The group was led into the dining room. The first thing Star noticed was the long rectangular table covered in a white and blue tablecloth with a vase of flowers in the center. The next was that the head of the table was empty and there were two open seats on either side. On the left side, however, sat two people, a boy and a girl. They looked to be in their early 20s and had a strong family resemblance to Zane.

  While Star was contemplating the dining room’s set up Rebecca had taken the seat at the head of the table while Prince Mason took one seat down on the right leaving a space open between himself in Rebecca.

  “Sit beside his highness.” Zane instructed in a low whisper before he walked to his mother’s left taking the empty seat between her and the boy.

  Salem grabbed Star’s upper arm gently, tugging her to the designated seating before she could protest. Together they took their seats, Star sitting directly by the prince across from the girl with Salem to her right. Opal laid down a little ways away, Duckie sniffing her tail until she smacked him with it.

  “I see your father is late, again.” Rebecca noted with a twinge of displeasure in her tone.

  “He was called to the palace earlier today; her highness Jessabelle has fallen ill.” Informed the boy.

  “Ah, well I suppose he has a valid excuse this time.”

  “He should be back soon, I can’t imagine it take him to much longer to get things sorted out.” Pipped up the girl helpfully.

  “We’ll give him a few more minutes before we start dinner then.”

  The room fell into a slightly uncomfortable silence.

  Wow, this is awkward. Star could feel the tension in the room.

  “Zane,” The girl spoke filling the silence much to Star’s relief, “How was your mission?”

  “Successful, I took down the beast terrorizing out eastern boarders and successfully recruited a promising apprentice for the capital guard.”

  Ah, so that’s what he’d been doing back in that costal town. Star had found it weird such a high-ranking official was sent to recruit an apprentice for the capital guard, it makes sense it’d been a side job.

  “And who are your new…friends?”

  “This is Salem and Star. Ms. Salem is helping me further my magics.” Zane spoke matter-of-factly pride evident, “Salem, Star, this is Kristopher and Amy.”

  The girl looked genuinely surprised, “Really?”

  “Are you fucking with me?” The boy spoke up in disbelief.

  “Language, Kristopher.” Zane’s mother scolded in a clipped tone.

  “Really.” Zane did not elaborate.

  The two eyed Salem in blatant skepticism. Salem stared back at them with a blank expression, it was slightly unsettling.

  No other comments were made, however, mostly because it was then that the door to the dining room burst open. A frazzled man in his fifties entered looking like he’d ran there. His salt and pepper hair messy with sweat on his brow and his tie tugged off.

  “Sorry I’m late,” His strode up and gave Rebecca a quick kiss, “Zane, it’s wonderful to see you again.” He opened his arms for a hug as he rounded the table.

  Zane stood giving his father a brief hug before sitting back down. His father walked back to the other side, sitting across from him to Rebecca’s right.

  “It’s good to see you to Mason.” He clasped the prince’s shoulder before leaning forward to look at Star and Salem, “I see we have new faces at the table as well! I’m Lyndon.” He greeted with a friendly smile.

  “Dad, this is Salem and Star. Salem’s going to be helping me improve my magics.”

  Lyndon looked delighted at the news, “Truly? Oh, that’s just wonderful! What country do you hale from? Are you a royal mage?” As he spoke servants began to enter, placing dishes down on the table. The smell of them made Star’s stomach growl.

  “I’m just a traveler.” Salem replied in a polite but neutral tone.

  Star stared at the food intently, hands held together to keep from reaching out preemptively. She could have manners occasionally.

  “Is that right?” Lyndon didn’t seem the least bit put off by this information, “Where have you all been? I’ve always wanted to travel you see.”

  Before Salem could get out a response Rebecca cleared her throat obnoxiously. “Ahem,” She look expectantly at her husband handheld palm up.

  Lyndon blushed sheepishly and placed his hand in hers. It was then that Star noticed the family hand started a prayer circle from the looks of it. It also appeared she was about to be roped into it. As Salem slipped her hand into hers Amy reached halfway across the table, expecting Star to take her hand and complete the circle.

