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“Likewise, Gilod.”
Another customer joins in on the conversation as Kazrith explains the feigned story of our union.
“You’ll never guess where we met,” he remarks. “Tell them, Hanna.”
The growing group of customers looks eagerly to me.
“New Solas.”
“That xaphan-run dump of a place?” one of them retorts. “I’ve never encountered one of them before. What are they like?”
“A bunch of fucking assholes.”
My response is met with thunderous laughter and resounding approval. I look at Kazrith, who gives me an approving nod. Soon, we’re selling his goods at a decent pace.
“I think word is getting around Merax of your presence,” he tells me. “You’re doing well.”
Finding reassurance in his words and my interactions, the nervousness slowly dissipates away. Finally, my tense shoulders start to relax.
The morning stretches into the early afternoon. I sit behind the stall, turning towards the sea as I take a break.
The wind blows in, its briny aroma pleasant but its temperature cold. I shiver for a moment before Kazrith throws a blanket off my shoulders.
“Here,” he says, producing a small container of seafood with burgona. “It’s from one of the vendors. They say hello.”
Holding his own meal, he sits beside me and pours us a cup of tea.
“It’s not half bad here,” I say. “Admittedly, I was a bit nervous coming here, but the townspeople are quite lovely.”
“Far better than the crowd you’d find in the city,” Kazrith replies. “But look at you! You said you were feeling nervous, but you fought through it. There’s that bravery I was talking about. The one that got you here in the first place.”
I blush and laugh, waving away his compliments.
“Well, it certainly helps that the demons here are ten times better than any xaphan I’ve ever interacted with.”
“Us demons aren’t so bad once you get to know us,” he says, nudging my arm. “Life is a lot easier once you’re in our good graces.”
I watch the sea, thinking of all the atrocities that the xaphans are likely acting out at this very moment.
“This might sound weird,” I say, turning to completely face Kazrith. “I’ve been here, what, like a few hours? And I already feel like I’m part of the community.”
He smiles and nods, laying a hand on mine.
“I’m glad today is going smoothly for you.”
Later in the day, we take another break and stroll around the settlement. Kazrith shows me around the clothing stores, where the shopkeepers welcome me as if I’m one of their own.
Kazrith was right. Humans aren’t usually this coveted, but if they’re mated to a demon, the others start to think that there’s something special about them. Something unique.
“My word,” a female vendor whispers. She carries the dark, sharp features of every other volvath demon I’ve seen. “You have beautiful hair.”
I laugh and turn away in embarrassment as Kazrith lays his hand on the small of my back.
“Indeed, she’s stunning,” he says, peering deeply into my eyes.
I can tell he means it. This is no longer a contractual obligation between us. This is real.
“A beautiful wife like yours needs a cloak for when evening comes. Would you like to take a look?”
