Seven

“Snow and Alan have been my best friends since we were in diapers. Our families moved here around the same time, I guess they all met at an event or something, because they’ve been like family ever since.” Ash explained as she and Charlie traveled on the dirt road to the Bai-Song house.

“And they know about Morgana?”

“Yeah, Alan’s parents let Alexandra stay over sometimes, and as you can guess the Bai-Songs aren’t fans of Morgana.”

Charlie nodded.

“We’re here!”

The Bai-Song house was a tall rectangular cottage made of white and gray brick.

“Ah, I recognize this style, kinda small for eight people.” Charlie noted.

“It’s much bigger on the inside.” Ash said.

She knocked on the red door and shortly after the door opened to reveal a tall gruff man with tan skin, narrow brown eyes and a small frown on his face. It turned into a slight smirk once he realized his visitor was Ash.

“Oh, it’s you.” He said in a deep voice.

“Hello Stone, is Snow here?”

“Yeah she’s here.” He replied before looking past her to see Charlie standing behind her. He raised an eyebrow as he took in the De Lupa birthmarked hair. “What’s the prince doing here?” he asked.

“It’s a long story, but he’s my friend.” Ash replied.

“Your stepmom know about this?” he asked.

“Doesn’t matter.” Ash said with a smile.

Stone raised an eyebrow but took her word for it. “Well alright let me get Snow.” He chuckled. He went back into the house and soon Snow came out wearing a frilly pink apron with the words ‘the cook can kick your ass’ embroidered in red. A gift from Alan.

“Ash! Morgana let you out of the house?” Snow asked excited.

“More like I was forcefully removed.” Ash grumbled in mock irritation.

“What?” Snow asked.

Ash stood aside so Snow could see Charlie standing further back. Snow gasped and Ash watched as her eyes flitted from Charlie back to her. “How, when? What happened, oh it’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.” Snow said bowing.

“You can just call me Charlie.” He said quietly.

“What are you doing right now?” Ash asked.

“Well I just put a pie in the oven, but-“

“Pack an overnight bag we’re getting Alan, and we’re going to the castle.” Ash said excitedly.

“Right now?”

“Yes, right now.” Ash said.

Snow paused, she hadn’t seen Ash like this in a long time, after a few seconds of thinking she came to a conclusion. “Give me a second to let the responsible uncles know.”

“Great, you’ll ride with me until we get Alan.”

Once Snow was packed the trio set out to the town square where Alan lived. They went into a clothing store, a three-story, dark yellow building with a brown sign reading Golden Needle in gold script.

Charlie looked around in awe of all the clothes that were on shelves and hangers. The clothing varied from beach wear to formal wear. He followed the girls to a counter where a young girl with light brown skin, wearing a halter top with her hair in a big bun at the top of her head was reading a book and wearing headphones.

“Hi Samira.” Snow said leaning on the counter.

The girl, Alan’s eleven-year-old sister Samira, looked up at them. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t hear the bell. What’s going on?” Samira asked taking off the headphones.

“We’re here for Alan, is he home?” Ash said.

“No, he went out for lunch.” Samira said now looking at Charlie who was staring at a rack of tank tops.

“Fine then we’ll just go get him. Will you tell your mom we took him to the castle, please?” Ash asked.

“Bring me back pictures and autographs?” Samira bargained.

“Deal.” Ash said before grabbing Charlie and Snow and taking them out of the shop.

They walked further into the square passing a bronze sculpture of Muraco Cesare De Lupa, the first recognized king of Alonia. The sculpture featured Muraco Cesare in his daunting human form and was enchanted to transform into a majestic wolf. Alonia was the only Shifter led country in all of Nitia, as well as the only nation that’s never gone to war.

Charlie stared at the sculpture for a bit then sighed. Snow noticed. “What was that about?”

“Nothing. My dad used to say that if Muraco Cesare could see some of the behavior his successors exhibited during their reign he would’ve kicked them out of the pack. Possibly banished from the Islands.”

“So, your family tree has several bad apples? Stefano was a great king while he was around. And everyone talks about how you’ll be the best.” Snow said.

“Really, people say that?” Charlie asked blushing slightly.

“Yeah!” Snow said.

“Um, wow. Thank you, it’s been so long since I actually went into to town.” He paused and looked at an empty lot then put a finger to his chin. “That being said I think we need a fountain. A big one.”

