The Prisoner of Fate

by Jacob L White

  "Well, my mother had a lot to do with it ever since I was born. That, and it helped that my father was gone so much. When I was a baby, she wouldn't let anyone else hold me. Said I was too special, or something like that. It just went on from there. Then the town paid for me to go to the Royal Academy and I met this dolt of a man." I elbowed him.

  "Yea, I bet he is. Is he handsome, at least?"

  "He has a boyish charm." I lightly pushed him.

  He laughed. We continued to walk and finally made it back home. When we passed the river spot, he tried to coerce me again into going. But I knew his real motive. Ian and the others were training outside.

  "Welcome back, seven," Ian proclaimed.

  He ducked and Gabriel missed his swing completely. "From behind. Really?"

  "Never lose your focus," Gabriel spoke out.

  Aster and I found a place out front with the rest of my brothers and sat to watch. Ian made quick work of Gabriel, ending the match. Ian sheathed his sword and came to sit next to us. "How about you, mage? Care to dance?"

  "I would, but my ankle is in shambles right now. It would be too big of an advantage. I’d still hate to embarrass you with it."

  Ian laughed. "I like him."

  "Don't encourage him." I rolled my eyes.

  Next up were Tanner and Rory. It was rare to see Rory training with us. He normally kept to himself. However, he was still just as skilled as the rest of us.

  "Is this a normal day around here?" Aster asked Ian.

  "Pretty much. The only difference today is that we finished our chores early." Ian stated.

  Aster caught my gaze. "So, for eighteen years you trained with a sword. No wonder you are so good with it."

  Father tapped Ian on the head. "They have me to thank."

  "Oh, holy one. We give you our thanks." Ian jested as he bowed.

  "Careful, son. Or, I’ll challenge you next."

  "Anytime, old man." Ian couldn't help himself.

  The rest of the day consisted pretty much of the same. Eventually, Ian faced off with Father and lost within the first five seconds. Aster just sat there with his mouth open. Everyone laughed at Ian as he slowly rose.

  My father helped him the rest of the way up. "You lasted about two seconds longer than usual. You are getting better.”

  "Next time..." Ian said as he held his back. He went limping inside with the rest of us taunting him.

  "Enough of this horseplay," Mother said as she came outside. "Wash up, it’s time for supper."

  The sun was starting to sink in the sky. We all stood up and did as she said. After supper it was dark out and Aster and I returned to my room. I went to sit on the bed with him next to me. He placed his hand on mine. At least the door was shut.

  "Aster, can I ask you a question?"

  "Anything."

  "Have you been with many boys?"

  "Can't say that I have."

  "Sorry women."

  He smiled. "I know what you meant, and no, I haven't. I may act arrogant and confident, but no, I haven't."

  "Is that just the man way of answering, or are you serious?"

  "Serious. I swear. So, have no worries."

  "When we were at the river..."

  "It was magnificent. And I wouldn't trade it for anything." He wrapped his arm around me and kissed my head. He always knew what to say to make me relax. I got up and locked the door. I went to the small window and closed the blinds, then blew out a candle illuminating the room. Aster just sat there on my bed. I got on top of him and kissed him.

  "What happened to being careful?" he asked.

  "We are." My mouth met his as his hands found my backside. I ripped off my leather top, leaving only a thin tunic. His hands went to my breasts and squeezed through the shirt. I let out a small moan as I wrapped my legs around him.

  "Just so you know, nothing’s going to happen right now," I got out before my breaths became short."

  "I agree."

  I smiled and kissed him further. He kissed my neck and I released another noise I wasn't aware I could make. Then, a knock on the door came.

  "Noah Olsen, open this damned door right now!" my father yelled.

  But he didn't give us time to do as he asked. He started to kick the door down. I jumped off Aster and straightened myself out. The door came down and my father rushed in, aiming at Aster. He grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him to the top of his toes.

  "And to think I almost believed you."

  "Father, what are you doing? Put him down now." I pushed at him.

