Page 57 of Facade

“Good afternoon! Thank you for coming into the shop. I sincerely apologize—the owner suddenly fell ill, so it’s just me. I’m Freesia. Is there anything I can assist you with?” The female donned a simple, floor-length Gray dress, yet she carried herself as if it were a ballgown sweeping around her. Over her dress was a pristine white apron with frilly lace over the shoulders. She appeared flawless—not a blonde hair out of place, fixed low over her ears. She wore a shadow of rouge on her cheeks and lips, but nothing that would draw more attention to her beauty. Her eyes were a mesmerizing lavender—a color I’d never seen. Surely it was just a trick of the eye.

“Are you looking for a new coat for your… sister?” she fished, beaming at Aiden.

Acid burned in my gut.

His sister? Does she actually think I’m his sister? We look nothing alike! My face twisted as I looked her over again, only this time, there was less admiration in my scrutiny.

“Yes. My wife needs a new coat,” Aiden drawled, gaze hardening. “And I think she likes the feel of this one. Don’t you, darling?” My cheeks heated as he stared Freesia down, his gaze threatening. I draped my old coat over my arm, giving her a smile that didn’t reach my eyes, appreciating the lie. If only for this moment.

“Oh! I apologize. I shouldn’t have made any assumptions—please, forgive me,” she chirped, her hands covering her cheeks.

Aiden only gave her a shallow nod, his jaw tight.

“Those were brought in from the Northern Realm.” She stepped back, bumping into the counter, startling herself. “Uh—the inside of each coat features high-quality fur lining. I’ll be right back.” She turned and scurried to the back of the store to a small room behind the desk, her boots echoing on the wood with each step.

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Aiden murmured. “But did I sense a little jealousy from you just now?”

My eyes shot open, heat climbing my neck.

“No! Not at all! I was just…” My mind failed me, leaving my mouth working with no words forming.

“Your secret is safe with me.” His mouth curved, unreadable as the click of Freesia's boots signaled her return.

She wheeled out a large, floor-length mirror.

“Take a look!” she insisted, giving us space.

The coat transformed me. It hugged my midsection and hips, shaping me in a way I hadn’t thought possible. The diamond-like buttons glistened against the black. I dragged my gaze up to my face. It was a struggle seeing the blonde hair fall around me, stark against the black. But it was my eyes that took me aback. They were brighter—unnaturally so. Pale green, incandescent in the dim shop. My brows furrowed deeper at Aiden’s equally bright stare—but he wasn’t looking at me. His attention was locked on the shop girl, sharp and unrelenting.

“Have we met before?” he asked, the tone of the captain coming out.

“Uh—no, sir. I don’t believe so. Unless you’ve been to Brixton before?” Freesia wrung her hands.

“I have, and I don’t recall seeing you here.”

“Oh, I—I just moved here recently, sir,” she stammered. “From Dorthem. In the eastern part of the realm.”

“I want this one,” I interrupted, pulling Aiden out of whatever strange place he’d gone to. He dragged his eyes from her and gave me an approving nod, though the tilt of his mouth seemed forced for my sake.

“We’ll take it,” he declared.

“Splendid choice!” Freesia clapped her hands then flitted to the counter. Aiden went to pay while I lingered by the door.

“Shall we?” His hand grazed my lower back, and despite how close our bodies had been on Shadow, this touch felt more intimate. Possessive as he guided me from the shop, across the street. Goosebumps chased his hand where it lingered.

“Are you okay?” I asked once we were standing outside a boarded-up shop.

“I’m fine,” he said nonchalantly.

“You seemed bothered by her.”

“I’m just… distrusting of strangers.”

“Surely you don’t know every being in this town. It seemed like you’d never been here before.”

“I have, in an official capacity. I wouldn’t be recognized as I am now. And admittedly, no, I don’t know every face. But I feel as if I’ve seen her before. I just can’t place her,” he said, glancing back to the shop. “She’s still watching us,” he murmured.

“Is that so?” A prickling sensation spread as he stepped toward me, his black hair ruffling in the breeze.