Page 31 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

"Whatever you're thinking about must be troubling for your face to contort like that." Nyx's teasing garners my full attention.

"Do you think…" I stop myself, fearing that I'll sound stupid for asking, but when Nyx insists, I continue. "Do you think Atlas will buy me a new outfit and shoes that fit? Or will I have to beg him?"

"First of all," Nyx holds up an index finger to drive home his point, "never beg for anything. It is not befitting for a woman like you. And two," a second finger flashes, "Atlas might be hard on you, and he can give off the appearance of being a complete ass, but he will take care of your needs. That's who he is. He takes care of us. It must be the oldest child syndrome or something."

"Even though I'm your prisoner?" I smirk, drawing a laugh from him.

"You and I both know you're far from our prisoner," he pats my back. "You're one of us now."

"And where did you two wander off to?" Atlas' voice booms behind me and I turn to see him, Finn, and Eris descend the steps of what I can only assume is the bank.

Nyx drapes his arm around my shoulders and something dark flickers in Atlas' eyes. "We were visiting the street vendors and discovered Shaye's newfound love forenocks."

I pat his chest and nod my head. "I would eat it every day if I could," I roll my eyes.

"Well, if you two have had your fill, we can make our way to the Market District to pick up new clothes and restock on supplies." Atlas tosses a bag of coins to Nyx. "We'll need five tickets for the next river cruise to The Quarters. Make sure we get adjoining rooms."

Nyx catches the bag and salutes Atlas. "Consider it done."

Atlas hands a similar bag to Eris. "You and Finn pick up supplies to restock our packs. Everyone meet back up at Hotel Zulmara in two hours to check in."

"What about me?" I ask and Atlas grins.

"We're going to see about getting you some new clothes." He slips his hands into his pockets and saunters toward me. When he reaches me, his shoulder brushes mine, and he whispers, "No begging required."

WepartwayswithNyx outside the bank. He heads toward the Nepita River docks and the four of us head to the Market District. Once we arrive outside the tall, stone archway, welcoming us to the district, Finn and Eris veer to the left, heading downhill, and I follow Atlas to the right, uphill.

The Market District is an enormous maze of ancient buildings filled with modern goods where money changes hands so rapidly, I can't decipher who is the buyer and who is the seller. It's loud, crowded, and so colorful, it steals my breath. There are at least a hundred different shops lining the cobblestone streets with some shops tucked inside the ancient buildings. I'm itching to look inside each and every one of them, though I doubt very much that Atlas will be in favor of such a plan. This is a girl's dream: an entire district of shops. I could get lost here and be a happy woman.

We pass dozens of boutiques before Atlas turns toward a shop at the corner of a very busy plaza. He pushes through a purple beaded curtain and enters a clothing store that smells like vanilla and cinnamon. The clothing folded on shelves and hanging from wooden hangers are displayed in a rainbow pattern and I'm instantly drawn to the deep green fabrics. In Midori, I was always dressed in yellow, orange, cream, or white outfits. Seeing all the colorful clothes shows me there are endless possibilities to expand my wardrobe. Especially now that my physical features have changed from mousey brown hair and dark eyes to white hair and grey eyes that demand I wear dark and alluring colors.

"What can I help you find today?" A middle-aged female troll bellows from the back, wringing her fingers against the apron tied around her ample waist. Her purple hair is braided and falls along her left side. She has piercings lining her ears and has a turquoise gemstone necklace hanging between her breasts. As soon as she spots Atlas, she smiles, and throws her arms wide open, beckoning him forward for a hug. "Ah! Atlas, darling! It is so good to see your handsome face!"

"It's good to see you too, Zuri." Atlas rubs her back like they're old friends.

"Where are those brothers of yours and that beautiful Hydran?" Before he can answer, she spies me standing behind him and grins. Wrinkles ripple across her pale blue skin and she pushes Atlas to the side to get a better look at me. She claps her hands together, making the numerous gold bangles adorning her wrists and forearms dance and jingle. "Ah! You finally found yourself a mate! She is stunning, Atlas! Well done."

"Oh," I shake my head, eyes wide. "I'm not his -"

I'm cut off when she wraps her arms around me and squeezes. I glance over her shoulder at Atlas who leans lazily against a stone wall with ancient carvings etched in it, a smug smile on his face. It doesn't appear he has any intention of correcting her and I don't understand why.

"My name is Zuri." She releases me and places her three-finger hands on either side of my face, gazing directly into my eyes. "I am honored Atlas brought you to my shop. Whatever you want, take it. It's yours! Consider it my wedding gift."

"Oh, that is so kind of you," I stutter, "but I'm sure Atlas will pay you for whatever we find."

"Nonsense!" Zuri tsks. "Do not deny me the pleasure of gifting you an outfit of your choice!" She grabs my hand and guides me to the dark greens before dragging me to the dark blues and then to the purples. She huffs in confusion, or irritation, I'm not quite sure. Once again, she grabs my face and examines my features carefully, before something sparks in her brown eyes, and she smiles. "Yes! Yes! I know just the color." Tugging me behind her, she returns to the forest greens and nods in triumph. "If I might suggest a color, with your grey eyes, white hair, and tan complexion, I think the juniper will be the perfect shade for you. Mix it with black pants and brown leather boots, and I think you'll be pleased with your appearance."

Before I have a chance to tell her I was admiring that particular shade of green when I first arrived, she gently grabs my chin and stares at my nose. "Would you like a piercing? I think a silver hoop around your left nostril would complement your features."

"Really?" I can't hide the excitement in my voice. I have always wanted a nose ring!

"Zuri." Atlas' voice slices through our fashion moment, drawing both of our annoyed gazes. "She isn't my mate, she's just a friend." Why did he say friend like that? I scrunch my nose. Is it that hard for him to think of me in that way?

"Friend?" Zuri throws her hands up in the air, exasperated. "Atlas Harland, you mean to tell me you have yet to find a mate?" She eyes me up and down. "What's wrong with you, Atlas? This one is breathtaking. Have you just lost your nerve?" She lays her hand reassuringly on my shoulder. "You are stunning, my darling. Just because he doesn't see it -"

"I never said that," Atlas quickly interjects.

"Ah ha!" Zuri points a finger at him with a crooked grin. "So, youdothink she's beautiful!"

---