A Soul to Embrace (Duskwalker Brides #8)

Chapter 22

Zylah looked up at a painted wooden sign nailed above a door frame. “Goldie’s Garments,” it read in big white words.

She hesitated to enter until Jabez placed his hand on the small of her back and gently pushed her forward.

From the scent coming from the azure door, there was at least one female Demon inside. Walking through a street of them was one thing, but her past experiences told her she wasn’t wonderful at making conversation. She doubted her books that detailed such stores would actually be beneficial.

A bell chimed above as they both ducked beneath the tiny door frame, informing the attendant of their entrance. Zylah startled at the unfamiliar noise and spun to inspect it, tapping at the golden bell with a claw so it would make the noise again.

Her head twitched when the female said something in greeting, but she didn’t understand the language whatsoever.

She turned to a Demon behind a large wooden counter who looked completely like a human except for her red eyes and the sand-coloured ram-like horns that curled behind her ears. Her blonde hair pulled back into a neat bun fully revealed her lightly tanned complexion. She was obviously beautiful with her small lips, sharp features, and darker blonde brows.

Zylah brought her gaze to the back of Jabez, who was deeper within the establishment, when he responded in the same unfamiliar language.

They spoke among themselves momentarily, and she was able to understand two words: English and Nyl’theria .

The Demon pursed her lips, then turned and curled them up in Zylah’s direction as if she wanted to appear inviting. Zylah clasped her hands near her chest as nervousness skittered beneath the surface of her flesh.

“My apologies. It’s rare to find Demons of your heights who don’t know Elysian. My name is Madame Goldie, but you can just call me Goldie.”

“This is Zylah,” Jabez stated, while taking off the cloak he’d placed around her shoulders, as if to fully reveal her, before clipping it back around his own throat. “She’s the only one you need to worry about. I’m just the trade pouch tonight.”

Goldie laughed so brightly her eyes filled with mirth. “We like males like you; ones that understand their place in my store.”

“What does she mean?” Zylah whispered to him.

He glanced at her. “There is no male clothing here.”

“Unless you, sir, wish to buy something for yourself. If so, I have no objections, and I have much that will fit your frame.”

A small chuckle fell from him as he waved his hand dismissively near his temple. “No, that will be fine. Just attend to Zylah, and I’ll sit in the waiting area.”

He stepped to the side and sunk into a long lounge that could have fit three of him side by side. The brown leather cushions squeaked as he made himself comfortable, throwing his arms across the backrest while he placed his right ankle on top of the opposing knee.

He looked all self-important in his cream tunic, mauve pants with a front flap, and his cloak spread out across the chair. Some of his long hair had settled against his wide chest, and with his ears upright and his black horns catching the light, he appeared overconfident and relaxed.

Having no idea what to do, Zylah chittered with both their gazes on her. Her shoulders turned inwards, and she distracted herself by looking around.

The direct area she stood in was open and square. With the door behind her, and the seat to her right, clothing hung from horizontal poles against every available wall. To the left had more space and garments, and a long supporting wall cut the area off.

Above, and offering plenty of distance from her antlers, hung a simple iron chandelier full of candles. It provided plenty of light and ensured the store was bright and welcoming.

There was room to go further into the establishment, and the counter Goldie was situated behind partially blocked it off. Two sets of white drapes hung to the ground, both open, with booths behind them.

Goldie stood from some kind of stool and came out from behind the counter. Her long red dress with a side split danced across the wooden floors while a set of tall, strappy black shoes clicked on each step. Zylah noted that the dress was formfitting and was so tight it allowed her large breasts to pool into the low neckline as if they were moments from spilling out.

“My breasts are not that big,” Zylah commented, pointing at her bosom. “I don’t think such an outfit will suit me.”

The female gave a sultry laugh while shaking her head as if Zylah had said something strange. Now that she was closer, she noted that the little Demon barely came to her chest height even with her tall shoes. Yet, she suddenly felt too big and imposing, and Zylah backed up a step and cast a set of reddish-pink orbs at Jabez to ask for assistance.

His expression was blank, and he remained where he was seated.

