Elwin and Prin opted for the first available date for their escape from the island. One week from the fire.

  Prin had been initially reluctant, feeling that Aster may not be strong enough yet, but she insisted it would be fine. And all three of them were feeling the restless effects of being cooped up in the house, without even natural lighting from the windows to remind you of the outside world.

  They had all been preparing traveling gear. Aster was working furiously on some sort of outfit, since she had nothing to wear at all. The project had been helped along by the generous donation of outgrown outfits by the captain’s children. The family had surely cottoned on to the fact of Aster’s departure, though it wasn’t explicitly spoken about.

  Valor had begun to grow quiet again, withdrawing into his room. Probably to sigh dramatically and throw things at the walls, Elwin figured. But if he was, he wasn’t making much noise at it.

  The night before their predawn departure to the docks, Prin went to check on Aster and make sure she was getting some rest.

  She wasn’t.

  Aster had sewing stuff spread out over the bedspread and was hugging a pair of shoes to her chest, cheeks damp with tears.

  Prin hurried to her side. “Aster what happened? What’s wrong?”

  “W-well, I’m not finished with my travel suit. D-do you know how long it takes me to make a full outfit?” Aster said, between hiccups.

  “Can I help? I can bring Elwin in, he’s better at sewing then I am.” Though neither of us very good. Prin added this last part silently.

  “No, it’s alright now.” Aster said. “My captain g-gave me some things I can wear. Aren’t these just the perfectest shoes?” She handed him tiny boots of the softest brown suede with pink ribbon laces. “He has a sense of style doesn’t he?” She sighed.

  “I love them.” Prin held them admiringly in his hands, thinking how small Aster’s feet were. “Are you . . . having regrets about leaving.”

  Aster punched him lightly in the arm. “No. ‘course not.” A fresh round of tears rolled down her cheeks. “He’s just so kind, isn’t he?”

  “He is.” Prin agreed. He put his arms around Aster. “I think you’re scared. So am I.” Always.

  “I’m not afraid of change.” Aster said. “It’s the only thing you can depend on.” She laughed hoarsely. “Besides, he’s still out there. We have to put distance between ourselves and this island.”

  “No one will really think you killed his partner.” Prin said.

  “No? You don’t think I’m capable of murder?” Aster asked. “How rude.”

  Prin laughed. “You are capable of anything you set your mind to.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Aster said. “I would never waste a good death faking though.”

  “It’s a rare opportunity.” Prin agreed. “And we will have all kinds of adventures together!” At least until you decide to leave me for your own safety. Prin shook the thought out of his head. He would just have to cross that bridge when they got to it.

  “I’m free!” Aster declared.

  “That’s right!” Prin hoped that this attitude persisted. Wasn’t this the Aster that wanted to get away from Mama Kris from the beginning?

  Aster swiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine. We need to get some rest, don’t we?” She gave Prin a wan smile.

  “Are you hurting?” Prin asked. He wanted to peek under the bandages to see how her arm was doing, but had already been admonished by Elwin in the past for the need to keep the injury clean and not disturb it.

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  “Eh, no, not so bad anyway.” Aster said dismissively. “Don’t worry about me anymore. But . . . “

  “Yeah?” Prin prompted. “What is it?”

  Aster made a face. She tucked the perfect traveling boots in beside her like a small child. “Guess I won’t be needing my old shoes anymore, they’re getting pretty worn out anyway. And the symbolism of red shoes, well not everywhere, but a lot of places, they advertise you as a prostitute.” Aster mumbled. “Convenient, that.”

  “I didn’t know that.” Prin said.

  “Oh! I got distracted. What I was going to say was, you should really go check on Valor before you go to bed. He is pouting something fierce. I think he even started to imprint on me a little and was disappointed when I told him I was definitely leaving and hadn’t changed my mind. But it’s really you . . . he has . . .”

  “I know.” Prin said. “I was going to his room next.”

  “I do feel a little sorry for him.” Aster said. “He’s actually a good kid.”

  “Yes. And things should be getting a little – actually a lot easier for him now that the curse will fade away without the constant stoking of a coven of witches.” Prin said.

  Aster, who Prin had eventually told the story of the servant girl who was really an apprentice witch, seemed to be the only one capable of retaining the information, besides Valor himself. Of course, she had never met the witch, as far as Prin knew, and maybe that had something to do with it. Nodded her head. “As long as she doesn’t come back.”

