Prin shot Elwin a sharp look. What was he doing? The last thing that Valor needed was to be mad (for a valid reason, at that) with his father. His best advocate in the world. Why did Elwin have to say that?

Valor nodded sagely. “So he does know more than he let on.”

“Let’s just not—Let’s focus on the main thing here –” Prin stumbled over his words, trying to make it stop.

“Wait, how do you know he knows something?” Valor asked Elwin, his head tilted to the side like a puppy. He seemed to have forgotten all about Prin and what he had done to Aster. Which is just what Prin wanted. But not like this!

“I-“ Elwin started.

“Valor!” Prin said. “You’re going to be better! Lucky even! Okay, neutral maybe. But can you imagine what life will be like?” Prin put his hands on Valor’s shoulders. “You won’t be sick so much and accident prone all the time. And you can have friends and relationships without worrying about them being collateral damage!”

Prin began to panic, the epic freakout that Valor would have when he learned that his father, however unintentionally, caused the curse. He didn’t think he could take it on top of everything. Elwin seemed to get the point, and stop trying to reply.

“It will be a whole new life for you.” Elwin said instead.

Valor’s confused and considering expression couldn’t hold and he broke into a grin exposing too many teeth. Rows of near transparent pearls that Prin did not dream he had.

Valor let out a squeal that started soft and rose to an epic level that probably scared every mouse on the block into hiding behind its whiskers.

“Oh no.” Prin looked around himself to see Aster finally stirring. Wrinkling her nose up in discomfort as her hands fluttered on top of the bed clothes and lifted up to cover her paining ears.

“That’s enough of that!” Elwin laughed, more delighted than anything. He scooped Valor into his arms and hugged him, patting his back until the squealing subsided. “Better now? Do you have it out of your system?”

Valor laughed too. Before starting to hiccup like a child after crying. He couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

Prin felt like crying. The feeling was a painful joy mixed with doubt. What if he was wrong and the curse would still be there as strong as ever? Only time would tell.

Elwin got up and brought Valor a glass of water, pressing it into his hand.

“Thanks.” Valor wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, clearing the tears that had gathered there. “I just – can’t believe this.”

“Mmm.” Aster groaned. She wiggled back and forth.

“You’re going to fall off the bed there.” Elwin hurried around to the other side of the bed and reached out a hand to catch Aster if she wiggled right over the side.

Prin’s eyes went to the door. Could he quickly get out of there without having a confrontation with Aster? He moved to get up, but Valor grabbed his arm firmly.

“Prin, it’s all thanks to you.” Valor said. “I’ll never forget you’re the one who did this for me. I mean why would you –” He trailed off, as though about to say something self pitying, about no one caring, but stopping himself in the face of obvious proof otherwise.

Prin looked over at Aster, anxious to run away from her before it was too late. “I was just in the right place at the right time.” He said. “I didn’t expect her to be a witch, I was as shocked as anyone would be.” Of course I did chase her into the ocean, he didn’t feel the need to add.

Aster opened her eyes. “Wha time is it?” Her sentence slurred together into one long word.

“Late.” Elwin said. “Would you like something to drink or eat? It doesn’t really matter what time it is when you’re unwell.” He gently pushed Aster over a little, away from the bed’s edge.

Aster turned her head and her eyes met Prin’s.

Oh well, the confrontation was bound to happen eventually. Although he would have rather it be in private and not around Elwin and Valor.

“I don’t know.” Aster said, still staring Prin directly in the eyes. “Are you here? Wait, am I here?”

“Maybe a little something to take the edge of the medication.” Elwin suggested. He went to the tray of foods that was still sitting virtually untouched. “Sweet or salty? How about this.” He took a little cake and brought it over to Aster. “Try this one.”

Aster opened her mouth and took the bite sized cake Elwin had offered, chewing thoughtfully. The whole time, trapping Prin in a prison of her dark eyes. Even wider and blacker without the benefit of kohl and eye shadow adornment, and with the pupils dilated to swallow up the less aggressively colored brown-gold of her iris.

“See if that brings your appetite back and I’ll get you something else.” Elwin offered. Always the care taker, sweet Elwin.

