“You do have silvers on you, right?”
I took a moment to examine him. His cloak was tattered and out of fashion, and he didn’t appear to be carrying a bag or satchel of any sort. He still wasn’t wearing any shoes. I couldn’t tell if his pockets were empty or full.
Surely, he had silvers. Everyone had silvers.
“Mytabwill be paid,” he said evenly.
He didn’t answer the question. Irritated, I shrugged. “Wonderful. Enjoy.”
I fled the dark corner as fast as my hooves would carry me.
CHAPTER 7
Ginger
“Fucking fates!” Fiella cursed as the dressmaker tugged on her corset strings, tightening the bodice and shoving her breasts toward her chin. “I don’t know about this one!”
“What are you talking about? It’s incredible! Redd’s eyes are going to pop out of his skull!” Kizzi argued. “You’re a vision.”
“That’s the problem! The whole town doesn't need to see my nipples!”
The dressmaker tugged on the neckline. “Oh, hush. Your chest is perfectly contained. You’ve got great breasts, why hide them?”
The dress was a lovely blood red color with sheer, draping sleeves that trailed to her wrists. The bodice was tight and beaded and accentuated her slender, curvy figure to a salacious degree. Wine tinted skirts drifted to the floor in a perfect, flowing sheath. She looked like pure magic. Sex and magic.
And she also looked incredibly uncomfortable.
A group of Moonvale ladies were trying on dresses for the ball, and I was along for moral support, cheering them on and telling them how stunning the dresses were.
I couldn’t stop grinning. I took a sip of tea, settling back into the fluffy chair in the corner of the clothing shop. I leisurely stroked my fingers over Brambleby’s scaled back. He snored peacefully in my lap. “Let’s see yours, then, Velline,” I called to the angel.
“I don’t think it’s right…” Her voice drifted out from behind the privacy wall, light and wispy. “It’s a little much.”
“Let us see!” I demanded.
“Let us see! Let us see!” Kizzi echoed.
“I bet it’s gorgeous!” Lunette added. The druid woman was twirling in a silk and gossamer gown of the loveliest emerald green color. It offset her coloring beautifully.
“Do you swear you won’t laugh?” the angel asked quietly.
“On my life, darling. Come on out!” I encouraged.
Velline stepped out from behind the privacy screen.
My mouth fell open.
The dress was a bright, shining silver, the color of polished steel. The bodice slid over her lithe frame like liquid metal, clinging to her like a second skin, from her collarbone all the way to the flare of her slim hips. It fastened at the throat with a single tie. A sheer, shimmery panel in the center of the chest allowed her skin to peek through, highlighting her delicately ribbed sternum.
The skirt flared only just, adorning her frame instead of hiding it. It pooled on the ground around her. She had to gather and lift it with both hands to walk without tripping.
She was ethereal.
I cleared my throat. “Velline! Dear Gods!”
She flushed. “Is it that bad? I knew it. I feel like a little girl playing dress up.”
I set the teacup down with a clank. “Are you joking? It’s magnificent!”
