Flower of Love

There was no sight of either of their parents at the platform. It wasn’t until the place was almost entirely deserted that they saw the elf. Bitsy was an unusually small house elf whom Evan thought was also unusually ugly. The old rag she called a dress looked and smelled as though it had never been washed. But Pandora loved her so Evan kept his mouth shut. She was usually quite chatty, but today she only beckoned for them to follow after her.

“I thought Maman would be here?” Evan questioned.

The elf only shook her head and Evan realized that there were tears forming in her large eyes. 

“Oh…” The realization of what was implied struck him. Pandora’s embarrassment would not be overlooked. It did not worry him as much as he had before. His mind was made up and he would not let Pandora feel their anger. 

They each took one of the elf’s hands and were whisked away. 

The front hall of their family manor swept into view and they landed hard into the center of the room. The house was eerily quiet. Evan wondered if it had always been so warm. The air was sweltering as though they were standing next to a furnace. 

“The master wants to see the young mistress in his study.” The elf murmured, still not looking at them. 

Pandora’s eyes shone with fear but she nodded and started to leave. Evan grabbed her hand to stop her. “I’m coming with you.”

Pandora shook her head. “No, Ev. It’s fine. I’ll be ok.”

“I’m not asking.”

Together they made their way up to the third floor. The office doors were towering dark oak that swung silently to let them in. 

“You may leave Evan. I have not called for you.” Their father sat at his desk, not bothering to look up at the pair. 

Evan typically knew better than to speak back to him let alone argue, but there was no risk when he had already accepted his fate. 

“I know. I wanted to ask you something.” 

This caught his fathers attention and at last he looked up to acknowledge them. He eyed Evan carefully before replying. “Alright then. What did you want to ask me?” 

Evan exhaled deeply. He had thought through what he would say a dozen times. “I know what Pandora did was disgraceful, but she is not the heir. She will not carry our name as I do.” 

His father’s face had grown dark. “Are you truly trying to ask me to not punish her for her failure? Without punishment she will not learn. The Rosier name needs to be kept clean even if it requires pruning.” 

“No. Of course she needs to learn. But if it is the name that needs to be cleansed, then she is not your target. She can learn by example.”

“Evan-” Pandora stared at him, realizing what he implied. 

His father considered, twisting his wand in his hand. He looked over to his wife who sat silently on a nearby couch. She stood up and walked to her daughter.

 “She will be less desired if her value is diminished.” She stroked a hand along Pandora’s cheek. 

His father nodded. “Very well.” He beckoned Pandora forward. “These lessons bring me no joy. Remember that this could have been easily avoided if you had obeyed. I am not a cruel man. It is your selfish choices that force my hand.” He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. To truly hear his every word. “Don’t even try to look away.” 

Evan knew he was right. The punishment was deserved but he could not bear to let Pandora take it on. He would feel no pain if he knew she was safe.

By now Pandora was sobbing. “No! No, no, Evan stop. Please! He didn’t do anything-” Her mouth continued to move but no sound came out. Their mother put her wand away. 

Evan couldn’t help it. His entire body shook. He started to fold in on himself to hide from what was to come. 

“Stand up straight, boy.” Their father’s voice held no emotion. His face was bored as he drew his wand.

“Where did you get this?” He asked Pandora, looking at the shimmering green potion she had handed him. 

“It doesn’t matter. It wasn’t meant for you.” Her response was clipped. She has said very little to him once he woke. He had been surprised to see her at all. 

“Pan, I know your mad but-” 

“No. We’re not talking about this yet. Just let me help you. I can yell at you when you're healed.”

Evan retreated into silence. Without conversation to distract him, the pain consumed his mind. Burns were nothing new to him. He had felt the sear of a red hot wand tip against his skin for a number of reasons, but it had never stung like this. The skin along his inner arm was singed black, the blisters spelling out the words that had been seared into his skin. 

Aut vincere aut mori

Forever branded with his family’s crest. 

Between the pain and the sight of the charred flesh, Evan felt his consciousness slip again. 

When he came too, his room was dark. The sun had long set. Pandora was asleep in an armchair near his bed, her silvery hair falling over her face. The pain had subsided, leaving an echoing ache. He turned his arm, looking for the wound, but found that Pandora had wound it tight with potion infused wraps. He slid out of bed and noticed the full dinner plate on his nightstand. 

“You should eat. I had Bitsy make it special for you.” He had not realized that Pandora was awake. 

“Thanks.” He gave her a smile which she ignored. He sighed knowing what he had to do. “Can we talk about this yet?”

“Eat first. Then we can talk.”

Evan nodded and reached for the plate. Dinner was a beef and red wine stew. His favorite. He ate greedily. The food was cold but Evan was almost thankful for the chill it gave him. 

He finished the meal and put the plate down, ready to face the conversation ahead. Pandora was back on her armchair, hugging a pillow on her lap. 

“Why?” She stared at him as if she might find an answer by looking hard enough. 

“I told you that I wouldn’t let them hurt you.” 

“And I told you that it wasn’t your job to be a sacrifice!” She stood up, the pillow forgotten on the floor. 

“But it is! Don’t you see? You might be raised as a Rosier but you won’t be one forever. I have to carry the family name and I will carry what comes with that as long as it keeps you safe.” 

“That’s not fair Evan.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Let me help. There has to be something I can do.”

“Forgive me.”

“Ev…” 

“Over and over again. Every time. The only thing that would regret taking your place is losing you.” 

“I don’t want to have to.”

“We said that we’ll always have each other, but that’s not true if you don’t forgive me.” 

She hugged him, burying her head in his shoulder. “I will. I promise.”