“Jonen Lafayette!” His commanding officer threw the door of his barracks open hard enough to break the handle on the other side.
He jumped from his bed and rushed up to Commander Grimson. He searched her face for any hint of reprimand from going to meet Mira the night before. The grizzled woman’s cold gaze gave away nothing.
“Given the circumstances of last night,” She cleared her throat, “I need to know exactly where you were.”
“I spent some time at a bar, then returned to my brother’s lodgings before coming back to the barracks,” He replied, “I ran into Knight Yorth on my way in.”
“Did you happen to see your friend at all last night?” Grimson narrowed her gaze.
“At the tavern near the Zelpan district,” Jonen waited for her to reprimand him, “I went out with my brother and a woman he’s seeing.”
“And what exactly was she doing there?”
“I’m not sure. I only saw her briefly. The naval captain was with her,” He stood at attention as he woke up more, “She introduced my brother and me to him and Lady Ravenna. Then, they left to continue their night elsewhere.”
“Very well,” She cleared her throat, “I am clearing you to travel the city as you want.”
“Wait, what—” He stopped himself from asking, “I mean, thank you, Commander Grimson.”
“My husband returned and said there was no need to keep an eye on you,” She grimaced, “Thesson said she would be a bit wild but could be trusted.”
“Is there any particular reason you are dismissing me?”
“I will verify with those above me, but until you hear otherwise, I have cleared you,” She shook her head, “Get dressed and report for duty for the day.”
“Yessir,” He nodded.
Jonen walked back to his trunk and got dressed. As he meandered from the barracks through the mess hall, he noticed eyes and whispers followed him. He wondered what happened last night that could have freed him from scrutiny by his commanding officers. He grabbed his pitiful breakfast and sat at one of the tables. Some of the other Travel Knights chatted about the previous night and Jonen soon learned about the rumors.
“Why aren’t they arresting her?” One scoffed, “She’s clearly involved.”
“Oh, you didn’t hear?” Another snorted, “Some of the servants saw them in the palace. It was quite the display. They’re patching up the walls in main corridor.”
“What exactly do you mean?” Another asked, “I didn’t hear that. I heard they have to get a new bedframe, though. Apparently, it shattered.”
“One of my sister’s friends said their clothes littered the halls leading up to his bedroom. One of the servants had to bring her more this morning. I’m sure we would’ve heard of a naked woman in the streets.”
“I heard he ripped her shirt off in the courtyard and cut it off when they got to his suite,” Another slurped down his cereal, “He nearly killed the peeping staff for interrupting him. One of the maids fainted.”
“What exactly are you all talking about?” Jonen narrowed his eyes.
“That orc captain and the woman he fancies had a rowdy session,” He chuckled, “Apparently he nearly bought out three entire florists near her inn to send to her before she returns whenever she wakes up.”
“I bet she’s walking a bit funny, then. She’s a teeny thing compared to that orc. I’m surprised she could even take him.”
“My friend’s sister said she ripped his belt off herself and went at him,” He snickered, “Not to mention I could hear her moaning his name from the courtyard. Seems like she enjoyed it.”
Jonen’s spoon dropped as they mockingly moaned Bobabano’s name. The world imploded around him. Bobabano actually convinced her to sleep with him? Was it because she let herself get drunk? Worse still, did she actually want him?
As the group around him gossiped, he couldn’t stop imagining what might have happened between them. He gripped his hair to try and stop his spiraling thoughts at what she enjoyed the man doing to her.
“Poor girl. Someone should find her a healer and see if there’s anything left to be saved,” One snickered.
“Yeah, and that’s why we aren’t even arresting her. Especially after what happened with that wraith business.”
“Yeah, we’re supposed to block off the crowd forming by the little memorial,” She laughed, “I just got back from the night shift. It’s so demented.”
“I haven’t even seen it yet,” Another said, “How bad is it?”
“Well, they certainly made a statement. I hardly read the report, but half of our jobs are over. We’ll have too much leisure time soon. They’ll probably send some of us to Vanora.”
Jonen lost his appetite and left the mess hall. His mind numbed to everything around him as he walked away from everyone. He didn’t view the role assigned to him for the day. He’d take the penalty for ignoring his post later. He just needed out and to clear his head.
Jonen stormed down the streets of Hangral. He wasn’t sure exactly where he was going. He just needed to be far away from there where other knights casually gossiped about Mira. He couldn’t stop imagining her with him. How did she end up in his bed? Why? What had she done with the shawl he gifted her? Was that as easily discarded as he was?
Jonen soon stumbled onto a horrific scene. Three long armed weapons spiked from the ground. Two guards pulled a head from the halberd. The hands from the spear were already in a bag on the ground. The glaive had an odd offering on it compared to the macabre display of the other two: a burnt teddy bear lovingly sat against it with a sickly green ribbon tied into a beautiful bow.
