Months passed. Nell felt safer than ever with Alura as they discussed their future house. The wedding was only three weeks away. They had run down the list of everything they would need to escape. A wedding dress for her, a tuxedo for him. They wouldn't need to worry about decorations – it would be a small, private wedding, with Norwyn to oversee their vows.

Nell couldn't dispel the niggling feeling in his chest. What then? He had no idea how to be a husband – and though he deeply loved Alura, they were so young. Moons, he'd just turned twenty. They would live a frugal life until he became a doctor, which Alura had insisted was alright, but Nell felt guilty that someone so rich would marry him. A poor man with barely enough money to provide for them.

Nell sighed, shaking his head. And...my parents. Not only could his wife-to-be get in legal trouble for keeping him away from Mum and Dad, but Nell couldn't justify cutting them out of his life. Not that anyone cared – Mum would be heartbroken, but Dad would probably bash his head in. Yet Nell had to find a way.

He was shocked by how much it would hurt to leave. But for Alura, he would do it.

She held him from behind. "Nell..." she said. "What's on your mind?"

He swallowed. "I agree with you – we have to cut contact. But I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"You," he said. "Of loving you."

Alura joined him. "Nell, I've told you time and again. If you want to be a good husband...just be you."

"You make it sound so simple," he replied. "Alura... I'm afraid he'll try something after we're married. But, first, I must clarify that I'm no longer a child."

She was quiet for a long while. "And will that bring you peace, my dear?"

Nell bit his lip. The wounds on his back had faded to scars, but the phantom pain remained. "Yes," he said, his voice shaking. "I...I just wish he'd love me, is all. Love me, stop hurting me."

Alura took his hands. "I know," she said quietly. "But soon we'll be safe, and no one will hurt you again."

Nell was numb. He'd wanted Dad's love for as long as he could remember – to be taught how to be a good man, not hated for the fact that he wasn't. He might lose that chance forever if he revealed that he was with Alura.

Was she worth it? For the first time, he scrutinized her for flaws. Her intensity could be overwhelming, but she meant no harm. She was wise, fantastic...

And dangerous, he realized, passing a glance at her hands. That is her most significant flaw. Of course, Alura was a better person than his father – she would care for him. But could he really say he loved her more than the man whose blood flowed through Nell's veins?

"I guess," he said softly. "I've got to wear something suitable. Um...could Norwyn come with us?"

"Into the home of a violent man?" Alura muttered. "The day that happens, we'll see stars in the sky."

"I heard my name," Norwyn called, exiting his office. "What is the matter, children?"

Nell swallowed. "I was wondering if you could accompany us to my parents' house. Alura and I... we're getting married in three weeks. So we decided it would be a good idea to tell them."

"Are you sure?" Norwyn asked with a frown.

"Nell needs closure," Alura said. "And we would prefer if we had another person there. That way, if anything...dangerous...happens, you'll be there to help." She scoffed. "I've been wanting to send Luís to jail for years."

"Ah...yes, my child," Norwyn said, suddenly looking nervous.

Nell's stomach grew sicker. How can I justify putting an ill man before the court? It wasn't his fault...

It was...me...

I'm weak...

He rushed into the guest bedroom to change to clear his head.

✧✧✧

That evening, Light Spinner put on a black-and-white gown, donning long evening gloves the color of the night sky. Then, having arranged her hair, she joined Nell and Norwyn at the door. Nell wore a simple polo and trousers; Norwyn wore his usual sorcerer's robe with the customary circlet on his head.

"Will she mind us inviting ourselves?" Norwyn murmured as they walked across the street.

"Verns want people to invite themselves. It'll be fine." But Nell was clearly on-edge. Light Spinner gazed at him with a determined look. He would do well to realize that not all relationships had closure available and that he shouldn't expect love where it would never be given.

But then, he had always had such pain in his life. Familiarity was an even greater cage than abuse.

