The bathtub was large enough for Bo and Mira to almost sit in comfortably. Amethyst bathed in a different room, but the entire shack only had two tubs to use. The pair decided it was easier to share than wait. After rinsing all the direct filth from their bodies, the ladies of the house poured steaming water into the metallic tub and left the room. After he got in, she sat between his legs with his arms around her shoulders while they soaked in sudsy warmth.

“I assume you have questions.”

“A few, actually,” He laughed airlessly, “First… how do you know these people?”

“Isaan bought the original madam’s services when he came to Hangral for business. Before we found our home in the mountains, he paid her to teach me proper seduction techniques.”

“Really? I can’t imagine you learning that,” He laughed.

“It was a more difficult topic for me to learn,” She frowned, “I am not good at reading expressions. I didn’t quite fail, as I only needed it to lure targets into secluded places.”

“Works well for me,” He playfully splashed her, “You’re such a good flirt.”

“We both know you’re lying,” She rolled her eyes.

Bobabano leaned his head against hers. When she didn’t say anything else, he asked his next question.

“What happened to her?”

Mira frowned. He noticed her hesitation and decided to scratch her back until she was ready. Though they weren’t completely naked with each other, it was still enough to make her blush at his touch.

“Does that feel nice?” He chuckled as she leaned forward.

“Yes.”

After a few breaths, she sighed and leaned her back against him again. Her face turned to rest on his chest.

“He had me kill everyone that he paid to teach me. Then, I stole the money back for him.”

“That is dreadful.”

“Mama was famous in Hangral for taking care of her girls. I became one of them and stayed with her for… a month?” She thought, “I don’t remember her actual name. The girls just called her Mama because most of them were orphans. She cared about them and named every one of them when they started working for her.”

“She was still in charge of a wh—” He coughed when she elbowed him, “Of their services, I guess.”

“Some women only have their bodies to turn to in order to survive,” She smiled sadly, “Mama told every woman that she named that they could always turn their name in for a favor when they need it.”

Bo reached over the lip of the tub and to the basket of bathing equipment. Though there were risqué items for entertainment, he grabbed a cup. Mira furrowed her brow as he filled the cup with water and dumped it over her head.

“I’m bathing you, don’t make that face,” He chuckled.

“Why?”

“When we arrive in Agrowl, I will bath you every day,” He grinned mischievously as he reached for something, “We’ll have to learn to use some of these—”

She narrowed her eyes, “Bobabano.”

The orc clicked his tongue, “I can’t make a joke to lighten the mood?”

He pumped shampoo into his hand and lathered it into her hair. His thick fingers massaged her scalp. She grunted but leaned into his hands.

“Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

“That happened just after I met Tella and Pallik,” She smiled sadly, “She knew that she would die if she came with us. This life already ruined her body. She was close to death from the diseases she got from it. She didn’t want to die in front of her girls.”

“What did she do?”

“I told her to lock the money in the safe and tell whoever she wanted to take over that she was in charge,” She whispered, “Jolie seemed happy that Mama picked her.”

Bo could sense her sadness, even if she couldn’t. He decided to let her sit in the moment for a while longer. He rinsed her hair slowly. Mira sleepily blinked.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“You didn’t come to bed last night. Are you alright?”

“I was busy,” She yawned, “Val needs me to make so many decisions. Being in charge is difficult.”

“It is,” He chuckled, “They want things to go according to your plans.”

“I know.”

“What do they even need to bother you for?”

“Hunting, mostly. There are still some stragglers about,” She flicked a soapy bubble on the water, “There was another lead, but the man killed himself before Bragnoun got to him.”

“Any ideas where he is now?”

“The bastard seemingly fled a month ago. I believe he went to Saceida,” She shook her head before he spoke, “He didn’t get on a ship to Agrowl I already verified.”

“As long as he stays away from my people,” He rinsed her hair again, “Not Vanora? I think he’d go back to the elves.”

“That is one place we never really went,” She wiped the water from her face, “It would make sense if he had connections there, but I never knew it if he did.”

The orc puddled thick conditioner in his mossy green hands. He ran his fingers through her auburn hair as she closed her eyes. She let out soft moans as he massaged her scalp and moved to her shoulders.

“You need to sleep more.”

“Why would I do that?” She snorted sarcastically.

“You get moody if you don’t.”

“Rude.”

He clicked his tongue at her casual response. Her partially lidded eyes lost focus as she stared mindlessly. Bobabano knew that look well. It meant she lost herself in her memories.

“Want to talk about it?” He whispered.

