Mira looked over the papers in a suspiciously causal manner. The group in front of her nervously waited for any reaction. After she read everything, she tapped them neatly against the small table of her room. Her fingers drummed the table as she contemplated the information.
“Well?” Tiero asked.
“We scoured his house for information. Unsurprisingly, well-guarded,” Val offered, “Yetta nearly got caught and had to fight her way out. This is all we could find.”
“It can’t be a coincidence. He couldn’t have found that particular poison in under a day,” Mira looked to Skymara, “Not unless someone made it for him.”
The silvery elf blinked. Her white eyes grew nervously as Mira glared.
Her hands went up defensively, “I swear I didn’t supply it.”
“She is speaking the truth,” Val announced.
“That would have made things easier,” Mira sighed at the inconvenience, “Do you know anyone that could?”
“There are not many alchemists that could make it that strong, especially here. It is arrogant and irresponsible,” She tapped her chin, “It was not used for stealth. To send a message, maybe?”
“I do not believe it was meant for Amethyst,” She clarified.
“Then who?”
“If it is my master behind this,” Mira turned to look to Bo, “You would be the more likely target.”
“Good thing it was her instead,” Tiero grunted, “You could at least cleanse her. It would have killed him immediately.”
“The rat tried to sit with us last night at dinner,” He sneered, “He probably wanted to do it then.”
“Vernent tried to anger me directly instead,” She closed her eyes, “This is bad.”
“Why?”
“Isaan is toying with me to get a reaction,” Mira stood, “I cannot let him get one.”
They all knew that was one of the most dangerous suggestions. An unbridled monster waited for her to lose control.
“What should we do then?” Amethyst asked, “I can go about as if nothing happened.”
“Good,” She tapped her chin, “Skymara, make antidotes for everyone: Ravenna, Bobabano, Jonen, Amethyst and anyone else you think may need it.”
“Do you think he would try to harm Ravenna?” Tiero panicked.
“Don’t put it past him,” She looked to Val, “Vernent will have evidence somewhere: a friend, a lover, a servant. Is Yetta still following him? Find where he went after the fight and who he spoke to first.”
“What should we do with them?” Val asked.
Mira stood and handed the papers to Skymara, “You will bring them to the sorceress’s tower, and I will interrogate them there.”
“Why my tower?”
“There is only one door into the tower. And, if I’m correct, there are places that nobody can hear if I have to extract information in a less-than-delicate matter.”
“Are you talking about torture?” She blinked.
“If necessary.”
Everyone looked at the woman that replied so casually. She searched for any objection. She nodded when she heard none.
“Now, we will leave here and pretend nothing happened. Understood?” She looked to Bo, “I will protect you. Tiero, you will keep Ravenna safe. Em, I want you to pose as Jaspen Devorte and stay with Jonen. Amethyst, go with Skymara and rest.”
“What should I do with the real Jaspen?” Em asked, “Last I heard, he was at Jonen’s bedside in the palace infirmary.”
“Ravenna wants him to play the harp for her. Take him with you,” She looked to Tiero, “You will keep him there, by any means necessary, until I return with Bobabano to the guest suite. Understood?”
“Yes, Lady Mira.”
“I am supposed to run the trials with the prophetess tonight,” Em stood and dusted themselves off, “Would someone else be able to take Jonen then?”
“If he is well enough to leave, then bring him to his brother. If not, I want someone watching him at all times.”
“Why wouldn’t he be safest at the palace?” Bo asked, “There are tons of guards.”
“Until I know if Vernent is working with his father, I trust no one outside of this room,” She drummed her fingers on the table, “Not the Travel Knights, the royal guard, or the queen herself. I do not believe Isaan would remember him, but I also did not think he would know about my village either.”
Mira paused. It was the first time she had referred to it as her village. Not the unnamed crossroad village. Not the village. Her village. The thought hurt her chest.
“I failed to protect them. I will not fail to protect anyone here,” She looked between the Stone Order, “Assume that anyone that does not bare a mark is our enemy.”
“What about Jonen? He and his brother are unmarked,” Tiero asked, “How casually should we speak to them about this?”
“I do not know how much Jaspen knows. But I am planning on telling Jonen everything. Ravenna is also not pledged to me and can speak freely if he has questions. I trust her judgement in my absence.”
“She knows?” Skymara gawked, “When did you tell her?”
“A few days ago,” She waved a dismissive hand, “If she is to inherit Agrowl, then I do not want her in the order.”
“Mira, the prophecy states –”
“I do not care about the prophecy,” Her hand habitually rubbed the stone, and she felt her Guardian’s mind tumbling within her own, “We have discussed an alternative.”
“What would that be?” Amethyst crossed her arms.
