The Jem

~26~

"Father, I'm so proud of you, you are a great role model to these people." Brice bowed his head. They were standing in front of a grand, beautifully carved mirror in his father's and mother's rooms.

Emperor Lazarus lifted his son's chin then hugged him, "I'm so proud of you, my son. One day you will become a well respected and hugely celebrated King too." He pulled back from the hug and stared at his face. His white beard neatly shaped and his honey brown eyes were glistening.

"Thank you father." The wise emperor left the room and Brice turned to the mirror again. He ran a hand through his freshly cut, blonde hair and rubbed his honey eyes that were identical to his fathers, then took a deep breath and walked out of the room as well.

~

The towns were full of crowds that were all cheering and chanting the name, 'Emperor Lazarus' they couldn't stop to find out why until the sacred Jem led them to... the imperial palace?

The 5 of them gawked at the view. Crimson snatched the stone from the air and hid it. Was the element holder a worker at the palace, that was going to be harder for her to relinquish them of their duties, the emperor might have her imprisoned again but he would be more merciful than that and maybe just kill her.

"Excuse me, what is everyone celebrating?" Deeja asked a man passing by.

"It's the Emperor's 40th year on the Throne." He informed with a lingering sense of pride in his old eyes.

"Thank you." They nodded.

"We couldn't have chosen a worse day." Muttered Jermine as he face planted himself.

"Actually this is perfect, we will find it easier to hide amongst all these people, but we still need proper disguises and entry passes to the castle." Crimson claimed.

"Ok so what's the plan?" Darya climbed off her horse.

"First we need to find a place to figure things out. Also, Jermine, can you shift other people or at least objects?" Crimson dodged through the crowds of shouting people, the rest followed behind. They reached a hotel with a beautiful exterior design.

"Yes I can shift objects but not people." He frowned apologetically.

They all walked into the hotel after tying their stolen horses to the long posts. "Any of you have money?" Smiled Deeja awkwardly.

"Yes I took lots of money from what I earned the month before at the castle." Hunter proposed.

"Ok we will book a big room you guys stay here, Darya make sure Jermine and Deeja don't do anything stupid or cause a big scene." Crimson warned, then walked off with Hunter.

                                        ~

Hunter grabbed Crimson's hand, she jumped a little, "What are you doing?" She whispered.

He gestured towards a sign near the front desk that read:

All Couples get 50% off any room, From the King as a gift.

"Perfect!" She grinned then gripped his gloved hand tighter.

"Hello, how may I help you?" A pale, gray haired hotel receptionist stood before them, smiling kindly.

"Me and my uh...girlfriend, want one of your best and biggest rooms, it's our anniversary too, today." He smirked whilst wriggling his eyebrows and leaning his left arm on the counter. And even though he was just acting, Crimson felt at ease to hear him call her his girlfriend. Her heart raced with anticipation.

"Oh well isn't that just lovely, that will be 180 crystal coins." She said sweetly. He placed a little black bag in her hand. She handed them the key and waved.

The two of them walked back to the others,hand in hand with gleeful expressions painted on their faces, "Ok we have the room key, let's go." Crimson flashed the translucent ancient key and then headed for the stairs.

~

"Wow!" Deeja and Darya's eyes expanded at the same time as they stared at the wonderfully built and designed room. It's furniture all looked newly polished and well taken care of. It consisted of three rooms, two bathrooms a little bar and kitchen and a magnificent sitting area with golden couches and mahogany tables that reflected bright light that glowed from the glass chandelier that hung from the cream ceiling.

"Can we stay here forever?" Jermine slumped down on a couch and lolled his head with admiration.

"Dibs the master bedroom!" Deeja jumped childishly.

"I think we should let the two lovebirds have that one." Darya grinned but Hunter remained poker and Crimson shrugged.

"Actually, none of you will be sleeping anywhere at this moment! We have to get the other element holder and only when we have found them will we stay here. If things don't go as planned we sleep here for the night and leave straight away in the morning, understood?" Crimson said with a little more harshness in her tone.

"Understood." They all accepted that's all Crimson needed to hear as she walked off to the master bedroom.

"Damn it Darya!" Deeja growled.

"Calm down feline, if you wanted to share a bed with me, we could be even closer in the small ones." Teased the shifter. She turned a new shade of red. Darya giggled.

"You guys get on my last nerve!" She stormed off to another room.

Jermine and Darya stared at each other silently for a little while then burst out laughing.