I stretched, extending my neck back and rubbing it as I looked up from my computer. I’d gotten a good bit of writing done yesterday, and had gotten back into it again today after breakfast, stopping only to use the restroom and to eat lunch (and pet my kitties, of course!), then I’d gotten right back at it.

Fen had been relatively busy, from what I understood, so he’d only stopped by once or twice to make sure I was doing alright. He’d dropped off the Indian food I’d requested before having to go off to a lunch meeting.

I’d just been grateful he’d gotten me Indian food. It was so delicious. Hopefully the cook here could recreate it once she’d tasted it. It was my favorite cuisine, and I definitely wasn't opposed to having it more often.

A knock at the door startled me. “Come in!” I called.

“I come bearing dresses!” Astrid announced as she entered, carrying a rather large package wrapped in brown paper.

“Oh!” I gasped, jumping to my feet and clapping eagerly. “I’m so excited!”

“Me too! We’re going to have a fashion show. Rose said she’d bring up some snacks and champagne for us like if we were at my studio, so you’ll have the full experience!”

“Oh! That’ll be fun! I can’t hold much alcohol, but I think I can get away with one glass of champagne.”

“Excellent!”

We went into the bedroom and Astrid set the package on the bed, then ripped away the brown paper wrappings. “Here we are!”

“Goodness!” The dresses inside were gorgeous. I could see how luxurious they were without even having to touch them. “They’re amazing!”

“Of course!” Astrid beamed at me.

Just then, Rose’s voice called to us.

“In here!” Astrid replied.

Rosie pushed a cart with snacks, champagne, and a teapot, into the bedroom. “Here you are, girls! Enjoy!”

“Do you want to stay for our fashion show?” Astrid asked her.

“I would love to, but I have some work I have to get done!” Rose sighed apologetically.

“Oh, my brother will understand, stay!”

“No, I’d best not.” the housekeeper shook her head, but was smiling. “Besides, if I don’t stay, each time I see a new dress, I'll get to be surprised and in awe all over again!”

“Alright!” Astrid laughed.

“Have fun!” Rose waved, then left.

“First, champagne.” Astrid told me, popping the cork from the bottle and pouring us each a glass. “And snacks.” She handed me a plate. “Now, dresses!”

“Dresses!” I echoed, giggling.

And then, of course, we had a fashion show because why not?

I tried on each dress with all the accessories Astrid had included as part of the outfit. I was flabbergasted to see that there were shoes, a purse, and jewelry to go with each outfit. Some had a hat, some had a wrap, or some other accessories that others didn’t. There were day-dresses, tea dresses, and fancier dinner dresses.

“I can’t believe this is for me to wear! I’m only going to be here for like two weeks!”

“Well, you won’t want for outfits while you’re here.” Astrid nodded approvingly.

“I can’t believe Fen is paying for all of this. What will he do with it when I leave, anyways? Give it away?”

“Oh honey, he’ll probably send it with you.”

“What? Why?

“Well he had it made for you, why wouldn't he? It’s not going to fit anyone else without alterations, and I did design everything with you, specifically in mind.”

“But…but it’s all so much! The jewelry is probably worth more money than I’ll ever have in my entire life!” I hadn't expected the dresses to come with any accessories, much less actual jewelry.

“Well, that means you can sell it if you ever desperately need some cash.” She shrugged.

“I…I didn’t think about that.” With this wardrobe, I’d be set for life. Although I’d have to convince Fen not to put me into a ridiculously expensive apartment. Presumably, once I was done with all of this, I’d go back to paying rent, only this time it would go to Fen. Even if I did wind up working for him, I needed to be able to afford whatever rent I’d need to pay without having to sell the lovely jewelry Astrid had designed for me. And though the fey man was ridiculously wealthy, I would only be some kind of assistant, given my qualifications and experience. I suspected the pay would be decent, but I knew I wouldn't be able to afford any luxury accommodations.

Yes, I’d have to get him to scale back his ideas as far as my housing went.

“So, which is your favorite?” Astrid asked.

