We finally leave the place of worship. From the corner of my eye, Ivy stares at me, flabbergasted.
“What?” I grouse.
She shakes her head, smiling strangely. “Nothing... You just surprise me sometimes.”
I’m not even going to entertain that with a response.
So I give to the poor.Sometimes...
When I can.
We make it to the market at last. It’s located inside a gated region, and we enter with no problem.
So far, so good. No one seems to notice the Fae in their midst, and let’s hope it stays that way.
Merchants occupy stalls, selling their wares to curious onlookers, and as I predicted, the lanes are crammed with bodies.
Walking at this languid, human pace is boring me to death.Whydo people feel the need to stop right in front of you?Irksome.
Various accents fill the air as men from far-off places sell their exotic foods. Ivy’s eyes nearly pop from her sockets as she gazes in wonder, and all these new scents and sounds must be so new for her.
I would find it sweet if not curious. Her parents kept her sheltered her entire life, and I’m still itching to know the exact details of her past. Hopefully, I will hear news from Stannog’s cousin soon. That’s if the big, dumb oaf bothered to pass on my message.
Ivy laughs at a swordfish in a fishmonger’s stall, and I suddenly grow queasy. I was never a fan of seafood.
Too fishy.
Instead, I direct her to the fruit and vegetables, and soon we stumble upon a colourful lane of yellow, pink, green, and orange. The smile on her face says it all. “My goodness. I’ve never seen so much fruit.”
I give her a toothy grin beneath the scarf, hoping she catches the gesture in my eyes. “See? Told you that you’d like it here.”
Ivy tugs me along, and warmth seeps through my veins as she picks up fruit after fruit, laughing like an eager child, and she’s just too pure for this wretched world.
Something so pure could easily be killed, and I ball my fists, piercing my palms with my claws. No matter what, I will protect her.
Ivy stops beside me, carrying a pair of mangos, and her honeysuckle scent overrides my senses.
“Are you all right?” she asks.
“Never better,” I lie. “Come on. Let’s get you more fruit.”
I lead her down the lane, and I watch as she picks out pineapple, kiwi, and a strange pink fruit covered in spikes calledrambutan.
In the end, we bought six bags, and she’s going to be spoiled for choice this winter.
I even decided to purchase her a bag of oats since I know how much she loves her porridge, and the sweet smile she gave me sent my heart spiralling.
Now we depart for the exit, and I didn’t have to use my glamour after all. The only thing I had to glamour was a handful of pebbles, which almost nearly killed me, but the merchants were none the wiser when I handed them gravel instead of gold.
All I have left is Fae gold in my pockets, so I can’t take any risks. I gave the last of my human money to that starving family.
We pass by a noisy lane teeming with animals, and Ivy begs me to stay just a little longer.
So, I acquiesce, but so long as she doesn’t ask to take anything home.
Monkeys howl, some with manes like a lion, and others with painted faces like court jesters.
Luminous parrots curse in human tongue, and I’m almost tempted to take one home until Ivy stops at a cage with the most unusual animal that I’ve ever seen, and considering I’m Fae, that’s quite the feat.
