“Through the window.” Elwin cocked his thumb in the direction of the bedroom window, in case it needed pointed out.

“Can confirm.” Valor added. “Although I didn’t see it, obviously. It seemed like it was all very dramatic.”

“Through the . . .” Aster gazed through the window for a moment before turning back to Valor and putting her hand on his cheek, leaning in closer. “You’re so cu-uute.”

“I doubt it.” Valor said, leaning away. “Aster is hallucinating.”

“Silly.” Aster waved at him. “Silly boy. Do I offend? Do I stink?”

Valor wriggled his nose at her. “A little, sweat and blood. It’s not that though, I just don’t li- I don’t . . . to be touched unnecessarily.”

“I’m not hallucinating.” Aster assured. “But I might be drunk. What was in that medicine?” She waved her hand again. “Eh, don’t tell me. It doesn’t matter.”

“You . . . lost a lot of blood. It would be bound to make you feel weird and light headed.” Elwin said cautiously. He put his hand to her forehead to gage her temperature. It felt cool to the touch. “No fever.”

“It would be too soon for infection to set in. Does your arm hurt?” Valor asked. He had scooched a little further away on the bed from Aster, while still inclining his head toward her in concern.

“My arm?” Aster unwrapped the bandage and looked down at the zig zag of stiches like angry black teeth. “It just feels tight, I guess.”

“That would be the medicine.” Valor nodded sagely. “You came to the right place. My father may not be the best surgeon in the world but he will do his best to keep you happy while you recuperate. He has . . . more attachment to you then just what he has paid money for.”

Elwin thought that was a weird way to phrase it, though anyone could see that the captain wore his feelings on his sleeve regarding Aster. He was curious where this was going.

“I kno-oow.” Aster sighed. “It’s a side effect of my line of work.”

Elwin went to Aster and redid the bandage. “Best to leave it alone.” He said.

Aster leaned against Elwin. “Thank you.” She said, although it wasn’t clear if it was for the bandage, the concern, or other things. “You are so kind, I can see why Pr—” Aster cut herself off in the middle and seemed to trail off in confusion.

What was she thinking about when she thought of Prin? Did she not remember some, or all of what had happened? If so it could be a temporary effect of being heavily medicated. Elwin knew better then to count on it, but at the same time he didn’t want to do or say anything to trigger the memories.

Luckily, Valor had distraction covered.

“If you think you could grow to love him, you could just stay with us forever.” Valor said thoughtfully. “And eat good food, and wear fine clothes, and never have to work at all. I don’t think I would mind, is what I’m saying. As long as my father is happy.”

“Awww.” Aster launched herself at Valor and scooped him into an unwilling hug. “Stay with you forever? I don’t know why anyone ever thought you were a bad boy. You are such a good boy.” She rocked him in her arms and nuzzled her face into his hair.

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While Valor’s pale cheeks turned red and the fine hairs on his arms stood on end. If he had been a cat, which Elwin half thought he was, he would have scratched her in the face.

“But I can’t be your new mama.” Aster said sweetly, still holding him tightly in her arms. “I’m sorry.”

Valor wedged his arms in between them and pushed her roughly away. “I know! No one asked you to!”

“Gentle!” Elwin said, as though talking to a young child who didn’t know his strength. “Aster is injured and doesn’t half know what she’s doing.”

“You’re practically the same age as my sister. And a boy!” Valor said. “Also I’m grown and don’t need one!” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve changed my mind. I couldn’t stand to have you around after all.”

Aster frowned. “You’re mad at me, aren’t you?” She was holding her injured arm, squeezing the bandaged area.

“Settle down you two.” Elwin held back on saying the word, kids, although he was thinking it. He pried Aster’s hand off her arm, and lifted her to put her back down again under the covers with her head against the pillows. “Shh, he’s not mad.” Elwin fibbed, smoothing Aster’s hair away from her face. “Take a nap now.”

“I am so mad.” Valor said.

Aster blinked slowly, a sleepiness finally overtaking her. “Have you ever been to a place like I work, little one?” She asked, her voice slurring, sliding around like a piece of cheese on a slippery cracker. “I bet you don’t even know what goes on in there.”

“Of course I do.” Valor said, forcefully but not as angry, his voice softening as he remembered he was dealing with someone who was far from at her best at the moment. “I’m not as innocent as you think.”

“In a couple years, whenever you’re ready, I’ll introduce you to some girls you will really like, or not girls if you prefer.” Aster said, half asleep but still trying to continue the conversation, though it was unclear whether she was trying to console Valor or pick on him. “Some of the best lovers are not necessarily the prettiest ones, present company excluded I hope! So-oo you have an advantage in not choosing one by looks . . .”

“I don’t need any help with that, thanks.” Valor said dryly.

“I kno-oow, it’s just an offer. I’m trying to be nii-ice.” Aster waved at him dismissively. “Plus, it’s a good learning experience. Plenty of rich men’s sons . . .”

Aster’s half lidded eyes fell closed mid sentence and she snuggled into the pillows.

“She’s asleep.” Elwin said, keeping his voice soft and quiet.

“Thank the gods.” Valor tilted his head to the ceiling, as though pale eyes implored a heavenly being on his behalf. “I don’t know how much more of that I can take.”

“The medication loosens your inhibitions.” Elwin said, by way of making apologies. “I know when Prin would be really sick and we would have to bring out the stronger tonics, he would say funny half dreaming things. Try to be patient.”

“It’s not my strong suit.” Valor said.

“I know but . . . Aster was right, you are a good boy.” Elwin said. He thought he had seen progress in Valor even in the short time they had known him. But he tended to have a soft spot for the needy ones. The troublesome ones.

“Oh shut up.” Valor said.

“I think that was really nice what you said about wanting your father to be happy and all.” Elwin said.

“Of course I do.” Valor said. “He wants the same for me, I guess.”

“Yes.” Elwin said. “He does.”

“How is Prin?” Valor asked, bluntly, like he had been holding it in for the right moment.

“He’s okay. He’s sleeping.” Elwin said. “He always gets really tired when he . . .” Elwin really didn’t want to finish that sentence, so he didn’t.

“No, I mean, did he really do this?” Valor inclined his head in the direction of the sleeping Aster. “I don’t understand. Because he always made me . . . He always talked very highly of Aster.”

“Aster is one of his favorite people in the world.” Elwin agreed.

Valor shook his head. “Then why did he do it?”

Elwin glanced at the door behind himself, and the sleeping Aster, before lowering his voice further. “I haven’t got it out of him yet, if he even knows himself.”

“Is this an escalation?” Valor wondered. “So none of us are safe?”

Elwin was silent a moment, trying his damnedest to formulate an even remotely upbeat answer to this question, to take the sting out of it by even a fraction. After all, the cursed Prin, the hungry one, the other side Prin, had several chances to take him out in the past and had never done it. He had almost thought it never would, that there was some invisible boundary that would be too far even for it to pass.

He was wrong.

“None of us are safe.” Elwin said.