Two black carriages, highly lacquered, and as somberly elegant as a pair of hearses, pulled up in front of the captain’s house.

Captain Thompson led the way outside. His dapper suit was brown tweed, nice in a professorial way, but not the most formal thing in the world. His pants were held up by rich leather suspenders that matched his shoes, and his hair and voluminous beard was trimmed and tidy.

He did have one nod to extravagance, a gold chain with a heavy locket was worn over his white linen shirt.

Prin had a feeling that the mysterious mama of the lonesome Valor was contained within, and both father and son were carrying a piece of her with them tonight.

A dainty be-ringed hand waved out the window of the first carriage and Captain Thompson hurried in that direction. Prin bundled Valor along after him, and Elwin, reluctantly, was left behind to share a carriage with the girls.

Prin got into the carriage beside Valor and across from Aster. She gave him an excited smile that crinkled her eyes into half moons.

Aster was wearing a cream colored dress with a full skirt, covered with layers of lace. The outer most layer of lace was woven through with colorful embroidered flowers and greenery. It had a low cut off the shoulder neckline lined with more flowers that looked as though they threatened to spill out of the bodice. Her red curls were bound loosely with a gold circlet across the forehead, like a simple crown.

Seeing the prince’s look of awe, Aster giggled. “This old thing? Just something I had in the back of the closet that I fancied up for the occasion.”

The captain chuckled. He sat close beside Aster, seeming quite pleased with himself that his station in life allowed him to do so, appropriately appreciative of the moment.

“I smell bull in here, and it just took a shit.” The captain teased.

Aster playfully smacked his arm, showing off a corsage of pink and purple flowers around her wrist. “It’s not even bullshit, it’s true.” She laughed. “I was too busy assisting with the suiting up of three lovely young men who are making their societal debut tonight,” She winked at Prin. “to bother with putting something together from scratch. I would say the effort was well worth it though!”

Captain Thompson gave her a tender look. “You are too good to me and mine.” He pulled something that sparkled from his vest pocket. “How’s this for something new then? Well . . . not new, new, but it hasn’t seen the light of day in many years anyway . . .”

He held out the necklace for Aster’s inspection. The delicate gold chain held a center piece of blossoms and leaves rendered in multi colored gold: rose, green, and yellow, with an apple in the center of the greenery. An apple made of a good sized diamond, or other clear stone. But knowing the captain’s pirate past and eye for finery, Prin believed it probably was a real diamond. It daren’t not be.

Aster gasped. “Oh Cornelius! I told you, I don’t know how many times, you don’t have to give me gifts. I’m already won over.” Still, her hand reached out to take the shiny apple, pretty brown eyes sparkling almost as much as the stone.

“This is a special occasion.” The captain said. He bypassed the outstretched hand, and gently turned Aster to the side to fasten the necklace around her neck. He attached the necklace deftly, despite his large hands, and kissed the exposed skin at the nape of her neck. “And you deserve it.”

“Ugh.” Valor looked like he would sink into the seat and disappear. “Its just something out of the old junk box, I’m sure. He stole those decades ago. Let’s not start a makeout session right here in the carriage.”

Prin elbowed him. He knew that Aster’s affections were bought and paid for, but he still found them tooth-achingly sweet together. “Your name is Cornelius?”

“Everyone has a name.” The captain agreed. “Even if some are better at striking fear into the hearts of men then others.” He was beaming with good will and excitement to be on an outing with family and favorite people.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“O-oh, this is just too much.” Aster turned the diamond apple this way and that in admiration. “I’ll give it back after the party.”

“Like hell you will!” Captain Thompson said. “Just don’t let that greedy den mother down where you are take it from you.”

“This makes my gift look like nothing.” Aster said. “But oh well.” She took a box from the floor at her feet. “I wanted everyone to have fresh flowers to wear, so I made corsages and flower crowns, so there would be a variety to choose from.” Aster held out her wrist. “Some of these and . . .” She opened the box and dug in. “Some with pins, or your lapel. And these . . .” She held out a crown full of green ferns, baby’s breath, and violets. “I thought, for you pretty boys?”

“I love it.” The prince took his crown and placed it on his head. “Does it look nice?”

“Very!” Aster assured. She held a second crown with small purple and pink flowers peeking out of lacy ferns. “Valor, if you will consent?”