“Everyone can pull off this outfit, no matter their body shape.” She tentatively reached out to Zylah’s side and gently nudged her to the left, where all the garments were hanging. “But don’t worry. If it’s not something you’d like to wear, I offer many styles. Do you know what you’d prefer? Your current outfit is a bit... how do I put this kindly? Crude? Do you want something this short again, or something longer?”

Too many questions were thrown at her, and she didn’t like the mean comment regarding the dress Jabez had made for her. She looked over her shoulder to see if he was upset, but he looked the same: completely unhelpful.

“No. I don’t know what I want.”

“Hmm. Alright, big boy, are you willing to be a good puppy and sit there for us, no matter how long this takes?” she asked, slightly raising her voice.

“Depends on if it will take until dawn,” Jabez answered nonchalantly. “There are other places I want to take her.”

Goldie looked at Zylah from the corner of her eye and drifted her gaze down to her feet before coming back up to her face. Zylah was not surprised she wasn’t put off by her skull like Fayren was at first, due to the glamour hiding her, but it still felt strange to have it looked upon.

“No, it won’t take that long,” Goldie eventually responded, before going through articles of clothing, pulling hangers apart to get a better look at each one. “Alright, Zylah, your height will be a bit of a challenge, since I don’t get many people in this tall, but I think I have three outfits we can start with to get a better idea of what you’d like.”

Like she’d done this hundreds of times, Goldie pulled pieces of clothing from their poles. Moving quickly as she searched, she threw them over her shoulder one by one while taking wide steps to avoid dozens of others. It was like she knew roughly where they were located within her mind.

“Could you please follow me to the change room, Zylah?” Goldie gave the smallest bow, and her tall shoes clicked as she walked away.

Zylah rushed to follow, wishing she didn’t feel so out of place. Goldie gestured for her to stand inside one of the booths before hanging up two of the garments on a hook to the left and then placing a set on the right one.

“Get changed, then come out and show us,” she said, offering another welcoming smile as she closed the white drape.

Zylah’s breaths sounded loud in the confined space as she reached down to pull off her light-grey dress. She halted as she took in the garments before her, unsure which one to start with; there were too many choices. She would have preferred to have been given one at a time.

I don’t... like this. This wasn’t fun, and her knees knocked together when she was unclothed.

When she took too long, Goldie called out to her, and her fur puffed in worry. She quickly turned and grabbed some kind of long, frilly white tunic and shoved it on.

Since she’d seen Jabez button his tunic many times, she tried to copy what she could remember. She fumbled with the buttons down the front, and not even sheathing her claws seemed to help.

Shit, she muttered, having learned this was an appropriate word for moments such as this. Shit! I don’t know how to do this!

Giving up, she yanked on the brown skirt, and was thankful there was only one large button which was easy to thread through the hole. With her hands now shaking, wondering if she was taking too long, she attempted to do up the stupid tunic.

“Zylah?” Goldie’s voice called. “Do you need some assistance, doll?”

“I... um.” The embarrassed hue in her sight brightened. “Yes.”

She almost shrieked when Goldie opened the drape and entered the tight space with her.

“First time with buttons?” she asked, her tone lacking any condescension or judgement. She shone her red eyes up at Zylah, and they came across as kind and understanding. “Don’t be nervous. Many people who come here are new to them. I’m happy to assist, and you can watch what I’m doing to learn.”

She said this, yet she was so swift that her hand movements were almost a blur. Zylah did observe the way she pushed them through the holes and used her fingertips to wedge them a certain way. Once they were done up to almost her neck, Goldie undid the button of the nearly floor-length skirt so she could tuck the white tunic into it. Then she yanked it up to Zylah’s waist, and put the button through a different hole she hadn’t seen to make it snug.

She opened the drape and gestured for Zylah to exit before spinning her to some kind of reflection. She was more interested in what the odd device was, considering she’d never seen it before, and wondered how it was standing out in the open.

“Here, let me adjust the mirror for you,” Goldie said, as she tilted it back slightly to allow Zylah to see herself in full. “What do you think?”

She shrugged and turned to Jabez; she would make him help her pick something since this was his big stupid idea. His face was already in her direction, and his features cringed to the point his lips pulled to the side and partially revealed his fangs.

“Do you like it?”

