Desktop drive mount icons aren't files or symlinks in '~/Desktop' directory?

Question

BACKSTORY/INTRO:

I recently installed Linux Mint 18 Sarah because I was essentially forced to, but I already love linux. When I was doing my reading I realized that I would have to partition my drive and stick Linux in its own partition. This meant, or so I thought, that I wouldn't be able to access files in my Windows OS as that would be a different partition. However, when I was playing around making directories and such, I noticed that my Windows 8 C drive was not only accessible, but also considered removable media like a USB. I then went through my C drive looking at text files bc I was confused as to why I could see them. A few hours later after coming back from being in Windows, my C drive and another drive I've never seen before were on my desktop, however, when I used cd Desktop and then ls neither drive was visible in the Desktop directory. When I'm in Windows I can't see Linux Mint at all.

QUESTION:

a) How was I able to access files from another partition and then magically have them be on my Desktop while not being in my Desktop?

b) Did I screw something up when I installed?

Beyond this I haven't had any real issues with bugs so far. Linux is cool.

EDIT: I've asked/answered questions on other Stackexchange sites and each seems to have a preference for formatting and how you ask a question. Please let me if there are any issues with formatting or how I've asked my question.

Answer 1

a. Linux Mint's GUI desktop includes ~/Desktop, but the GUI desktop <> ~/Desktop. Rather those removable media icons are put there by some service util... which util it is varies between desktop environments. If one was to stop or kill this service util, the media icons would vanish, or at least vanish until the service util was restarted.

b. No you didn't screw something up. The service util doesn't effect ~/Desktop, just the GUI.