The Angelus Brothers Chronicles - The Golden Hind

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Gabriel walked hurried back to Sisoa's, inwardly cursing himself. He had only intended to be half an hour at most. But he'd been collared by one of his police officers and roped into dealing with a persistent thief. He reentered the dressmakers and made his way through the curtain noticing the bags and boxes that had appeared by the entrance. Sisoa looked over and smiled at him, beckoning him over. 

"Ah, Gabriel. Come, come. She looks stunning." He made his way to the back of the huge room where Sisoa had mirrors set up and changing booths. As he emerged from the last row of clothes Kaia stepped out from one of the changing booths and took his breath away. Her hair had been braided at the front and pulled to the back in a half up half down style. Her body was covered by a rich deep green satin chiton style dress that came to a little below her knees. It was fastened at her right shoulder with a large ornate gold brooch with a deer's head on it and around her tiny waist was a gold fabric belt that was tied so the ends hung down the front. Her left arm and shoulder were left bare but for a gold bangle around her upper arm. Around the bottom hem were gold embroidered flowers and vines. On her feet were brown leather sandals with gold buckles. 

"Do you like it?" Asked Kaia when Gabriel just stared at her.

"You look stunning." He replied in a thick voice as he gazed upon the tall, slender, beauty before him. 

"Doesn't she? I did try to convince her of more modern fashions. But she was insistent on the style and looking at her, she was clearly right. And as a bonus for you, nothing will need altering as she can just loosen the pin and belt." Moving closer to her Gabriel couldn't stop himself from running his fingers down her bare arm. 

"Did you order yourself everything you wanted?" 

"I've ordered too much. I've never shopped before, I got a little excited" Kaia blushed as she spoke. 

"Nonsense." Interjected Sisoa. "You have no clothes of your own. You needed everything. She has twelve dresses, two capes, a fleece-lined hooded winter cloak, two pairs of boots and two pairs of sandals all on order. Ready to go now she has four dresses, four-night dresses, one dressing gown, ten pairs of stockings, ten undergarments, a hooded cloak, two gold armbands, four hair pins, a wooden comb, brush and mirror set, four shoulder pins, two bottles of perfume, and what she is stunning you in now." She read in her high-pitched croaky voice as she held a pair of tiny silver-rimmed speckles that had previously hung about her neck to her eyes to read off the paper she held. 

"Are you sure you don't want more?" He asked as he caressed the side of her face. 

"No. I have more than enough." Sisoa led them back to the front of the shop and Gabriel paid her for everything Kaia had purchased and paid extra for both the bags and boxes ready then and the other items ordered, along with Maries items, to be delivered to the house. Throughout the whole transaction, he couldn't stop petting her. She looked so beautiful with her hair up and the dress flattered both her skin tone and frame. He felt an odd ache in his chest that he'd never felt before, it was almost making it hard for him to breathe.

As they left Sisoa's Kaia noticed many creatures looking around at them and whispering. Seemingly oblivious to their stares and whispers Gabriel took her hand and placing it on his arm walked her towards a large brick building that had a large black and gold sign above the door that read 'Bon Appetit'. Inside Kaia was amazed at how many tables filled the large yet cosy restaurant. The place smelt amazing as the scents of many different foods assailed her. 

A short stocky dwarf dressed in a smart black suit with a huge black beard which had many gems and jewels braided into it greeted them. 

"Commander Angelus. Your usual table?" Gabriel nodded and they were escorted to a secluded table covered in a crisp white table cloth in an alcove towards the back of the restaurant. The dwarf placed a menu in front of each of them.