Zylah patted the skirt before itching at her covered arms. Immediately upon realising something was lying over her fur, she began to scratch at herself. “It’s itchy and long.”

“Thank fuck for that,” he rasped. “You look like a peasant farmer.”

“Okay, nothing that covers the arms,” Goldie said, before reaching into the changeroom to take the longer dress away that had sleeves. She quickly returned with a similar one that lacked them.

Before Zylah knew it, she was shoved back inside the horrible changeroom again. After watching Goldie before, she was able to undo the buttons herself and take off the clothing. A hand shoved in through a gap in the booth as Goldie told her to give her hangers and clothing to put away.

Zylah grabbed the long black dress that was just put there and was thankful it lacked buttons. She was easily able to slip it over her head and thread her arms through, although she had to squeeze it over her wide backside. She hated the way it pushed her tail down until it was lying flat along her rump, rather than going up her lower back.

She opened the drape herself.

“That one’s much better,” Jabez commented, as if he could feel her growing glare of frustration.

With just a few words, he managed to soothe her.

However, she only took two steps forward in her normal long strides before the constricting skirt made her fumble. Jabez rose to help, just as Goldie held her arms out to catch her before she completely tripped over.

Zylah chittered as her sight turned blue and began to waver at the bottoms. She let out a whine. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“Okay, no long, constricting skirts,” Goldie offered with a sympathetic smile. “How about you try the last one on? It’s similar to the one you wore in, although it has a little more coverage on the legs.”

Her whines didn’t settle when she was helped back inside the booth. She attempted to take the dress off and almost ripped it trying to get it back over her thick backside. She gazed at the last garment in disdain, wanting to tear it to shreds and don her light-grey one.

Still, she gave the long one to Goldie’s extended hand and put the shorter one on.

Dark green, and somewhat form fitting around her chest, this dress was cut low, but in a way the collar of fur around her neck filled it in completely. Its skirt was actually rather flowy and came midway down her thighs. It lacked any major design and was plain except for some black cross stitches along every seam.

She felt more comfortable, since it was similar to the one Jabez made her, just longer and looser around her legs.

“Oh wow, that looks wonderful on you,” Goldie complimented, her hands quietly clapping in front of her, but Zylah didn’t trust her.

Zylah turned to the mirror, and twisted one way and the other to see what it looked like. Maybe Goldie wasn’t lying, as she did rather like it. She spun to Jabez with her arms open at her sides.

“I like it,” he offered, giving her a small smile. “It suits you, and it looks like you’re comfortable.”

I liked Goldie’s compliment better, Zylah grumbled, before turning to adjust her pushed-down tail. It looked like a lump on her backside.

“I don’t like the way it pushes on my tail,” she muttered, worried about disappointing them.

“That’s fine. This was just a trial dress,” Goldie said, walking over to her counter to grab some kind of flat string lying on top of it. There were numbers on it, and Zylah tried to work out what it was when she brought it over. “If you don’t mind lifting the back, I can measure your tail and find one that has a suitable hole for it. Do you like this colour, or would you prefer a different one? I have forest green, navy, crimson, black, and white.”

“It can’t be white,” Jabez stated. “That’ll stain too easily. I also think black would fade into her fur too much.”

Zylah couldn’t have been more thankful for his input. “What is navy?”

“It’s a dark blue,” Goldie answered as she lifted the back of the skirt, which Zylah held for her.

She liked that it would be similar in colour to her orbs, and she didn’t want to be hidden in the forest if she wore green. Red also seemed too flamboyant, especially on Goldie, although she wasn’t entirely opposed to it.

“Can I try the navy one?”

“Mhm. Of course.” Goldie pulled away while holding a certain measurement and went to the hanging clothes to go through them.

She came back with a dark-blue one and Zylah quickly ducked behind the curtain to change into it. She managed to find the tail slit herself, and it was much more comfortable having it poking out. It reminds me of Fayren’s skirt. No wonder she had clothing that allowed her red fox tail to swing freely.

The moment she stepped out of the change room, both gazes were fixed on her.

“You were right, navy suits you better,” Jabez commented, nodding in approval.

“This is actually one of my favourite dresses I’ve made,” Goldie said, eying Zylah from head to toe. “If you spin, it’ll show you why.”

