Namir’s long fingers grasped the payment with a wide smile. “With pleasure, milord.”
Zev shook his head. “I can’t ask that of you, Cassiel.”
“Think nothing of it. I insist. Go on, Dyna, and be quick about it.”
“But—”
Namir wrapped an arm around her and whisked her away. “Now, now, lass, you mustn’t refuse the offer of a gentleman,” she said in her ear. “Especially one as attractive as that one.”
“Oh, well, I—I um …”
Namir laughed, guiding her through the ornate door of her shop. “Ah, so he’s the one you fancy! I was wondering which of the two it might be.”
Heat rushed to Dyna’s cheeks. “Fancy?”
“They’re both handsome,” Namir said, peeking out the store’s front window at them. “Butthatone is finer than a spool of silk! A bit stiff, but at least he’s wealthy. Take it from me, one can’t be too fussy when finding a good husband that’ll treat her well. Be sure to marry that one in a trice.”
The blush filled Dyna’s face. She peered out the window as well. Cassiel and Zev were outside, appearing to be having a mild argument. Undoubtedly, about the purchase of her clothes. The Prince caught her looking, and she quickly ducked away.
“There is nothing of the sort between us, madam. He’s … an acquaintance.”
Could she call him a friend?
“Silly girl,” Namir sang as she ambled further into the shop, her heels clacking on the wooden floorboards. She waved her arms at the exquisite pieces on display, their colorful fabrics shimmering under the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. “Men don’t buy dresses foracquaintances.”
Dyna had no reply for that. If anything, it sent a nervous quivering through her.
“Now,” Namir clapped, turning to her with a grin. “Let us begin, shall we?”
Chapter 33
Dynalya
True to the madam’s word, Dyna left the shop looking like a Lady. An emerald dress with tapered sleeves fit her perfectly. The satin material flowed around her like water, much lighter than her wool kirtle had been. “To match your eyes,” Namir had said when she chose it.
Zev stood from the bench outside the shop when he saw her, a grin lighting up his face. “You look lovely, Dyna.”
She smiled and took the sides of her skirts, dipping in a curtsy. She looked past him for Cassiel, but he was nowhere in sight.
“Here is all that I’ve picked out for her,” Namir told Zev, handing him a large bundle wrapped in brown paper and twine. “Everything she should need. Some more suitable for travel.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you, madam,” Dyna said.
“It was my pleasure.” Namir winked playfully. “Should you pass through Corron again, come see me.” With that, she slinked back into her shop.
“All you need now is a cloak, but it’ll be at my expense.” Zev made a grand show of bowing and offering his hand. “May I escort you milady?”
Dyna giggled and laid her fingers in his palm. “Why thank you, milord. You’re far too kind.”
“Think nothing of it, Iinsist,” he said, mimicking Cassiel’s cool manner. He curled her hand around the crook of his elbow and ushered her along the street.
Admittedly, she felt self-conscious that Cassiel offered to pay for her new clothing but also grateful. “It was very kind of him.”
“Unusually courteous, one might say.”
“Oh, stop it.” Dyna playfully smacked Zev’s arm. “Where has he gone? I must thank him.”
