“Well, do you have it?” Mama Kris asked. She crossed her arms over her chest. “The amount shouldn’t be any problem for someone of your caliber.” Her smile widened, and she reached out a hand as though to coquettishly pat him on the chest.

The captain leaned away from her. “You know very well most people couldn’t come up with that kind of money on the spur of the moment. Luckily I’m not most people.” He shuffled some papers on the table. “I need you to sign this document.”

“We need to see Aster.” Jules declared. “This isn’t right. How do I even know – I need to see Aster to make sure this is what he wants.”

“I told you already. He’s in no shape to talk to you. Or to work with you any more.” The captain said. “I’m doing you a favor more then anything. If you’ve seen what a fire can do.”

“I don’t care what he looks like.” Jules said. “Or if he can talk.”

“Quiet.” Mama Kris said through clenched teeth. “You are mooning like a calf taken too soon from the teat.”

“But you said we would see Aster!” Jules said.

Mama Kris looked like she wanted to slap him. “What does it matter?”

“You don’t want to see Aster like he is now.” Captain Thompson said ominously. “In fact, it is amazing that he survived and he might rather not have.”

Mama Kris shook her head, looking down at her shoes. Yet still she smiled. Probably thinking about all that money. “A cursed creature from the beginning. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the fire came back to claim him.”

“That’s horse shit.” Jules said roughly.

“And now, dead.” The captain said firmly, ignored Jules, addressing the important person in the room. “Did you already dispose of the, you know?” He was not one to mince words but cast a sideways glance at the bodyguard at the door. He wasn’t stupid, either.

“The corpse is done away with.” Kris said dismissively, as though it had been as easy as cleaning out a rat trap. “And the seed is already planted with the girls that Aster was probably consumed in the fire.”

“Don’t you have an office we could be doing this in?” Jules took a step toward the door leading into the house.

Prin cringed, ducking down as though he could be seen through the door. He couldn’t bring himself to leave his prime spot though. Even at risk of discovery.

“Right here is fine.” The captain said firmly. “And we’re almost done in any case.”

“You know this is really putting me out.” Mama Kris put her hands on her hips. “Do you have any idea how much revenue losing Aster-Rose is going to cost me? I have no draw on this island like him.” This time it looked like she was trying to school her features into a frown but finding it difficult.

“Wouldn’t be a draw no more.” The captain said.

“I don’t believe you.” Jules said. “Mama, he’s lying.” Jules quickly walked to the door and shoved it open

Prin really should have been more prepared for the blow from the door, but he wasn’t and fell down hard on his butt in the hallway. He smiled up at Jules with a sheepish look, falling back on the little old me, never done nothing to anybody routine. A good stand by, though Jules didn’t seem the type to buy it.

“What the hell?” Jules scratched his head, one of his long yellow braids falling loose from the cloak. He was looking at Prin, less angry and more startled, like he was a raccoon.

“Stop right there! I don’t give you permission to go into my house as you like.” The captain said. He turned around and reached for Jules but he was too late and Jules had stepped over Prin and stormed into the house.

Prin scrambled out of the way as Captain Thompson and Mama Kris followed Jules down the hallway.

“Really, Jules, you are embarrassing us both.” Mama Kris said, although her tone was that of a very mild, almost faux rebuke.

Prin got up quickly and followed them. He really did hope that Aster had locked that door.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“I said stop! Is no one listening to a word I say?” The captain asked.

“Oh calm down, what are you going to do? Call off the deal?” Mama Kris asked. “My stupid son gets unreasonably attached to some of the girls. If he wants to say goodbye, what’s the harm? After this Aster is yours anyway to do with as you like.” She waved her gloved hand in his direction. “Whatever’s left of him anyway.”

Jules led the procession upstairs, calling for Aster as he went.

Captain Thompson finally caught up to him and put his hand hard on his shoulder. “That’s enough, boy, you’ll scare my children with this caterwauling.”

True enough, Wrena peeked out of her room, with Dru’s face popping up beside her. Wrena’s eyes went as big around as dinner plates, but not Dru who was watching with curiosity bordering on delight. It seemed nothing phased her.

If Valor was listening from his room, he preferred not to be seen doing it.

Jules ignored the growing audience until the captain’s bedroom door was the next to be opened. Not a crack, but a good half way opening. Enough to see Aster standing there.

She was tiny in her bare feet, a pale bedraggled figure that was overwhelmed by her masses of wild hair. “What’s all this fuss?”

“Aster!” Jules exclaimed, as though surprised after all to actually find her at home and on her feet. And of course, not disfigured in any obvious way. Although his eyes lingered on the thoroughly bandaged arm. He rushed forward as though to hug her.