“Seems like that wraith is taking over,” Another guard pointed to the paint on the wall behind it.
The dried blood in the shape of a wilted rose only had a few words written be beneath it in a slimy green painting: “By Her Shadow.”
Jonen turned to walk down the street. Is this why Mira had to leave last night? She would have known this would happen. Is that why she made a big spectacle of sleeping with Bobabano? The spiking pain in his chest threatened to drive him mad as he continued spiraling.
What if that wasn’t the only reason she slept with him? What if the orc was actually her lover? What ifs crowded his mind against his will.
Jonen found himself at his brother’s small apartment. He didn’t even knock, and just opened the door. Jaspen sat across an elven woman with the rose tattoo. He now understood that it tied her to the wraith’s bandit clan. The woman threw her blond hair over her shoulder and gripped the teacup in front of her.
“Jonen—” His brother stood with concern on his face, “What’s wrong? What happened?”
He hadn’t realized that he had been crying until Jaspen grabbed a handkerchief and handed it to him. Yetta turned and rolled her eyes. She sipped from the teacup.
“I’m assuming he heard of the pompous love fest,” Yetta chuckled, “Jealous? Angry? A trail of clothes and chaos through the guest suites, some say.”
“I thought… I thought she—” The words caught in his throat before he let out a defeated, “Why?”
“I’m sorry, Jonen,” He placed his hand on Jonen’s shoulder and squeezed it lightly, “He’s basically a prince. He could give her anything she wanted: money, power, fame. Any lavish lifestyle she could imagine.”
“What else have you heard?” He sat on Jaspen’s bed, “I just… I have to hear it. I have to know.”
He sat at the table, “He’s bought out stores with gifts for her.”
“Like what?”
“Dresses, jewelry, flowers, extravagant bakeries,” Yetta counted on her fingers, “Amongst other things.”
“Just spit it out,” He narrowed his eyes at the guest, “I’m not in the mood.”
“Apparently there is a seamstress hired to make her any lingerie he wants,” The older brother sipped from his teacup, “And I’ve seen some of the products she makes. They are… appetizing, to say the least. Higher end brothels use her services. Many of the ladies of the town use her for their wedding nights as well.”
“Is that it, then?” Jonen cursed in frustration, “Months I waited for her to write me back. She tells me she’s coming to me to… and then this? I can’t compare to him. Especially if…”
Stolen story; please report.
His face fell at the thought of them together again. His mind spiraled at the thought of her infectious smile and sensual laughter by another man taking her from him.
“Jaspen, how do I get her back?”
“Get her back?” He barked in laughter, “Jonen, that orc can offer her a lifetime she couldn’t even dream of as another man’s slave. What can you offer her on your meager salary? You can’t even afford your own apartment!”
“You’re supposed to be on my side,” He growled under his breath, “Can you at least pretend?”
“If she didn’t pick him, she’d be an idiot,” He raised his hands defensively, “That’s all I’m saying. You can find another woman easily. Not many people compare to Bobabano.”
Yetta burst into a fit of giggles. The brothers looked at her in confusion. She grabbed her sides before her palm slapped the table as she tried to calm down. After a number of attempts to stop her fit of laughter, she held her breath.
“Oh, Goddess,” She cleared a tear from her eye, “If you only knew.”
“What?”
“It’s all a show, you absolute morons,” She shook her head, “Her announced as his bride, prancing around like starry eyed lovers, breaking the palace’s guest rooms, the gifts – I highly doubt she actually slept with him.”
“How would you know?!” His fingers dug into the table in front of him, “I heard there—there were witnesses to—”
“Do you know what exactly happened last night, Jonen? The Wilted Rose took over the city,” She lifted an eyebrow, “Hundreds of criminals were slaughtered unless they knelt to Leader. Bless it, I allegedly blew up a warehouse for fun! If she wasn’t seen anywhere, especially with her close connection to our leader, what do you think your people would have done?”
“My people?” He blinked.
“Yeah,” She tapped her finger on the Travel Knight crest, “You know… people that want to arrest her? Imprison her? If you take the rumors about Reiner’s feelings, execute her even.”
Jonen frowned. The woman was right. Commander Grimson’s words made much more sense.
“I assumed that the wraith wasn’t happy that Lady Mira spent time elsewhere,” Jaspen shrugged, “That’s the other rumor. He ran ravage the town to impress her and bring her back to him out of Bobabano’s arms.”
“That’s impossible,” Jonen and Yetta said at the same time.
The pair gave each other a look to see if they knew the same information.
“Let’s just say they have a connection, but not like that,” Yetta sipped her tea, “Though, that rumor might help too. Feed into it if you can. I’ll let my underlings spread it too.”
