A few gasps erupt around us, and people stop to stare. Men and women of all ages come to a halt, their eyes widening as they take us in.

My brows scrunch up as I look up at Ze questioningly. His lips are pressed in a thin line as he glares at the pedestrians—his way of telling them to move along and mind their own business. But it's clear why they're gawking at him with a mix of awe and trepidation. He's easily the largest man around, with a good head taller than the rest. His shoulder breadth alone is the size of two normal males put together. He'd be a frightening sight to everyone, especially since his sword is dangling by his waist, the white of the scabbard a stark contrast to his black clothes.

A few kids here and there continue to stare at him on the verge of tears, while their parents are cooing to them in a comforting voice, dragging them away.

"So," I start, plastering a smile on my face. Thea had mentioned that s’Aperiotes don't particularly like deities, no matter their rank. They must have recognized Ze as one and they no doubt have plenty of opinions against him for that alone. Some people who haven't scurried away still glare at us, their nostrils flaring as they mutter something amongst themselves.

"Thea mentioned there's a shop around that serves sweet ices. Let's go there?"

Ze turns to me, his brows going up in surprise.

"You want to go get sweet ices? With me?"

"Why not? Thea and Wyn will likely be at the seamstress's shop for a while, and I don't have anything planned for today. Wait, do you?" My face falls as I ask.

"No. I do not," he hurries to add as he straightens his back, a smile tipping at his lips. "I will accompany you to get sweet ices."

"Great. If chocolate is so good in your world, I'm curious how this will compare."

"I would not know," he adds pensively.

"Of course. You do not engage in frivolities, and I bet sweet ices are the height of such frivolities," I say as I crack a smile.

He nods, his expression serious.

"You are correct, human. But for you, I shall make an exception."

"Happy to hear that, Ze." I chuckle, grabbing his arm and threading mine through the crook of his elbow. He blinks in surprise at my gesture, but his lips settle in a pleasant smile and he draws me closer to him.

As we walk to the ice shop, the whispers around us abound. The sea of people splits to make way for us as if we were a pair of diseased individuals no one wanted to be near. It's quite odd. I glance left and right, noticing men who hunch their shoulders in fear, averting their gazes as Ze and I pass, while others glare at us belligerently, cursing under their breaths.