Ok guys this is a special chapter! I had a lot to write so this is an extra long one, at 2022 words, this is twice the length I usually write! But yeah, this took hours to type so please R&R and enjoy! I know you all wanted more Mira, so here it is! Also, the main plot starts forming in this chapter.
Mira's pov
He was here! HE WAS HERE! Calm down, I told myself. I'd seen him on my way home from the market and he looked so much better than the pictures! Obviously, I casually ducked behind some bushes and ran home before he could see me in my ugly everyday dress. Now I sat in my room, debating with myself. Go talk to him! Stay away from him, what if you say something wrong? Couldn't hurt to try, what's the worst that could happen? Him totally hating you and rejecting you and you getting humiliated in front of his posh friends! I groaned. Then I froze. His voice wafted up from the street, from my window I saw him walking with someone. I couldn't really tell who it was, but it looked as if they were walking to a small hill with a huge tree. Memories of rope swings and climbing filled me with nostalgia. Maybe, just maybe, I could go by him, and if he spoke first, then I wouldn't look weird.
I quickly put on a casual (but pretty!) chocolate colored dress with a gold trim. Walking to my dresser, I looked at my tangled dark hair and the natural reddish-gold streaks in it. I pulled it into a messy braid and looked over myself once more. My eyes were an olive color. Usually, they're brown, but if I get exited they turn slightly green. I have Mother's eyes. I was almost out my room when I remembered to slip on my locket, hiding it under my dress. It belonged to Mother, and I always have it with me. Careful not to wake up Father from his nap, I walked outside. Sure enough, King Daniel and his friend were sitting under the tree. I hoped Father would stay asleep for a good hour or so. What he doesn't know, can't hurt him.
"Hey Danny, is that your new queen?" An obnoxious voice rang out. I looked closer and saw...Far? What was that rat doing in the presence of a king? King Daniel looked over to me and smiled in embarrassment.
"Perhaps you should leave Far," I heard him say.
"Perhaps," Far grinned, completely missing the hint. "Why are you in such a rush to get rid of me huh? Does Danny boy have a crush on the witch?"
"I am in Kun'Lun to find friends, I believe the best way to do that is face to face, like I did with you."
"Whatever Romeo, peace out Witch!" Far flashed his two fingers at me and walked off. I was on the hill by then.
"Hello," I started nervously.
"Hello. I am Dan-"
"King Daniel!" I said a little too loudly.
"Actually I prefer Danny, I take it you've heard of me?" He laughed. Ok, act cool.
"I might have heard the name being mentioned."
"I see, and what is your name?" I found myself unable to speak. I loved his eyes. They held so much raw energy, so much power, it was actually scary. But there was a tenderness there too.
"What?" I was tearing my hair out on the inside. I am so stupid sometimes.
"Your name," He repeated, laughing. But it wasn't mocking.
"Oh! I'm Mira Stone," I said sheepishly.
"So Mira, why did Far call you a witch?" He looked into my eyes.
"It's because I used to train in magic, under Doctor Strange. Also because Far's an idiot," I didn't even realize what I'd said before I found myself laughing with Danny.
"MIRA!" I heard Father calling my name. Nononononononononono!
"Daniel!" Danny looked to see one of the old monks huffing and puffing his way up the hillside.
"I gotta go!" We said simultaneously.
"Mira, I'd like to show you something. Meet me back here at 10:00 tonight, wear something casual and flexible," He called out behind him as he followed the monk towards the palace. I nodded at him and ran back to where Father waited. I hoped he hadn't seen Danny.
"What were you doing?" He demanded. I racked my brain until I found the absolute perfect answer.
"Nothing."
"You were talking to somebody on the hill. You know that monster is in Kun'Lun! I told you not to go out while he's here!" I wanted to say, but I met him, and he isn't a monster! He's nice and handsome and gentle and handsome! Did I mention he's handsome...
"I know Father. Farligan Byrd was trying to break in again and I went up to scare him off," I lied. What! Just because that hadn't happened today didn't mean it couldn't happen in the near future. Besides, I'd caught him doing it many times, whether my house or someone else's.
"Kid's trouble. You did good, come in." We went back in the house and Father sat down heavily on the couch.
"Mira dear, get me some tea please," He rubbed his hands over his face.
"Are you alright Father?" I asked.
"Yes Mira, just tired," He sighed. I shook my head. Father had been "just tired," for nearly a week. I noticed he had clapped a hand over one side of his face. I cocked an eyebrow.
"Just a rash, get me some herbal leaves as well." I nodded and gave him some leaves from the herb garden out front, and his tea. Then I went to my room and slept until 8:00.
