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As they waited for a wagon to rumble by, Jalissa leaned closer to Farrendel and whispered in elvish, “The humans breed like rabbits.”
Edmund snorted, and his voice lowered as he also spoke in elvish. “I don’t think we’re as bad as all that.”
Jalissa’s nose wrinkled in a delicate line as she gazed around them with raised eyebrows. Except for the small bubble of space provided by their cordon of guards, the streets were choked with people on foot, on horseback, and riding in carriages. Gawkers stopping to stare at the elves further snared the traffic. Jalissa gave a sniff. “No, you are worse than rabbits.”
Edmund smirked. The wagon cleared from their path, and they nudged their horses forward once again, ending the conversation.
Farrendel’s gaze flicked around at their surroundings, his face blank, his shoulders stiff.
Essie reached out and touched his arm. “Relax. The guards will keep us safe. Besides, most people are friendly.”
“Are you certain?” Farrendel edged his horse closer to Essie on the mare he had given her in Tarenhiel.
“Yes. You’ll see.” Essie patted his arm again. She had to remind herself how foreign this was to him. She’d grown up in this city. She was used to the bustle, the smells, and the noise in a way he wasn’t.
A few of the people hustling along the boardwalks stopped and waved. Essie waved back, doing her best to keep her waves slow and regal instead of wildly exuberant as was her tendency. People called her name, prompting more waving. Even some cheering.
Essie leaned closer to Farrendel. “Do your best to smile. Maybe even wave. Try to be a friendly elf. Not an angry elf.”
Farrendel’s hard expression cracked with a twitch of his mouth that might have been a smile. Or a grimace. Essie couldn’t tell. He gave a flick of his hand in something like a wave at a few people.
“That’s it.” Essie rested her hand on his arm again.
When he glanced at her, his expression—definitely a smile this time—softened. He looked like he wanted to kiss her, something she wasn’t sure they could manage while riding.
In the distance, she heard her name called again. More than a few cheers now. She hadn’t meant for her and Farrendel’s look to be anything but a mushy look between the two of them, but at least the witnesses in the crowd around them could see they loved each other. It would help with the tide of popular opinion.
Their guards led them down another broad street. Ahead, a huge building of brick and glass stretched for an entire city block. A massive wooden sign proclaimingAldon Markethung over the double doors.
“I figured we would wander the market. We could go from street to street, but that would take all day. Most of the shops in the city have a small booth here with their more specialty items. It’s a good way to browse the whole selection, then track down any shops that catch your interest.” Essie halted Ashenifela in front of the market. “It’s a fun place to wander.”
Edmund swung down from his horse, then turned to Jalissa. “If it would be acceptable to you, Princess Jalissa, I would be happy to escort you through the market.”
Jalissa stared down her nose at Edmund for a few seconds, just long enough for it to get uncomfortable, before she gave a sharp nod. “Very well. I suspect my brother and Elspetha will wish to have time to themselves.”
Essie grinned. Jalissa had them pegged. She slid from Ashenifela and grabbed Farrendel’s hand the moment he was on solid ground. “The guards will take care of our horses. Come on. I have so much I want to show you.”
She tugged Farrendel toward the entrance. All right, it was more like dragged. But this was one of her favorite places in Aldon. The market was always changing with new items and new booths. A whole balcony area was dedicated to booths where artists could display and sell their work.
As they stepped through the doors, the echoing noise of the enclosed market slammed into her almost like a familiar hug. The smells of spices and cooking food and fancy soap and floral candles filled the air. Essie drank in a deep breath.
Only when she tried to take a step forward and got yanked back by her grip on Farrendel’s hand did she notice his hesitation. She glanced over her shoulder.
He’d backed up, as if considering bolting through the doors.
“Are you all right?” Essie backtracked and lowered her voice. “Is it the brick?”
“Yes. No.” Farrendel shook his head, his hair gliding across his shoulders in silver-blond strands. “There are a lot of people in an enclosed space.”
Essie squeezed his hand. “Do you want to keep going or do you need to leave?”
Farrendel drew in a deep breath, straightening his shoulders. “I will be fine.”
“Don’t be afraid to tell me if you need to leave, all right?” Essie kissed his cheek, then she set out once again, at a slower pace this time.
Farrendel fell into step with her, even if he remained stiff and tense. As they weaved into the crowded aisle, he pressed closer to her. Essie couldn’t tell if it was because he wanted to protect her or wanted her to protect him from all the humans.
“Let’s get food first. What sounds good? There are egg wraps or egg sandwiches or there’s a small café in the corner where we can sit down and eat. Do you have a preference?”