Zylah did as she was instructed and was pleasantly surprised when the skirt fanned out wide. Oooh, pretty! Her orbs finally morphed into something other than embarrassment, and bright yellow shone in her sight. A small giggle fell from her, as she was excited about the function and how surprisingly flowy it was. She spun the other way, watching it twist before it fanned out again.

I like this one. Perhaps even more than the one he made.

She looked over her shoulder and wiggled her tail to make it vibrate, happy with the freedom and the way it looked. She turned to Jabez to ask if she could get this one, only to immediately pause.

His features had lost their aloof softness and instead had a dark, hardened edge to them. His eyes zeroed in on where she’d just wiggled her tail and backside since her side had been turned to him. His jaw was clenched, cheek muscles twitching as his gaze slowly moved up her body.

Palming his face and turning it away, he muttered so lowly she barely heard him, “Fuck, that was cute.” He waved his other hand in the air. “That one. We’ll get her that one.”

Zylah didn’t know if it was his heated expression, his words, or the way his ears drooped, but one or all three caused flutters low in her belly. She’d been uncomfortable during this entire process until now, and she scratched at the fluffy fur of her neck when she realised something so simple stimulated her desire.

He likes it. The dress, the way she spun, her tail wiggling... her.

If picking an outfit gave him that kind of reaction, she was far more inclined to do it again. She drifted her sight to Goldie’s much more sensual outfit. If she hadn’t stumbled, would he have found her as alluring in it as the little Demon was?

Goldie let out a small feminine chuckle at their exchange before gently holding Zylah’s wrist to spin her towards her. She patted down her sides to push the dress down and make it sit better.

“Do you want to wear it out, or do you want to change into your other garment?”

“Can I wear this?” Zylah asked, her voice thick.

“That was the point,” Jabez grated out with strain.

Goldie entered the booth and collected Zylah’s grey dress with a rather rude pinch of her fingers. She also picked up her satchel and gave both to her.

“If it were me, I’d incinerate the old one, but perhaps you can wear it as a nightgown.” Then she dipped her head towards Jabez. “Unless you’re planning to buy a second dress. I have plenty more, and I am having a ball with you two.”

Zylah grumbled at the incineration comment, quickly tucking her beloved gift from him into her bag before the Demon could take it away.

“Ask her,” Jabez stated behind his hand. “The trade I’m offering is worth at least three of your best quality garments.”

Goldie’s features brightened, and her sultry eyes lit up with joy and greed. “Well, Zylah? Do you want to look at others?”

“Can I have this, but in the crimson?” Zylah asked, wanting Jabez to get some of his trade’s worth but refusing to put herself back inside that horrible booth. She would refuse a third if they tried to make her pick one.

“Of course.”

As Goldie went to fetch another dress, Zylah walked over to Jabez. His ears shot up at her approach, but he only lowered his hand from his face when she poked him in the shoulder.

“Can I trade for it?” She wanted to have a play at partaking in a transaction.

His lips were tight as he opened his satchel. What he obtained was small, and she tilted her head at it when he placed it in her outreaching palm. She’d seen this once before, but in black.

This doesn’t look like it would be worth much.

Still, she shrugged and took it to the counter, since Goldie was standing behind it with an expectant look.

“What have you got for me?” Goldie asked, and Zylah held her hand out with her palm facing up. The Demon’s red eyes widened, and she snatched it so fast her movements were a blur. “Holy shit! How did you get this?! It’s barely even used. Do you know how many dresses I can make with this, how many colours I can dye it?”

Zylah hadn’t expected her to be so excited over a white roll of sewing thread. It wasn’t even particularly large.

Though, seeing the difference between a Demon selling wares receiving a lacklustre trade in comparison to a worthwhile one was remarkable. Would that meat-stick-selling merchant have been giddy had he received what he would’ve preferred?

“You little puppy!” Goldie exclaimed across the counter while tilting to the side to look at Jabez. “This isn’t worth three, it’s worth five. You made a poor trade this day, giving me this for only two dresses.”

One side of his mouth twitched in obvious humour, as he finally stood and approached. He pulled Zylah’s new crimson dress across the counter and tucked it into her satchel for her.