“I disappear and Isaan can never find Encante. If he cannot, then the prophecy cannot be complete,” Her mind wandered to the cozy cottage, “I could live a simple, isolated life –”
“Then Alcante would kill every living being until he found you. He then would have five of the six guardians and kill you outright,” Em crossed their arms, “So you can either be incredibly selfish and live past the destructions of every living creature, or fulfill the prophecy as the goddess, and Encante, stated it. Where would you even go?”
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“The isle.”
The room went silent.
“From your own words, not a single ship has returned in nearly a hundred years. If Isaan cannot find the isle, then he would not be able to find me.”
“You will have to gather as many Guardians as you can, then,” Bo stood, “I doubt he will rest until he has enough power to find you. If you wish to hide, then we will hide and let him rule the outer world from our safe haven.”
His dark eyes stared at her with empathy.
“You did not ask for this nor deserve it,” He continued, “Anyone weaker than you would have been driven mad by him. If you do not think you can do this, then you need to save as many as you can.”
Mira did not expect that reaction from him.
“It is clear Isaan wants destruction. He wants war. You do not,” He clarified.
Her face softened, “I will not give him anything until I have no other choice.”
There was a since of hesitation for her to speak again. Mira did not want to lead these people. She was not a leader. She barely understood her own freedom. She could not handle that responsibility.
“Let’s go somewhere public, shall we?” Bo grinned to ease the tension, “We can go shopping again, if you’d like.”
She tapped her chin thoughtfully, “It would make sense to buy me something after we both won today. Perhaps that and a nice dinner where we would be noticed?”
“I will spoil you until you tell me to stop,” He grabbed her hand and raised it to his lips.
The room watched as she coldly pulled her hand away from his grasp. He frowned at her and shook his head.
“Are you two going to be alright after… last night?” Val’s eyebrow raised in concern, “Half the crowd was talking about the little tiff between you after you nearly choked the elf to death.”
“I have not been given my punishment yet,” He laughed sarcastically, “I’m assuming that will come later.”
“What was said?” Mira asked.
“Oh, that Captain Bo here is a real jealous type and heard that you two had kissed before,” She grinned, “Though it’s split on if Jonen was bragging before the fight to irk him or if he just didn’t like the idea that the knight might still want you. Some think you’re using Bo for his money while banging the knight, or that you’re trying to make the orc jealous. Jury is out on how much you’re egging them on to fight to make drama as well.”
“The sooner we can get out of this miserable, gossipy place, the better,” She scowled, “Now, everyone go to your assignments.”
Once the room dispersed, only her and Bobabano remained. He walked to the large display of dresses and ran his fingers over a few. Once he found the one he wanted, he took it off the coat rack. The dark red fabric almost looked back until he held it up to the window. Dots of glittering gold speckled the lower half of the slim dress. He handed it to Mira with a stern expression.
“Bathe and get ready to spend the night with me,” He ran his fingers through her hair, “Wear this.”
“I don’t believe you’re in the position to order me around.”
Their stubbornness collided in a staring contest. When neither yielded, Mira decided to break the silence.
“Why that one?”
“When I purchased this for you,” He smirked, “I imagined you sitting up on Agrowl’s throne with me at your side. I want to see how it fits before we return. If it does not do you justice as my queen, then I will get another.”
“I expect you to just as dressed up, then.”
“Of course. Anything for you, my mermiana.”
Bo intimately stared into her empty gaze and hoped she would soften to him again. He cupped her face in his hand. When she didn’t return the loving gesture with the soft eyes he wanted, he embraced her and rested his chin on top of her head.
“Can we talk about what happened?” He whispered, “I want to understand.”
Instead of hesitating, Mira had questions as well.
“Why did you hurt him?”
“I am a jealous, immature fool that can’t comprehend why you chose to sleep with him.”
She simply sighed. He continued.
“At first, I thought it was something. Could he have pressured you? Did he take advantage of your moment of weakness? But no. You’re too resilient for that,” He reached to her face, “After every moment we’ve had… after every embrace, every touch, every kiss, even after the other night… Why him? Why not me?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it does.”
“Why?” Her puzzled expression shocked him as she looked up to him, “We are friends. I care about you.”
He whispered hopelessly, “We are more than friends, Miradash.”
“I do not understand,” She furrowed her brow.
“Friends do not share a bed every night.”
“I slept in the same bed as Tella for months. We comforted each other in our sleep multiple times as you do for me.”
Instead of refuting that, he pursed his lips, “Friends do not undress each other as passionately as we do.”
Mira did not have anything to say to that. She looked away as she thought of his words. Her silence fueled him to speak more.
