Mira ran through the inky black lake towards the burning village. If she got there quick enough, then she may be able to save him. She had gotten better at saving people. Maybe this time she could finally save them.

Mira felt her wings grow and started to fly faster than she could run. She knew it was only a dream, but she had to try. Smoke filled the sky as she circled over the well. She crashed into the ground and cradled Pallik in her arms. She pulled the sword from his chest and waited for the nightmare to begin.

“You did this,” Pallik’s head twisted unnaturally, “You did this, Mira. This is all your fault.”

“No,” She whimpered, “Please. Please make it stop.”

“He tortured me… I cried out for you as I died,” A demonic cackle came from the glossy eyed teen, “If you had just followed his orders, I would still be alive.”

“I know!” She yelled.

Mira looked into his pale blue eyes as the bandages began to wrap around him. The smell of ash, burnt flesh, and tar filled her lungs. She held him close to keep him from morphing. She screamed in agony as his form caught on fire.

“Mira,” A soft voice echoed in her nightmare.

“Go away!” She yelled, “I deserve this!”

“Mira, wake up,” The distorted voice called.

“I’m trapped in the void. All because of you,” Pallik’s form cackled, “I’ll be gone forever if you wake up. You’re the only thing that keeps me here.”

She felt the fire burn into her flesh as the mummed Pallik pinned her to the ground. The bandages burned away, and skeletal bits fell on top of her. She shrieked as a hand caressed her face. Mira felt the lake beneath her reach up and drag her under the water. As she fought to get away, she heard a voice she didn’t expect.

“Mira,” Bo pinned her down as she struggled, “You’re safe. Wake up.”

She screeched and squirmed between his arms. A knife appeared in her hand, and she slashed at her attacker. He pulled her from the bed and held her arms at her sides. The black mist densified in the room as it wafted away from her. He fought against the cold chill as it swallowed them.

“Encante,” He whispered, “Help me wake her.”

After one last fit of contortion, she laid motionless. She felt so small in his arms. This tiny human was barely larger than a child compared to him. His body warmth eased her tense muscles and chilly skin.

Bo sat on the floor and held her against him, “Are you awake?”

Mira groaned and coughed. The familiar splatter of black ooze covered her hand. Bo looked down at her with worried eyes as she wiped the tarry substance from her mouth. She tried to squirm away from him, but her body hurt more than she ever remembered. If she died here, at least it would be over.

“Are you okay?” He moved a strand of hair from her forehead and placed a hand against it, “You feel cold.”

“Why are you doing this?” The empty words were barely above a whisper.

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“I’ve joined the Order,” He watched her cold gaze, “If you will take me, I would like to follow you.”

“Why?” The harsh words cut through the air.

“Despite everything I’ve done to you, that my family has done to you,” He paused, “You saved me. You saved my men. I didn’t deserve that.”

When she didn’t respond, he explained further.

“I know everything. I know my mother didn’t stand a chance when you were ordered to kill her,” He paused, “I want to bind myself to your cause. I know want to make my people safe. I want to kill the man that ordered my family’s execution. I want to be on your side.”

“I do not trust you,” Mira moved but it felt as if her muscles ripped from her bones, “Where is Amethyst?”

“I’m right here,” She knelt beside them, “He took the oath. He swore himself to Encante. If you don’t take him, another will.”

Mira turned and saw the mark on his chest. Every muscle movement sent spikes of pain through her chest. She coughed up more of the sludge and rested her head against his chest. Her vision blurred as she tried to focus on the people around her.

“You need allies. This one comes with many advantages,” Encante pondered, “It will brand him to you. The spell will kill him if he betrays us, much like yours did to wretched elf.”

Mira placed her hand over the mark. If it was anything like her enthrallment brand, then the pain would be enough to stop him. She nodded once to accept.

“I, Miradash, Vessel of Encante, accept your fealty,” Mira said as Encante’s words flowed through her and out in her voice, “May our might serve your protection. May our judgements rule fair. May your blade strike only our enemies. May you serve as my ambassador. May my body and soul serve a cause worth your devotion forever more.”

Bo gripped her hand on his chest as the enchantment burned into him. The glowing ceased but the electricity in his veins as it settled made his skin crawl. As he blinked, any lingering hatred he had for her dissipated. As the magical fuzziness faded, he saw the sickly woman in his arms. He felt her relax and melt into him as she tried not to sob.

“What can I do first?” Bo moved the hair from her face, “Where are you hurt?”

She looked into his now black eyes and saw the worry that reflected back on her. After Encante relaxed her racing mind, she nestled into his grasp and shook her head.

“I’ve got her,” Bo looked to the other two orcs, “Please, check on the ship while I calm her down. She’s my guest and my responsibility.”

Amethyst and Tiero looked at each other before walking out of the room to leave them alone. Whatever she needed, Bo was now there to help her. If she didn’t want him there, then he would leave.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Tiero checked but couldn’t tell.”

“I am only exhausted.”

“Then why did you scream in your sleep?” He tilted her chin towards him, “Why are you crying?”

“I have lost someone I cared for, one of my first friends,” She whispered as she clutched the pain in her chest, “I understand why you hate me. I did this to you.”

“It wasn’t you,” Bobabano brought her head into the nape of his neck, “If it was, I wouldn’t be alive. We know who to blame. I... I don’t hate you. Not anymore.”

“Why does it hurt so bad?”

“Because it can’t be healed like other wounds,” He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, “But it gets easier. It just takes time. I promise.”

Mira felt small in his arms. The solace made her feel safe. She wondered if this was how Tella felt when she comforted her. She understood why the girl loved to cuddle if she provided this much relief.

“Tell me what to do to help.”

Mira needed rest, but she couldn’t go through the nightmare again. She had spent days awake to stop from reliving it. Her body ached from all the energy she spent saving the ship. She needed to sleep. As her cough settled, she took a deep breath and decided to trust Encante’s words. If the brand would kill him, then she was safe.

“I over exhausted myself. I need to rest. Can you just…” Mira put her head against him, “I am cold. Provide me warmth as I sleep.”

Bo comfortably placed her in the bed and laid next to her. His hand rubbed her back. She relaxed as she warmed up. She suspiciously narrowed her eyes at him when he pulled the blankets up and tucked himself in with her.

“Are you going to tell me to leave?”

Mira was too tired to argue. She just wanted to sleep without seeing the inky lake. She fit nicely against him and the heat he radiated soothed her like warm fire.

“If you hurt me, you will regret it,” She warned, “I’m not too exhausted to kill you.”

“Is that you saying you are comfortable with me here?” He chuckled, “Or that you like that I’m warm?”

Mira grunted instead of responding. He brushed the wet curls from her face, and she closed her eyes again.

“Whatever you need, my queen, you only need to ask.”