"This is a fae realm," Rita offers, though she's unsure how much he might already know from eavesdropping on people's thoughts (which is still creepy, by the way). "It probably doesn't connect to other realms in a way that makes logical sense. Maybe you wandered here by accident, or... the ruler of this place summoned you, somehow." It could even be a bit of both. Even if Cole's arriving here was a mistake, it would probably only be possible if the Prince wished it, anyway.

But why would he wish that...? Just to have a full house for the ball? Seems like he opened up his realm to some real oddballs, whatever the goal.