When she didn’t respond, he continued to wash her hair. He didn’t like the empty look in her eyes, but he knew this is how she relaxed. Her brain shut out the world and acted only on her instincts. When it first happened, she threw things at him or nearly attacked. Now, he approach her or touch her if he was already close.

Instead of ignoring her, he continued to talk to himself.

“Sometimes, I wonder what would have happened if I was nicer to you in Agrowl. Would you have seen me as the beginning of your kindness?”

Again, she didn’t respond.

Bobabano lathered soap in his hands and scratched her back. He saw the goosebumps raised on her skin. He moved to tickle her, but she didn’t respond. He huffed and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her into his lap and placed his face in her hair.

“What can I do to help?” He squeezed her against, “Just tell me, please.”

Mira eventually placed her hands on his arm. He looked over to see tears soak her eyes.

“My queen?”

“Why did it have to be me?” She whispered, “Why?”

Bobabano knew the answer but could not say. Amethyst swore him to be secrecy until the entire order met to discuss next steps.

The sight of her in tears broke his heart. He reached up to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She closed her eyes again.

“Hey,” He spoke softly, “There’s no need for that.”

Mira tucked her legs under her arms. He rested his face against her back as he felt her pull away.

“You’re pulling away. Talk to me,” He begged, “I’m right here.”

The empty look in her eyes terrified him. It didn’t matter what he did, the empty look remained.

“Mira, say something.”

“I just wish I could be anyone else,” She smiled hollowly, “I miss Tella. I miss Pallik. My heart breaks thinking of them, but I can’t stop.”

He pulled her into a tighter embrace.

“I am supposed to feel guilty for killing people,” She whispered, “But I have to kill people. How do I know who to feel guilty about?”

“I don’t know how to answer that, Mira,” He brushed her wet hair back from her face, “I’ve killed plenty of people too. Sometimes… sometimes you have to do that to survive.”

Mira rested her head against his chest. She felt the water chill against her skin. Instead of complaining, she forced heat to her hands to bubble the water around them. He chuckled.

“Not ready to get out yet?”

She shyly shook her head.

“Did you have someone you talked to about these things before?” He asked.

“When I started having odd emotions, I spoke to the high priestess,” She closed her eyes, “I wonder how she is.”

“Why don’t you write her a letter? I’m sure they’d love to hear from you.”

“Do you truly think so?”

“Haven’t you said anything to them since we got here?” Bo furrowed his brow, “Anything at all?”

“Should I have?” She blinked.

“You should write letters to the people you care about,” He laughed airlessly, “They’re probably worried about you.”

Mira smiled as if it was nice thought, “I will do that when we return.”

Her honey yellow eyes reflected on the water’s surface. He saw the life back in her eyes and smiled.

“Do you feel better now?”

“Yes. We should leave soon.”

Bobabano gave her one final hug before lifting her from the water. She squealed girlishly as he swept her up in a towel. The new clothes were basic, but enough to sneak back into the palace in. They quickly dressed and returned to Jolie’s office. An older dwarf flirtatiously sat in Amethyst’s lap.

“Come on, I can tell,” She said in a singsongy voice.

“I’m married,” The orc said flatly.

“Get off my guard,” Mira growled.

The woman flinched and scattered to the other side of the room. Amethyst gave a polite smile to her liege.

“It’s time to go.”

“I was waiting for you two to finish up your canoodling,” The older orc snorted.

Jolie sat with her arms crossed at her desk, “Are we done here?”

“Sunshine is dead,” Mira bowed her head, “Burn the clothes.”

“I will.”

As she left the room, her hand lingered on the frame. She looked back to the blonde dwarf with a small smile.

“I will not charge you, Jolie,” She nodded, “If you need anything, find one of my people and tell them I sent you. These two will be your witness.”

“You think they’ll believe me if I said you stopped by a whorehouse?” The woman barked in laughter, “Better yet that I would trust you?”

“It is an offer. Take it when you need it,” She bowed her head, “Just say the name Mama gave me. I’ll let them know.”

She blinked but nodded her head.

“Let’s head back,” Bo wrapped his arm around Mira’s waist, “You need sleep.”

The woman sleepily blinked as she nodded. When they left the house, she sheepishly pulled on his shirt sleeve.

“Can you give me a piggyback ride?”

“You can just say you want to climb on top of me,” He smirked.

“Never mind, I’ll ask Ame—”

“By her ashes, Mira!” He laughed, “I can’t joke with you at all, can I?”

Despite her pout, she leaned onto his back as he lifted her up. Her eyes closed and she focused on his heartbeat. The dragon’s vision sent a lilac ripple into the darkness behind her eyes. She could sense the distance between her and any living object around them.

“Rest,” Encante’s voice echoed in her mind, “I will wake you if there is danger.”