“Hm.” They were all gorgeous, really. There was a blue and white one that reminded me of a china teacup, and I really liked that one, but my favorite was...“I love them all, but think I like the light pink one the best, of the day-dresses, just because that’s my favorite color, and I love flowers.”

The dress in question was pale pink, and had little, darker pink flowers with apple green leaves stitched around the hems and the neckline. It was wispy and light, and reminded me of a meadow in full bloom.

“Well, put it on, then!” she told me.

“I actually think I want to wear this one today.” I picked up the one that reminded me of teacups. “I’ll save my favorite for another time!”

“Alright!” Astrid smiled, she left, and I slipped into the dress, donned the simple silver bracelet and necklace, and stepped into the slipper-like shoes.

The entire ensemble was very comfortable, but they all were. As comfortable as any pajamas I wore, which was so nice, since I was more concerned with my comfort than looks, for the most part. With this dress, I looked very nice, and felt really nice too, all while being extremely comfortable.

I went out into the sitting room. “There!”

“You look like a proper fey guest, now!” Astrid told me.

“I don’t know about that, but I’m sure I look less out of place.” I laughed, smoothing out the skirt. “Thank you, Astrid, it’s all so beautiful!”

“I’m very glad you like them!” My friend beamed. “Now let's finish these snacks and this tea!”

There was another knock at the door, “It’s me.” Fen’s voice said.

“Come in!”

“She has her dresses!” Astrid said as her half-brother entered.

“Oh, excellent.” he nodded. “It looks nice. Good job, Astrid.”

“Thank you!”

“Come have some tea with us.” I motioned at the cart.

“Thanks.” Fen poured himself a cup, then sat across the coffee table from us in one of the comfortable armchairs. “Since you have your dresses, do you want to come down for dinner tonight?”

“I can if you want me to."

“I would like that. But only if you’re comfortable doing so.”

“I don’t mind.” I shrugged, “But I’ve never had any proper manners training, or anything.”

“That’s alright. We don't particularly care about that here.”

“Okay, just wanted to warn you, in case it did. I know it mattered back in fancier times for humans.”

“It used to matter here as well, but not so much anymore, with as much as we come and go from your world.” Fen shrugged.

“I remember having to learn all that silly stuff as a girl!” Astrid laughed. “I’m glad it doesn't really matter much anymore.”

“Although we do still dress for dinner and stuff. In some ways we’re less modern than your world, but we’re more advanced in other ways.” Fen said thoughtfully.

“Makes sense.” I nodded.

Astrid finished her tea, then stood, “Well, this has been a blast, but I have to run! I have a client coming in about an hour, and I’ll need a little time to prep.”

“Alright! Thank you so much, Astrid!”

“You’re very welcome, Mercy!” She bade us farewell, then left.

“I’m glad you like the dresses.” Fen commented as I sat after seeing Astrid to the door of my quarters.

“They’re so wonderful!”

“Good.”

It was quiet as we enjoyed our tea for a few moments.

“Oh, I should tell you, we’ve made good headway on something for you to wear to help keep you from being as noticeable.” He produced a ring box from his pocket. “It’s just a prototype, but it should help at least a little, if you’ll put it on so I can gauge how well it’s working?”

“Oh, sure!” I took the box, “That was fast!”

“Like I said, it’s just a prototype. I don’t expect it to work particularly well.” he shook his head a little.

Popping open the box, I saw a slim silver ring, and slipped it on. “Should I feel anything?”

“Ideally, no, if we’ve done our job properly. It shouldn't affect you at all.” Fen reached out, then hesitated, “Can I take your hand for a little bit? It’ll help me sense it a bit better.”

“Sure.” I held out my hand to him.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“We’ll make the final product much nicer.” he told me almost absentmindedly, lifting my hand and examining it, I could feel him pulsing short bursts of magic at the ring as he spoke. “Whatever you want it to look like, really. What’s your favorite gemstone?”

“Hm, I like opals.”

“Silver or gold?”

“Mm, I don’t have a preference.”

“I think we’ll go with gold.” he muttered, letting go. “Thank you.”