  My father pointed at me. "You are next. You think I didn't hear you?" My father reared back and punched Aster right in the nose. Aster's nose bled immediately as I ran and jumped on my father's arm. Again, he made contact with Aster’s face but Aster made no effort to defend himself. He couldn’t. He was already knocked out.

  "Father, you will kill him!" I screamed

  "That’s the idea."

  Ian came rushing in and tried to help me pull father off. "What in Lumos?"

  Ian grabbed Father’s wrist and the both of us managed to pull his arm back. My father dropped Aster and threw me and Ian off him. He came over to me and grabbed my shirt. He reared back, ready to start again.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Confession

  His fist connected with my face. Stars burst into my vision. When he hit me in the stomach again, it knocked the wind from my lungs, and I keeled over.

  Aster was slow getting up but he tried to grab my father from behind. It was no use. My father was on a mission to destroy us both. How had it turned out this way? He hit me again, drawing blood from my eye. Now Ian and Aster were both on him. My mother came rushing in.

  "Stop this right now!" she screamed.

  But my father reared back again.

  "If you hit him again, Renard, I swear, it will be the last thing you do."

  He paused and looked to my mother. "Do you know what they were doing?"

  "I don't much care. Leave him be."

  "Our son is a boy lover."

  "Renard... I will not repeat myself." She took a step forward.

  I had never seen my mother so fierce before. She slowly rotated a frying pan in her hand. Her face was firm and eyes drilling a hole in my father. Even I feared her at that moment. My father looked at me and let me go. I fell to my knees and noticed blood had stained the wood flooring.

  Ian pushed my father out of the way to get to me. Gently, he tilted my head back and checked my eye. "It will need stitches."

  "Check Aster." I asked him.

  "I care about you, not him." Ian said.

  "And I care for him. So, do it. Please, for me." I knew Ian was confused but I couldn't really tell him much else. He nodded, clearly uncomfortable, but went to check on Aster all the same. Renard left my room, stepping over the broken door.

  My mother just looked at me. "Have you no shame?"

  "Apparently not," my father said from the doorway.

  "Of course, he doesn't." Gabriel also said beside my father.

  He. He. He. I should just stop this charade now. I was tired of it." What I do is none of your concern. Remember, I am a seven. My life is my own. Isn't that what you taught me, Father?"

  "No, I taught you to have honor and respect!" He stepped around my mother. "I taught you how to be great and to survive. I didn't teach you to bring shame upon our family."

  "I'm shameful?" I yelled.

  "You heard me." My father said low.

  Just let it out. “You know nothing!”

  I opened my mouth again but my mother stepped in, saving me from making a mistake. "That is enough. In the end, Noah is right. He is a seven. His life is his own."

  "I sure hope he understands what that means. Because if anyone found out about this, we would be ridiculed to death. We have nowhere else to go."

  "Just words, Father. You will get over it," I said, pushing my luck further.

  "You." My father pointed to Aster. "Are you okay with this? D
o you not have any honor?”

  Aster was still too out of it to talk, so he shook his head.

  My father waved him off. "Ah... Useless boy."

  "I wouldn't be where I am without him. Nor he without me. You should be thankful you have a ranked seven." I walked over to Aster.

  "Thankful!" He took another step towards me, but my mother grabbed his arm. Ian was already standing.

  "Enough!" my mother yelled. "Renard, leave this room. Now! I will take care of this."

  "Take care of what? There is nothing to take care of, it seems. Our son has made up his mind apparently. Sorry. Our seven." He stomped out of the room.

  "Ian out." Ian looked between my mother and me.

  “But—"

  "I will not say it again. Grab some needle and thread and gather some snow."

  "Yes, Mama." Ian stepped over Aster, leaving us alone in my room with mother.

  She just stood there with her hands on her hips. "What has gotten into you, Noah?"

  "Oh, I don't know. Perhaps my father almost beating us to death had something to do with it."