“I still don’t see why they had to…” Jonen took a deep breath, “They were seen out on the town. He spent enough gold to fund the city for a week. Surely that would’ve been enough.”
“What a better way to make a statement than destroy half the palace as loudly and flamboyantly as possible? Dwarves are awkward about public displays of affection. Even more so about sex,” She snickered, “He already announced to the world he wants to marry her. Her refusal would be seen as odd to anyone outside of the orcs.”
“Why? Why would that be odd?” He crossed his arms, “People refuse marriages all the time.”
“Orcs don’t get married. They claim men and the pair,” Jaspen cleared his throat, “—demonstrate their affections. Publicly. The more renown, the more witnesses.”
“With the absolute chaotic scene of destroying the guest house,” Yetta sighed, “She’s all but claimed him in his people’s eyes. It gives his declaration more credit. Plus, the town gossip is all about them over the heinous crimes last night.”
“So, you don’t think they actually did anything?” Jaspen raised an eyebrow, “I mean, I’ve seen the man.”
“Jaspen!” Jonen scoffed.
“I saw her before I came here,” She chuckled, “The little lady didn’t look like she spent the night having mind-blowing, soul-altering sex with that scrumptious man. Voids, I threw myself at him and he said he didn’t want to break me. Is she beat up? Sure. Walking funny? Nah.”
“Beat up?” Jonen asked.
“Oh, you’re a sweet and innocent boy, aren’t you?” She chuckled, “Most men love to dominate their woman in Agrowl. They aren’t known for being gentle.”
Jonen’s face became furious with heat. Given how much she loved fighting, she probably thoroughly enjoyed being thrown about by the orc like that. How badly did had the man hurt her?
“Can I see her?” Jonen asked, “I have to know she’s okay.”
She shook her head, “Lady Mira said it wouldn’t be good for you to be near her until after the tournament.”
“Why?”
“She doesn’t want to look like she’s picking you,” Jaspen understood, “That would humiliate Bobabano and put a large target on your back.”
“What? Why?”
“Bobabano is the naval captain of Agrowl. His mother was a queen. He could vouch or champion for anyone to join his tribe. Most orcs would gladly gift him your head if it meant they could approach him or Lady Ravenna to join them,” She shrugged, “I know I would and I’m not even an orc.”
“I don’t understand,” He furrowed his brow, “Why would—”
“Brother, I doubt they would be keen on seeing his woman with another man,” Jaspen shrugged, “Lady Ravenna seemed uncomfortable with how much attention she gave you, too. It may be for your safety, more than anything else. I imagined that’s why she wanted to read us.”
“When will I be able to see her, then?” Jonen ran his hands through his hair, “I… I have to see her.”
“After their next public display at the tournament, I assume,” She scratched her head, “That’s only what, two days?”
“Yeah, there’s general entry and then the first elimination round,” He laid on his brother’s bed to get comfortable, “I’m hoping to at least make it to the second round. It’ll pay for the entry fee.”
“Do you need me to cover it?” Jaspen raised an eyebrow, “From the lady’s visions, it seems I should be getting a contract soon.”
“No,” He shook his head, “I’ve been saving up. That shawl bit into –”
He paused. What had she done with his gift?
“It’s somewhere in her suite,” She waved the thought away from him, “Along with the other gifts she’s received. Mira ordered Val to place it somewhere safe last night.”
“Was all that really necessary?” Jonen grimaced, “I saw the… memorial.”
“It’s horrific, isn’t it?” Yetta laughed before she turned to face him, “But, yes. We entered Hangral with no fame. By Her shadow, we won the entire city. The Wilted Rose is infamous. When we leave Zrud, we have credibility. In fact, half the men that are watching you are from the Jade Tears.”
“What?” Jaspen choked on his drink, “The assassins?”
“What better way to protect a man than to send people that would know how to kill?” She shrugged, “The others are from the orc’s ship. Trained them myself. I doubt you’ll see them unless something goes wrong. It isn’t like anyone put a hit out on you, yet. Bragnoun would likely kill the person that did.”
“The Bragnoun?” Jaspen turned to his brother, “Goddess above, I knew your girlfriend was a killer, but how on earth did you get caught up in this?”
“Lady Mira is not a killer. Killers go about it lazily and slaughter anyone they can conquer. Don’t insult her,” Yetta set the cup down and glared at the elf, “I am a killer. She is a skilled assassin, Jaspen. Better than Bragnoun, apparently. That’s at least what he says.”
“What?” The brothers blinked at her.
“Good ol’ Braggy,” The elf snorted at the nickname, “He tried to kill her before. That didn’t work out. She nearly got him, from what I’ve heard. That’s how he’s missing an eye.”
