Dru smiled and waved from the rowboat, just as though she had as much right to be there as anyone. Which Elwin supposed she did.

  Prin’s eyes widened again. Too much surprise for one moment.

  “Oh yeah, I guess I forgot to tell you there was a stowaway.” Elwin said sheepishly.

  “Well how do you do.” Aster said, also surprised.

  Elwin saw a shadow pass over Dru’s face as she looked at Aster but she just quickly looked away.

  “Guess I’m joining your party, whether you like it or not.” Dru said lightly.

  “Welcome!” Prin said.

  “Calling it a party would be a stretch.” Elwin pointed out.

  Captain Lucien grabbed a man walking by him on his duties by the shoulder and pointed to the rowboat. “Congratulations! You have been promoted to captain! There’s your shop, bring it back when you’re done.”

  The man frowned but shrugged. He got in the lifeboat and took the oars from Dru.

  Lucien bent down and gave Aster a little kiss on the mouth. “One for luck, okay? Don’t pout.” He laughed. “Even though your face is so cute like that.”

  Why did this feel like a permanent goodbye? And what did he mean by “bring it back when you’re done?” Elwin shivered. If they were about to be killed and dumped in the ocean as a shark’s dinner, he wouldn’t like to just go along with it. They could at least go down fighting. And where was that stupid fairy when you needed it? Didn’t she want to defend Aster anymore, at least?

  “Where are we going anyway?” Prin was the one to speak up and ask it, as Lucien hustled them onto the rowboat.

  “Remain seated and keep your hands and feet inside the boat at all times,” Captain Lucien said with a wink. He loaded their luggage into the boat beside them.

  Aster sat down beside Dru, who inched away as much as she could in the small vessel.

  “It’s a surprise,” Lucien said. He waved to them as the boat was lowered into the water.

  Elwin had debated fighting but there were too many pirates. However, on the boat with them was just one bored looking man. Could they take him?

  Was he the only one actually worried?

  “Have fun!” Lucien called after them.

  The boat hit the water with a bump, splashing a little of the salty sea up over the rim.

  “Where are you taking us?” Elwin asked.

  The pirate raised one bushy eyebrow and lifted one shoulder in a little shrug. He rowed out of the shadow of Captain Lucien’s ship.

  Elwin saw the name of the ship as they passed it by. The Last Thing.

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  Dru put her feet up on the side, lounging. Still careful not to let any part of herself touch Aster.

  As soon as they were around the corner, Elwin could see a ship, a huge ship. He wasn’t sure how he could have missed it before. It was navy and white, very new looking and clean. Smoke stacks billowed grey clouds into the air, as though the ship were creating its own weather.

  The pirate pointed, as if to say, there’s your answer, once it was already obvious.

  “Hmm, this is something different.” Dru said, she leaned towards it, straining her neck forward as though she couldn’t help herself.

  “Do they know we’re coming.” Prin asked. “Really?”

  “Lucien said so,” Aster said. She looked slightly troubled.

  As they got closer they could see that there were colorful banners and flags flying on the deck, as well as a swimming pool.

  “Ahhh!” Dru squealed. “It’s a pleasure cruise! You boys are gonna like this.” She clapped her hands. “I worked on one before. Well . . . briefly worked on one. It’s all about fun and games, and food. And hot employees.” She winked at Elwin.

  “Such a thing exists?” Aster asked. “I suppose it’s very expensive.”

  “My uncle will pick up the tab, surely.” Dru waved her hand dismissively.

  “We might have to get jobs on the ship.” Prin pointed out. “But that’s okay.”

  “Naaaah.” Dru said.

  Soon enough they had reached the side of the ship and a rope ladder was lowered to the boat.

  Aster, who was the closest to it, grabbed the ladder and climbed it deftly.

  Elwin grimaced, thinking of those stiches, and wondering if he should have stopped her. She was probably trying to prove a point of some kind. He couldn’t have stopped her if he tried.

  Prin climbed up next, and then Elwin.

  Once the three of them were standing on the deck, the full splendor of the cruise ship was finally visible.

  “This is a castle in the middle of the ocean.” Prin said, in hushed tones.

  The cruise ship was more floating city than castle, but yes, maybe only the ritzy and aristocratic parts of the city. At least from what you could see at first glance. Well dressed people, some in modest swimming costumes with parasols, others in more formal attire, glided around the deck going nowhere in particular or relaxed in deck chairs on colorful towels. A group of small children, in pastel frills, gawked and pointed at some dolphins that played in the ocean.

  There was even a breakfast bar sat up with china plates and silver to eat with. Delicious smells mixed with the sea air, and Elwin heard Prin’s stomach growl. Or maybe it was his own.

  A young woman and a young man stood ready to great them, even if their entrance had been unconventional, twin-like in their matching uniforms with vests and striped slacks, dark hair slicked back in low ponytails. The girl smiled and the boy’s smile was a copy, the only difference being that he was wearing thick tortoise shell glasses.

  “Welcome to the Elegance Returned!” The girl said, “Thank you for joining us.” She pointed at the boy. “Yes, he is my brother.” She laughed as she preempted a question that must be frequently asked.

  “I’m Laine, and I will be your hostess.” The girl said.

  Her brother and another man went to the side of the ship and lowered a platform on a pulley, for Dru to load their luggage onto and pulled it up. After that, Dru climbed onto the boat herself.

  Elwin was glad their time on the lifeboat had been short this time.

  Prin leaned over the side and called. “Thank you!” to the pirate.

  Aster joined him, waving at the man. “Tell Captain Lucien thanks for everything.”

  He waved back at them, before rowing away. Maybe he was mute.

  “I’ll show you to your cabin so you can freshen up,” Laine suggested. She motioned them to follow her.

  Dru immediately veered off and went to the breakfast bar to load a plate.

  Aster wrinkled her nose. “What is wrong with her.”

  “Oh, how rude of me! Would you like to have some breakfast first?” Laine asked, making the most of her situation, now that one of her charges had deserted her.

  “Sure!” Prin piped up.

  “Who’s paying for this?” Aster wondered.

  “Not to worry, it’s covered,” Laine said. “Meals are a complimentary part of your stay.”

  “In that case, let’s eat.” Elwin said.

  The three of them went to the breakfast bar, taking in the sight of piled up pancakes, blueberry muffins arranged prettily on a three tiered silver tray, more eggs, sausage, biscuits, pastries, and fruit then could possibly be eaten by a hungry army. Along with an array of butter, honey, and jams.

  Elwin felt suspicious, as the only time he had experienced luxury like this there were strings attached, or it was something he was not supposed to have, as the son of the help.

  However, he could get used to it, he reckoned.