A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

As promised, Fin is waiting for us with a stack of bags. We aren't back at the castle exactly, I think we might be down the side of it somewhere? Fin looks up and raises an eyebrow at our appearance. I suddenly remember that we are both covered in paint. Damn, maybe we should have tried to clean up a little first. The evidence of our evening is literally glowing, he can't miss it. Then again, it's not like we did anything wrong and I have nothing to be embarrassed about. And if I do I'm just going to blame it on the alcohol.

"It looks like you two had fun. Are you finally ready to go?" He teases us, although there's an edge of anxiety to his voice.

"Is something wrong?" I ask, ignoring his teasing. Fin straightens his shoulders. He looks like he wants to deny it but he can't lie so the words don't come out. He closes his mouth, thinks it over a moment then tries again with a more honest

answer.

"I'm not sure how I will be welcomed as warmly this time as I was before. I don't know if it's... appropriate for me to stay in your home." He admits.

"Ah, this is about Lucy? Yes I would probably be a little bit scared of her if I was in your shoes too." I agree. Fin tilts his head, confused.

"I'm not wearing shoes..." He points out and I burst out laughing. Okay, apparently that saying doesn't translate too well.

"It just means if I were in your place. It is not meant to be literal. I will not lie to you, Lucy IS angry with you, but that does not mean you should not come or that you will not be welcome at my house." I say firmly. Fin frowns. "But... It's clear to me that she spends a lot of time there. I don't want to drive her away or make her uncomfortable if she doesn't want to see me." He sighs. This is probably the most emotion I have ever seen him display, I'm kind of impressed, and concerned. He must be really worried about this. I decide to comfort him a bit, if in a roundabout way. I force a laugh, trying to sound natural. He stares in confusion and even Ashton looks a little concerned at my harsh response.

"Fin, you have met Lucy. When has she ever been awkward or uncomfortable? If she wants to spend time at my home she will. Unless you plan to make things difficult for her I suspect the one who will be the most uncomfortable will be you, and I suspect you might even deserve it." I tell him. Yeah, I'm being harsh, but he seems more worried about upsetting her than actually facing her anger. His shoulders droop down again, even his wings are drooping, he looks so worn out. "I've really messed this up." He admits with a deep sigh. I nod.

"You have. I do not know exactly what you said but you really hurt her. Still, a piece of advice? An apology can go a long way, but only if you mean it. The truth helps too, and not some half truth that you manipulate with your fae tricks, just the straight up truth. If you cannot give her that then it might be better that she stays angry and you leave her alone." I warn him. I like Fin, I really do. But Lucy is my best friend, practically my sister, and I don't want him to make up with her and win her back over if he's just planning to break her heart again in a few days when he leaves again. As her best friend, it would be my responsibility to hunt him down and make him suffer for it, and I don't want to have to do that. He Is my friend too.

"I... I'll think about what I should do." Is all he answers. Hmm, it's not quite what I want to hear, but at least he isn't doubling down on his mistake and insisting that he did nothing wrong. I still don't even know exactly what he DID say. To be honest, I'm not sure it matters. I know enough. Lucy is heartbroken and angry, and Fin is regretful and guilty. I already Fin was the one to mess things up here and that means the only person who is able to fix things is him, that is if he actually WANTS to fix things. Hopefully everything turns out alright. I'll have to warn Lucy that Fin is back. I resolve to do that as soon as I get my phone.

"So... How do we get there? How does this work?" I ask curiously, directing the question at no one in particular.

"We walk through a portal. They only appear in a few places, this one goes to that place where we first met." Ashton explains.

"Which one? There is nothing here." I point out. He shakes his head.

"There is, you just can't see it. You need magic to be able to see it. You need to be using magic, you won't be able to see anything. But don't worry. I'll guide you through." He says warmly, squeezing my hand. "Alright. Are we ready then?" I ask, suddenly kind of tired. I want to get home, have a hot bath to get this paint off and then go to bed. I want to talk to Lucy and I want to hug my dad. He must be worried sick.

"Yes, we're ready. I feel I should remind you, portal travel has side effects. You will likely feel a little unwell and you will be sensitive to light when we get there." Ashton reminds me. I shrug.

"I know. I have looked after you both after you travelled. Plus Pan was going back and forth for days, the poor thing. Do NOT do that again. There should be a limit, no travelling more than once a week or something." I add as an afterthought. "I'll consider it. Maybe we can set some restrictions. Right now there is no travel without royal permission. So my mum has to consent." Ashton comments. Huh, well that explains why we don't have endless fae tourists. "Or you." I add and he shrugs.

"Technically, but I don't like to go against my mother. She takes care of that kind of thing." He says casually. "But you could." I point out.

"I suppose so." He agrees reluctantly. I feel like Ashton isn't used to being considered 'in charge.' I suppose his parents have always taken care of things, but now with his dad dead, he has to step up and take on new responsibilities. He's going to have to grow into the role. As much as he insists that he doesn't HAVE to be the heir, his mum won't be able to take care of everything alone forever. I met his cousins, they're adorable, but they're children. He really is the most suitable person. He'll be a good king one day. He just needs to get used to all the changes in his life.

Ashton leads me through the portal that I can't see. I expect some kind of flashing light, magical glow or a sensation of SOMETHING happening. Nope, all I get is a headache. One second we're walking through the fae realm, we pass a tree and suddenly we're back at that park, almost exactly where Ashton and I first met. He must have stepped through the portal, seen me falling and immediately reacted. Now that I'm feeling the headache that he was suffering at the time I appreciate his quick reactions even more. Damn my head hurts, I actually feel a little dizzy. If Ashton weren't holding onto me I think there is every chance I would trip over and fall into the water. So I guess he's saved me from that fate twicenoveldrama

now.

"So... How are we getting back?" I wonder aloud. Fin pulls his phone out of one of the bags.

"I'm hoping this still works. I turned it off when we left. Do you think we could call for a ride?" He suggests. I gesture for him to hand me the phone. I wait as it powers up and flinch at the bright screen as it sends painful spikes through my head. OW! I dim the screen and make a quick call for a taxi. I COULD call Lucy, but she would probably be asleep and I want a chance to warn her before she has to deal with Fin. Call made, I collapse into the grass to wait and close my eyes. It won't be long now. I'm almost home.