Page 46 of Accidentally Ever After
“And you are?” I asked directly, extending my hand in human fashion rather than the fairy greeting he was struggling to execute.
Relief flashed across his face as he took my hand. “David Chen. I’m a, uh, professor of comparative mythology at Oxford. Lady Ellaria and I met during her research visit to the human archives.”
I raised an eyebrow at Ellaria. “Research visit? How fascinating. I wasn’t aware you had an interest in human scholarship.”
A faint flush colored her perfect features. “Recent developments suggested that a more… informed perspective on human culture might be beneficial.”
“Indeed,” Caelen said neutrally, though I could feel his amusement through our bond. “Professor Chen, as the first human consort to the Autumn Court, Blake has unique insight into the transition between realms. Perhaps he might offer some guidance during your visit.”
It was a diplomatic masterstroke—simultaneously extending courtesy while reminding Ellaria of my official position and making it clear we recognized her guest as a temporary visitor rather than a potential rival consort.
“That would be incredible,” David said eagerly, before Ellaria could respond. “I have so many questions about the integration process and cultural differences. My research focuses on how mythological narratives shape cultural identity, and this experience is unprecedented access to what we thought was purely fictional realm!”
His genuine academic enthusiasm was endearing, and I found myself warming to him despite his association with Ellaria. “I’d be happy to share my experiences,” I offered. “Though I’m still learning myself.”
“A mutual exchange of perspectives, then,” he suggested. “I could share observations from my scholarly background while learning from your practical experience.”
Ellaria looked like she was reconsidering her choice of companion, but rallied admirably. “How collaborative. The professor has been most helpful in identifying human records of fairy contact throughout history.”
“A worthy project,” Caelen acknowledged. “Perhaps relevant to our own exchange initiatives.”
The conversation continued in this vein—superficially cordial but layered with subtexts that I had learned to recognize as quintessentially fairy. By the time we moved on to greet other guests, I had extracted a promise from David to meet for a proper conversation, much to Ellaria’s barely concealed chagrin.
“That was unexpected,” I commented to Caelen as we made our way through the crowd. “Ellaria with a human academic? After all her speeches about maintaining ‘fairy purity’?”
“Politics makes strange bedfellows,” he replied with a slight smile. “Though I suspect there may be more personal motivations at play as well.”
“You think she actually likes him?” I asked, surprised by the notion.
“It would explain much about her recent moderation on certain issues,” he observed. “And provide an elegant solution to her loss of status after our union was confirmed.”
I considered this. “If you can’t beat them, join them?”
“Something like that,” he agreed. “Though I suspect she would phrase it as ‘strategic adaptation to changing circumstances.’”
The evening continued with dancing, more diplomatic conversations, and the elaborate feast that was traditional for solstice celebrations. Throughout it all, I found myself reflecting on how much had changed in the months since I’d first arrived in this realm.
What had begun as a disastrous misunderstanding—signing a magical contract thinking it was a catering invoice—had evolved into something I would never have imagined possible. I had a purpose here, a position of influence, and most importantly, a relationship that fulfilled me in ways I hadn’t known I needed.
As the celebration wound toward its conclusion, Caelen and I found a moment of relative privacy in one of the small alcoves off the main hall. His wing curled around me, creating that intimate space that still felt like sanctuary after all this time.
“You’re contemplative tonight,” he observed, his finger tracing the line of my jaw. “Second thoughts about your fairy tale life?”
“Just the opposite,” I assured him, leaning into his touch. “I was thinking how grateful I am for that misunderstanding at the wedding. Best mistake I ever made.”
His smile was radiant. “I maintain it was not a mistake at all, but destiny.”
“Maybe you’re right,” I conceded, something I rarely did on this particular topic. “The matchmakers do seem to know what they’re doing.”
“Indeed they do,” he agreed, leaning down to brush his lips against mine. “Though I believe we deserve some credit for making it work despite the… unconventional beginning.”
“Definitely,” I said, rising on tiptoes to kiss him properly. “We make a good team, Your Highness.”
“The best,” he murmured against my lips. “My cherished consort.”
As we rejoined the celebration, hand in hand and perfectly in step, I reflected that “accidentally ever after” had turned out to be exactly where I was meant to be all along.