“Is it doing what it’s supposed to?”

“Yes. It’s not nearly strong enough, but it does dim your magic, for lack of a better phrase. I think dimming it totally with regards to my people will be doable in the very next iteration. The spirits, though, that’ll take a couple more tries, I think.”

“I see.”

“I don’t know how we’re going to test that, though.”

“Well, I could go right outside the protective borders of the house here and put the ring on, and we could see if any spirits seem more interested than they should. You could stay inside here and watch so they won’t sense you and stay away because you’re around. Just stay close enough that you can pull me in or come grab me if it goes wrong.” I told him.

“That would work. I can even stay out of sight, just in case. It would still be safe.”

“Sure.” I shrugged, remembering that his people were stronger and faster than humans. If he said it would be safe, it would be safe. I took off the prototype ring and put it back into the box, and handed it back.

-

Fen idly realized that he’d never given a woman a ring before. There was nothing behind this ring, it was only something that they were using to keep her safe. Or they would be using for that once it was finished.

He’d kept his examination of the new dress that she’d worn very casual, barely a flick of a glance, really, as he hadn’t wanted to just stare. Instead he managed to examine her appearance more carefully as they chatted about the ring and then enjoyed their tea.

The well-crafted dress did her a lot of favors. Not that she didn’t look nice enough in her normal clothes, but the dress did what all perfectly-fitting clothing did for anyone by making them look their best. Because Mercy was already attractive, despite what she thought, and her easygoing personality only accentuated that beauty. But wearing what she was, she could easily have passed for a princess. If Mercy bothered to wear makeup and do her hair, perhaps she'd able to pass for a fey princess.

Fen would have to keep an eye on the male staff. All had been vetted and approved by himself, Axl, and Breya, but sometimes even typically level-headed people would do stupid things when they thought someone was attractive.

“Fen?”

He shook himself from his thoughts. “Sorry, I was wool-gathering. What did you need?”

“What time is dinner? I just want to make sure I go down at the right time.”

“Usually around seven. There’s a gong that’s rung when it’s ten minutes til, and then another when it’s time to head down.”

“Oh, okay! That’ll help.”

“Yes, but I’ll always have someone come and escort you down. It’s a big house and I don’t want you getting lost.”

“Okay.” Mercy nodded amiably.

It fell quiet for a few moments.

“Fen?” she asked again. Her little voice was sweetly hesitant this time.

“Yes?”

“When can I learn some magic?”

Fen blinked. “I’m sorry, Mercy, I should have already arranged for a tutor for you.”

“It’s alright, I’d just like to learn some. I mean, as long as it doesn't cause any issues."

“No, no, it won’t.” he shook his head. “How about I teach you some now?”

“Would you?” she brightened, smiling eagerly.

Fen liked it when she smiled. It warmed the room. “Yes. I’m not necessarily the best teacher, but I am fairly strong. Although I’m not much of a healer, admittedly, and I suspect that’s what you’ll really need the most training in. Maybe I could convince my cousin to come and teach you what she can."

“Your cousin?”

“Amilee, actually. That’s why I took you to her, she’s my cousin, and I trust her.”

“Oh, that makes sense!” Mercy nodded.

“She’d probably do it, she seemed to like you.”

“I’d like to learn how to heal. That would be nice, I think.” the young woman smiled, looking down at her hands, which were clasped in her lap. “I could help people with it.”

“To great effect, I think. But in order to help the most people, you’d likely need to work in a medical setting, and that would probably require going back to school, I think.”

“True.” she sighed, “And I really, really don’t want to do that. I’m still in debt from my first time in college. Maybe I could figure something else out.”

“I’d be happy to help.”

Mercy looked up, smiling, “Thank you, Fen.” she said softly. “I appreciate it.” Fen started to say that it was the least he could do, but she cut him off, “And don’t say that it’s the least you can do! It makes me feel like you’re only helping me out of guilt, which is really not a very nice feeling.”

He snapped his mouth shut, blinked, then admitted. “I’m sorry. I just…” he sighed, shaking his head. “I do feel guilty. But I also do want to help you. I mean that genuinely, too. I’ve come to see you as a friend.”

