When The Night Falls Book 2 of When Good Things End trilogy

CHAPTER 28

"Why not just go with her alone?" Laurent asked from the bathroom as I glared at my face.
My skin was taking a long time to heal. I look ugly. "I'd feel safer if you came along. But if you don't want to don't force yourself."
"You feel safer when I'm around?" He teased as he came over. Hugging me from the back before attacking me with tickles.
I'm not embarrassed to admit the fact that yes, I do feel that way when he's with me. Besides. It won't be smart to go around alone after what Ezroth did. "Ok, stop it," I squealed. He let go of me making sure not to make me feel uncomfortable with so much physical contact.
I leaned my back against him. He needs to put a shirt on. Just not yet. The bruises around his ribcage seemed to fading now that it was starting to turn greenish in shade. It's supersizing how fit he is under his clothes.
His green eye seemed to glow as he caught me staring at him through the mirror. "What, not admiring my back this time?"
"Stop with the back already," I laughed, wanting to punch him for always teasing me about it. "Your back isn't the most handsome part of you ok?"
He raised an eyebrow as a small smirk started playing itself on his rosy lips. "Then do tell me. What part of me do you find most attractive?"
I didn't try hiding away my blush. He's making me a wreck at this point. "Does it have to be just one part of you?" Can I just say I like his soul or something?
"It'll be too corny if you say something about my heart right now." He nipped at my neck gently.
"Fine I give up," I said. "Your back is the most handsome part of you. I'll just leave it as that."
"That reminds me of something." He grinned as if hiding something.
I pursed my lips, knowing I'd have to wait to find out what it is.
He flicked my forehead. "Come on don't do that, you know I cant kiss you just yet."
I put on the moisturizer Zina had given me, wishing I had something better that would cover my face. If not to hide my skin than to somehow help me blend into the crowd.
Laurent said he would come over to her place in an hour once I had left to go get ready with her. I marveled at the dresses she had laid out on her bed.
"I was thinking the purple one might suit you but than again the black one matches your hair." She ran a brush through her wet hair as she came fro her bathroom.
"Isn't a dress like this a bit much if were just visiting a market?" I asked, sitting down. The dresses looked airy. The fabric reminding me of something an old fairy from some distant country would were.
Zina towel dried her hair quickly an smiled at me. "Your forgetting something, it's the night market. People dress up to enjoy the night here, even the relays are said come and visit the area."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"People wear masks." She shrugged but I shivered at her words. A cold sweat running down my spine. "Oh, no I don't mean you have to wear one. It's just something most people do."
"It's fine. I'll be fine." I tried to reassure the both of us. But confusion slowly trickled into the conversation as I noticed both sets of dresses didn't have anything resembling a mask.
She picked up a piece of opaque fabric at put it on. Placing the two small yet heavy beads of gold behind her ears so the fabric wouldn't fall off.
"It's just something simple to hide the face. You don't have to wear it if you don't feel like it."
"It looks beautiful." I admitted. It had small tassels hanging at the ends of the fabric. It was just enough to cover the face below the eyes.
She handed me the other one. "If it doesn't feel comfortable you can always take it off."
I looked into the mirror once the both of us were dressed and ready to go. My face wasn't half as bad as it looked without the fabric over it.
It didn't restrict my breathing since it was made of very airy material.
"Guess your man's here," Zina crossed her arms. The purple dress made her look like a fairy and her makeup was stunning.
I''m lucky enough to have had her work her skills on my face as well. The dark line around my eyes made the blue color pop and the coffee shade of color on my eyelids made me feel fancy.
"Look's like you guys decided to make me the third wheel," Zina chuckle as I turned to look at Laurent.
He was matching with me. His outfit looked fancy yet subtle, an all black base with sliver embroidery accenting his shirt. I liked the strap that wound around his shoulder and buckled off at his waist. The one sided cape was held on by it but his sword's strap was also a connected to it all.
"Like what you see?" Zina teased with a bump of my shoulder.