“We may not be in a fully romantic relationship, but—” He took a deep breath, “I am trying my hardest to romance you properly. Walking into that situation… I at least hope you understand why I was so angry.”
Mira nodded once. He placed his forehead in her hair as they stood in silence. He spoke his thoughts aloud to see her answer. He knew she would answer honestly.
“Is it because of what was said last night?”
“No.”
“Because you felt betrayed? Did you do it to make me angry? Jealous? If so, it worked. I am furious, jealous, and heartbroken,” He put a hand on her waist and let out a dry laugh, “Could you not get me out of your mind? I know you liked what I did to you. Was that it?”
Bo pulled her close and brushed the hair from her face. Mira looked away and he took the opportunity to kiss her neck the way he knew she enjoyed. When she didn’t react to him, he frowned at her coldness.
“I feel how you quiver beneath my touch. I heard your soft moans as I bit into your neck and traveled your body,” He whispered as he delicately bit into her, “Even Encante commented on how you reacted to me. If it was just about pleasure, then you know I easily could have –”
“Because I love him.”
Mira felt him physically stiffen at her words. She pulled his hands away and looked into his dark eyes.
“Is that what you want to hear?”
There was a long pause as he found his words. He decided to take some wisdom from his elder.
He choked out, “How… how do you know?”
“You doubt me?”
Bobabano realized how selfish he sounded to make it about him. Perhaps he was because he didn’t understand her actions. He also didn’t believe her words after Amethyst’s intervention. Mira’s actions felt natural after she explained it.
“After everything Isaan did to you…” He shook his head, “I do not know if you even understand how that feels.”
“I know how I feel.”
“You said yourself that your emotions are hard to understand,” He tilted her chin up to him, “How do you know this is any different?”
“I have my Encante’s memories. I feel the emotions in them. He loved my mother. I feel the same way,” She pouted.
“Darling Miradash,” He looked into her eyes, “How do you know? Encante is not like you or me. What if his emotions are skewed because he was never like us? He’s a dragon, after all.”
She scowled, “I do not like what you’re insinuating.”
“Fine, fine. I know you at least cherish him,” He held up his hand to stop her, “Then how do you know he loves you? What if he doesn’t? You’ve known him, what, the better part of a single year? He may walk into your dreams, but does that mean he actually loves you?”
Mira crossed her arms, “What are you implying?”
“He is too self-righteous and rigid. I worry about what he’ll do when he realizes who you are. Besides that, I don’t care what he thinks he feels,” His hands gripped her shoulders lightly enough so she wouldn’t turn away, “What I do care about is you. I vowed myself to you until my death.”
“I know.”
“My mermiana, I adore you,” He cupped her face in his hands, “I wouldn’t even dare to tell you I loved you. Yet, I’ve all but declared it to this kingdom and I poured my heart out to you.”
“Bo…”
Her voice felt weak as his dark eyes helplessly tried to relay his message. He moved one of her hands to his chest, directly over his mark. She gripped the sweaty fabric, and he collapsed his hand over hers.
“I don’t understand. Why him? What does he have that I don’t?”
“He is kind.”
The absurd remark seemed to kill the reconciliation between them.
“Really?” Bo scoffed, “That’s it? Kind?”
She scowled at him until he dropped his arrogant attitude.
“Jonen has never treated me differently from the moment we met. He is a kind man who treats others with respect,” She shook her head, “Enough that he would allow himself to be injured before he hurt someone I care about. Enough to degrade himself so you keep your reputation without me even asking. Enough that he still loves me knowing when I plan to claim you and what may follow. He is kind enough to offer to step away if that’s what I wanted.”
“I can be kind,” He stepped towards her.
“You can be, yes,” She raised a hand to stop him, “But you are not inherently kind. That is the difference.”
He understood her feelings behind the words but felt he knew better. He shook his head softly.
“Perhaps because I’m older than you both, a bit wiser, and probably jealous but… I do not trust him,” He patted her hand against his chest, “For this reason, if you don’t want to believe any other.”
Bo hand brushed her face affectionately. She stared back blankly at his tenderness.
“Does he know how I treat you? Has he not heard the rumors about us?” Bo frowned, “Does that not bother him?”
“It does.”
He sighed, “Then he’s a fool for putting himself through that.”
Bobabano waited for her to respond. He hated her silence in moments like these. He wanted to know what she thought. He looked over her and wished she would just say something to him. It was clear she wouldn’t.
“Everything between us is too complicated. I wish it were simpler,” He pulled a box from his pocket and placed it in her hand, “I have a small gift for you. I meant to give this to you last night. But you were… occupied.”
She didn’t meet his gaze as he pulled his hands away. She looked at the box curiously.
“Open it, please.”