“And it should look like me!” Snow said striking a delicate pose.

“Consider it done.”

Snow and Ash laughed.

They walked around until they saw Alan sitting in a café. The girls entered and Charlie waited outside near an alley to avoid drawing a crowd.

“Alan, stop stuffing your face, we need to go.” Ash said.

Alan looked from Snow’s excited expression to Ash’s serious one. “I just got this sandwich.” He said with his mouth full.

“You can eat when we get to our destination, come on let’s go.” Ash said grabbing Alan’s arm even though he was determined not to budge.

“Where are we going, and why can’t it wait until I finish my sandwich?”

“We’re going to the castle.” Snow whispered.

Alan stared at them swallowing as he glanced around the small café. “Are you serious?” he whispered.

“Deadly.” Ash replied with a grin.

Alan looked down at his sandwich and sighed as he wrapped it up. “This better be worth the delay in my lunch.” He said defeated.

“It’s the castle of course it’ll be worth it. Now come on.” Ash said pulling him up from his seat and dragging him out.

“Why are you so strong?” Alan complained.

“You tell me captain of the swim team. Why are you so small?” Ash teased.

“Hey, I’m an inch taller than you.” He countered.

“I’m taller than both of you.” Snow chimed in.

“Shut up.” Alan and Ash said in unison.

Once they made it back to where the horses were Charlie stepped out of the alley. Alan stared at him in shock before bowing by the waist repeatedly.

“There’s no need for that.” Charlie said embarrassed.

“Alan, meet Prince Charles, Charlie this is Alan Altin.” Ash introduced.

“Nice to meet you, Ash’s told me about you and Snow.” Charlie said.

“She didn’t tell us about you.” Alan said.

“It’s a long story, I’ll tell it at the castle. You and Snow can take my horse.” Ash said as she got on Charlie’s horse. The other three just shrugged at each other and followed her instructions.

Charlie climbed on his horse and sat behind Ash who grabbed the reigns this time. Snow saw this and raised an eyebrow. “Really guys? Again?” She asked as she sat behind Alan who was smirking at Ash.

“Oh, I see you want a race.” Alan challenged.

“You know it.” Ash replied.

“Charlie, you’re gonna want to hold on.” Snow warned.

Charlie tentatively wrapped his arms around Ash’s waist.

“On your mark, get set, go!” She said clinging to Alan as their horses sped off toward the castle.

Charlie hung on to Ash as they sped down the road towards the castle. He was caught off guard by Ash’s burst of competitive spirit. Seeing the rush of joy on her face made the experience better. She was having a good time.

Ash and Alan exchanged competitive banter between one another. “You know if you lose this one it’ll be the third time in a row!” Ash shouted.

This caused Alan to spur his horse so they would catch up, Snow hanging on for dear life.

“We’re going to win.” Ash said under her breath. She was right as she and Charlie passed the front gate she stopped the horse. Alan and Snow followed soon after stopping next to them. Ash smirked at Alan triumphantly. “Ash three, Alan zero.”

“You know what, I don’t even care.” Alan said crossing his arms.

“Yes he does.” Snow said with a grin poking Alan’s sharp cheek.

Alan brought out his stashed sandwich and took a bite as he examined the castle. “I thought it would be bigger.” He said with his mouth full.

“Don’t be rude!” Snow chastised slapping Alan’s arm causing him to drop his sandwich the horse immediately eating it. Alan turned frowning at her. “Sorry.” She said with a smile.

“We can get you another one.” Ash said as she and Charlie got off their horse.

“Speaking of which, what’s going on?” Snow asked.

“Yeah, just yesterday you were freaking out about getting home in time, and now your hanging out with the prince. What happened?” Alan said.

“Let’s go inside.” Ash said.

The group settled in a sitting room near the kitchen where Charlie asked for a platter of snacks and drinks sent to them. Once settled Ash explained how Charlie attempted to trample her with his horse, which Charlie made an appalled noise to, then how helped her get back home.

“Then he insisted on asking all these questions, and I, a fool, decided that it was the perfect day to have an emotional breakdown. Morgana came home got all suspicious because, horse in the driveway, and then Charlie was all ‘Do you know who I am?’ And now I’m here.” Ash finished her story.

“Holy shit.” Snow said with a laugh.

“I know right.” Ash said taking a sip of sweet tea.

