As Jonen focused on their conversation, he regretfully missed the light footsteps of an approaching body. Mira reached around the corner and grabbed him by the hair. Before he could say anything, she pinned him to the wall with a knife against his neck. When she realized who it was, she dismissed the blade and held his face in her hands.
“Oh, Jonen!” She looked over him quickly, “I’m sorry. I just heard someone following us.”
The muscles in his body relaxed as her grip loosened. Her hand fell to his chest and his hand raised instinctually to hers. The silk of his shirt felt cold to the touch.
“He followed us,” Bo walked over, “Is there a reason?”
“I saw Mira was sick,” He looked down at her, “And that people that could harm her followed her. I didn’t think it would be disrespectful to make sure you were safe.”
“Is this one…?” Skymara lifted an eyebrow.
“No,” Mira commented and stepped from him, “I am fine, Jonen. Thank you for checking on me.”
“I was worried,” He looked between the angry orc and her.
Amethyst walked up behind them and drank from the bottle of wine she carried with her. Her words slurred as she hooked an arm around Jonen’s shoulders. She tapped a hand against his chest and laughed.
“This one is back, is he? Persistent elf,” She ruffled his hair, “I see why the little lady likes you.”
“Amethyst!” Bo and Mira shouted at the same time.
“Where’s Em?” The drunken orc looked around, “Tell 'em to bring more wine.”
Skymara pinched her forehead, “Amethyst, should you drink more?”
“Of course, darling!” She grinned and wrapped her arms around Skymara’s waist, “Remember when we would get drunk and dance under the moon? We should do that again!”
Mira laughed at the jovial orc. Amethyst had unbuttoned a few of her suit jacket clasps.
“Fine, fine,” Skymara lifted the leg of her fitted pants and pulled a small device from it.
Jonen watched curiously as the elf opened the glasses case and placed them on her nose. She flicked through different lenses until a green one popped up. She pulled the glass from the frame and handed it to the drunken orc.
“Emmy!” Amethyst grinned, “Bring more wine, my friend! We have so much catching up to do.”
The orc handed the glass back to the elf and Skymara tucked it back into the frames. Mira looked at the strange glasses.
“May I?” Mira reached for them, “I’m curious how it works.”
“Of course,” Skymara placed them in her hands.
Mira placed the small frames on her nose and flicked through the lenses. Each different color showed a new scene. Most contained fuzzy paws that scratched or kneaded into fabrics. The roaming creatures explored the palace and the city freely. As she clicked to the green frame, it was a dark scene. The vision quickly changed as a pocket watch slipped into a hand and opened towards a glass of wine. Em chuckled and inspected it thoroughly.
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“My enchantments are well known. The beads from the cats have better clarity for my glasses,” Skymara playfully touched her earrings, “I engraved Princess Ravenna’s glasses to help block the visions.”
“She may need new ones soon,” Bobabano grunted, “She’s on her last pair.”
“I will get on it right after our meeting.”
All eyes fell on the unexpected follower. All the cheery banter ended immediately as Bobabano puffed out his chest at the half elf. Jonen held his hands up defensively.
“Leave,” Bo narrowed his eyes, “We don’t need you. I can protect Mira.”
“Oh Bo!” Amethyst popped the back of his head with her hand, “You never know. Lady Mira might take him.”
“She wouldn’t for this,” He looked between them, “She knows he wouldn’t be able to.”
Mira looked at Jonen’s confused face as he spoke. She discussed with the orc about inducting Jonen into the order. Bobabano told her it meant that he would know everything. That Jonen would have to denounce the Travel Knights, risk his life for hers, and never leave her side. That he would know she is the wraith that he despises for killing all of his comrades.
“How do you know?” Jonen watched her.
Jonen would know that Mira is not the honey-eyed girl he grew close to during their time together. She wasn’t ready for the look in his sapphire eyes as he realized what she was.
“Jonen,” She grabbed his hand, “I talked with him about it. I cannot share this with you. Not yet.”
“Mira –” His heart dropped as his mind raced.
Thoughts and doubts swarmed his mind. Why didn’t she trust him? Was it about the wraith? Was it something he did? Why did she talk with Bobabano about him.
“It’s about my former master. I promise, I will be safe,” She smiled sweetly to him, “I will see you later, okay?”
“As long as you promise,” He ran a hand through the golden waves of his hair, “Where should I meet you?”
“Wait –” Bo was interrupted by Mira’s heel digging into his foot.
“I will find you when I am ready,” She nodded, “Until then, please be safe.”
Mira squeezed his hand gently for reassurance as she stepped away. Skymara opened a door behind them. Jonen watched as the women entered and Bo stood in front of the door for a moment. The orc’s large black eyes squinted in an aggressive glare.
“She doesn’t want you here. Leave.”
“At least make sure she’s safe, would you?” Jonen turned to leave, “You could do that much better if you weren’t constantly groping her.”
“I could,” Bo smirked, “But there hasn’t been a complaint about it so far.”
The orc quickly closed the doors between them, and Jonen cursed under his breath. Bobabano chuckled and joined Mira on a sofa as they waited for the final member to appear.
“His eyes remind me of Gregor,” Skymara sighed, “Our eyes changed once we took the pledge. His are so vibrant.”
“I know,” Mira blushed.
“Why don’t you want him in the order?” The elf tilted her head, “He is a strong warrior. He has powers. Bobabano doesn’t have talent and you allowed him to pledge to you.”
“Bo understood what I am before he pledged and did so while I was unable to stop him,” She looked at the grinning orc, “Jonen… is different. I cherish his friendship.”
“Ah, I see,” She nodded, “Do you know exactly what you are?”
“No,” Amethyst shook her head, “I wanted until a representative from each stone was available.”
“We don’t have one from Vanora,” Skymara drummed her fingers, “Though, Lapis could be here within a month.”
“We could wait a month before we move forward together,” Amethyst nodded, “But, I feel as though we have enough members here to properly explain.”
“Explain what?” Mira looked between them.
The door opened and Em hastily entered. They sat on the arm of their sister’s chair and popped a cork from the bottle of wine in their hands. Amethyst greedily swiped the bottle away and took a swig.
“Children, please,” Skymara groaned in frustration, “We need to be serious for a few moments.”
“We have to celebrate, dear Sky! We’ve found Encante,” Em chuckled, “You are always so serious.”
“Because you are not.”
Bobabano laughed and poked at Mira’s side. She shook her head and looked between the members of the Stone Order. As the rowdy two settled into a more critical tone, Skymara pulled out a quill and some paper. She studied Mira with a curious intensity before she turned to her sibling.
“Now,” Em leaned forward, “Tell me everything.”