Page 25 of Accidentally Ever After
“And by association, those who speak openly with such progressives may find themselves subject to… scrutiny,” Sorcha added.
Before I could process the implications, Caelen reached us, his wing brushing possessively against my back as he positioned himself slightly between me and the other fairies.
“Lord Faelan, Lady Sorcha,” he greeted them with perfect courtesy, though I could feel the tension in him. “I see you’ve met my consort.”
“Indeed, Your Highness,” Faelan said, bowing. “We were just discussing the fascinating differences between our realms.”
“A broad topic,” Caelen observed neutrally.
“And one worth exploring further,” Sorcha added, her warm eyes moving between Caelen and me. “Perhaps at a more appropriate occasion.”
“Perhaps,” Caelen agreed, though his tone suggested no such occasion would be forthcoming.
The two fairies took the hint, bowing respectfully before drifting away to join other groups.
“They seemed nice,” I said once they were out of earshot. “Are they friends of yours?”
Caelen’s expression was complicated. “Politically aligned on certain matters, but ‘friend’ would be an overstatement in court context.”
“They said they’re part of a progressive faction,” I pressed. “One that supports more connection with the human world. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“It is… complicated,” he said, guiding me toward a less crowded area of the hall. “Lord Faelan and Lady Sorcha represent interests that align with some of my own views, yes. But their approach is sometimes more… aggressive than diplomatic. My father watches them closely.”
“So me talking to them puts a target on my back?” I guessed.
“Not precisely, but it does signal political alignment,” he explained. “I had hoped to introduce you to court factions more gradually, after you had a firmer grasp of the complexities.”
“Sorry,” I said, genuinely contrite. “I didn’t realize casual conversation was making a political statement.”
His expression softened. “You couldn’t have known. Court interaction is a minefield even for those born to it.” His wing brushed against my back again, a gesture of reassurance. “You’ve done remarkably well tonight, Blake. Better than I could have hoped.”
The praise warmed me. “Even with the dancing disaster?”
“Especially with the dancing,” he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Your willingness to try, to adapt—it speaks volumes to those watching.”
The evening continued for several more hours, a blur of introductions, careful conversations, and more of that berry-flavored fairy alcohol that made everything slightly moretolerable. By the time the king finally rose to signal the event’s conclusion, I was exhausted but strangely exhilarated. I’d survived my first formal court function without causing an international incident—a win by any standard.
Chapter 6
As we made our way back to our chambers, Caelen’s hand rested comfortably at the small of my back, a warm presence I’d grown increasingly accustomed to.
“You’ve made an impression tonight,” he said as we walked the quiet corridors. “Several of my father’s traditional allies approached me with reassessments of their positions.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning they had expected my human consort to be an embarrassment,” he explained. “Instead, they found someone adapting to our ways while maintaining a fresh perspective they found… intriguing.”
“So I’m not a complete diplomatic disaster,” I said, pleased.
“Far from it.” His fingers traced small circles against my back, sending pleasant shivers up my spine. “You may be my greatest diplomatic asset.”
We reached the doors to our adjoining chambers, but instead of separating as we sometimes did, Caelen followed me into my rooms. As the doors closed behind us, I felt the tension I’d been carrying all evening begin to ease.
“God, I need to get out of these clothes,” I groaned, already working at the fastenings of the formal tunic. “They look amazing but feel like wearing a costume.”
Caelen’s eyes darkened as he watched me. “Allow me,” he said, moving closer.
His fingers replaced mine at the tunic’s closures, deftly undoing the intricate fastenings. As the garment loosened, his knuckles brushed against my skin, leaving trails of tingling awareness.
