AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There’s probably something wrong with me that framing the situation that way does make me feel better. He hasn’t mentioned my recent purchase, so maybe I really am safe.
I can admit it’s a bit of a relief to talk to someone everyone else can see exists, who knows at least some of my secrets.
I study the shops along the curve of the road. “So, where is this beauty goods shop anyway?”
Casimir points. “That one with the pink trim along the edge of the roof. Their soap is the best you’ll find anywhere. If you’d like to be left with the softest skin imaginable, that’s the one to go with.”
I’m not sure I want to tell him that the softness of my skin isn’t something I’ve ever considered. I rub my thumb over my wrist surreptitiously and wonder if it’d feel horrifyingly rough to a noble courtesan.
Well, what does it matter?I’mnot really a noble anyway, and I’ll go back to not being one, gods’ forgiveness or not, sooner rather than later.
Nonetheless, I let Casimir usher me into the store. The air inside is as perfumed as the herbal shop, but in a softer, sweeter way that reminds me of Casimir’s honeyed scent.
I like it on him, but I’m not sure I’d want to drown myself in the stuff.
While I stand there awkwardly, suddenly feeling as if I have ten pounds of grit on my skin and everyone can see it, Casimir goes to a display table and plucks up a few wrapped soaps. The preteen girl in a modest dress who was giving the table’s legs a quick polish steps backward at that moment and bumps into him.
She jerks to the side with a flare of red in her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t see you there.”
Casimir waves off her concern. “It was barely a jostle.” He glances down at the table. “I can see you’ve been doing your job well.”
The girl’s stance relaxes. She shoots him a shy smile before turning to one of the other tables.
As I watch, a strange flutter passes through my chest that has nothing to do with the courtesan’s looks. There’s something almost wondrous about the ease with which he spreads his own contentment around him.
How does someone born in the inner wards become that generous?
Less wondrous is the reaction of the gaunt gentleman customer who’s also watching from where he was perusing the selection of colognes. He curls his lip in a sneer. “You don’t need to worry about ‘jostling’ him anyway. That’s practically his line of work.”
The elegant woman behind the store counter stiffens. Casimir doesn’t bat an eye.
He dips his head respectfully toward the man. “I’m sure we all deserve the same consideration.”
The man snorts and steps closer. “What consideration do you have for everyone else’s sensibilities, flashing your gaudy teeth around as if we don’t know what they mean? Bilking ‘clients’ for pay for what should be freely given? They shouldn’t allow degenerates like you—”
He moves to jab Casimir’s arm, and my hand instinctively jerks toward my nearest knife.
But Casimir moves faster.
With a flick of his fingers I can barely track, the courtesan catches the man’s wrist and twists. The man lets out a yelp at the sudden jarring angle.
An instant later, Casimir releases him. The gentleman backs away, hissing while he rubs his wrist.
Julita cackles.The puffed-up prig got what he deserved.
Casimir simply smiles. “Ardone blesses some of us with talents just as valuable to many as those brought by any of the other godlen. We all deserve compensation for our skills as well.”
The man starts to sputter, but the shopkeeper clears her throat. “I don’t allow folk in the shop who’ll harass my valued customers. I think it’s time for you to take your leave.”
The prick lets out a huff, but he goes. The lady aims an apologetic glance at Casimir. “I’m sorry your shopping was disturbed.”
He shrugs. “All’s well that ends well.”
As he motions me over to a far wall where several ornate hair pins and sticks rest on shallow wooden shelves, I can’t hold back my awed surprise. “Have you been taking lessons from Stavros?”
Casimir chuckles. “That would be more extensive than is really necessary. Part of the training for certain tracks of the companionship division covers defensive fighting. Enough to deal with the occasional judgmental ass like that one—or to step in if a patron comes under threat during our time together.”
I guess that makes sense, even if I’d never have thought of it myself. I fidget with my cloak, willing away the flush that’s spread all across my skin.