Nell knocked on the door, and Sember answered. Her face held a worried expression. "Master Norwyn," she said nervously. "I don't know what you've heard, but –"

Norwyn held up a hand and smiled kindly. "At ease, Sember. This is a friendly visit. May we stay for dinner?"

"Oh! Of...of course," Sember stammered. "I made enough food for a whole week. I'm so happy Nell's back – I assume he's well?"

"Well enough," Light Spinner muttered; Nell shot her a look, and she shrugged.

They entered the house. "There are seats for everyone," Sember chirped. Light Spinner sat down with Nell and Norwyn on either side of her. She took a deep breath and forced her anxiety to the back of her head. She could fight Luís if need be, but she feared more for her precious fiancé. What if he wasn't able to let go? To choose her, who loved him?

"Sember," Luís' voice called, "you said we have guests? It's a little impromptu, but –" He entered from the hallway, locking eye contact with Light Spinner. She glared into his eyes with all the ferocity she could muster. I know who you really are, you dirty child abuser.

Sember cleared her throat. "The Head Sorcerer and his daughter wanted to come for dinner, dearest. I hope you don't mind. She's not like the others – she's safe."

Safe. If only that were true.

Sember pulled out a casserole, heaping the homey food onto everyone's plates as Luís sat across from Light Spinner. The Del looked sour; he didn't resemble Nell besides the eyes.

Light Spinner slipped a bit of food beneath her veil, chewing daintily. "I'm not sure how much you know," she started, purposely exaggerating her Delvalian accent, "but Nell and I have been courting since last summer."

Luís spit out his drink. "Courting?" There was murder in his eyes; Light Spinner matched the expression, her hand reflexively clasping Nell's. Her fiancé was trembling.

We shouldn't have come, she thought. But I'm better at playing people than Nell thinks. Light Spinner leaned back. "Yes, my dear. It also appears you would be my new father-in-law."

Sember swallowed. "Nell...this is, um, wonderful! Why didn't you tell us before?"

"You know why," Nell said in a small voice.

Luís was caught off-guard now. "You? Nell's wife?" he laughed. "Next, tell me the stars will reappear in the night sky. Go on. Tell me, you whore."

Norwyn looked uncomfortable at the insult, but Light Spinner snorted. "Few people would dare use such foul language."

"Oh, I dare," Luís said in a prickly tone. "You do know how to pick the best husband," he said to Nell. "Get a woman your own age – she's ten years older than you."

"Two," Light Spinner corrected. "He also just had a birthday, in case you weren't aware."

"I'm aware," Luís muttered. "Drop two moons on his silly tinkering each time it happens."

"Dear," Sember cooed, "manners, please."

Luís looked over at his wife. Was that...care in his eyes? Light Spinner took a drink of her chilled juice, on guard. "Sorry, Master," Luís said to Norwyn. "I... I'm not well."

"So I see, my friend," Norwyn said softly – Light Spinner wished she had his composure. "Perhaps I can assist in your care. The Guild may be able to fund a trip to Meya – they have the best medical care on the planet."

"That...that will be unnecessary," Luís said. His voice carried a perpetual slur. "I won't interact with you or yours as family. They are not my blood because of a silly piece of paper."

"We will possess it," Nell said, his voice shaky but firm, "in three weeks, Dad. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Luís snapped, "that I will not be indebted to a Delvalian. The people who hurt me are not the people who will heal me."

"C'est dommage," Light Spinner murmured in her native language.

"It is a shame," Norwyn agreed. "I'd wanted our families to communicate. Perhaps to share a nice cup of tea with one another."

"I..." Luís seemed puzzled. "I respect you, Head Sorcerer. But your daughter is not right in the head – Nell is a shoddy candidate for marriage. It'd ruin them both."

"You don't really care if my life is ruined," Nell said, his voice wavering.

"Everything I've done was to protect you, boy."

