The mysterious figure on the stairs, who glowed like the constellations in the night sky, slowly descended as the people stopped chatting and watched in awe. Soon, everyone was looking, and as the music reached a crescendo, she threw off the velvet cloak that was concealing her.

Underneath was a voluminous gown in a pink so bright it would make the roses of the garden sick with jealousy.

The waiting audience gasped and then laughed and clapped in delight.

Freya clapped for herself along with them, smiling in impish glee.

She was a slight woman, beneath the yards of fabric and ribbon that threatened to overwhelm her, her silver hair was piled on top of her head in a confection of bows and gold combs. She was of oddly indeterminate age, the hair color of an elder at mismatch with her face and girlish posture.

Prin was forcefully reminded of the youth, the witch he had seen for himself, before hearing all others refer to them as an “old woman”. The one who had done this, whatever exactly this was, to him.

Maybe this was the same witch? Though it didn’t seem likely. Maybe this witch had the same power. Or maybe the power of changing your appearance was one that all witches possessed.

Her eyes were green. Like fire, in a way that fire should be but wasn’t. Like the sprouts of new plants. Like lies.

Maybe everything about her appearance was made up to suit herself and her audience.

The prince couldn’t look away, and couldn’t think in a straight line, for all the ideas and wonderings that were flying around in there.

“She is amazing at reading the cards. You should get yours done.” Mama Kris was telling Valor. “Help you prepare for what’s to come, you know?”

As the witch was engulfed by the crowd at the foot of the stairs, Prin was certain he couldn’t elbow his way closer to her now, it would have to wait until the excitement died down. He turned to Elwin who was watching wide eyed.

“I didn’t expect that.” Elwin said. “So much pink.”

“She reminds me of the one, my witch.” Prin said softly.

Elwin nodded, squeezing him a little closer.

“Not so impressive to me.” Valor said haughtily.

“How would you know if you couldn’t even see her?” Jules asked, tilting his head to the side curiously.

The two of them were both showing a little too much interest in Valor for the prince’s liking and he wondered what they were playing at.

“Oh, she’s impressive all right.” Mama Kris assured.

“It was a joke.” Valor said dryly.

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Mama Kris laughed. “Of course!”

“She came down the stairs in a dark cloak, only to suddenly throw it off to reveal a dress . . . that makes her look like a giant carnation.” Elwin said helpfully.

Mama Kris laughed again. This time Jules joined her.

“I was thinking more like a rose in full bloom!” Mama Kris said.

“Really, what was she thinking?” Jules laughed.

“The surprise factor was definitely intentional.” Mama Kris stuck up for her favorite fortune teller.

“And that music!” Jules exclaimed.

By this point people around them were starting to glare, the rudeness to their hostess too blatant.

The band began now to play dance music, and the people, to go back to snacking, chatting, and drinking.

“I definitely need another drink.” Valor said. “The crowds are making my skin crawl.”

“I’ll get it.” Mama Kris flagged down a passing server and lifted a glass of champagne for herself and one for Valor.

She handed Valor the champagne and he took a drink of it.

Elwin chewed on his lip. “Does he know people can put things in your drink?” He whispered to Prin.

“I think it’s okay.” Prin said, not entirely sure. At this point he just wanted to be separated from Mama Kris and Jules but, as long as they were still standing there he had to say at least something. Didn’t he?

“These are Aster’s jailers.” Prin suddenly said to Valor, surprised at his own boldness.

“Jailers. Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Mama Kris asked. “There are no bars around my establishment.” She sipped her drink, obviously not too bothered by what he was saying.

As an innocent person would be, Prin would think. “Well then why can’t Aster leave whenever she wants to?”

“There is a certain debt to be paid off first.” Mama Kris said. “But why are we talking business? This is supposed to be a party!”

“I guess it’s a pretty steep one.” The prince said. He could tell Elwin was getting anxious. But he should just be glad this was happening in a public place. What could they do?

Mama Kris played with her bracelets and looked around as though wanting someone else to call her over, and away from this conversation. “That is between myself and Aster.” She said.

The prince nodded. “That’s what I thought.” It must be a huge sum of money. But how could Aster ever be expected to pay it if she was being controlled every minute and probably charged hefty room and board for her jail cell? “If it’s just a matter of debt, it could be paid off early, right?”

“Everything has a price.” Mama Kris admitted.

“Some things have a price that’s damn near unpayable.” Jules said, eyes flashing a salty look in Prin’s direction. One that said, especially not by you. “Unless you’re a prince or something.”

Prin laughed nervously. It’s not like being a prince would do him any good in that regard, it didn’t come with a paycheck. He could see this was going downhill fast, if he thought he had at all endeared himself to these people it was all over now.

“Aster-Rose does class up the joint quite a bit.” Mama Kris laughed, downing the last of her glass of champagne. “Those outfits! And you can’t buy class.” She waved her hand dismissively at Prin and Elwin. “It was a pleasure to meet you but we had better be making the rounds. Be sociable. Good for business and all that.” She took Valor’s hand again in hers and squeezed it. “Especially nice meeting you, very important person, Valor. I hope to see you in my establishment some time soon. If you think lack of vision would be any detriment, you can always let your nose decide. Go with the one who smells the prettiest.” She laughed again, amused at herself, and maybe slightly tipsy.

Once they had gone, Valor said to Prin. “What an odd pair.”

“I think your father should pay out the debt.” Prin said decisively.

“There goes my inheritance.” Valor said.

“They didn’t sound too . . . likely to actually go through with it.” Elwin said cautiously.

“You heard the lady, everything has its price.” The prince said. That would be a first avenue to pursue, but certainly not the last if that one didn’t work out.

“What happened to Wrena?” Prin asked. He was looking for someone to hand Valor over to temporarily while he tried to talk to the witch.

Elwin shrugged. “Who knows?”

“She can handle herself.” Valor said dismissively. “Like a dog in the early stage of rabies.”

Prin found the sibling rivalry tiresome, but that was kind of funny.