Calixtus sat across from Aster and wondered if he was making the right choice.

The clock on the wall—an old relic from his great-grandfather’s days that somehow still worked like a charm—ticked on much too loudly as if to remind him to get on with it. He supposed it was a sensible thought. There was, after all, no sense in delaying the inevitable.

“I’ll have to decline your generous offer.” The words were hardly out of Calixtus' mouth and already he felt like a weight was lifted off him. Even if the thought of what he was declining briefly crossed his mind.

Aster didn’t seem particularly bothered or even surprised by his answer. Calixtus supposed it was good to know even he was aware of just how insane his proposal was. The man simply sipped his tea, thin hands gracefully holding the delicate cup in a way that made it very clear he was of noble birth. Why he hid this, Calixtus could only guess. He set his cup down with only the faintest clinking and looked up at Calixtus with tired, dark eyes. They were no less sharp—no small amount of cleverness shining within them. It was enough to put Calixtus on guard.

“I’m very sorry to hear that, Mr. Ducasse,” Aster said, voice soft and calm. “Could I bother you to know the reason for your refusal?”

Calixtus thought about it for a moment, carefully considering whether it would be unwise to reveal his motives. In the end, he found no harm in it. After all, Aster had been nothing but polite and understanding in spite of his outlandish offer.

“To be frank, I’m not comfortable accepting such an offer from someone I hardly know.” He liked to think it was a very fair concern. Especially given that Aster had yet to provide him with so much as a surname.

“Ah, I understand,” Aster said with a nod, not the least bit offended. “Perhaps it was unfair of me to ask for such a commitment while keeping so much about myself hidden. It’s unfortunate that I’ve had to be so cautious.”

“And what is it that makes you so?” Calixtus asked before he could really stop himself.

Aster’s lips twitched into the faintest smile. His eyes twinkled, and Calixtus knew this was something he’d hoped would be asked.

“I think I owe you a proper introduction,” Aster said. “I am Aster Vespertine, a mage of the Magic Tower and second son of the Viscount Vespertine.”

Calixtus stared. He was vaguely aware that he was staring, but he paid it little mind as a myriad of thoughts swarmed his mind, each competing for attention against the others until he felt like his head would burst. Calixtus stared at Aster and wondered what a man like him could possibly be doing, sipping tea and eating biscuits in front of him.

More importantly, Calixtus wondered just why anyone like Aster would want to marry him.

“I suspect I’ve just raised more questions than answers,” Aster said after swallowing the last bit of biscuit.

“You’re a noble,” Calixtus blurted out.

“Barely,” Aster said. “My father and brother care far more about politics and the social hierarchy. I’m a mage, Mr. Ducasse, first and foremost. What squabbles the nobles have amongst themselves is largely none of my concern.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. Why are you here?”

“And why would I want to marry you?” Aster guessed at Calixtus' next question. “Because it’s the best way to guarantee peace and quiet and, most importantly, time to do what I need to do.”

“And what is that?” Calixtus wasn’t going to ignore just how cryptic Aster continued to be about his motives.

“Nothing that you should concern yourself with. For now.” Calixtus frowned at this.

“Didn’t you say relationships are founded on trust?” Aster chuckled, the most emotion Calixtus had seen from the man who had remained calm and steady through their brief meetings.

“And you rejected my proposal, so I really don’t know why that should matter.”

Calixtus supposed that was fair enough. He didn’t really expect to see Aster after that day anyway. Odd as the man was, Calixtus didn’t think satisfying his curiosity was worth getting involved with Aster.

“You don’t seem bothered by my rejection,” Calixtus pointed out.

“It’s unfortunate, but I can’t really blame you.” Aster gave a little shrug. “I wish I could be more forthcoming with you about my motives.”

“Because it’s inconvenient for your offer to be declined?”

“Because I’m starting to think you would be far more understanding than I’d initially thought,” Aster said. “But I do have one more offer for you to consider.”

“What sort of offer?” Calixtus asked, not able to think of what more Aster could offer. Or why he would offer anything more. Just how desperate was he and why?

Aster didn’t answer immediately, and Calixtus could see he was thinking about how best to proceed. That sort of cautiousness was enough to put him on edge. At last, Aster spoke only to throw Calixtus off completely.

