Page 46 of Sweetling
“To you as well, master soap-maker.”
“What brings you to town today?”
“A bit of everything.”
“Well, now. That’s what every shopkeeper loves to hear!”
After promising to stop by his soap shop on their way out, Allarion led her deeper into the market. Molly watched on, surprised and eventually…delighted, to see that the townsfolk greeted their fae visitor with politeness if not always warmth. He’d clearly been here before, and was a good customer at that, if every shopkeeper trying their mightiest to lure him inside was any indication.
Most of the other townsfolk were shy or cautious, but they couldn’t hide their curiosity. It didn’t take long to attract a curious crowd as they began wandering the stalls of food.
Molly tried to ignore it as she picked out vegetables.
Allarion stayed with her, asking questions about her preferences and how best to choose produce.
“It’s all good!” complained the cabbage vendor.
Molly arched a brow. “You want one that’s heavy in the hand and compact,” she explained, weighing the cabbage before selecting the one she wanted.
The seller harrumphed. “And who’s this, then, master fae?”
“Forgive me. This is Molly Dunne from Dundúran. She is to be my wife.”
This drew a few gasps, and interested murmurs began to buzz behind hands. Molly’s cheeks heated as she scanned the crowd, feeling every set of eyes on her.
“Is she now. Well, congratulations, then!”
“Thank you.”
“What else can I get the happy couple?”
Allarion turned to bestow that unnerving smile upon her. “We’re here for whatever she wants.”
Oh, fates.
Molly barely held in her groan as every vendor and shopkeeper’s eyes lit up and turned toward her. A few even began putting the more expensive things in the back out on their counters and tables, just to make sure she saw.
She tried to be good and sensible, but despite them coming for supplies for her, Molly wasn’t the problem.
It became painfully obvious by the second stall that Allarion had never haggled before. Whatever price the shopkeeper named, he paid. Molly felt sick to her stomach watching so many gold coins disappear.
The further into the market they went, the more there was to buy. Vendors came to them, afraid they’d be passed up. Even though his basket was ridiculously large, they were quickly filling it up with dried meats and beans, flour and sugar, a cheese round, honey, jugs of mead and bottles of wine, bags of cherries and cashews and dates, cloth-wrapped butter, a crate of apples, a sack of potatoes, carrots,onions, garlic, turnips—all of it and more went into the basket.
She didn’t know how he managed to carry all of it—nor how she’d be expected to eat all of it by herself.
“You really don’t eat anything?” she asked again at the bakery. There was a deal on rosemary loaves, and she wanted to make at least a few bargains.
“Magic sustains us fae,” he said. “But don’t worry, the house will help keep and prepare whatever you buy.”
That made her feel a little better—Molly hated wasting food.
She did her best to haggle for better prices, but Allarion only smiled and paid the merchants what they asked. Even for expensive items like oil and berries and wine.
Her head went light with all the top-price purchases, and although it pained a part of her to watch him pay the full prices, something of a thrill began to build. He insisted she get whatever she wanted. When her eye strayed over something pretty—a necklace or bauble—he took notice. Molly wasn’t the type for that, though, and refused to let him buy her needless sparkly bits—much to the chagrin of their vendors.
Still, when they passed the dressmaker’s shop, she couldn’t quite resist.
Allarion peered down at her as she stared up in wonder at all the pretty fabrics and threads displayed in the window, and then back at the shop. With a gentle hand at the small of her back, he ushered her inside.
