Thankfully, a stall across the cobbled path captured my interest. It sold old scrolls and fancy embellished tomes similar to those in the palace library. I made a mental note to go over there when we were finished, but a large hand came to rest on top of mine, thumb stroking the knuckle and stealing my attention. I looked up, despite literally just telling myself not to, and Cair was aiming his most charming smile in my direction.

Sulk immediately forgotten.

“Shall we continue our browsing, my heart?”

“Yes!” I gulped down the rest of my drink, so eager to check out the bookshop that I didn’t think twice about leaping to my feet. Of course, I nearly knocked over my chair and dragged the tablecloth with me in the process.

What was that about embarrassing myself?

I winced, eyes darting to Cair, who sat there, shaking his head in exasperated fondness. “Never change, pet.”

* * *

An hour or so had passed. I wasn’t really tracking the time, but the air was cooler and the sun sat lower in the sky. We’d managed to look through almost every trader’s goods, some for longer than others, depending on what caught my eye, and I’d even been persuaded to buy a few things. Cair had arranged for the bigger items to be sent back to the palace, while the others—books and more cakes—were stowed away in my pack. I’d even picked up something for the twins: a constellation pin for Josyah and a little bug carving for Reyna.

They’d warmed up to me since I’d moved into the palace. Sy especially seemed to enjoy sneaking into the library when he was supposed to be doing lessons, to tell me all about the stars or ask me about human traditions. Rey was harder to crack, and though she’d silently joined me in the garden once or twice, showing interest in the creepy crawlies, she still seemed a little standoffish, but we’d get there.

The gift was absolutely not a plan to win over her affections, no siree.

It was safe to say, I was all shopped out, close to that stage where my skin felt too tight and smiling was a chore, but there was just one stall left at the very far end of the settlement. We’d somehow missed it between meeting Ivar and having lunch. I’d debated leaving without knowing what it sold, but that felt kinda rude, so we headed on over, hands still entwined.