Epilogue
Nate
Six months later
Tristan looks so good in a three-piece suit!
The sapphire blue outfit that makes my man’s red mane look even more gorgeous was made by our usual tailor, which means that while the design is copied from a catalog, the tailoring is excellent, the fabrics and accessories are all Nocturne Court panache, and I lowkey love it.
My Tristan has a delicate pattern of crabs on his tie, and rose-shaped cufflinks.
His hair descends down his back in elegant waves, and while I love him in leather pants, poet’s shirts, and capes, he is very much still a stunner.
I decided to go with an understated look that features an embroidered vest and a shirt with beautiful pearl buttons.
Then again… understated? My grandparents would surely think we’re both dressed for our wedding party when they see us!
Tristan has specifically chosen the human-style (as he calls it) suit to make a good impression on them, but I know they’d love him in sweats if he makes me happy.
I didn’t want to burden them with the details of everything that happened to me, since I know how much pain it would’ve caused them to learn about the torture I endured.
All they needed to know is that I found my way to a magical fantasy realm where I fell in love with an elven prince.
At first they didn’t believe, me of course, and it took a while to ease them into it, but after I flew out to meet them in Sydney, and showed them some proof, they started believing me
I think.
The other option is that there will be a psychiatric ambulance waiting for me the moment I arrive in the spot we’re supposed to meet tonight.
One of the two.
Either way, this will be the first time Tristan meets them in person, and if all goes well, they will accompany us to the Nightmare Realm and at least consider joining us there for good.
I wouldn’t have pushed for it so much if it wasn’t for the very real fact that they‘re aging. There’s no escaping that.
And I miss them. Unless I make a trip to the human realm, which isn’t a quick and easy thing, I can only exchange letters with them, since electricity doesn’t work in the Nightmare Realm, and that means no telephone nor video-calls.
I know I’m asking a lot, but if they settle in the elven realm, they will be able to live on indefinitely.
Sure, the Nightmare Realm has its dangers, but they’d be under the protection of the Nocturne Court, so I can see them flourishing.
After all, they wanted an adventure, and what adventure could be more exciting than the chance to explore a whole different world?
“They will love you,” I tell Tristan as our open carriage passes through the invisible border between the realms. The woods around us shimmer like the aurora borealis, and then I spot the familiar neon of our ‘local’ fast food franchise, Best Burgers Bonanza, looming against the background of the dark sky.
Apparently, the Lord sourced the food for his wedding from this very restaurant, so I don’t even think the pizza idea was that surprising anymore.
“Are you sure the hat wouldn’t go well with the outfit?” Tristan asks, glancing toward the neon sign matching the logo at the front of the baseball cap he wore the night he came for me. I’m not sure how to explain not all ‘human’ things go together just because they’re human, but he’s adorable.
“A hundred percent sure,” I say and lean against him as the coachman slowly steers the carriage onto the asphalt road that will lead us to the place where we’re picking up my grandparents.
I’m sweating from the stress of it, because what if they think this is all a prank?
What if they hate the Nightmare Realm and choose not to stay?
If this were the case, I’ll likely only see them a couple of times before they pass away, and that’s an excruciating thought.
I can already see them as we approach the abandoned bus stop, and my heart is in my throat.
It’s been over four months since our last meeting.
Fortunately, I can’t see any cops or EMTs, and they both have two big suitcases each.
It’s late summer, but the night is chilly, so they’re both in their favorite matching sweaters.
I rise before the coachman even stops and wave at them with a big grin.
They’re in their early seventies, still active, and as I leap off the coach before Tristan can do his usual thing and gallantly help me off, Grandma steps forward in time to pull me in.
She smells of her favorite perfume. It’s old-fashioned and sharp from the alcohol content, but this was the scent of comfort in moments when reality crushed me. I briefly lift her off the ground before stepping into Grandpa’s embrace. “I missed you so much,” I tell them, grinning from ear to ear.
Tristan is silent, but I can sense him behind me when he ever -so gently pokes my shadow with his.
“You’re growing out your hair? Aren’t you dapper!” Grandpa compliments me as we also hug. He’s grown a beard since I’ve last seen him, and it’s definitely grayer than the last one he sported a few years ago.
“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.”
“The prince?” 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?”