  On that note, Prin bid her good night, promising to get as much rest as he could, and headed to Valor’s room to check in on him.

  It was quiet in Valor’s room, a little too quiet. Prin hesitated a moment, debating whether to knock at the door or not. He knocked and came in without waiting for an answer.

  “I hope I didn’t wake you.” Prin said softly, upon entering.

  “How could I sleep?” Valor sulked.

  The room was pitch dark, probably deliberately so. Prin had to wait a moment for his eyes to adjust before he could make out Valor’s form, not on the bed like he would expect, but sitting cross legged on the floor in front of his open wardrobe.

  “What are you doing?” Prin wondered. He lit an oil lamp on the side table to make it easier to see the answer to his question.

  Valor had clothes out on the floor around him. The cats were curled up together, having made themselves a nice nest out of a formerly hanging black shirt. An ever expanding puddle of shadow.

  “Nothing.” Valor leaned his head back, facing the ceiling for help. “I was going to sneak out after you in the morning, but it seems I can’t even pack my own luggage.”

  “Oh, Valor.” Prin sunk to the floor beside him.

  “Oh oh oh, yourself.” Valor said crossly. “Everyone is leaving me.”

  “I’m leaving, but I’m not leaving you.” Prin emphasized the word you. He leaned his head on the younger boy’s boney shoulder. “You know why we can’t stay.”

  “Why can’t I go with you? No – don’t answer that. . . Why does Aster get to go and not me?” Valor asked. “I hate it here.”

  “No you don’t” Prin said gently. “Your family –”

  “Yes, yes I do! Don’t tell me how I feel.” Valor tensed up, balling his pale slender fingered hands into fists.

  “Aster is . . .” Prin wanted to handle this conversation as delicately as possible. The last thing he wanted to do was leave on a sour note. He would miss this fussy little jerk. “A grown adult, you know? And can’t exactly stay here either now that everyone is supposed to think she’s dead.”

  “I’m grown.” Valor said. His hand unclenched and reached out to Prin, patting his leg and side until Prin put his hand in front of Valor’s and he grasped it. “Please, Prin, I won’t be a burden to you . . .” His voice trailed. There was a poignant note, not his usual confident tone, and Prin could tell he felt like he was lying, that he really would be a burden and he hated it.

  “Valor, no one thinks you’re a burden.” Prin squeezed his hand back. “But you’re too young and I can’t take you away from your dad. He’d kill me, for one thing. Also . . . you need some time to build up your strength. You just had that seizure. Also you probably weigh about 85 pounds. I’ve been where you are, even frailer and thinner . . . And look at me now!” Prin laughed at himself, embarrassed. “I mean, I am a lot more well and strong now than I thought I’d ever be.” It’s due to magical intervention and came at a heavy price. Prin didn’t say out loud. Valor didn’t need a curse to get strong, anyway. Just the absence of one, which is much better.

  “So, what you’re saying is, when I get stronger you’ll come back for me?” Valor perked up and sat up straighter. “Because I will get stronger and taller and older.”

  “Of course.” Prin said, a little uneasy, even if it was an unenforceable promise. Hopefully the boy would get on with living his life and forget all about this conversation.

  “But . . . I probably wont ever see again.” Valor said softly. “All the doctors we’ve tried say there isn’t any hope of it. . . Is that okay?”

  “You can do anything you want, even without eyes.” Prin said. And it was easy to say this part because he believed it. Valor was not the type of person to let a little thing like that slow him down.

  “So we’ll see each other again soon.” Valor said firmly. “Or rather, you’ll see me, but I’ll hear you coming first.” He teased.

  “Alright.” Prin laughed. “It’s a deal. Just eat plenty and get strong so it can happen.”

  “Is that what you like? Big, strapping men who can carry you around?” Valor gave a wolfish grin.

  “That’s not – No.” Prin thought about it for a moment. “Actually, yes, I guess I do. Come to think of it.” He had never considered it that way before but it is what it is, he guessed.

  “You won’t even recognize me.” Valor assured.

  “I’ll still be with El.” Prin hastened to assure. “Me and Elwin are a . . . a forever thing. A matched set.”

  “You told me that right when we met.” Valor said dismissively. “He’s just going to have to share.”

  “Hmm.” Prin said.