“I think you’re forgetting the cost of her enjoyment in receiving your garments,” he commented, flicking his gaze to Zylah before looking away. “You have been a welcoming attendant and made this much easier for her. Your reputation in customer service precedes you.”

“Oh, hush,” Goldie said, flapping one of her hands forward. “Everyone deserves to feel sublime and comfortable. I’m only here to dress canvases of beauty.”

He chuckled at that, while Zylah took the compliment even if it wasn’t meant for her.

“Ready to leave?” he asked her, and she nodded.

He put his hand on the small of her back again to lead her, and her feet were slow to move when she noticed how low his hand placement was. If he went any further down, he would have put his hand over her upward-pointing tail tuft.

Actually, she thought his pinkie may have touched the very tip of it.

He pulled the door open for her, the bell above ringing as he did, and ushered her forward. Zylah stepped onto the empty pathway, and he veered them to the right.

“Where are we going now?” she asked, anxiously looking around at the different signage.

She hoped it wasn’t anything that would be as awkward as Goldie’s Garments. But, now that she’d experienced such a setting, she may be more at ease with the next one.

“To a shoemaker,” he answered, his eyes never leaving their path like he knew exactly where he was going.

“Why?” She dipped her gaze towards his bare feet. “You don’t wear them.”

“It’s not for me. The Elvish don’t wear shoes, since we’re capable of using magic through our feet. We must touch the ground in order to do that.”

“But I don’t need them,” she argued. “I’m comfortable how I am.”

“You’re not making it easy to splurge on,” he answered with a mildly annoyed sigh. “Even if we walk out empty-handed, the experience is all that matters. It’ll also hurt less if someone steps on your toes.”

Zylah silently grumbled, but allowed him to lead the way without any more complaints. She did have a question, though.

“Why did Goldie call you puppy? What is that?” she asked, looking down at her new dress. Satisfaction radiated within her heart and mind as she watched the way it danced around her thighs. “She also called me doll. What is a doll?”

“A puppy is a baby dog, think like a wolf, and a doll is usually a pretty toy in the shape of a woman. The nicknames are meant to be engaging, and it was Goldie sweetening you up so you would enjoy yourself. Since I didn’t give her my name, she used puppy as a way to refer to me – another way to sweeten the transaction in hopes we would give her a preferable trade. She’s always been like that. She’s very cunning when it comes to making her customers feel wonderful upon leaving her establishment.”

“Oh,” Zylah rasped, her head falling at the crushing realisation that hit her. “So she was only nice to me to get a good trade?”

He slowed their pace when he must have heard the dejected tone in her voice.

“No. I can tell she genuinely liked you by the end.”

She raised her head and turned it to him. “Why do you think that?”

His eyes narrowed in a way that almost appeared annoyed. “Because I’ve seen what it looks like when she doesn’t like the person she is tending to.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes before rolling them at the dark yellow that lifted into her orbs. “I’m assuming you want me to elaborate?”

Zylah nodded. “Yes, please.”

“Despite her youthful appearance, Goldie is almost as old as I am. She didn’t travel to this realm with me, but she was part of the first few swarms that came from Nyl’theria and she was quick to develop while she was here. She doesn’t look it, but she is an exceptionally skilled and ruthless hunter. Her interest in clothing was one of the reasons she had the most persistent voice in me creating this village. She actually hated hunting, and she refused to do any form of farming. Simply looking at her, you can tell she’s the kind of person who prefers to live luxuriously.”

“What does this have to do with her not liking the person she is tending to?”

His cheeks crinkled into a cringe, then he smoothed his expression. “I’m explaining that. As you know, I’ve been on Earth for hundreds of years, and there have been just as many Demons who have as well.” His lips tightened as he turned his face to her while they walked, and he sighed in irritation. “If I wish to bring a female to go shopping for clothing, Goldie’s is where I always take them. She is the best in the village, not just in the quality of her clothing, but also in her professionalism.”

“You have taken other females there?”

Zylah didn’t know how she felt about that. A rather detestable feeling clung to her sternum, but she tried to shed it, as she didn’t understand why she was having such a reaction. Or why it made her orbs flicker a colour she’d never seen before: bright green.

