Page 115 of A Soul to Embrace

“But I was difficult,” Zylah stated with her heart dropping. “I didn’t know what I wanted.”

“That doesn’t bother her. She would’ve had fun watching you try on every outfit in her store, ensuring you left happy.” He halted them to run his fingers through his long hair, exasperated by something. The fact he was able to retain eye contact with her let her know she wasn’t the source. “The last person I took there, we frequented the shop whenever the whim struck her. One thing Goldie hates is someone criticising the clothing she makes. If the person asks for alterations outside of hemming, ensuring an item is form fitting, or adding a tail slit, it upsets her. She is an artist by trade, and having someone poke and prod at her designs – her art – is wounding for her.”

“Oh. Did this female do that a lot?”

Zylah didn’t understand that. Sure, she hadn’t liked everything for different reasons, but she didn’t blame the design for it. She thought everything had been nice, just not on her.

“Constantly,” he said, and although he didn’t roll his eyes, she heard it in his tone. “Rarely anything was good enough, and it didn’t take Goldie nor I long to realise it was simply because ofwhatmade it. She was a very prejudiced person, and anyone outside of her species she considered beneath her.”

She tilted her head. “I don’t understand. Demons feel this way about each other?”

He released a small humourless chuckle. “Well, yes. We can be pricks to each other, but she wasn’t a Demon. She was a human.”

Zylah reared her head back in surprise. “I thought you didn’t like humans.”

“I don’t, not particularly. It’s a complicated topic, one I will be reluctant to share more details regarding.” Instead of offering his usual indifferent or chilly expression, he gave her a small smile before his eyes brightened with mild humour – it came across pacifying, more than anything. “Goldie liked you because you were so unsure. She doesn’t mind helping those who are a little self-conscious, and prides herself on making them walk out feeling beautiful. That was her intention with you, and I knew it when she refused to leave her spot next to the changeroom so she could assist you immediately. It’s a small gesture most wouldn’t notice if they didn’t know her, but it meant she was trying her hardest to be attentive to your needs.”

I didn’t realise it was so obvious that I was self-conscious,she thought with a sulk. But his words did ease her, and her chest felt warmer than it did before, to the point her orbs shifted to bright yellow.She liked me.

And Jabez had shared something new about himself, even though it was small and mildly uncomfortable. She didn’t knowif it had any relevance to anything, but it was nice to learn something new.

I didn’t realise I would like Demons this much.All she’d known them to be were hurtful creatures with sharp fangs and claws. But both Fayren and Goldie had not only been kind to her, but were helpful and welcoming.

I hope the next one I meet is just as nice.

He wasn’t.

The moment they entered the shoemaker’s store, he appeared surly. He was much older, with long eyebrow hairs threatening to curl into his eyes. Only part of his skin had morphed to a deep tan, while the majority of it remained the void-like gloss of most Demons. A set of tusks were slotted next to his upturned nose, and his red eyes were constantly narrowed in a small glare.

He did look rather neat in some kind of black suit with a white button-up tunic, his brown leather boots shining in the dim candlelight. Even his brown hair peppered with grey was slicked back with some kind of liquid that made it shine.

“Good evening,” he greeted, but in a grated tone that informed her he didn’t think it was particularly good. “What do you want?”

He stood up from a small chair in the corner, situated where he could look out the low window. Shoes were lined up on racks, in all varying kinds of shapes and colours.

“I’m guessing a set of heels would annoy the shit out of you,” Jabez said, ignoring the male Demon, and he gestured for Zylah to sit on one of the two available seats.

She eyed the other people within the store – a pair of males who spoke in low tones as they tried on different boots. The attendant silently picked up after them when they left boots here and there without care.

“That was what Goldie was wearing?” Zylah asked, bringing her gaze away from the other customers when one darted their face towards her for staring. “No. I think I’d fall.”

“Alright, something small. I don’t think you’d like boots either, if I’m being honest.” He turned to the slow-moving attendant, who immediately looked bothered at his approach. “Where’s your foot measuring tool? We can start after we figure out what size she is.”

“A possessive one, aye? You know part of my job is to help little maidens put their shoes on.” The attendant gave a surly chuckle. “I’m not going to whisk off with your female if I touch her foot.”

“Old man, I’d be surprised if you couldseeher foot.”

“They look hard to miss,” he answered, while walking to the counter to reach underneath it. “Here, lad. Do it yourself. Saves me the trouble of getting down on one knee with my bad back.”

He slapped a wooden slab in Jabez’s hand. Jabez swiftly turned to come back over to Zylah, and the distressed wooden floor creaked under each of his footsteps. He knelt down for her, picked up her foot, and placed it on the board that had multiple squiggly lines – she figured they were the shoe sizes.

He left to go speak with the attendant once more, who, again, was slow to move around the store as he showed Jabez what he had available in her size.

She listened in and watched them with her knees pressed together. Although he was doing everything for her, she actually found this experience a little easier since the focus wasn’t completely on her. It allowed her a moment to relax and get her bearings, and mull over everything she’d witnessed so far.

“Have you heard the Genverous brothers are at it again?” one of the customers said to his companion, their voices quiet, but her sensitive hearing picked it up with ease.

“Great. Do they never learn?” the other responded.

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