“Should I?” Valor wondered.

“Man up and wear a head full of flowers, son!” Captain Thompson said jovially, with a teasing grin.

“Or, if you would rather, a lapel pin?” Aster asked. “Although I’m sure you want to match with Prin.”

Valor grimaced but nodded in consent. “As long as it doesn’t make me look stupid, what do I care.”

Aster placed the crown on his head. “It’s just what the outfit needed.”

“I wish there was a photographer, or better yet, a portrait painter!” The captain held his locket in his hand, perhaps thinking how good a painting of a flowery Valor would look in there.

“I didn’t forget you darling.” Aster took out a spray of pink rosebuds held together with an antique ribbon, and pinned it to the captain’s lapel.

“Ah, roses, how appropriate.” The captain said admiringly. “Thank you, my love.”

“Once again I say, ugh.” Valor said. “If this is going to continue, stop the carriage and let me out.”

“Believe it or not, he quite likes you.” The captain told Aster.

“I can tell.” Aster said.

“Very much approves.” The captain said.

“Don’t go overboard.” Valor grumped.

Prin couldn’t help but laugh. It wasn’t hard to picture them as a family.

“It won’t be long until we get there.” Aster assured. “If you’re carriage sick take deep breaths.”

“I’m fine.” Valor said.

“And a sink hole hasn’t swallowed us.” Prin pointed out.

“Yet.” Valor said.

Aster took a suspicious peek out the window and all around herself for hazards. “The evening has barely begun.”

*

Indeed, it didn’t take long to pull up at their destination, even the far side of the island was not too terribly far on this small island.

Prin’s stomach hurt, but he tried not to show it. He was sure, if not the ride itself, then the heavy soup of nervous excitement in the air, had a contributing factor.

The other carriage pulled up behind them and everyone got out. Prin, providing a helping hand to Valor, and Captain Thompson, to Aster.

Prin was not sure he had ever seen Elwin look so happy to see him in his life, and wondered what shenanigans or squabbles the young ladies had been getting into with him as the chaperone.

Aster brought the box of flower accessories over to the others. She offered the last of the flower crowns to Elwin, who hesitate just a moment before donning his crown when he saw one being warn by Prin. The trend setter.

Prin wondered what the others would take.

Wrena snatched a wrist corsage from Aster’s hand, without so much as a thank you and put it on, holding her wrist up to her eyes to admire it.

Dru, however had a strange reaction to Aster. Sizing her up, Dru took a step back, a stony unseasonable expression coming across her face. She refused to take the flowers. Aster reached back in the box and held out a couple examples of the pin on flowers.

“What’s with the getup?” Aster wondered. “It’s very cool though.” She grinned. “Take a flower? A nod to making us all look like we came here together. Like a matched set?” Aster laughed.

Dru’s mouth went together in a stiff line. She reluctantly took a sprig of yellow rosebuds and pinned it on her velvet jacket, all without saying a word. She was normally a chatterer.

It suddenly occurred to Prin what the problem was, she probably recognized Aster and didn’t want her telling her family that she spent a lot of time gambling at Mama Kris’s. Her uncle may have something to say about it. Then again, he spent a lot of time at Mama Kris’s establishment too, so he may know perfectly well that his niece frequented the place.

Aster didn’t seem bothered, walking back away again to stand by the captain’s side. “How do you like it, Prin? The mansion? Practically a castle, isn’t it?”

Others were arriving, and they weren’t the only ones standing and gawping at the magnificence of the grand stone building. The gardens in front were enough to draw the eye. A sculpture garden full of gargoyles and nymphs, carved in white stone.

“Yes.” Prin said. It was nothing like The Vulture, though. A much tidier and newer affair, although it did seem to be taking on some airs of false antiquity.

“A lot of people seem to be staring.” Elwin said. “It’s not just us.” He seemed relieved by this fact.

“Well, there were some major renovations after she moved in, and this is the first year the party has been held here.” Aster said. “Since she’s owned it anyway, whatever happened years ago could be a different story.”

“Who is she?” Prin wondered.

“Didn’t I say? Who was throwing the party this year?” Aster said. Realizing by Prin and Elwin’s blank expressions that she in fact had not said, she added. “Freya, the fortune telling witch of Peacock Island. This is her house. Surprise!”