“That was an unfortunate accident you suffered last year,” he said, and Calixtus felt his brain freeze as he processed the words.

“I’m sorry?” he said, absolutely taken aback.

“I would be interested to hear what might have gone wrong, or indeed, how something like that happened so late in the development of a magic artifact. Was there an investigation?”

“Er, yes. There was an error in the sigils inscribed on the item."

“It must have been quite an error to leave you unable to use magic.” Aster sipped at what remained of his tea while Calixtus sat before him, absolutely frozen.

He sat and watched Aster nibble on another biscuit. All the while, his mind was in a flurry, trying to work through what he’d just been told. Calixtus' hand tightened on his walking stick and he felt his jaw clench up.

“I wasn’t aware that was public knowledge,” he said in a tone that nearly shook with all the emotion he was struggling to contain.

“It isn’t,” Aster confirmed. “But my position made it possible for me to take a more in-depth look at that particular incident.”

“Is there a reason why you felt the need to do so?”

“Just curious,” Aster said casually. Calixtus didn’t buy it, but Aster had been reticent enough when it came to his true motives that he didn’t think asking for him to elaborate would work.

“And what does my…condition have to do with this offer of yours?” There was that smile again, as discreet as it was sly. Calixtus was starting to dread the expression. Briefly, he wondered what it would be like to be married to the man before him and just how often he might be shown that very smile.

“My previous offer still stands, but I’d like to add something I think will be of interest to you,” Aster started. “Like I said, I’m a mage of considerable skill, but I won’t be needing my magic in six months' time. I’d like to offer it to you as payment.”

Calixtus was getting tired of being constantly thrown off by Aster’s outlandish ideas. He felt the tension and frustration from before drain away. Instead, a sense of fatigue settled over him. Aster was an exhausting person.

“Why would you do that?” Calixtus also wanted to know how he could do that because he wasn’t aware it was possible.

“I told you, I won’t be needing it soon. Might as well make sure it gets put to good use when the time comes.” Aster sat up, leaning forward in his seat enough to make it clear what he said next demanded Calixtus' attention. “Be honest, Mr. Ducasse, the thing you most wish for is to have your magic back. It eats at you—that empty space within yourself—in a way no physical wound could manage.”

Calixtus swallowed thickly, hating just how true Aster’s words were. Even as he sat there he could feel it—that hollow space like a bleeding wound where his magic had once been. It was a constant ache he could never assuage and one he feared he’d have to live with for the rest of his life. And now, here sat Aster, telling him he’d take on that same emptiness onto himself to grant Calixtus what he most wanted.

“Why?” he asked, the question so soft it was hardly more than a breath. “Why do all this?”

The way Calixtus saw it, he stood to gain a great deal more than Aster. Wealth and magic in exchange for a measly six months in a fake marriage. No matter how one looked at it, it made little sense.

Aster didn’t answer right away, and neither did he look as laid back as before. There was a wistful sort of air about him as he sat in Calixtus' sitting room and worked out an answer. His gaze was distant, dark eyes seeing something past the moment they found themselves in. At last, he focused back on Calixtus, and though Aster’s expression hadn’t changed much, something had shifted in the way he held himself.

“Truthfully? I need the protection being bound to you, and your family would grant me,” he finally said, and Calixtus struggled to make sense of that.

“Protection from what?”

There was a faint smile on Aster’s face again, but this one was far from pleased.

“From being caught in a cage I won’t be able to escape,” he said. “I’m not asking for anything more than your signature on a piece of paper and a room in your home. In six months everything will be as it was for you—except for some considerable gains.”

Calixtus thought about it. He thought about the security he could provide his family and the future he would be able to ensure for his siblings. He thought of that awful emptiness within him being gone at last. After all that, he still found himself doubting whether it was worth it.

Then, he looked at Aster.

There was something about the way he looked at Calixtus as he waited for an answer. A glimmer in his eyes spoke of hope even as Calixtus could see—for the first time—the tension in Aster’s slight frame. Something about the desperation in Aster’s actions and the sheer vulnerability that clung to him struck a chord in Calixtus he’d not even been aware was there. Perhaps it was a remnant of whatever sense of chivalry he'd cultivated as a knight. With a sigh, Calixtus made up his mind.

He only hoped he wouldn’t come to regret his decision.