Prin didn’t know what to say. “I’m here.” He said finally.

Valor was pulling on his arm, trying to drag him closer.

Aster tried to sit up a little straighter, failing on her first attempt and slumping back down, before finally succeeding in propping herself up on her good arm. She made a face and smacked her lips together. “Could I have something to drink?”

Elwin considered the, now cold, tea before rejecting it, and pouring some water out of a pitcher. He held it out to Aster.

Aster took it, though her arm was shaking as she held the cup, she downed all of the water.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Hey? Can you get rid of any of the pain medicine that’s left?” Aster asked. “Get rid of it, or I’ll take it.”

“Are you sure? You’re bound to be in some pain. That was a pretty – a pretty nasty cut.” Elwin said hesitantly.

“Yes.” Aster said.

“Oh, just let yourself be drunk for a few days. Who cares?” Valor said. “If we can put up with the way you were acting, you can put up with the drowsiness.”

“I have a feeling I will need to have a clear head.” Aster said. She enunciated each word very carefully, the effort in her voice showing it was only done with some difficulty.

“Pfft.” Valor waved her words away. “We will look after you.”

Prin was the first to look away, the strength of the eye contact (not to mention the guilt) becoming too much to bear. “I’m sorry.” He said, barely a whisper.

Valor was silent now, realizing what was going on. Although at least he was in the know.

Aster turned to Elwin. “Does he have a brother? Like a twin brother?”

“No.” Elwin said.

“Are you sure?” Aster asked. “Identical cousin?” She said this last part with a bit of her old self returning, a wry lopsided grin.

“No, we’ve been together since we were toddlers so I would know if there was one.” Elwin said dryly.

“You went through something traumatic, it seems. I’m sure your memory is playing all kinds of tricks on you.” Valor said, trying to be helpful. “You probably are dreaming right now, come to think of it.” His ice colored eyes roamed around the room, as though in their own way they searched for any way to break the tension.

Prin did love him for trying. He was so loyal. Prin put his hand on Valor’s arm and patted it. “It’s alright. Aster deserves to know the truth even if she hates me for it.” There was a hitch in his voice. “I did it, it was me.”

“I know that, silly.” Aster narrowed her eyes at Prin. “I was there.”

“Maybe now isn’t the best time after all.” Elwin said. “Can I get you some hot tea from the kitchen? Or warm up this soup on the stove?”

“You said . . . because I saw what you did to that man.” Aster put her hand over her face. “That you couldn’t let me live. But you did, and now – Why am I here? The fire.”

“Setting the fire was my idea.” Elwin said. He looked around himself, like he had a habit of doing when he was saying something he was scared to have overheard.

It kind of reminded Prin of the exaggerated motions in a puppet theater, it was endearing. He was so lucky to have people in his life that had his back like Elwin and Valor. He tried to remind himself of this as he could feel Aster slipping away from him.

“It was the best way to get rid of evidence that we could think of.” Elwin went on. “Oh wait, actually it was your idea. You kept saying fire, I don’t know if it –”

“Wait, what?! What fire?” Aster dropped her hand and sat fully up in bed, wincing as she did. “You set a fire? My house – Oh my god.”

“It’s gone, it’s all gone.” Prin had known this would hit Aster hard. All the loving and pain staking care she had gone to in making a ramshackle shed into a home. Not to mention the dresses made entirely by her own hand . . . Prin started to cry.

“What? No –” Now Aster was crying. She abruptly moved to the side of the bed and got down, shoving Elwin aside. The bed was taller then most and the distance to the floor, unexpected to someone who had been carried over and placed in the bed. Not to mention, Aster was short.

Aster half jumped and half fell, scrambling up and stumbling to the door. She was holding her arm, no doubt jarred in the fall.

“Aster, where are you going?” Elwin asked, following behind her. “Let’s talk about this. I’m the one that – I think it was the only thing to do under the circumstances. I’m sorry. It’s not like you could have gone back anyway.”

“I have to go back! And see if there’s anything that can be saved.” Sweat stood out on Aster’s skin, like her whole body was crying. She fumbled for the doorknob and banged on the door with both fists.

