Jovari the Blue

Chapter 13: The Diner

Somewhere Over North America

Jovari was on edge. His muscles tensed as the overhead chime announced their arrival. This was such a bad idea, for so many reasons. He'd tried to talk some sense into Talon, but the king wouldn't hear a word of it. What the queen wanted, the queen got. He would refuse his mate nothing.

"Be with you in a moment," a voice called from behind the counter. A middle-aged woman with coiled red curls.

"Sure, thanks!" Claire called. She made a show of inhaling, clinging to Leah's arm. "It smells so good!"

"I'm going to order everything on the menu," Leah said. "I could eat like, five burgers."

He shared a perplexed glare with Talon, who merely shrugged and grinned. He'd never seen the king grin so much in his life—Talon was not a grinner. He refrained from rolling his eyes and glanced at Irelia. "What of you, Princess? Are you going to eat five burgers, too?"

They'd already explained on the walk over what a burger was. Meat and bread, essentially. Like most things, the names amused him. But, he wasn't supposed to be amused, damn it. He was supposed to be annoyed, because he'd told them that this was a bad idea. That they were wasting time. That they were risking themselves. Risking running into trouble with every human settlement they encountered. Trouble that could keep them from getting home.

Alas, none of them seemed worried.

Irelia harrumphed at him. "Stop calling me Princess. I stopped being that when I left. And no." She patted her middle. "I've enough padding already. One will do. Or, perhaps, some French toast."

"Ouuu, French toast," Leah breathed. "Maybe that's what I'll get."

He scrubbed a hand over his face. Gods above, have mercy on him.

It had been Claire's idea to stop at a diner, despite his best efforts. Despite the risk of being recognized. Despite everything.

He glanced at the fading light outside. It would be dark soon. It was less stressful flying at night.

Regardless, they didn't have time for stops like this. Every minute, every day, would cost them in Dragonwall. Claire had begged, though, reasoning that they should all have a good meal before passing through the gate.

Hence, why they were here.

There were only a few patrons this evening, occupying the mix of booths and tables. Loners, most of them, though he spotted a small family of four, with two little ones. His eyes snagged on the children and he huffed, pulling his gaze away.

"Now, then." Stella, according to her name tag, appeared before them, her hands on her hips. A frown materialized as she looked them over. "Is there some kind of renaissance fair in town I didn't hear about?"

"Oh!" Claire and Leah giggled. "No. They just...felt like playing dress up?"

Stella's gaze lingered on Claire. Recognition lit her features. A brief tense moment filed the air.

Claire swallowed. "Uhm. I'd appreciate it if you didn't...you know, say anything about who I am to anybody."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Stella said, feigning confusion before offering a conspiratoral grin.

Claire's shoulder's relaxed. "Thank you."

Stella gave a terse nod. When her gaze passed over Talon's scars, her smile turned forced and she quickly looked away. "Table for five?"

"Yes, please," Leah said. "And tell me you sell milkshakes."

"Oh, the best, yes." Stella snatched up a stack of plastic sheets with pictures of food on them, and led them to a large, horseshoe shaped booth. "This okay?"