Thankfully he didn’t see the change, and they morphed back to her normal teal before he turned his gaze to her again.

“Goldie and I have a good, although minimal, friendship. To your face, she is all smiles, but if she doesn’t like her customer, and there is no one else in the store to see, she will sneer behind your back. Her dislike of someone never changes how she treats a person, so everyone adores her no matter how she feels towards them. Difficult customers annoy her.”

“But I was difficult,” Zylah stated with her heart dropping. “I didn’t know what I wanted.”

“That doesn’t bother her. She would’ve had fun watching you try on every outfit in her store, ensuring you left happy.” He halted them to run his fingers through his long hair, exasperated by something. The fact he was able to retain eye contact with her let her know she wasn’t the source. “The last person I took there, we frequented the shop whenever the whim struck her. One thing Goldie hates is someone criticising the clothing she makes. If the person asks for alterations outside of hemming, ensuring an item is form fitting, or adding a tail slit, it upsets her. She is an artist by trade, and having someone poke and prod at her designs – her art – is wounding for her.”

“Oh. Did this female do that a lot?”

Zylah didn’t understand that. Sure, she hadn’t liked everything for different reasons, but she didn’t blame the design for it. She thought everything had been nice, just not on her.

“Constantly,” he said, and although he didn’t roll his eyes, she heard it in his tone. “Rarely anything was good enough, and it didn’t take Goldie nor I long to realise it was simply because of what made it. She was a very prejudiced person, and anyone outside of her species she considered beneath her.”

She tilted her head. “I don’t understand. Demons feel this way about each other?”

He released a small humourless chuckle. “Well, yes. We can be pricks to each other, but she wasn’t a Demon. She was a human.”

Zylah reared her head back in surprise. “I thought you didn’t like humans.”

“I don’t, not particularly. It’s a complicated topic, one I will be reluctant to share more details regarding.” Instead of offering his usual indifferent or chilly expression, he gave her a small smile before his eyes brightened with mild humour – it came across pacifying, more than anything. “Goldie liked you because you were so unsure. She doesn’t mind helping those who are a little self-conscious, and prides herself on making them walk out feeling beautiful. That was her intention with you, and I knew it when she refused to leave her spot next to the changeroom so she could assist you immediately. It’s a small gesture most wouldn’t notice if they didn’t know her, but it meant she was trying her hardest to be attentive to your needs.”

I didn’t realise it was so obvious that I was self-conscious, she thought with a sulk. But his words did ease her, and her chest felt warmer than it did before, to the point her orbs shifted to bright yellow. She liked me.

And Jabez had shared something new about himself, even though it was small and mildly uncomfortable. She didn’t know if it had any relevance to anything, but it was nice to learn something new.

I didn’t realise I would like Demons this much. All she’d known them to be were hurtful creatures with sharp fangs and claws. But both Fayren and Goldie had not only been kind to her, but were helpful and welcoming.

I hope the next one I meet is just as nice.

He wasn’t.

The moment they entered the shoemaker’s store, he appeared surly. He was much older, with long eyebrow hairs threatening to curl into his eyes. Only part of his skin had morphed to a deep tan, while the majority of it remained the void-like gloss of most Demons. A set of tusks were slotted next to his upturned nose, and his red eyes were constantly narrowed in a small glare.

He did look rather neat in some kind of black suit with a white button-up tunic, his brown leather boots shining in the dim candlelight. Even his brown hair peppered with grey was slicked back with some kind of liquid that made it shine.

“Good evening,” he greeted, but in a grated tone that informed her he didn’t think it was particularly good. “What do you want?”

He stood up from a small chair in the corner, situated where he could look out the low window. Shoes were lined up on racks, in all varying kinds of shapes and colours.

“I’m guessing a set of heels would annoy the shit out of you,” Jabez said, ignoring the male Demon, and he gestured for Zylah to sit on one of the two available seats.

She eyed the other people within the store – a pair of males who spoke in low tones as they tried on different boots. The attendant silently picked up after them when they left boots here and there without care.

“That was what Goldie was wearing?” Zylah asked, bringing her gaze away from the other customers when one darted their face towards her for staring. “No. I think I’d fall.”