  Star tried to ignore the war flashbacks to old family reunions with her catholic grandparents as she took Amy’s hand.

  Each member of the family bowed their heads as Rebecca began to speak, “O spirits we give thanks for this bountiful meal, may you continue to guide us in all that is good and holy.” The prayer was short, and Amy quickly snatched her hand away from Star wiping it off discreetly on her napkin.

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  Star offered a friendly smile. How many frogs could she fit into this girl’s pillowcase? It was pure spite that drove her as she grabbed the vegetables the Amy had been reaching for and piled as much as she could onto her plate before passing it to Salem. Amy shot her a seething glare.

  “Salem.” Rebecca spoke her tone between polite and condescending, “What makes you qualified to teach my son magic?”

  Zane shot his mother a look.

  “I’m skilled.”

  Star tuned out the conversation slightly as she came to the devastating realization she actually couldn’t eat any of this on the account of her face mask. She turned to look at Salem for moral support, who studiously ignored her. With a quick glance down she noticed Salem’s plate had stayed empty.

  “I’m sure you are.” Rebecca said in a condescending way that suggested she did not in fact think she was.

  Salem didn’t dignify her with a response, simply turning her head and ignoring the woman.

  “Mother, trust me when I say Salem is more than capable of helping me reach new heights.” Zane glared at his mother’s head.

  If she couldn’t eat the food provided at least she got a show.

  “Zane honey I’m just trying to consider what is best for you.” His mother held her head high as if she was scolding a child instead of a fully grown man. “I mean how do you even know this woman is even capable of matching your level! Let alone surpassing it.”

  “Mother!” Zane snapped, his hand gripping his fork hard enough to turn his knuckles white.

  “Don’t take that tone with me young man—”

  Salem stood, “I see mine and my friend’s presence is unwanted.” She spoke evenly as if it was of no concern to her, “I believe it would be wise for Star and I to take our leave.”

  Star pushed her seat back and stood as well.

  “I’ll go with you.” Zane didn’t hesitate to follow their example, much to everyone’s surprise.

  “Young man sit back down—”

  “No.” Zane strode to Star and Salem without so much as a glance in his mother’s direction.

  “Zane please,” His father began to stand as well, reaching to grab his son’s arm.

  “I will not allow you to jeopardize this for me.” Zane shoot his parents a harsh glare, “Can you not trust my judgement? I’m not some kid chasing after the first cool trick I see. I am certain Ms. Salem has the ability to push me past my limits and help me advance to the next level. If you can’t see that too then your more blind then I had thought.” He yanked his arm out of his father’s grasp and turned on his heel with a dramatic flair of his robes.

  Star wondered if that was on purpose.

  “Wait,” His mother called again as the three turned to leave, Opal getting up to follow, “I’m sorry.”

  Star glanced at Zane noticing he hadn’t reacted to his mother’s call at all. Salem, however, gave a pause causing them to stop as well.

  His mother continued, “You're right I should have more trust in your judgment.”

  Did this entire family just have really fast turn arounds? Star couldn’t help but note the similarities.

  Salem turned, a neutral expression still firmly in place. Star watched in mild satisfaction as Rebecca gritted her teeth slightly.

  “I shouldn’t have judged so quickly.”

  Zane didn’t reply deferring to Salem. She could respect the dedication.

  “You shouldn’t have.” Salem agreed, “But if we can put this past us and be civil, I think we can come to an agreement.”

  “We can?” Star murmured beneath her breath. She didn’t miss Salem’s lip quirking up into a brief smile before smoothing out once more.

  “Of course.” Rebecca acquiesced.

  Which was how Star ended up back at the table staring at foods she couldn’t eat. Tragic. All around her the others seemed to be making light conversation. Lyndon spoke with Mason about his family and Duckie. Zane made conversation with his siblings and Rebecca made an occasional comment.

  “Is the food not to your liking?” Lyndon eventually addressed them.