I had to wait until slightly past 9:30 before Father was asleep. Then, I slipped on a long and sleek midnight blue dress. I ran my hand down the golden swirls that went up my torso, it used to be Mother's. Over it, I wore a black cardigan. I opened my closet and sighed at the millions of shoes that tumbled out. I spotted the perfect ones, white and delicate slippers. Moving to my dresser again, I arranged my hair in an elaborate bun. I looked at my pale face and heart shaped lips. I'd never worn makeup before, but maybe I should. I dipped a finger in an unused canister of homemade lip gloss Mother had made. I ran some on my lips and laughed at the mess I made, quickly washing it off. Maybe I'll pass on the makeup. Checking to make sure I still had my locket, I made my way outside. When I got to the hill, my jaw dropped.
"Hello Mira," Danny grinned at me. He was wearing khaki shorts and a green t-shirt.
"Your dress..." He trailed off. I felt my face get hot.
"What? It was my mother's," I defended. He chuckled.
"You look beautiful, but I believe I told you to wear something more casual."
"This is casual!" I stammered nervously.
"Girls," He laughed and tossed me a bag. Inside, were a pair of black leggings, and a short kimono that would go down slightly past my waist. I looked at Danny incredulously.
"The only girl clothes in the palace, I had a feeling you would dress up," He explained. I had to admit, the kimono was pretty in a way. It was emerald green with a golden trim and white and gold flowers. Suddenly I realized something.
"Where am I supposed to change?" There was a silence.
"Invisibility spell! It makes a bubble around you and I won't be able to see you," He nodded. He lit his fists and I wanted to have a good fan girl screaming session. He was using his Iron Fist powers, live! A golden chi-powered bubble encased me suddenly. I could see him, but with slight distortions.
"Can you see me?"
"No."
"Turn around just in case," I said. He smiled, then spun on his heel to face the opposite direction. I changed quickly.
"I'm ready," I called. He disassembled the bubble.
"So, where did you learn that?"
"You are not the only one who has studied under the sorcerer supreme," He winked at me. He reached toward my neck and I froze up. I relaxed when I saw he was holding my locket.
"A heart with the Ying and Yang?"
"It's from an old story that my mother used to love," I shrugged. After that, I followed him to a flat snow-covered area dotted with a couple of trees. We hid behind a snow pile.
"What are we doing?"
"Just watch," He hushed me. Soon, a wolf pack wandered by. I gasped. They were beautiful, their silky coats glinted in the moonlight. Their eyes were mixtures of golds, greens, and blues. One was a pup, he darted between the older wolves and yipped playfully. We watched in silence. One of them howled, and it sent shivers down my spine. It was a ghostly, haunting sound, but it had a melody that was silky and sorrowful at the same time.
"Wow..." I whispered. The wolves stopped howling and yipping and playing. It was as if I'd interrupted a sacred ritual or something. The biggest one, a gray-black male with icy blue eyes came over to where we hid. I looked at Danny. He stayed calm.
"Watch," He commanded gently, lighting up his fist. The wolf sniffed at it, then licked his hand and muzzled him.
"Touch it," He whispered. I put a hand out and ran my fingers down the wolf's velvety fur. The wolf licked me, then flicked his ears to signal that it was safe for the others. The next hour was an amazing session of petting, howling and running with the wolves. At one point, Danny held up the wolf pup next to his face.
"Who's cuter?" He teased.
"The furry one with a tail," I informed him.
"I'm honored," He laughed. Soon the wolves surrounded us and slept around/on us.
"What is New York like?" I asked Danny. He thought.
"It is a loud and crowded place, and if you stand still too long, you'll most likely get robbed," He began, "But it is not without beauty. The streets teem with life and music and at night, there are so many lights that it seems as if the stars have fallen to earth." I imagined it. It was difficult, so I focused on another question.
"What about your friends?"
"Well...Sam, he is a lot like Far. Peter is humorous but kind. Luke is very tenderhearted and Ava," My heart broke. Ava? Who was Ava? WHO?
"She is very smart, or at least too smart for me to understand. She is also quite strict sometimes, but otherwise good," Danny finished. I was mad at myself for assuming he didn't already have a girlfriend. Then I was mad all over again for thinking I even had a chance. My ears burned and I hid them behind my hair, which had come loose. We were getting up to leave when we saw a silhouette of a boy running towards us. It was Far, and he was going as fast as he possibly could.
"Mira! Mira! MIRA!" He yelled as he came up to us. The wolves started running away. He doubled over and coughed a few times before speaking.
"Mira...your father...dead...sick...he died...tonight," He gasped out. I looked at Far, then at Danny. Father...dead? No! NO! It wasn't true, it couldn't be true. I looked at Far's face, he was pale and solemn.
"Mira..." Danny trailed off.
"I...I...what?" I couldn't comprehend it. I didn't want to comprehend it. I felt myself fall into muscular arms and then there was darkness. Nothingness. Just my own mid repeating not true, not true, not true, over and over, in synch with my heartbeat. And all I saw was the face of that gray-black wolf, only with tender green eyes that were just as soft as they were terrifying.
And so it begins! Tell me how I did, since this is my first pairing fic and it is definitely different. I'm happy with the results though. Not much to say other than keep up the good job all my reviewers, it makes me really happy to see people enjoying my story! Anyway...
Wolf out...