“Alright, something small. I don’t think you’d like boots either, if I’m being honest.” He turned to the slow-moving attendant, who immediately looked bothered at his approach. “Where’s your foot measuring tool? We can start after we figure out what size she is.”

“A possessive one, aye? You know part of my job is to help little maidens put their shoes on.” The attendant gave a surly chuckle. “I’m not going to whisk off with your female if I touch her foot.”

“Old man, I’d be surprised if you could see her foot.”

“They look hard to miss,” he answered, while walking to the counter to reach underneath it. “Here, lad. Do it yourself. Saves me the trouble of getting down on one knee with my bad back.”

He slapped a wooden slab in Jabez’s hand. Jabez swiftly turned to come back over to Zylah, and the distressed wooden floor creaked under each of his footsteps. He knelt down for her, picked up her foot, and placed it on the board that had multiple squiggly lines – she figured they were the shoe sizes.

He left to go speak with the attendant once more, who, again, was slow to move around the store as he showed Jabez what he had available in her size.

She listened in and watched them with her knees pressed together. Although he was doing everything for her, she actually found this experience a little easier since the focus wasn’t completely on her. It allowed her a moment to relax and get her bearings, and mull over everything she’d witnessed so far.

“Have you heard the Genverous brothers are at it again?” one of the customers said to his companion, their voices quiet, but her sensitive hearing picked it up with ease.

“Great. Do they never learn?” the other responded.

Zylah’s gaze slowly moved back to them as she focused on their conversation.

The first one who spoke wore a cloak, which hid most of his features except for a boorish snout. His features were mostly void-like, making it difficult to see within the shadow of his hood. The second male had black hair, his skin a light brown, and he sported a big set of antlers that looked heavy. He appeared further in completion except his bare hands still retained the black, glossy sheen of most Demons she’d encountered before the village.

“Yes, well, with our king dead, they believe they are best suited to take over,” the boorish one stated.

“Didn’t he cut out Kaan’s tongue for speaking out against his rule?” the antlered one asked.

“Yeah, but Zyier is speaking on their behalf, and we all know he’s the brawn and not the brains. He fumbles every announcement like a fool.”

“Kaan was only marginally better.” The antlered one shook his head as he shoved his strange, half-hoofed foot into a boot. “Neither seems to comprehend we just don’t want a replacement. Our king may be dead, but most of the laws and rules he put in place still stand. We don’t want change.”

“They’re likely only being so loud since there are little repercussions now that he isn’t around to punish them for the big idiots they are.” The boorish one removed a boot and dumped it on the ground next to him while obtaining a different kind. “It is concerning how much disarray has befallen us since his death. He may have been a tyrant, but he sure as shit knew how to keep people in line.”

“Hmm. I wouldn’t call him a tyrant. He always had a reason for killing or punishing, and he did go out of his way to make our lives easier.”

The boorish one scoffed at that. “Soft-hearted wimp. It’s only because he sided with you in that argument that you’re so beholden to him.”

“He made them give back my chickens! If I don’t have eggs, I have nothing to trade!”

“Learn to hunt, like the rest of us. Or pick up a craft. Don’t be lazy and make animals do your work for you.” The boorish one pulled back his hood slightly, revealing messy brown hair. “You, guy with the tusks. What do you think of our old king?”

He tipped his head to look at Jabez standing in the aisle near him, who was waiting for the attendant to rise after pulling open a drawer filled with shoes.

“I have no interest in trivial matters,” Jabez answered, waving his free hand dismissively.

“Ugh.” The Demon’s snout created thick creases in his cheeks when he grimaced. “What a limp-cocked answer.”

“I would like to remind you that we have a female in our presence,” Jabez warned, his tone darkening multiple depths in anger.

The boorish one glanced at Zylah and narrowed his eyes. Uncomfortable with multiple stares now on her, including the attendant’s, Zylah turned her limbs inwards, wishing it made her invisible.

“Sorry, lass. I’ll watch me language.” The male twisted to look at the attendant. “What about you, geezer? Got anything to add?”

After giving Jabez a set of shoes, the attendant groaned and held his back as he tried to get up from the ground. He turned to pull out one last box and obtained something that looked like an open-ended leather cylinder with lots of strapping attached to it.