“So, Morgana’s going to jail?” Alan asked.

“Once she’s put on trial and found guilty.” Charlie said.

Snow looked at Ash with a serious expression. “How are you going to break it to your dad?”

“Well, I figured I’d just explain it when they got here and start off by showing him my arms.” Ash made an effort to wear sleeves long enough to hide her scars.

“That sounds like a decent enough plan.” Alan said before turning to Charlie. “What kind of punishment would Morgana face?”

“I’m pushing that she gets sent to Magus Caveam, especially since she’s used her powers against Ash. At most she’d get five to ten years. It’s all up to Lucinda Khoury though, since she’ll have a say on that.”

“Even though Lucinda is one of Ash’s teachers?”

“Lucinda is one of the Heads of the Mage’s Union. She has jurisdiction on this case since Morgana has been using her powers to harm other people.”

“Oh.”

“Ash, has Morgana used her powers to hurt you? As far as I could tell she was a Gray. One that can summon the dead. Ghosts, right?” he asked.

Ash nodded. “She had ghosts holding me down during the whipping, and…” she trailed off raising her arms showing the scars. “The touch of a ghost can manifest as an icy burn or scratches. Caleb has a handprint burned on his chest. That wasn’t the first time she used her power. She used to have spirits spy on us all the time.”

“But the whipping was the first time she used her powers to hurt you?”

“Yes, but…I can’t really remember too much about it.”

“Too traumatic?” Charlie guessed.

“No, well yes, but I just… wasn’t completely sober at the time.” Ash admitted.

“You had been drinking?”

“Everyone had. Well except for me, and I know Caleb didn’t drink anything either.” Alan said.

“I rarely got to go out, so when I did…” Ash sighed.

Charlie inhaled sharply then released it slowly. “Okay, I’ll bring that up to my mother and see what she says.”

“You were only one year away from being the legal drinking age anyway.” Snow said.

“So how soon will Morgana’s trial start?”

“Monday, after Mr. Black gets back in town.”

“That soon?” Ash asked.

“You want to see your father, right?” Charlie asked.

Ash looked down and started playing with her fingers. She thought she would have more time she still wasn’t sure how she would tell her father about Morgana’s treatment of her. She would have to start at the beginning. When she was thirteen. She could start with the food thing, then work her way up to the beatings and supernatural punishments.

Her blood ran cold.

The Black Family had a code, never use magic on each other without permission or for punishment. Ash’s father had to have made that rule clear when Morgana married him. He was going to be angry. How did she know this wouldn’t backfire completely? Would her father even believe her? What would he do if he did? What if Morgana came up with an elaborate lie that somehow turned her into the victim? What if-

“Ash, Ash? Aislinn Darcy Black!” Snow called.

Ash looked up to see Snow kneeling in front of her. Someone’s hands were sitting lightly on her shoulders. She stared into Snow’s concerned eyes. “Ash just do what I do, okay.”

Snow inhaled through her nose and exhaled through her mouth Ash followed suit until they were breathing in sync with each other. Ash took in her surroundings and saw that Alan was standing nearby with a cup of water that meant it was Charlie’s hands that were on her shoulders.

“I’m okay.” Ash said quietly.

“Drink this anyway.” Alan said placing the cup in her hand.

Ash took it and drank it all in one sitting. “I feel much better now thank you. How long was I out?” She asked.

“A few seconds, I didn’t notice until...” Snow looked down at Ash’s fingers. Ash had ripped the skin around her nails and was bleeding. “Ash, how many times do we have to tell you not to hold it all in?” Snow asked.

“I’m sorry, my brain went to a lot of different places at once.” Ash said placing her head in her hands then withdrawing them as her fingers stung.

“It happens. Do you want to talk about it?” Charlie asked.

“I’d rather not. In hindsight it was stupid.” Ash said quietly.

The others backed off exchanging worried looks with each other. Charlie cleared his throat and looked out the window. “Dinner will be served soon, so we should make our way to the dining room.”

“Are we going to meet the Queen?” Snow asked.

Charlie nodded and Snow’s mouth dropped into a perfect ‘o’ shape. Alan chuckled and closed her mouth for her. Charlie looked down at Ash who still seemed subdued staring at her fingers. He tapped her on the shoulder and she looked up at him.

“We’ll get you some ointment and bandages.” he said.

She nodded and stood up.