“And who might that be…?” Grandma asks with a smirk, looking over my shoulder.
“Prince Tristan Bloodweed, madam,” he says and when he bows and kisses her hand, she giggles.
“Oh my!”
Grandpa reaches out to him and firmly squeezes his hand. I chuckle when the handshake lasts longer than usual.
“Firm grip,” Grandpa says and nods at me. “I like that.”
I step closer to Tristan and discreetly rub his back, because I know he’s been missing sleep over this meeting. “And this is my husband.”
“Theprince?” Grandma inquires while the coachman loads their suitcases into a compartment at the back of the carriage. “Does that make you a royal as well? I was trying to learn about how those things work, but it depends on the country, apparently.”
Tristan leans in and gives the side of my head a tender kiss. “Yes, as my husband, he now has the title of Prince Consort. I am so honored to meet you. Nate had nothing but good things to tell me about you and what a wonderful childhood he had thanks to you. I am so very proud to call him my husband every day, and you should know I love him more than bones love the flesh they inhabit.”
My grandparents stall, as shocked as I was when I first heard this kind of comparison, but I spring into action and help them into the carriage. “Cultural differences. The elves like being a bit morbid.”
“It is called the Nightmare Realm,” Grandpa quips before stretching on the seat. “You have a good stock of horses. Never owned any so large. Is it a special breed?”
I meet Tristan’s gaze, knowing that the two kelpies attached to the carriage are surely discussing this conversation in detail. I’ve learned from Kurt, the stableboy, all about how much they like to gossip, but I’ve yet to find out how he communicates with them.
When Tristan starts telling Grandpa about the kelpies, I finally relax a little, because I was worried about awkward silences. Instead, the conversation starts flowing as the carriage takes us back to the crossing. Unlike the one we first took through the cave, this one allows even for the transport of goods and will be much more convenient for my grandparents, even though they did need to travel to Maine to reach it.
I know Tristan, so I recognize that he’s working hard to make a good impression, but my grandparents don’t grill him, just taking it all in. I don’t think they’ve ever seen me so happy and excited about everything, and that alone is enough to make the transition easier.
I also get to tell them all about all the different creatures I’m learning about, how beautiful our apartments at the castle are, and how I became friends with the Lord’s Dark Companion, Luke.
Despite the long months of getting them used to the idea of another dimension existing alongside ours, a world without sunlight is still a shock. But they adjust, interested in everything from the massive red-eyed cattle to the architecture. I know they wouldn’t be comfortable with the formality of life at the castle, so Tristan and I found them a lovely cottage in the nearby village. Surrounded by a garden filled with blooming flowers, it offers an exceptional view of the Nocturne Court and is close enough for us to visit each other whenever we wish.
They will have several servants assigned to them. While they are hands-on people who like to do things themselves, they will need help in adjusting to the culture, and learning about how things work here, from the functions of swamplight to finding out which mushrooms are poisonous.
After hours of travel, they appreciate a tour of the cottage and basic information on all amenities, but they’re exhausted, so we eventually say our goodbyes, promising to visit tomorrow with Lady.
I’m sure I’ll be visiting all the time.
“They are so very nice,” Tristan says once we’re back at the carriage. “I can see how they raised someone so kind and lovely.”
My heart throbs, and I lean into him as he helps me into the carriage. I could easily climb in myself, but it is a gesture of love, and I appreciate it. Makes me feel all pampered and princely.
As I settle on the sofa inside, the curtains in my grandparents’ window twitch, which means they are still watching us, and I wave while Tristan joins me. “You just wait until Grandma lures you into a game of cards. She is a very bad winner,” I tell him as the coachman urges the kelpies forward.
Tristan laughs and kisses my cheek. “I can’t wait. Fortunately, I’m competitive, but not at cards. Did you mention we’re dining with Kyran and Luke tonight? Will we play Monopoly again? I can’t stand losing at that game. I can only hope Snowflake ate all the spare dice.”
I laugh, cuddling up to my husband. “He’s so voracious. But no wonder if he’s to grow to the size of an albatross,” I say, playing with his fingers.
“He’s keeping that bat, isn’t he?”
I snort. “Oh, for sure.”
This has been my life for over six months now, but it still doesn’t feel quite real that I live in this fantastical world, have a husband who adores me, and can learn all about unusualanimals I would have never known existed. I want to become a vet here in the farther future, but right now, I’m still at the level of learning what animals even exist in the Nightmare Realm, so it will be a slow process.
As much as I enjoy being a royal consort, and the freedom that comes with it, I’d love Tristan if we lived in a box under a bridge. He’s so kind, attentive, and playful. Every day with him is a new adventure.
I think about that as we climb the stairs to our apartments. They are in the Bloodweed-owned wing of the castle and consist of several rooms decorated to our tastes. Tristan spared no expense on getting the ‘human’ room furnished however I like. Our bedroom is all fantasy and unicorns with fewer spiders, gargoyles, and bats, which are in fashion at court. The bathroom is nearly a copy of Luke’s, with a deep tub and stained glass in both windows.
I never thought I could ever live in such luxury, yet here we are.
Lady whines from behind the door as we approach and bursts into the hallway the moment Tristan opens the apartment. She’s now as big as a grizzly bear, but seems to have finally stopped growing, which is… a relief, since otherwise we’d need to build her her own home on castle grounds.