“I have little to add. The Genverous brothers are always up to no good, and they’d ruin this place if we let them.” He shuffled his feet as he made his way back to his counter and sagged into the seat next to it with a huff of relief. “I didn’t mind how ruthless our king was. Now, lesser Demons feel like they can run through the inner rings without his army keeping us safe, and we have fewer volunteers guarding each entrance of Spiral Haven. With order comes sacrifices, and his promise of returning us to the Elven world is now non-existent. The loss we have faced in his death means all our hopes died with him. We shouldn’t be speaking such ill of him.”

Displeased by his answer, the other customers grew quiet. The air in the shop immediately thickened with disgruntled tension.

Zylah was thankful no one asked her opinion on the matter, as hers wasn’t pleasant and she knew she couldn’t share it. He told others how to kill my kind – shared our weakness, our secret. She found it hard to shed how much she disliked him, regardless of how nicely they spoke of him. They even called him a tyrant, who kills and punishes cruelly.

It didn’t matter that they also stated he was protective and helpful. Perhaps her feelings were biased, but she was relieved he wasn’t around anymore if he was so hateful of Mavka and wanted them all dead.

Jabez returned to her, his expression unbothered, as if no one had spoken at all. He placed one knee on the ground in front of her, while he rested on the sole of his opposing foot for stability. He put down two pairs of small, flat shoes and the strange strapping things .

His touch was careful and gentle as he lifted her left foot to slip a black shoe onto it. It almost fit perfectly, except that it had a lot of wiggle room at the back around her narrow heel.

“How does that feel?”

“I don’t like it,” she answered, splaying her toes and finding the constriction uncomfortable.

“I had a feeling you’d say that, which is why I asked for this.”

He slipped the thick, wide leather cone just past the pad behind her clawed toes, while pushing an attached cushioned tongue against the underside of her foot. He then began to wrap the arch of her foot, ensuring it was tight but not painful.

He kept his gaze set on his task as if he found it important.

Zylah watched him intently, wishing she had the confidence to push his hair away from his eyes so she could see more of him. She leaned forward a little to better observe what he was doing, which brought their faces closer. She stole a few quick sniffs of his scent, and his ears twitched as if he heard them. He looked up and cocked a brow, making her straighten her back and put space between them at being caught.

I can’t help it. I like the way he smells. She wished she knew what he smelt like, other than him giving off an earthy aroma.

She also liked that he was the one assisting her, rather than the cranky attendant.

When he was done, she wiggled her free toes and inspected the apparatus he’d put on her. The strapping started just behind the pad of her foot and stopped right before the heel.

“What is the point to this? It barely covers anything.”

“Better foot support, and it stops rocks and sticks from stabbing into the sensitive arch of your foot. The open toe and heel design is better suited for those who are more active or have feet that don’t sit well inside an enclosed shoe.”

She placed her foot down and pressed it multiple times, finding it comfortable. It did feel odd to have something fixed to her, but she figured she’d get used to it, like how she’d gotten used to wearing her dress.

“So how about it?” Jabez asked, crossing his arm over his stomach while placing an elbow onto his bent knee. “Did I make a mistake in bringing you here?”

She lifted her skull up and away from him. “Okay. Maybe it isn’t so bad.”

“Cheeky.” He obtained the second piece of leather so he could wrap her other foot as well. “I’m glad you like it. Many start off with these and eventually switch to shoes or boots after they are used to wearing something. I was worried my efforts would be for nothing, especially since the shoemaker over there walks as slow as a snail.”

“I heard that,” the attendant grumbled, folding his arms with a huff.

“You’re lucky your store is the best one in the village,” Jabez answered as he stood and walked over to him. “I don’t remember you being this aged the last time I saw you.”

“The fact I don’t remember your face shows how little of an impact you make. Hurry up and trade so I can shoo you out of my store.”

Zylah didn’t see what Jabez gave him, but he didn’t look entirely pleased. Yet, as they were leaving, Zylah peeked over her shoulder to see he had a small smile.

He gave her a wink when he noticed her looking at him.

Okay, so maybe the surly old shopkeeper wasn’t too bad.