“He’s gone,” said Owen, his expression blank.  Ava took a deep breath.  “He’s married.”

“When?” asked Owen quietly, and Ava shrugged.  “Yesterday.  I didn’t know either, until he didn’t come down for breakfast this morning.  That’s why I’ve been locked in my room the past few hours, I kind of made a scene.”

Owen looked over her shoulder towards the setting sun.  They were in the pool, balancing on the tips of their toes where the water rose up to their shoulders.  The tips of Ava’s light hair were wet.  Owen kept his tight curls cut close to his head.  His dark brown eyes glimmered when he said quietly, “To who?”

“I don’t know,” answered Ava.  “But knowing her, someone far away.”

Owen leaned back until he was floating, and then pushed himself back towards the wall.  Ava followed.  “Owen, let me marry you.”

He didn’t look at her.  

“Please,” said Ava quietly.  “I don’t want you to go to someone who will hurt you.”

Owen didn’t answer for a moment, avoiding her eyes and looking up at the clear sky.  The sounds of the ocean crashed in the distance.  “I don’t want to marry you.”

“You don’t want to marry any woman,” said Ava quietly.  He swallowed, but she continued.  “But you’ll have to, sooner or later.   Let it be me.  Stay here with me.  I can’t lose you, too.”

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At this he did glance over at her, and then looked back at the sky.  Ava pushed away from the wall and kicked with her feet to keep herself up, interlacing her fingers with him.  “I’ll keep you clean.  You won’t have to do anything except stay here and let me keep you safe.”

Owen straightened himself up, gently pulling his hand back.  She let him.  Her eyes, large and hazel in the golden twilight, pleaded.  They were filled with tears.  So were his.  

Finally he sighed, looking out towards the sun.  “Your mother will never agree.”

Ava smiled slightly.  “Let me handle my mother.”

“You’re seventeen,” said Owen quietly.  “You’re too young.”

“So was he,” answered Ava.  Owen squeezed his eyes shut.  Ava continued. “My mother wants me married as soon as possible.  Before I die, I think.”

Owen smiled, his eyes still shut, but he didn’t look happy.  

“You’re nineteen.  You’re running out of time.  You’re already out of time.  Let me take you.  I’ll keep you safe.”

“I don’t want to marry you,” he said quietly again, less convincingly this time, and she exhaled.  “Better me than someone who will…”

They both completed the thought in their own heads, looking at each other, and Ava splashed her face with water to wash the tears away.  “I know you loved him.  I love him too.  And I love you.  If you stay with me, I’ll keep you safe, and we’ll get him back.  I promise you that.”

“You can’t promise that,” whispered Owen.  “You can’t do it.”

“For you,” she said, moving slightly closer, “and for Penny, I’ll do anything.”

Owen winced at her brother’s name, but didn’t have time to answer.  A soft voice called, “Miss Ava.”

She swallowed, then turned in the pool.  “Bayan.”

“Miss Lilly is looking for you,” said Bayan softly, dipping his bare foot into the water before pulling away.  “And she wants Owen back inside.”

Owen looked at her once more, and didn’t say anything as he pushed off the wall and glided to the ladder.  Ava followed.  Bayan watched them climb out.  He did not say anything, but his eyes shone the same.