I blushed, only to realize she was talking to Laurent. About me. His eye's roamed soft across my features. I couldn't help myself from spinning around in a circle for him. The dress falling back around my shoes.
"What do you think? I asked, hoping he would say something already.
His eyes were sharp, softening only once he looked into mine and smiled. "You look gorgeous. I think my heart just fell for you all over again."
"Come on, the nights already falling." Zina pushed me over to his side and headed out.
I hope she's okay with hanging out with us. It's probably hard for her.
"I meant what I said. You look stunning," Laurent leaned down and whispered before extending his hand curtiously. I took it only noticing the slit in his shirt a second after.
I stopped, my mouth dropping as I spun to look at his exposed back.
"What?" Zina asked confused at my reaction.
The back of his shirt was exposed. The ends of the fabric neatly embroidered with silver lining and shaped into a diamond. The lighter skin of his scars framed beautifully as if being shown off.
"You don't like it?" Laurent questioned.
"No it's just... I was just surprised." I looked up at him. "I'd this okay to wear?"
Zina poked at his bicep. "It's normal. Honestly, an almost outdated style to be honest."
He rolled his eyes at her. "Your the one wearing a traditional dress."
"Is there something wrong with our dresses?" I asked sassily as we headed outside.
He shook his head. "No its cute." I chuckled as he led us both to the market area. At first we were just walking on some railed streets. But that slowly changed along with the atmosphere.
Stringed lights cascaded from tree vines as we stepped into a market nestled deep inside an enormous tree trunk.
Zina took my hand casually and took me along with her to explore the stalls that lined the street. The smell of savory food drifted over the clatter of others. The first place we visited was a jewelers place.
I laughed as Zina contemplated whether or not it was to early to adorn Irene in gold and gems. I bought blue gemstone cufflinks for Tide. Hoping that he wouldn't mind such a mature gift.
His eye's were the shade of ocean so I couldn't resist.
A small pearl necklace caught my eye. Zina showed me a fluffy pink bear from a different stall. The both of us agreeing that Irene would love it.
Laurent didn't drift off from our side as we explored the areas. He seemed fine with just commenting on the things we looked at and strolling along like a bodyguard.
Little kids ran along the street, their faces painted with decorations as I spotted the place they had their skin decorated. Zina caught onto my interest. "Wanna try it out? The painters come here to practice every once in a while for free. We can get lace like designs painted over our hands."
I followed her, sitting down with her when the artists had spaces open. The lady was skilled, her brush tracing my skin and fluid strokes. I marveled at the silver vines once she finished.
"Mind if I try something?" I asked her and gestured at the paints.
"Go ahead," she encouraged.
Laurent was standing at the side. Leaning against the wall as I walked over. "Would you let me practice some doodles?" I asked, taking his hand and guiding him down to where I was sitting earlier.
He looked confused as I walked behind him. "Sure?"
I took a brush in the same shape the lady used and dipped it into the silver paint. Making sure I didn't get any on his clothes, I started off slow. Zina had both her hands painted by the time I was halfway done.
"You're not half bad at this," she commented as I finished up and dried the paint.
"What is it?" Laurent asked once I thanked the lady and we all made our way to the rest of the market. I found a stall that sold mirrors of all sizes.
He admired the handiwork. "I didn't think my back could be even better looking than my face until now."
"It's just wings." I swat his arm because of the compliment.
"It looks nice," Zina said. Taking me back to shopping.
By the end of a few hours the both of us had gifts for the kids picked out. I had two gifts for Tide, a silk pillow for Milo, and a bakery story book for Irene. Laurent took the bags from my hands, as Zina pointed out the places we could get food for dinner.
"I want something sweet," I laughed. Staggering a bit as someone bumped into me. Laurent was quick to cover me as my facial covering slipped off. Zina swiftly handed it back as the man apologized.
Zina glared him down as I let him know it was fine. The three of us making it to a table after ordering our food.
The tense feeling in my chest didn't escape my notice.
I think I've been found.