Iron King

While reading the books, I only ever thought of one person who could represent Ash: Ben Barnes

He is the embodiment of every description of Ash. He is lithe, handsome, has the lines of an aristocrat, and we've all seen what he can do with a sword. ;)

Categories:

Best Bad Boy

“War?. . .What will happen then?”

Ash stepped closer. His fingers came up to brush the hair from my face, sending an electric shock through me from my spine to my toes. His cool breath tickled my ear as he leaned in.

“I’ll kill you,” he whispered, and walked away, joining his brothers at the table. He did not look back. –Meghan, The Iron King

Ash is fiercely protective. He combines centuries of knowledge with his perceptive nature to successfully get his point across every. single. time. while looking and sounding deadly, no matter the situation he finds himself in.

He is a guy haunted by his past. Closed off to the world, he’s got a stand-off attitude that is backed up with is sword and cutting remarks. It’s been hundreds of years since he has let a glimmer of his softer side show. Ash’s demeanor screams untouchable…which of course makes you want to do nothing other than touch him. 

I suggest you don’t, since I’m sure you like your hands above room temperature.

Sexiest

Let’s admit it: a guy who can command an army, rides a horse with confidence, is an expert with a sword, can kill you with a blast of ice, is a skilled huntsman, and can live forever, is the stuff of dreams. He’s tall and handsome, a bit rugged due to lack of care, and he has got the sexiest silver eyes you’ve ever heard of. To anyone else, he’s cold and detached but when he’s with Meghan, he pours his soul out with every word and action. If that isn’t sexy, I don’t know what is!

Favorite Supernatural Being

For this, I repeat my words from the last category: A guy who can command an army, rides a horse with confidence, is an expert with a sword, can kill you with a blast of ice, is a skilled huntsman, and can live forever, is the stuff of dreams. 

Faeries are cool, and Ash is the coolest!

Best One-Liner

"...Ash gave a dark, humorless chuckle and stepped forward. "We can stand around looking at each other all night," he said, locking gazes with the biggest redcap, who had a stained red bandana on his head and was missing an eye. "Or would you like me to start the massacre?" –Ash, The Iron Queen

"Touch her, and I'll freeze your testicles off and put them in a jar. Understand?" –Ash, The Iron King

Best Fighter

Who could win in a fight against Ash? He is fierce in battle, and is able to take down creatures of the worst nightmares that exist in Faery. It takes all of the tricks and pranks Puck can muster to fight him. Even on the brink of death, Ash fought with fury. *Spoiler* He even fought himself and came out the winner. Who else can claim that? *End spoiler*

Overall Favorite

I won’t repeat what I’ve already said above. I’ll just encourage you to vote for him, because he is THE ultimate YA bachelor!

Thanks so much to Penelope of Reading Fever for hosting Ash!  Make sure you stop back when voting opens and cast your votes! The more categories you vote for, the more entries you'll get for a chance to win one the voter's giveaway at the end of this entire event. For the schedule and more info, check out The Master Post here!