Meaghan Chase has finally been reunited with her beloved Prince Ash, and he's now immune to iron. Happily ever after, right? Not exactly. Julie Kagawa's short story "Iron's Prophecy" features a new threat to the Iron Queen and her domain -- and a nice bridge into a new series featuring her brother, Ethan. 
 It's time for a fey holiday known as Elysium, where the monarchs of the different realms meet. For Ash and Meaghan, it's their first Elysium as newlyweds -- and to make things even more awkward, it's in the Winter Court with Ash's estranged mother. So they're already expecting problems, but nothing they can't handle. 
 Then the oracle interrupts the Elysium, revealing two shocking facts: Meaghan is pregnant, and her baby spells possible doom for the Fey. To avert this, Meaghan, Ash and Puck must set out on a journey to find the oracle, in hopes of avoiding whatever fate may have in store for the child. Or is it a trap? 
 "Iron's Prophecy" is a little frustrating as a short story, because it ends on a sorta-kinda-cliffhanger, with no resolution to the story's main conflict. It's actually less an independent story than a bridge to Kagawa's next Fey book, "The Lost Prince" -- and it does an excellent job setting up the conflict and characters that will presumably be essential for that story. 
 That said, it's nice to see how Meaghan and Ash have finally settled into their new life, and the rising presence of the Iron Fey in the Nevernever. It's particularly satisfying to see the vicious Mab dismissed by the newlyweds, considering how much grief she's given them. 
 Most of the story is made up of a grim journey to get to the oracle, and the dream-world revelation of what Meaghan and Ash's baby might someday do. It casts a grey cloud over everything. But despite the grim tone of the plot, the inclusion of Puck adds a lighter note to the story (such as his description of his adventures in Japan). 
 And it's nice to see how the characters have matured over time. Ash is warmer and more thoughtful, but still tough as steel; Meaghan is embracing her role as queen among other monarchs, and even becomes something of an Action Chick. And Puck... is Puck. Mischievous, irrepressible, and a little wacky. 
 "Iron's Prophecy" feels unfinished as a short story, but is an excellent bridge to Julie Kagawa's spin-off series. On to "The Iron Prince!"