  "Don't mouth off to me. I'm not your enemy."

  I let out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry."

  "Me too. I think it would be best if you leave here for a few hours. Let the tension fall."

  I nodded at her words. She was right. We caused enough trouble. I walked over to Aster and helped him up. "Why didn't you defend yourself?" I whispered to him.

  "I didn't want to hurt your father," he muttered. Even beaten to within an inch of his life, he was still thinking of me. Stubborn bastard. My mother helped us gather some things and we headed outside.

  "We will be down by the river. Let Ian know so he can come with the supplies." I said to Mother.

  "I will,” She replied.

  I put Aster’s arm around me and started off at a slow walk. "Save your energy. Don't talk. Just listen."

  He remained quiet. "I'm sorry. This was all my fault. I shouldn't have pressed it. We should have just waited." I said softly.

  "It's not your fault. I kissed you back, remember? Best kissing I've ever had with a man."

  I smiled at his stupid comment. I looked around and made sure no one was following as I stepped into the woods. We walked deeper into the forest and finally found the frozen river. I placed him down by a tree and looked at his swollen face.

  "You are going to need stitches, too."

  "I'm fine. Worry about yourself first."

  "Always the gentleman."

  "I just don't want any more pain. I hate needles. I sat for hours once as I had my back worked on. Wasn't a fun experience."

  "What happ-"

  "Noah!" Ian screamed my name.

  "I'll be right back." I stood and went searching for my brother. I found him near the entrance of the woods and helped him carry the supplies back.

  "So, this is where you run off to. I could've found a better spot." Ian said.

  "Oh, you could have?" I tried to trip him but he just dodged.

  He smiled as he sat down in front of Aster. "This is gonna hurt. But I don't mind much." He took a cloth and wiped the deepest cuts clean. I could tell he wasn't being gentle because of the faces Aster made. Next, he threaded the needle and went to work on his face. Growing up training every day, you eventually got cuts. We all learned to become handy with a needle and thread.

  Aster sat there in silence as my brother worked. I wasn't sure what to say either about what happened. From my father’s point of view, I had just openly said I was with another man. Homosexuality was very taboo in my country. It did happen, of course, but always in secret. Not that I had to worry about that since I was a woman, but nobody knew that. I wonder if anyone ever would.

  I bit the corner of my lip and ran my hands through my hair. "Ian, how good are you at keeping secrets?"

  "I'm a locked chest at the bottom of the sea. Why do you ask?" He poked the needle through Aster’s face again, causing him to grunt.

  "No reason..." My voice faded. Could I really tell Ian?

  "Well, are you going to tell me how all this started?" Ian asked.

  "School mainly. Aster had my back from day one. He helped me hide the fact that I had no powers. We just grew closer and closer, until eventually, he couldn't resist me anymore."

  "Oh, is that how it went?" Aster asked with a raised brow teasing me.

  My brother paused. "I'm not going to pretend I understand. Because, I don't. But I do appreciate what you have done for my brother. If you really care about him, you need to stop this."

  Not you, too, Ian, I thought. I let out a sigh and looked up at Lumos. "It's not what you think, Ian."

  "Then please, explain. From what I saw, you and father fought and you almost lost your life over it. So, help me understand." He continued working on Aster’s face.

  Was he angry at me? But I hadn't done anything to him. Was he disappointed in me, too? He had always been my biggest support system here. I couldn't lose him too.

  "Ian..."

  He clenched his jaw and paused. "I can't help you out of this one, Noah."

  "I wasn't expect—"

  "Noah. Do you know how serious this is?" He dropped the needle still dangling from Aster’s face. He stood to face me.

  "Of course, I do, but—"

  "Then for all our sakes. Stop it."

  I paced, kicking up dirt. Why did I have to be the one to give everything up? Why couldn’t I have what I wanted for a change? My whole life I've been hiding from everyone. The moment I found Aster, my family wanted to disown me.

  "There's more that you don't know, Ian." I grabbed Ian by the shoulders.

