A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan

It's lovely to meet you Katerina. My name is Amelia." Ashton's mum greets me warmly. Well... This is already going better than Ashton meeting my dad, so that's good at least.

"Hello." Is all I respond with. This is so frustrating. I want to talk, I'm usually good at talking to people, but my tongue feels all confused. My frustration must show on my face because she gives me a sympathetic smile.

"It'll pass dear. Just give it time." She takes the seat by the bed and Ashton sits down on the edge of the bed beside me. Up close, I can see that while Ashton's mum is totally gorgeous like I thought, she somehow looks even more tired than I feel. Her eyes are rimmed red and she just looks sad. I guess she did recently lose her husband.

"I am sorry about your husband." I manage to twist the words out. They come a little easier this time at least. As long as I keep my sentences simple it's not too bad. Amelia sighs.

"I appreciate that. It's... Difficult without him. I was glad to hear that his killers were caught. It's frustrating to learn that we missed one." She sighs again. Ashton clears his throat.

"I'll do my best to find him mum. For dad... And for Kat." He frowns, that guilty expression returning. His mum looks at him sternly.

"Did you apologise to the young lady for breaking your promise? You should know better than to make promises you can't keep, you know." She lectures him. Wow, fae really do take promises seriously. I hold up a hand to placate her.

"It is really fine. I know that Ashton did his best. He did not intend for me to be hurt. He warned me multiple times to be careful and to stay back and I chose to continue assisting him as much as I could. He cannot be expected to account for every possible outcome, nor can he be everywhere at once." I say passionately. Hmm, that was almost easy. It still feels strange saying all these words I don't know, but if I don't think about it too hard it goes a bit smoother. Ashton smiles at me appreciatively and I return the smile.

"I do appreciate your help and I am sorry that you were harmed while helping my son." She says gratefully, then Ashton's mum narrows her eyes at me.

"I believe that Ashton has tried multiple times now to give you the reward you are owed for your support in finding the killers. But you keep sending it all back. Why is that?" She asks, a little suspiciously.

"Well... No one TOLD me that it was reward money at first. I did not know why I was being sent so much and I did not believe it would be fair of me to accept so much. It is one thing to accept payment to cover my lost wages and the expenses of having two men staying with me for so long, even a bit of money because that was something we agreed on would have been okay. But it was far too much. It would be unfair of me to take it. I enjoyed helping Ashton,we are friends now. I do not need to be paid for helping a friend." I conclude. Ashton laughs and affectionately drapes his arm over my shoulder.

"See mum, I told you that's what she would say. Kat is very generous. It's why I told you it wouldn't be a problem bringing her here. She won't kick up a fuss. I can't think of anyone better to be the first human to visit our home." He says brightly. I'm not sure his mum is even listening though. Her brow is furrowed and she looks kind of mad. Did I do something wrong?

"Ashton!" She scolds him. Okay, not me, Ashton's done something then?

"What are you doing? You know better than to touch someone so casually without asking first! I know you've been away from home and the rules are a little different for humans but you're back now and you know better." She lectures him with her arms crossed over her chest. I immediately get defensive. I lean further into his side, practically snuggling into him and I take his hand.

"It is fine. He is not overstepping." I assure her. At my words she begins to settle but still looks uncertain.

"Mum, Kat and I have discussed this before and we decided that it's appropriate for our relationship. And before you ask, yes she is aware of what my magic can do and she still has no objections." he clarifies. Then, clearly trying to make a point to his mum, he gently presses a light kiss into my hair. I blush red at the contact. I'm not quite sure what the message is that he's trying to show his mum, I'm not quite sure what all this even means to him. Either way, his mum settles and even smiles at us both.

"I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, I'm sorry. To both of you." She apologises sincerely.

"Do not be sorry. You are only looking out for us. It is good of you to take an interest. Ashton is lucky to have you." I answer her. That sentence felt wrong somehow. Still, she seems to understand what I mean. Ashton yawns and her gaze snaps to him.

"You should go. I want some time with the young lady." She requests and Ashton hesitates, clearly uncomfortable leaving me behind.

"Go get some exercise, ride your horse or take a nap. You're hovering over the poor girl. I bet she would like to get cleaned up a little, maybe change into some fresh clothing?" Her last words are a question and she directs them at me. "That does sound nice." I agree. Partly because it's true and partly because Ashton needs to get some more sleep. A nap would do him some good. Ashton turns to me, examining my face closely for any sign that I'm not really okay with this. I smile at him encouragingly.

"Alright, I guess I can go get a nap in." He reluctantly agrees.

'Wonderful. Meet us in the dining hall in a few hours and we can have a late breakfast. Or an early lunch. Whatever you want to call it." She decides. I want to fill in the word 'brunch' but it doesn't work in fae and my mind refuses to come up with a similar phrase. After a bit of grumbling and a tight hug, Ashton excuses himself and I'm left alone with his mum.

I'm kind of nervous. She said that she wanted to spend some time with me, fae can't lie so it must be true. But she never said why. Was it just an excuse to make Ashton agree to go get some rest or does she legitimately have something she wants to say to me? She turns to me with a soft smile.

"Shall I show you where you can get cleaned up? Ashton told me that you explained your bathroom facilities to him, so I would be glad to help you with ours. Are you able to walk?" She checks.

"I am not sure. But there is no time like the present to find out." I respond as I slowly climb out of bed. I'm a little shaky and kind of sore, but it's not bad at all. After a few steps, the shakiness starts to fade away too. "I think I am ready." I decide.

"Great. Let's go." She says warmly. I think I like Ashton's mum.