Soul Bound

Chapter 16

Eva spent too long a time being measured and going through different materials and designs for the dress. Beverly, the seamstress, was determined to exact her revenge by making Eva's visit as painful as possible. It also didn't help that while she poked Eva's ribs with her needles, Grayson lectured her on etiquette. She was very nearly ready to shove the box of pins down Beverly's throat after the hundredth poke.

"Ow! Son of a-"

"Ladies don't swear," Grayson cut her off, the muscles in his jaw working hard to resist smirking.

Eva glared vehemently at him and his amusement. "Fuck being a lady if this is what it's like. Let's see a man wear a corset--then we'll talk about etiquette."

Try as he might, a smirk broke out across his lips. She wanted to smack it off his pretty face. He was enjoying this far too much.

Beverly glanced at him then to Eva, suddenly scared to touch her. She should be. If she pricked her one more time. . . .

"That's no way to talk, my lady," he scolded. His tone was serious--he had taken his role as her teacher very seriously--but there was a mischievous glimmer in his eyes that loved watching her break all the rules in his etiquette book. "I think you should apologise to Beverly. Properly."

She'd never gone from liking someone to envisioning their murder so quickly in her life.

For the sake of the mission, she stole a deep breath, summoning all the patience the gods could grant her, then smiled sweetly at the seamstress. "Please accept my apologies, Beverly. It's not your fault Grayson is an asshole."

He made a noise of exclamation, throwing his hands up in the air. "That's it. We're gagging you at the dinner." He stood up abruptly and turned to Beverly, the epitome of composure when his cool gaze landed on her. "How long will it take to make the adjustments to the dress?"

Beverly glanced at Eva nervously, like she was some wild beast that might gobble her up at any second. "I'll have it ready in a couple of hours."

He inclined his head respectfully towards her then offered Eva a helping hand off the pedestal she stood on. She gave him a dirty look; she didn't need help getting off a step. To make a point, she gave him direct eye contact, shoved her hands in her pockets, then marched out the store. It was a miracle she could open the door by herself!

He growled behind her, easily keeping pace with her. "You could at least try to take this seriously, Eva."

They had been in the shop longer than she thought they were; the blue sky now held a tinge of purple and pink as the sun slowly began its descent. A man with a candle went from street lamp to lamp, illuminating the streets in a soft amber glow.

"I don't understand why I have to behave like a brittle creature. It's silly."

"It's tradition," Grayson explained. He took the lead, herding her down a different street, which was just as busy as the last one they were in. Shops lined either side, with elaborate glass displays showing off the various goods they sold. The Vendor District, as he had called it, was so different from Vendor Street back home. There was a certain polish to it Brar could have never had, and there was a shop for everything, not just the necessities. It was marvellous, magical even, in its own way. She loved it, yet she couldn't help but feel like she didn't belong.

"Tradition is bullshit," she grumbled.
He let out a tired breath. "Maybe, but if you're not on your best behaviour in Lexxis, you'll disrespect King Renkon and the whole Kain family. Do you want that?"

She grimaced, biting her tongue. As much as she wanted to stick to her "improper ways," she had to let them go. She lived in a different world now. She wasn't a small town hunter anymore. She had responsibilities, and some of those responsibilities meant she had to meet with important people who may see her actions as an insult to them.