  “No, it’s apart of our culture that we don’t eat in front of people that are not family or close friends.” Salem quickly lied; Star couldn’t help but wonder how long she had the excuse in her back pocket for.

  “Ah I see, I don’t believe I ever asked where you’re from.”

  “Kansas.”

  “Kansas? I’ve never heard of it, what country is it located in?”

  Shit. What even were the other countries in this world? She really needed a map. “It’s a small place, an island nation!” Star pipped in, “You’ve probably never even heard of it.”

  Salem nodded along.

  “You’ll find I’m quite the geographer, try me.” Lyndon smiled in a friendly manner.

  Star felt she was being threatened here.

  “Dad please stop interrogating my teacher.” Zane said with a long-suffering sigh. Must be a common occurrence in this household.

  “Oh, I was just curious.” He waved his hand in a dismissive manner, “I hardly ever am able to leave this city let alone the country, you’ll have to excuse my curiosity.”

  I think I remember why I hated family dinners actually. Star’s mind began to wonder as the conversation continued, a yawn escaping her.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I think my guests are starting to feel tired, it’s late and we’ve had a long day of travel.”

  Salem and Zane spoke at the same time.

  Lyndon seemed to readily accept the excuse, “Right, it is rather late isn’t it.”

  Zane stood, “I’ll guide you both to your rooms, we can have dinner brought to you.”

  Star and Salem stood as well. “Goodnight to you all.”

  With that they departed the room without much more fanfare, Opal following closely behind. Zane led them up a set of winding stairs to the second floor and down a long hall stopping before a set of double doors.

  “This will be your room for the duration of your stay.” He pushed the doors open to reveal a rather lavish room complete with an attached bathroom. “I hope it’s to your liking…”

  Star hardly acknowledged him as she damn near sprinted into the bathroom, quickly spotting the shower. “Does this have hot running water?” With unbridled glee she turned the shower on, and hot water came pouring down. “Oh my god! I call first shower!” She slammed the bathroom door closed and locked it before anyone could argue.

  Outside she could faintly hear Salem and Zane speaking before the sound of someone leaving was audible. She paid it no mind as she felt the hot water hit her back, causing her to melt in pleasure, the tension in her body evaporating. She needed this.

  Star took what was probably an unreasonable amount of time in the shower before turning the water off and toweling off. She slipped pajamas on and dried her hair before exiting the bathroom back into the bedroom.

  “Enjoy the shower?” Salem spoke from where she lay on the bed pinned by Opal’s head on her chest, the wyvern purring as she pets her head. “Foods on the table by the way.”

  “I would kill for that shower.” Star all but flopped onto the bed beside Salem, turning her head to see the aforementioned food placed on the bedside table. Her stomach growled.

  “That good huh?” Salem attempted to sit up and push Opal’s head off her.

  Opal wasn’t having it. With a disgruntled growl she moved and put her as much of her body as she could on top of Salem and the bed. Inadvertently sending Star to the floor as she attempted to sit up and grab the plate of food. She landed on the floor with an undignified squawk, missing the plate entirely.

  “Opal! Geffof!” Salem protested, whacking the wyverns head.

  Opal purred loudly.

  Star laid on the ground, defeated. She was then crushed by a scandalized wyvern. “What the! Opal, you’re crushing me.” She smacked her hand on the wyvern’s side.

  By the time the wyvern had gotten up Star could have sworn she saw her life flash before her eyes. She stared at the ceiling in a daze cursing god. Her crusade was unfortunately cut short by the sad cries of Opal, pawing at the bathroom door like a cat.

  Star finally sat back up, “She really did just teleport a whole dragon on me and escape into the bathroom.” She murmured to herself in disbelief her statement punctuated by a pathetic whine from Opal, the drama queen. “It’s not that deep bro.” She deadpanned as she snatched the plate off the table and shoved the first bite into her mouth.

  Opal continued crying at the door for the entire 30 minutes Salem was in the shower.