“Careful.” Aster said, shrinking back into the doorway.

“You look . . . . fine.” Jules said hesitantly. Relief, confusion, and spiteful anger all flashed across his features. He was not good at hiding what he was thinking. He dropped his arms to his side but took Aster’s hand instead and looked at it in his. “See, mama? He’s not disfigured at all.” He leaned toward Aster and examined her face. “Face just as pretty as ever!”

Prin was tensed up, he didn’t think this would turn into violence but he didn’t like Jules touching Aster. And he knew the captain felt the same way.

“Mmm hmm. Certainly seems that way.” Mama Kris said. The money was clearly such that a little lie couldn’t come between her and it.

“Did I ever say it was his face that was maimed?” Captain Thompson huffed. “I just said he couldn’t work for you anymore.”

Aster took her hand back from Jules and motioned to herself below the waist. “Nothing there but scorched earth, like an asteroid hit.” She reached to the bottom of her chemise as though to pull it up over her head. “Wanna see?”

Jules flinched away. “No! No . . . of course not.” His eyes were narrowed though, and he looked around at all the people in the hallway or watching them. It was clear if they had been alone he would have demanded the proof.

Aster frowned and swayed slightly, holding onto the door for support. “If you’ll ‘scuse me, I’m not really ready to be out of bed.”

Jules bent toward her, looking like he would be ready to catch Aster if she fell. “I just wanted . . . Do you have everything you need?”

Aster flashed a winsome smile. “Of course, hun. I’m jacked up on the good poppy juice right now, which is all I could want.”

“Then, are you where you want to be? Because I don’t care what mama says.” He flashed a glare over his shoulder. “I will call off the deal right now and take you wherever you want to go. Maybe a proper medical facility on the main land . . .”

“I’ll be fine.” Aster said. “I’m where I want to be. And I thank you for caring.”

Jules, unable to resist, put his arm around Aster and guided her into a gentle butterfly-kiss of a hug. Seeming at least somewhat convinced of the burn story, or not willing to take the chance anyway.

“Good luck in your future endeavors.” Mama Kris said. “Even if you are a little thief.” She said this last part almost like a term of endearment, or an inside joke that had passed between them many times.

“I only stole from you because I was hungry.” Aster said wearily. “And I think you’ve had it back from me many hundred fold by now.”

“Fair enough.” Mama Kris said. “None of that matters now.” She took Jules arm and pulled him away. “Let’s go finish our dealings now, if you’re satisfied you brat.”

Jules sighed. He cast a lonely look over his shoulder as his mother guided him away.

Aster didn’t look at him.

After they had disappeared down the hall and, presumably, back to the kitchen, Prin went to Aster. “Why did you open the door?” he wondered.

Aster took his arm for support, and walked with him back to the bed. “Thanks, bunny.” She sat down and got comfortable again against the pillows.

Prin started picking up some of the loose treasures that had fallen on the floor and putting them in a basket that was laying there among the captain’s mess.

“I figured he wasn’t gonna give up, yaknow? He’s not that type.” Aster said, her voice sleepy and sloshing around a bit.

“Have you been eating?” Prin asked.

“I can’t remember.” Aster said.

“I’ll get you something.” Prin tucked Aster in under the covers. “You shouldn’t be up and moving around yet. You’re weak.”

“I do feel a bit dizzy. But, Prin . . .” Aster trailed off.

“Yes?” Prin asked. He put his lips to Aster’s forehead, trying to feel for a fever but he couldn’t tell. Elwin would be much better at that than he was.

“We have to get off this island.” Aster said. “Soon. It’s not something to mess around with.” The word mess sounded like mesh. Aster had probably taken a lot of pain meds, as she had said to Jules.

“I know. I have to get to work on that.” Prin said. “You need to rest and eat and build up your strength though, don’t be worried about details.”

“Like the fact that I was just sold for a lot of money?” Aster grimaced to show what she thought about that. “I have a feeling my captain grossly over paid.”

Prin couldn’t help a sad little laugh at that. “Yeah, like that. Are you in terrible pain? You can tell me.”

“Well . . . no, it’s not so bad at the moment.” Aster said.

“I’m so sorry.” Prin said.

“It wasn’t you, it wasn’t your fault.” Aster said. “I’ve been through worse, I’ll be okay.”

“In any case you will need some time.” Prin said. “I don’t think those two will bother you anymore though, so you can relax. On that front anyway.”

“Maybe.” Aster said. “We still have to go though.”