Page 20 of Shadows in Bloom

I wanted to kick her, truly. After I’d warned her we needed to get along with our new companions, she still couldn’t hold in her smart remarks. I’d practically begged her just to behave civilly, for both of our sakes.

“Or… you can find your own way toward your goal.”

That. That I wasn’t expecting to come from Alandris’ mouth. I audibly gasped, quickly covering my mouth with my hand before turning away.

Kallistra’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Very well.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I apologize for my untoward behavior last night. We’d been on the road for so long… I was still overly exhausted from travel.”

That—I wasn’t expecting, either. An apology from Kallistra? Surely, I was dreaming.

Alandris nodded his head. “It is understandable, of course. Hopefully, a few nights in the inn’s comfort have served you well.”

“Oh, don’t worry about all that!” Kaz added. “I’m sure we’ll piss each other off again. I’m good at that.”

His words earned a chuckle from Kallistra. “I’ll try not to make an enemy of you. You’ve got to be half giant or something.”

“My ma swore she never fucked a giant, but my pa always treated me like dog shit.” He leaned back in his seat and belly laughed so heartily it boomed through the entire inn. “Ain’t that suspicious?”

“Hmm… That is—well—you are certainly an interesting man, Kaz.” Alandris joined in the laughter. “I have a few things to attend to myself now. Nairu, I’ll see you for our lesson in the afternoon, and the rest of you at dinner.” And with that, he was off.

Now was as good of a chance as any for me to speak with Zorinna alone. To plead our case and gain her trust. I approached her slowly until I was close enough to tap her on the shoulder. “Could I have a word with you?”

Confusion rippled her sharp features, but she nodded. “Of course.”

I noticed Kallistra’s eyes on us as the two of us stepped outside of the inn, but she didn’t move to stop us.

Zorinna was the first to speak. “Let’s take a quick walk to the market. I’d like to purchase some leather cord and ribbon to tie my hair back. Mine broke last night.”

I hadn’t seen much of the markets of Fernfallow, considering all of my free time had been spent training with Alandris while the others focused on gathering intel and supplies. It wasn’t exactly my favorite place to be, either, gathered in a crowd. Butif I was to grow any closer to Zorinna, and ease her mind about our intentions, then I needed to make the effort. I would keep my hood up and do my best to stay out of sight.

Thankfully, there weren’t too many people out at this time of the morning. Only a handful of travelers were at the market, grabbing things for the road. The stalls and small shops selling clothing and accessories were particularly empty, clearly not a priority of the current crowd. Zorinna spotted a shop that interested her to our left and led us inside.

“My dears, how can I assist you today?” an older human woman, with curly graying hair and a multitude of colorful fabrics tied around her waist, greeted us cheerfully.

“I’m looking for something to tie my hair,” Zorinna returned.

The woman looked her up and down, no doubt noting the jewelry and gemstones decorating Zorinna’s neck and ears. The section she walked us to came as no surprise. They displayed some of the nicer pieces there. Embroidered ribbon and leather cords which were braided in various patterns. The woman reached for a particularly intricate ribbon to show Zorinna.

“This one would look beautiful on you, miss. The teal would pop against the bright red of your hair. I could think of nothing finer to suit you.”

Zorinna twirled the fabric between her fingers, seemingly unimpressed. She turned toward me. “What about my companion?”

Her eyes bore into me, expectant. With a moment of hesitancy, I pulled down my hood and flipped my hair out in front of my cloak, reaching just past my hips. It was excessively long; I knew. I’d never cut it myself. My people considered it a sacred ritual—something only they should do. Few in the village were permitted to tend to me. Kallistra was one of them, but since her skills left much to be desired, I’d opted to let it grow.

The shopkeeper gasped, but Zorinna was quick to speak first. “Stunning, isn’t she?”

I’d have thought she was lying, teasing me, if I didn’t see the genuine warmth in her smile. “You don’t have to say that.”

“I mean it.”

“I have just the thing!” The shopkeeper scurried back over to her fancy display, and to my surprise, made no comment on my appearance.

She returned with a ruby red ribbon in her hands. The ribbon, made of lace, had tiny beads adorning the leaves and flowers. Threads of silver wove through the red ribbon, making it shimmer. It was gorgeous, and luxurious, and nothing I could ever afford. Not something that belonged on someone like me. I’d been taught not to focus on material possessions, but it was beautiful. I couldn’t deny that. And a part of me wished for it still.

“Do you like it?” Zorinna questioned, watching me.

“It would look lovely on you.”

“Red? In my hair?” She snorted, rolling her eyes. “Don’t be absurd.” She turned to the shopkeeper then and said, “I’ll take the teal and red ribbons.”

---