  "Then, tell me." Aster looked at me from behind and nodded. He thought I should tell him, too. But was I ready? Was he ready? My mouth opened, but no words left it. I swallowed. How did I even start this conversation off?

  "Noah. It's okay." He put his hands on my shoulders as well.

  Tears spilled from my eyes. What would mother do if she found out? I knew Ian wouldn't tell anyone but what if it slipped by accident?

  "Ian...I..." My words stuttered.

  He smiled at me.

  "I'm not a man, Ian."

  "You're the strongest I've ever seen."

  "No, you don’t understand..." I brushed his arms off me. "Physically, I'm not a man. I'm a woman."

  "What? If you really don't want to tell me—" His mouth went into straight line and took a step back.

  "It's true," Aster added.

  "So, you are telling me you are a woman?" He scrunched his face, still not believing me.

  "Yes!" What have I done. "Think about it? Have you ever seen me naked? Why did Mother always make sure she was the one to treat me? Think, Ian."

  He backed away from me.

  "All this time... It can't be true." He whispered. He looked between Aster and me.

  I took a step towards him, but he took another back. "Ian, I wanted to tell you so many times. Mother wouldn't let me." I was full on crying now. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt Ian. He had always been there for me, and now he knew I’d betrayed his trust this entire time. "Mother didn't want to disappoint Father that she hadn't given him a seventh son."

  "I don’t care about the reasons, Noah. You lied to me. Of all people. Our entire family. For as long as I remember, life has been about you. Always you. Always support Noah, Father would say. And I did that. All for what?"

  "Ian, I’m still your sister. That doesn't change anything."

  "It changes everything!" he screamed.

  Aster stood and leaned against a tree.

  "Ian—" Aster tried to say.

  "Do you know what you have done? What you and Mother have done?” But Ian wasn’t listening to him.

  "I do... I'm so sorry." I tried to embrace him but he just shoved me away.

  "Are you really? We are all in danger now, Noah. If anyone ever finds out..." He ran his fingers through his hair. "You have to tell Father."

  "I can't do that
, Ian."

  "You don't have a choice. They will kill us all!"

  "Nobody will find out!" I tried to plead with him, but he wasn't listening. "Please don't tell anyone, Ian. I wanted you to know because of everything you have done for me."

  "I don't want to hear it. You should have told me. I could have helped protect you."

  "Then help me now!"

  "Why should I?"

  "Ian." My voice faded off.

  "You lied to all of us for eighteen years." He went to back away further, but before he could, I rushed forward to embrace him. Instead of hugging me back, his arms went limp at his sides.

  "Please. Promise me you won't tell anyone. It would only put us in more danger." I was begging through my tears.

  "Noah... I can't."

  "You can. One last favor to me. I’ll run away. Nobody will ever know. Please."

  He pushed me away. “I don’t know if I can..." He handed me the needle and thread. He looked at Aster in silence.

  Out of nowhere, Aster was punched again and fell to the ground.

  "That was for putting hands on my sister."

  Thankfully, Aster remained silent as he got back up. He only nodded.

  Ian turned back to me. "I will keep your secret on one condition."

  "Anything."

  "You must leave us."

  "Ian. I ca—"

  "Forever."

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Brother and Sister

  Ian didn't give me time to answer. He just left us there to tend to ourselves.

  I stood in silence as he sauntered away. I held up my hand as if I was going to stop him, but I just let him walk away. Had he really just told me to leave? Ian? The brother I loved so much? He wanted nothing to do with me. He just wanted me to vanish.

  "I'm sorry that happened. I know how close you were to him." Aster whispered.

  "I thought he would take it better.”

  Instead of a weight being lifted off my shoulders, I feel more of a burden than I ever had. I sat against a tree and Aster joined me. He put his arm around me so I could put my head on his chest.

  "What am I going to do?" I asked.

  "Just live on, I suppose."

  "Should I leave?" I asked.

  "I don't know the answer to that."