“What we're doing.”
“On our date?”
“Yes. I want to learn more about you.”
“And you think my choice of a date will tell you more?”
“I do. Didn't mine tell you something about me?”
“Oh, it did.” I grimaced. “Here's the thing; I don't know a lot about dating.”
“You've been on dates.”
“Yes.”
“You know it's about doing an activity together.” Taroc lifted his brows.
“Yes.” I rolled my eyes. “But I don't know what activities to suggest. I haven't been to many places. The only restaurants I know are those I've been taken to, and I don't want to take you to them after going with someone else.”
“Tell me what you'd like to do, and I will take you somewhere we can do it.”
“Somewhere we can do it?” I whispered, my mind going naughty instantly.
“You know you're not ready for that,” he chided me with a grin.
“All right.” I thought about it. “Would it be terrible if we did something I haven't had much time for? Something kind of mundane and necessary?”
“It won't be mundane if we're doing it together.”
My smile went goofy. “I like you.”
Taroc chuckled. “I like you too. Now, what would you like to do?”
“I'd like to go shopping. I need more clothes.”
Taroc blinked. “Clothes?”
Whenever I mentioned shopping to my men, their eyes glazed over. It was one of the reasons I hadn't added more to my wardrobe. Seeing Taroc's blank expression, I wondered if it had been a mistake to suggest it.
“Yes,” I said. “But that's all right. I can do that another time.”
“I know where to take you,” he said and pulled me in against his chest. “Close your eyes.”
I felt the rush of fading come and go, then opened my eyes. It was dark, so it took me a second to adjust. Then I realized why it was dark at 5 PM. It wasn't because we'd gone across the world. We were in a forest. Sunlight filtered in from my left, where the trees ended. Taroc took my hand and led me in that direction. The sun was just starting to set as we emerged onto a road. A few yards ahead were the iron gates of a great city. Beyond the walls, buildings rose high into the air, higher than the citadel.
“I had to fade us outside the city to be safe,” Taroc said. “There's too many people dwelling here.”
“Is this a Dhon city?” I asked, my stare on the steel and glass structures, painted orange by the sunset.
“No, it's a mixed city. Balmara. We're on Raxis. They have the best shopping here, especially for garments. There's an entire district of shops dedicated to selling clothing and accessories.”
“Raxis,” I murmured as we approached the gates. “I don't think I've been to this continent yet. Not for pleasure at least.”
The guards let us pass after Taroc pulled forth my Wraith Lord pendant and coolly informed them who I was. He got a bit upset again, but he was more prepared this time, and he quickly moved past it. Holding hands, we wandered down sidewalks of large stone pavers and stared into tall windows at displays of sweets, jewelry, and toys. At last, we entered the garment district.
Taroc was picky. He took us past a few boutiques, not liking the style of clothing offered. The more comments he made, the more I was glad I had suggested this. Taroc was looking at it like a mission or maybe a hunt. He wanted to find me the best garments possible. And since I didn't know too much about clothing, I was relieved to have his guidance.
“Don't choose a place that's too expensive,” I said as we left another clothing store behind. “I don't know if I can afford it.”