“Oh, that’s a nice thought!” She smiled again. “I was hoping we were friends now.”

“I think we are."

“Good.” Mercy was pleased, he could tell.

It was quiet for a few moments.

“Alright, magic.” he set down his now-empty teacup. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be!” she said, seeming excited.

“Good.” he nodded.

Fen guided her through how to feel her own magic. It was there, but hard to notice unless you knew it was there. “Can you feel it?”

“I think so.”

“What’s it like?”

“Warm and calm.”

“That doesn't surprise me. It’s often a reflection of the person themself.”

“I know I’m relatively friendly, but I don’t know about calm, I literally have anxiety.”

“I think that’s more of a reflection of how you so easily put other people at ease.”

“I wouldn't know about that, but you’re nice to say it.”

He shrugged, “It’s true. I was able to be at ease with you far more quickly than I usually am able to be with new people.”

Her face heated, “Well, I don’t know how or why, but that makes me glad.”

“Let’s continue. Pull for it, and try to direct it through your fingertips.”

Mercy made these cute expressions when she concentrated. Fen could feel her slowly beginning to figure out how to shift her magic around. Suddenly several sparks flickered from her fingertips.

“Oh!” She gasped, opening her eyes and smiling, “Did I do it?!”

“Yes. Good job.” Despite being someone not taken to encouragement, Fen found he wanted her to be happy, and to feel accomplished, even over something so small. “Let’s see if you can make fire. It’s useful because you can light candles or use it to protect yourself.”

“Speaking of fires…” she said slowly.

“Yes?”

“I noticed you have a bad burn on your arms, whenever you rolled up your sleeves, I mean, if fey folk can heal with magic, even if it takes a little while, then...why do you have burns?” Mercy asked hesitantly.

It was only natural she’d be curious. “They’re not normal burns.” Fen told her, “There are some things that even magic can’t heal. Dragon fire is one of them.”

“I remember you saying that. They’re dragon fire burns?”

“Yes. I got burned when I was pretty young. I…” he looked down, realizing that he’d never had to actually tell anyone this before, as all of his subjects already knew, and there had never been any need to tell a human from the human world before now. “I used to have wings, but I lost them because of the burns. The doctors had to amputate. Only the surgery didn’t go well because of the burns, and it damaged my spine a little. That’s why I’m not very tall, it stunted my growth.”

“I-I’m sorry! I-I shouldn’t have asked!” Mercy squeaked, covering her face with her hands, seeming mortified.

“It’s fine. It’s not a secret. Most fey folk know about it already.” he shrugged, then told her, “Although you’re the first person I’ve ever actually told about it, simply because everyone else around me already just knows, really.”

“How do they already know? Did it make news headlines or something here? Does Faerie have news headlines like we do back home?”

Fen winced inwardly, having not meant to start them on a path towards discussing his identity as the king. “You forget I’m titled. Any time something like that happens amongst the so-called upper-crust of fey society, it spreads like wildfire.”

“That makes sense.” she nodded, seeming to let the topic drop.

“So, do you want to try fire?”

“It won’t bother you in any way?” Her tone was cautious.

“I’m not scared of fire.” he snorted, shaking his head. “It wasn't normal fire that burned me, anyways.”

“Just wanted to make sure.”

“I appreciate it.” He paused, “You have something that’s like that, though, don’t you? Something that hurt you that makes you more considerate of others?”

Mercy was quiet for a few moments.

“You don’t have to talk about it.” Fen said quickly, inwardly reprimanding himself. “I shouldn’t have asked.”

“No, it’s alright, I just…” she sighed, shaking her head. “I feel a little silly, that’s all. When people don’t believe me. Just in general, I mean. It takes me back to the days when I was just written off as a liar by practically every single person in my life.”

“Except Michael?”

“Yeah.” Mercy shrugged, hugging herself. “Whenever someone doesn't believe me about something, it makes me panic-y because it takes me back to being five years old, when I was asking my parents to make the scary thing with six arms to stop sitting by my bed at night, and they refused to believe that it was standing right beside them, smiling and laughing and taunting me. They just told me to stop lying for attention and wasting their time."

