A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

I try to give Fin some useful advice, but really what it comes down to is that he needs to apologise and make his real feelings clear. I make a few suggestions, but really he's just going to have to grovel all on his own and hope that she loves him. I THINK she does. She wouldn't have been nearly so hurt, or nearly so angry if she didn't. Once we're done talking, Fin rushes off. To start packing probably. He needs to talk to Ashton too. Technically he needs his permission to take leave or he's risking losing his position. But we all know that Ashton will say yes, and even if he didn't, really unless Fin can find a way for Lucy to come here, he will have to give up his position anyway. He can't realistically be Ashton's attendant from the human realm. But it's alright. Even if he doesn't work for Ashton anymore, he's still going to be his best friend. Amelia has been listening to us talk with interest. She and I have talked a lot about human culture, but not a lot about dating and romantic relationships. Ashton has told me a bit about fae courting, but mostly Pan has been filling me in. Ashton thought it might be less awkward for me to hear it from her and I guess Amelia wasn't super keen on discussing relationship stuff when she knows it's her son I'm with. Probably because she was worried she would make things weird. Or maybe because I might not be comfortable asking her questions the same way I might ask someone my own age. I figure she might have more questions for me, so I'm surprised when I look over at her and realise that she has her eyes narrowed at me. Actually, she looks kind of angry. What did I do? Did she not want me to help Fin? I can't see why she would be bothered by that. Every time we've discussed him in the past she's been rather enthusiastic about the idea of him falling in love. Have I said something else she could be upset by? Or not said something? Maybe there's something I'm supposed to be doing that I'm not?

"Is... Is something wrong Amelia?" I ask anxiously. I don't like when she's upset with me. Except when it comes to her son, I've found Amelia to be fairly easygoing. Not much phases her. She deals with every issue the fae present to her with a calm and firm hand. She's generous, kind and fair to everyone. I really admire the way she works, particularly since she's still mourning her husband and learning to rule on her own. Ashton has been helping her as much as possible obviously, but there's still a lot for her to do. But she always finds time for him, and for me. Even the fae who killed her husband, the ones who killed my father... She's treated them fairly. They're locked away for life. They'll never be free, she made that clear to me. But she won't kill them. A dead fae feels no regret, and she wants them to regret their actions. So they're going to be kept locked up. The fae have special cells that stop them from being able to use their magic, so there's no chance of them escaping. The point is, that she's not someone who gets angry very often. If she's upset it has to be about Ashton, right?

Amelia huffs out a breath, clearly annoyed.

"Of course something is wrong. You're so quick to encourage little Finvara, but you're dragging your own feet. How long are you going to make my son wait?" She demands. I blink at her, confused.

"Pardon?" I ask, not quite sure what she means. Am I late for something? I didn't think we had plans. I saw him just a couple hours ago. Amelia rolls her eyes at me in a rare show of irritation.

"I am asking when you are going to stop delaying. When are you going to marry my son?" She asks. My eyes widen in shock. Marriage? That's what she's asking about? Why? And what does she mean I'm making him wait? "But... He has not even asked me! How can I be making him wait?" I object. Amelia laughs but she doesn't sound amused.

"Of course he hasn't asked you silly girl. You have been keeping his at arms length since you got here." She insists. I frown. What does she mean by THAT? Ashton and I spend every moment of free time together. We sleep in the same bed every night curled up together and at this point the only thing holding our physical relationship back are his own sensibilities about what is and isn't proper. He is a proper fae gentleman, and proper fae gentlemen wait until marriage. It's something that they actually stick to, mostly because they can't exactly lie about it if they ask, but also because the fae are really big on honour and promises. The point is, any distance between us isn't because of me. "I have not." I argue. Amelia sighs.

"Yes, you have. Before you came here, you told him you weren't making any promises of forever. You still have your home back with the humans and you haven't made any permanent roots here. You don't make any long term commitments, don't think that we haven't noticed. You work here with me, and you are learning everything that you need to know to be a wonderful queen one day. But still, you are ready to up and leave at a moment's notice." She says firmly. I frown and shake my head.

"No, I-" Amelia cuts me off.

"Do me the courtesy of not lying to me. I cannot lie to you. You ARE ready to leave, you act as if you're a guest and we are going to send you away at any time. You are ready to run. You won't hire an attendant, you haven't changed a thing in your room. Aside from your technology you have bought almost nothing here from your home. Your old home." She points out. She... Isn't wrong. It just seems strange to bring all my things here. They don't match this place, and what if something goes wrong and I need to leave? I'll be going home to nothing.... Oh... She might be right. I'm not at home here, not really. I feel like a visitor, like I'm on a holiday or something that could end at any time.

"I was not sure that you wanted me here, that anyone did other than Ashton. I am not a fae, I cannot be what you were expecting him to choose. No one would have anticipated me." I tell her nervously. This is a fear I haven't really admitted to anyone other than Ashton, and he just insists that it doesn't matter if I'm human, that he loves me and so it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of his choice. I know his mum likes me, but she has to see that I'm going to make life harder for him because I'm human.novelbin

To my surprise, Amelia bursts out laughing. I'm even more surprised when she reaches out and pulls me into a hug. Amelia doesn't touch me often, not because she's rude or anything, it's just not something that's done. I lean into her embrace. I've spent so much time with her these last few months and I adore her. I've wanted to hug her for a long time but I didn't know if it would be welcome, and with the fae it's generally better to assume it isn't. When she releases me she holds my hands tightly and looks in my eyes.

"You will have to forgive me for being blunt, but you and my son are both acting like idiots. You are walking around here worrying that you might not be wanted and he's walking around worrying that you don't want to stay. You really ought to communicate better. But maybe I need to communicate better too. Kat, you will always be welcome here. If you don't choose to marry my son, if you don't choose to become queen one day, you will still be welcome. You will still have a home here if you want it. You're worried that you won't fit in here, but you have made a friend of everyone you've met. You even have a fae cat following you around as your personal guardian, do you think that many fae make pets of dangerous creatures? In six months you have learned so much of our language that you barely need my charms anymore to get by. You work hard and study hard and you have earned your place here." Her expression softens and she squeezes my hands gently.

"But... You should also know that I would love to have you as a daughter. If Ashton is to be king, he is going to need your love and support. Ruling alone is difficult and lonely, I don't want that for him.... Besides, what better way to start a good relationship with the humans than making one our princess." She winks and me and I choke out a laugh. She's given me a lot to think about, but right now I can only think about one thing. I need to go talk to Ashton.