Something broke within Light Spinner. "Protect him?" She laughed. "Moons... you're a riot."

"Stay out of this conversation," Luís snapped. "Marry him if you'd like. But be ready to pay the price."

Nell looked ill, but Light Spinner refused to give in to his father's fear-mongering. She was sick of being afraid, sick of suffering because of society's need for conformity. "If you refer to physical violence," she said, her voice dangerously quiet, "I swear on my mother's name that I will ensure you pay. If you touch either of us, I will demonstrate that you are a fool and a coward – not your son."

"Light Spinner," Norwyn replied. "Please. We are having dinner."

"It is well," Luís said. "Her people have a long history of physical threats against mine."

Nell swallowed, gripping her hand tighter. "Dad...I know this upsets you. But –"

Luís laughed. "Nellith, go ahead and marry her. You didn't have enough wit about you to choose properly anyway, and I can't stop you. But if you were going for a Delvalian, you might at least go for one with bigger –"

Light Spinner stood abruptly, patience drained. "Why?" she snapped. "Why do you insist on hurting him – why can't you just love him? Answer me, Luís!"

She breathed heavily, her face hot and her hands gripping the tablecloth. Nell's face was downcast. Norwyn looked afraid; Sember shared his expression.

Luís scowled. "You," he said, "are a brat. There was no use trying to convince me of your goodness. Your people fought ours and slaughtered those who were suffering. Their crimes taint you, daughter of Delvala."

Light Spinner scowled. "Believe whatever you want about me. You still haven't told me why you hate your son."

"Alura, please..." Nell begged. But Light Spinner refused to let him be a victim. If he wouldn't stand up for himself, she would.

Luís chuckled. "I train him to grow up strong. He will face many challenges – I've seen it in my future visions. The times when my headaches were so severe, I could see his life in ten years. And you are not in it."

"Your beatings have only broken him. You are blind," Light Spinner growled.

"As I have said," Luís repeated, "marry him if you like. Perhaps you can knock some sense into him like you've threatened me."

Light Spinner looked down at Nell, who was crying. "I will never hurt him," she said quietly, "as long as I live."

"Weakling."

"I...I think it's time to go," Sember stuttered.

"I quite agree," Norwyn said with forced gaiety. "Light Spinner, could you –"

"No," she said. "No, I won't leave. Not unless Nell can come with me."

Nell whispered softly. "Alura...please. We have to talk –"

She held him close, gazing at Luís. "Well?" she said. "May he come?"

"As a matter of fact, no." The Del tsked, holding up a group of papers. "These show that he is still in our home. And as long as he is in our home, he obeys our rules."

Light Spinner refused to respond. Her rage reached an absolute, and she had to keep her promise to Nell. The promise that he would never be afraid again. The promise that he would be free – even if she sacrificed her secret.

She pulled off one of her gloves, and Nell gasped. Norwyn bolted forward. "Light Spinner, no!"

Light shot from her hand, incinerating the documents as Norwyn slammed her against the floor. Light Spinner's head smacked the tile; she wanted to vomit, and her skull ached like she'd been stabbed in the head.

Luís chuckled. "I saw your dark power once, small one. You will be convicted of harboring dark magic – and you, Master, will lose your place on the Guild for hiding it."

"No – please," Nell cried. "I'll do anything. Please don't charge her, Dad –"

Light Spinner forced Norwyn off of her, standing. Sember had already fled from the room. Luís frowned. "Son...stay. There is a way you might be able to change my mind. But for now, you must go, daughter of Delvala. Your black magic – your hypocrisy – may cost you your life."

Light Spinner's stomach grew numb, and she swallowed as Norwyn grabbed her hand. Then, forcefully, he gave her a stern look and teleported them away.

❂❂❂

Did you know...

- Like Nell, I've also had to decide whether to stay in a toxic situation or leave regardless of the cost.

Tell me what you think...

- What might the fallout be from Light Spinner's outburst?