“I’m sorry.” he said quietly.

“Don’t apologize, it’s not your fault.” she managed a weak sort of smile. “We moved shortly after, and it didn’t follow us, so it turned out alright in the end.”

“But the damage was done.”

“Yeah, and only got worse. Sometimes I wouldn't realize that they couldn't see someone or something I could. Now I can tell when it’s something no one else can see. They hold the space differently, somehow. I know that doesn't make sense, but I don’t know how else to describe it.”

“That’s alright.” Fen assured her. He wasn’t about to judge her or say it was odd when she was literally the only person he’d ever met that could see what she could without any help.

“Now there are a lot of people who believe me. At least, compared to before. It’s nice.” she murmured.

“Good.”

“That’s why I’m grateful. I know you say it’s just what you should do, but literally only one person, before you and everyone else who I’ve met in Faerie, ever believed me. I-I only had one friend for a very long time, that was Michael. And even then, as I got older, and decided to stop talking about what I could see, I was still the weird girl who used to lie about seeing things. No one ever forgets stuff like that. I made a couple of friends, sure, but it wasn’t until college that I could really break free of it. And it took me all of my college years to decompress and realize how badly I was treated, and finally decide to go no-contact with basically everyone from my past when I graduated. And now I have a whole group of people who believe me and treat me well, and are kind to me, regardless of how it happened!” Mercy started to cry.

Fen swore in Faerie, and pulled out a handkerchief. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“N-no, I-I wanted you to know. I-I’m so, so grateful!” Mercy sobbed, taking the handkerchief and sobbing into it. “E-even if I-I can’t g-go home for a while, you’ve done more for me than pretty much anyone in my entire life ever has before!”

“I’m sorry for that.” he muttered, “I wish I could change it for you, that I could go and at least make your family realize how wrong they were.”

“No, they’d only blame me somehow, or claim it’s some sort of trick.” She shook her head miserably.

“I’m sorry.” he sighed again.

“I-it really is okay.” Mercy took a deep breath.

“Here.” he poured her a glass of water.

“Thank you.” she murmured, taking it and taking a long drink. “That’s better. Why does drinking water always help you stop crying?”

“It helps regulate your breathing.”

“That makes sense.” she nodded. “You know everything.”

“I wish I did.” Fen snorted. “Then I’d know how to better comfort you.”

Mercy smiled, still a little tearful, “It’s the thought that counts more than anything.”

“I guess.” he mumbled.

They were quiet for a moment.

She took a deep breath. “Alright. No more tears. Can we go back to magic?”

“Of course.” he nodded.

Soon, and much to her delight, Mercy was able to produce a small flame from her thumb with the snap of her fingers.

“It’s like my own built-in lighter!” she giggled, her tears from earlier now long forgotten.

“More or less. Like actual lighters, you can run out of fuel too. Whenever you’re using magic, make sure to keep an eye on how much you have left. I think your reserve is pretty large, as far as they go, but certain types of magic take more than others, and how much a given type of magic takes varies from person to person.”

“What happens if you use too much?”

“Normally you just pass out, but death is also possible, so it’s best not to overexert yourself.”

“Oh goodness, yes, I’ll do my best not to!” Mercy nodded, seeming alarmed.

“I don’t say it to scare you, just to make sure you understand not to push too far.” Fen told her.

“I understand.”

Fen glanced at the clock. “Let’s wrap it up there. I should go do a couple of things before dinner. Astrid made you proper dinner dresses, right?”

“Yes! Those are the more fancy ones, right?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I’ll put one on when the first bell rings.”

“Good.” he paused, reaching out and hesitantly touching her shoulder, carefully watching her body language to make sure she was actually comfortable with the contact. “You’ll be okay? You’re not upset?”

Mercy smiled, nodding. “I’m fine, I promise.”

“Alright.” he let his hand fall. “See you later.”

“At dinner!” she chirped as he left.