“Why would he work for her then?” Jonen narrowed his eyes.
“Not for Mira. For the wraith,” Yetta corrected him with a raised finger, “An important distinction. Lady Mira knows of our activities but is not involved outside of that.”
“More importantly,” Jaspen looked to his brother, “Let me write a song about it.”
“I don’t really feel like being a subject for your career,” He shook his head.
“Not you. Her,” He chuckled, “Lady Mira, a tale for the ages: the honey-eyed thrall with luscious red curls that became the ward of a demon and the stealer of a sea captain’s heart.”
“Jaspen, please. I would much rather you didn’t.”
“Oh, don’t worry I will,” He grinned, “I’ll even ask her first.”
“I can already hear it,” Yetta teased, “The esteemed Lady Mira.”
Jonen buried his face in his hands. At least the images of a mossy green orc ravishing her body left his mind. He remembered the tenseness of her as Bo touched her when they met. He told himself she didn’t enjoy it and it was all for show. She had smiled and openly hugged Jonen when they saw each other again. He reminded himself of that. She opened up to him.
Jonen knew she deserved happiness. Mira looked at him with such warm, kind eyes in a way that he wanted to be the one to make her happy. After they met in their dreams, he was sure they were meant to be together. Jonen only ever heard of two souls meeting in dreams if they were bonded in life – either the current or a previous one.
“Do you really care that much for her?” Jaspen returned to his chair and picked up his lute to play a few bars, “You told her about Shay, sure, but do you care for her the same way?”
Jonen chewed on his bottom lip as he thought. His month with her was the happiest he had been in the eight years since his late love died. Eight years since his heart skipped a beat and he felt the chance at that type of connection again. Eight years since his dream of coming home to see his woman every day and take her in his arms could be a reality.
“I bonded with Shayleigh. Our souls are forever tied because of that,” He sighed, “But… Mira is the first woman I’ve seen that made me feel anything past sharing a single night.”
“So pretty boy can sleep around but the lovely lady can’t?” Yetta snorted, “Typical.”
“He hasn’t so much as glanced at another woman since he came back from eastern Zrud,” Jaspen narrowed his eyes at her, “Don’t get that mistaken.”
“Nothing to mistake,” She shrugged, “Does she know about your escapades?”
Jonen rubbed his hands down his face. Mira knew about his bonding night with Shayleigh. She knew that he had taken the grassy green elf in body and soul. He neglected mention bedding any other woman past that, but they didn’t matter to him.
“I shared something personal with her,” Jonen nodded, “The entire story of my bonded, including her end.”
“You told her that you killed Shayleigh?” Jaspen spit out his drink in surprise, “You actually admitted it to her?”
“I told her everything, Jaspen,” He nodded solemnly, “She helped me feel more comfortable with my powers. I haven’t gotten to train with them recently, but I’ve been better at controlling it. In fact—”
The memory of him removing his shirt so she can follow his energy made him blush. She hadn’t judged his physique, his inability to properly wield his power, or his hesitation to use his magic. No, she helped him understand it better.
“Mira helped me learn to focus it so I wouldn’t hurt anyone else unless I intended to,” He tapped a finger against his chest, “Jaspen… I think I love her.”
“You barely know her!” He scoffed, “And she’s in another man’s bed. A much richer, famous man. Why on earth would –”
“Mira has always accepted me. You saw how she stood up for me last night!”
As the brothers started to shout at each other, Yetta chuckled darkly and made herself comfortable in her chair.
“Oooh, a fight? I love to see it.”
Both of them stopped and gave her a similar disgusted expression. She threw her head back in laughter.
“I don’t know for sure…” Jonen ran his hands down his face, “I want to try to love her, if she’d let me.”
“Well, you have one thing you have over Bo, at least,” Yetta shrugged, “He’s not a mage. She’ll barely practice with him in fear of hurting him. Drives the poor man crazy she won’t let him try.”
“Really?” His ears perked up, “So I do have some advantage over him.”
“If you call that an advantage,” His brother snorted.
“Oh, if there’s anything Mira loves,” Yetta cackled, “It’s food and fighting.”
“Well, for Jonen’s sake,” He smacked his brother’s knee and teased, “Let’s hope there’s at least one more thing she’s willing to try with him that starts with the same letter.”
“Jaspen! Stop being vulgar!” Jonen threw his hands over his face, “Can we talk about something else?”
The two elves laughed at his expense. Now that Jonen knew there was at least one thing he could offer Mira that Bobabano couldn’t, he could relax. He hoped that she would at least see that and consider him. Even if she wasn’t interested in the orc romantically, Jaspen was right. Bobabano could give her a life he couldn’t. The most he could offer her was his heart and a simple future together.
He remembered that was something she at least wanted.