“Stop. Please, stop.” Elwin said. He seemed perplexed by the notion that losing one’s home and possessions would be more upsetting then being horrifically bitten by your friend. As though the fire should have been washed away as insignificant compared to the injury.

Prin got it. He just didn’t know what to do about it. “There are a few things . . .” He belatedly remembered. “El, bring her back to bed, she’s not in any position to –”

“No one knows you’re here, they can’t know. Remember?” Elwin, still trying to plead to reason, put his hand in the way of the door and had it bashed by one of Aster’s small but mighty fists.

Elwin pulled his hand away, wincing.

“I didn’t mean to do that. Let me go!” Aster said.

“What is going on in here!” The door flew open and Wrena stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips, she was wearing a pink bathrobe and her hair was up in rag curlers. But her voice resonated in a deeper tone then usual and she knew how to stand to give herself a commanding presence. So, she was the captain’s daughter after all.

Aster fell forward and Wrena caught her, gathering her close to her chest. “Are you okay?” After a moment, she leaned back to take in Aster’s appearance. “No, you’re not.”

Elwin reached out to take Aster from Wrena’s arms. Wrena turned her body away from his grasp, sheltering Aster in her arms.

“Seriously. Valor?” She looked to her brother, serious voice brooking no bullshit.

“Everything is fine.” He said smoothly, his hand possessively on Prin. “Just a momentary disturbance.”

Wrena narrowed her eyes and curled up the side of her mouth in disdain. “I forgot I don’t trust you.” She looked back down at Aster, who seemed to be momentarily stunned and not really trying to get away from her. “Is someone trying to hurt you?”

“I- no.” Aster stammered. “I just-”

Wrena gasped when she saw a spot of blood on her robe, tracing it back to the now bloody bandage around Aster’s arm. “I’ll go get my father.” She said firmly.

She turned back toward Elwin and this time allowed him to take Aster from her arms.

“No-oo.” Aster whined. But it was clear the fight had gone out of her for the moment, and she slumped into Elwin.

“I don’t know what is going on here. But I soon will!” Wrena said, as she took herself off down the hallway at a brisk pace.

“Now everyone knows for sure.” Elwin said. He picked Aster up in his arms and put her back in the bed. “Please be still. Please.”

“Don’t worry about her.” Valor said. “She’s a pissant, but she would never do anything . . . to endanger the family. I don’t think.”

Barely a moment later, Captain Thompson came storming into the room. He was still fully dressed for the day and clearly had not been to bed yet.

“Son, you had but the one job.” He said, shaking his head in disappointment.

“Yes, but if I did that one well you might give me another one.” Valor said. “And then where would it end?”

Prin wanted to laugh but was afraid if he let it bubble up out of his throat it would never stop and he would go insane.

Aster was sobbing quietly, not really looking at anyone, but covering her face with the corner of the bed sheet.

“My darling, what have these ruffians done to you?” The captain shot a glare at Prin and Elwin, obviously expecting more out of them.

“Nothing – I – I fell out of bed.” Aster managed through the tears.

“You can’t be doing that now.” Captain Thompson said softly. He looked at her arm. “You went and busted your stitches. Already? Never mind, it’s alright.” He put his big arms ever so gently around her and gave her a hug. “I’ll fix it up for ya.”

“A-a-and they burned up all my things.” Aster burst into a new round of helpless tears.

“O-oh, is that what this is about? I can fix that too.” The captain picked Aster up in his arms, grunting a little but not having too much trouble. He opened the side table drawer and put the medicines in his pocket. “Let’s get you out of here, where you can get some peace and quiet.”

He walked to the door, stopping to jostle Aster into one arm and point at Prin, Elwin, and Valor, with the other. “You boys, go to sleep!” he roared.

“Well . . . That went.” Valor said, once his father had gone down the hall and out of ear shot. In answer to the question, how did it go? Which no one was asking.

At the same time, Elwin, looking down at his bruised hand and thoroughly chastened. “I think we got in trouble.”

“I didn’t even have a chance to explain about the curse.” Prin said glumly.