“Did that sound like a threat to anyone else, besides me?” Elwin wondered. He sat down on the foot of the bed across from Prin, and watched the door the girl had just retreated out of in wonder. The last person in the world he would have thought would threaten him.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way.” Prin said, but his voice, quivery and uneasy, put lie to his words. “What a strange thing to say.”

“I think she meant it exactly like that . . . But why say it?” Elwin said. He felt a protective surge for both Prin and Valor.

“Maybe she’s jealous, and doesn’t even realize it herself.” Prin suggested.

“I love it that you always want to think the best of people.” Elwin said. His prince was so pure and sweet, even after everything he had been through.

“I think maybe we should tell someone. Captain Thompson, or maybe just Mrs. Frances.” He added.

“You think so? Won’t she lose her job?” Prin asked. He took the wash cloth from Valor’s forehead and smoothed back the damp hair. “Is it really that serious?”

“Hmmm . . . it was just so strange. After we’ve never heard two words from her before now. I don’t even know her name, do you?” Elwin was pretty sure he was being paranoid, but who could blame him when sometimes it really did seem like everything was out to get them?”

Prin grimaced. “I may have forgotten.”

“She has been sort of forgettable.” Elwin said. “Until today.”

Thankfully Valor began to stir, saving them from further angst on the subject of finding good help these days.

“Can I have something to drink.” Valor said. His voice cracking in the middle, less due to emotion and more from a throat as dry as desert clay.

“Of course!” Prin squeaked.

Elwin got up and quickly fetched a mug of water from the pitcher left on Valor’s side table.

“How do you feel?” Prin asked.

Valor quickly drank down the mug of water, coughing and sputtering when it went down the wrong pipe.

Prin patted his back.

“Terrible.” Valor finally got out. “Like I was run over by a horse.”

“You poor thing.” Prin said. “I’ve never – I’ve rarely seen something so awful in my life.”

“Prin thought for a moment you might have been faking it.” Elwin couldn’t help himself.

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“I did not!” Prin was outraged. “Okay . . . fair, it did cross my mind.” Maybe not that outraged.

“What happened?” Valor asked.

“You had a seizure.” Elwin said.

“Did it make them leave?” Valor asked.

“Sort of, but I think they were going anyway.” Elwin said. “Your father really had enough of those two.”

Valor nodded. “I’ll take credit then.”

Prin kissed his cheek. “Next time come up with a less scary distraction.” He teased. “We were so worried.”

“This used to happen sometimes when I was a kid.” Valor said.

“You’re still a kid.” Elwin pointed out.

“I may have misled you as to the state of my health.” Valor said sheepishly to Prin.

“It only takes one look at you to tell.” Elwin said.

“That bad, huh?” Valor asked.

“No it’s not.” Prin said. “You’re just pale and thin like I used to be when I was sick all the time. You’re still cute though.”

“Sure.” Valor said. But a little half smile graced his face.

And he was sort of cute at that.

“Those men, we have to find out who sent them.” Valor said, taking a serious turn. “That’s who has a vested interest in railroading you.”

“Is it really railroading . . ?” Prin wondered, leaving the final part unspoken. If it’s true?

“They have no idea what they’re talking about.” Valor said. “They just wanted you to think they do.” He coughed again and leaned back against his pillows. “Don’t let anything slip.”

Elwin filled up his water and handed it back to him. “You need to rest.”

“Does Aster know? Because they will be interrogating him next.” Valor said ominously.

“Oh no, no no.” Prin said, waving his hands in denial. “No. Even if she did, she wouldn’t . . . do that to me. Get me in trouble.”

“You don’t know what people will say,” Valor said, “if they are properly threatened.”

“You read all this in books, I’d imagine.” Elwin said dryly. “Or, rather, had it read to you.” He added, realizing his mistake.

“So?” Valor asked. “Doesn’t make it less true. It’s common sense.”

“Aster doesn’t know anything.” Prin said.

“I have a feeling she isn’t intimidated by authority figures.” Elwin said. He was pretty sure Aster also didn’t need him and Prin coming to her defense. Yet here they were.

“Are they even in authority? I’m surprised my father let them in the door.” Valor closed his eyes again, sagging into the bed.

“He won’t be making that mistake again.” Elwin said.

“Oh . . . but they will try.” Prin chewed on the corner of his lip. “They said . . .”

“We should go. Valor needs to sleep, he can barely keep his eyes open.” Elwin said.

“What if . . . those men go to bother Aster and the fairy eats them.” Valor mumbled, chuckling at the idea. It ended in a weak coughing fit.

“I don’t think it’s violent.” Prin said. With a face that clearly said, I hope.

Valor nuzzled into his pillows, and, as if on cue, his two familiars jumped up on the bed beside him and settled in for a nap.

“I can’t leave him.” Prin said, motioning to the helpless Valor. “He needs me by his side. What if . . . There are too many what ifs.”

The fact that Valor did not immediately sit straight up and heatedly assert his independence, his self sufficiency, spoke volumes.

“It would have been good if we –” Elwin started. “Weren’t we going to go check on Aster tonight? And even more so now . . .” He knew he wasn’t articulating himself very well but hoped that Prin would understand him. As much as he would like to stay with Valor and guard him from misguided serving maids, further seizures, and his own bad luck, there were other things to take into consideration. Other pressing concerns.

“It will just have to wait.” Prin said firmly.

Elwin, knowing Prin well enough to know it was the final word on the subject, kicked off his shoes and climbed across the large bed to settle in on the other side of Prin. There was no reason to rely on decorum anymore at this point. He leaned his head on Prin’s shoulder.

Valor knew all of their secrets and they, some measure of his (Elwin wasn’t sure how the percentage on that broke down), what was left after all that trust was to take care of each other. Elwin supposed.