A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

I give Amelia another quick hug then run off to find Ashton. In the last few months I've gotten much better at finding him using our connection. I know exactly where he is. I rush through the hallways and out into a little courtyard. It's much colder now, although winter here is still quite a bit warmer than it was back home. I'm still shivering. At least I'm dressed warmly. Apparently the fae's revealing fashions don't carry over into the cold weather thank goodness. They still seem to like flowing clothes though, so I still have draping sleeves and over my warm leggings I have a flowing skirt with slits down the front. As far as I can tell the skirt part is entirely decorative. I kind of like it though, it's really satisfying the way it flows behind me as I run and I feel dramatic as they flow in the wind. The novelty of wearing different clothing hasn't worn off yet. I'm not sure if it ever will actually. Ashton is moving so it takes me a few minutes to catch up with him. But he isn't running so I am gaining on him. I head back inside and suddenly he stops moving. I guess he's realised that I'm chasing after him, or at least has realised that I'm nearby. Sure enough, I can feel that he's moving towards me. Why is this place so huge? I'm fairly sure that I'm going to end up lost again. Whatever, Ashton will help me find my way back.

Ashton greets me with a smile and I rush straight into him, throwing myself into his arms. I'm lucky that he's more coordinated than me or we would have both toppled over. He does stumble back a little before he manages to steady us both. "Why the hurry love? Is something wrong?" He asks. There is concern in his tone, but only a little. I was smiling when I approached him so he knows it can't be all that bad.

"Nothing. Did you know Fin is leaving? He wants to go find Lucy and court her.” I announce. Ashton blinks in surprise but then grins.

"Really? I knew that he was considering it, I didn't know that he had decided." He answers.

"He just asked your mum for permission to go." I confirm.

"Well, I suppose we will have to wish him luck then. Is that what you were in such a hurry to tell me?" He asks and I shake my head.

"No. I talked to Fin about Lucy, then your mother spoke to me about you." I start and Ashton frowned.

"What did she say? Nothing bad I hope. She didn't make you uncomfortable?" His concern is back and I shake my head again.novelbin

"No, I needed to hear it. She was right. It is about time that you and I have a discussion about our future, I have left things undecided for too long." I explain. Ashton looks a little anxious so I rush to reassure him.

"This is a good thing." I add. He smiles and he looks so handsome that I can't help myself. I reach my arms around his neck, tug him down and kiss him. When I eventually force myself to pull back he has a silly grin on his face and I can tell that the kiss did more to reassure him than my words did.

"Well, if that was any indication of where this conversation will lead I am more than willing to talk. Should we go somewhere more private?" He suggests. We are standing in the middle of a hallway after all. I shrug.

"Nothing I plan to tell you is a secret. We can talk wherever you like." I answer firmly. He raises an eyebrow. I'm the one who usually insists on privacy away from the prying ears of all the fae. Still, he slides an arm around my waist and tugs me along.

We walk for a few minutes and end up at his rooms. I haven't spent much time here, he usually comes to me at night. He showed me his rooms when I first came here, mostly just for the sake of showing me around. He made a big deal out of making sure I knew I was welcome at the time, and I don't think I've been here since. Ashton pulls me along and sits on his bed then tugs me down to sit beside him.

"What do you want to tell me darling?" Ashton prompts me and I smile.

"There are a few things. But I'll start with the most important one. I love you, I have made my mind up about that. It is time for me to stop pretending that I want to leave, that I would even consider it. I like it here, but more than that I like being with you. So, I have decided that I want to get married." I state clearly. Ashton's eyes go wide and I think he's stopped breathing.

"This is not me proposing or anything like that. I just want to let you know that I am open to the idea, when you think that we are ready." I quickly add. Ashton opens his mouth to respond but I hold up a hand.

"Wait. I want to finish everything I need to say first, before you distract me or I chicken out." I request. He closes his mouth and nods, but he looks like he's struggling to stay quiet.

"Thanks, so second thing. I do not plan to sell my father's house. But I need to stop pretending that I might move back. I am going to tell Lucy to move in there permanently, she has been house sitting for me this whole time anyway. Then we can still stay there when we visit. I will need to grab the rest of my stuff. Wwe can do that this weekend I guess... Oh, I am getting distracted. Okay, my third point. You and your mother have suggested several times that I could benefit from having an attendant. Since I intend to stay here with you then I suppose I am going to need a little more help. So I was thinking of hiring Pan. She has mentioned a few times that it is a role she would be interested in trying. I thought that maybe she could help us both out while Fin is away. Between the two of them, hopefully you will not need to replace him. I figure that is probably not something that you would want to do?" My words trail off into a question. Ashton nods. "You're right. I've known that Fin would probably be leaving, at least for a while. But the thought of hiring someone to replace him... I don't know if I could do it. I've never had to work with anyone else before. But there is a lot to do. I'm not completely sure I CAN do it without him." He admits and I take his hand.

"I will help you. Pan too if she accepts. Fin can come and visit and we can visit him. Between the group of us we can figure it out. If it is too much then we can look at getting more help. I suspect that Fin works harder than most people, but we can manage." I promise. Ashton beams a smile at me.

"I love you Kat." He responds and I know I've said the right thing. He really doesn't want to replace Fin, he's been dreading it. But if I hire Pan as MY attendant it isn't replacing him. Sure, it's only a technicality, but the fae love technicalities. This way, Ashton can honestly say that he hasn't replaced Fin.

"Are you finished speaking now? Can I have a turn?" Ashton says jokingly and I nod.

"Yes I am finished." I smile, proud that I got all of that out and honestly it wasn't even that difficult. Talking to Ashton has only gotten easier and easier since I realised he does actually love me. "Good. Give me one moment."