Page 59 of The Mage and His Stolen Prince
Delilah hadn’t given anyone time to argue with her decision. She’d simply declared that we should go shopping, and within the hour, the six of us had crammed into a single carriage and headed straight for the largest shopping center in Misfortune. During the ride, she conferred with Angelica and Fitz about shopping lists, while Maximus glowered in one corner, and I tried not to think too hard about Trey’s shoulder and thigh pressed up against mine.
The soft heat radiating from his skin. The firm muscles hidden beneath thin layers of fabric. The increase in gentle pressure every time the carriage shifted, and how slow he was to settle back into place.
I didn’t say a single word the entire trip.
“To make this easier, we’ll split into three groups,” Delilah said. She’d already torn her list into three sections of roughly equal lengths. “Angelica and Maximus, you’re in charge of general supplies and clothes for everyone.”
Angelica fluffed her blond curls around her shoulders and said, “At least you understand who has the best fashion sense.”
“Fitz and I will cover any research and magical materials, while Trey and Wilde visit the armory and the apothecary.”
“Wait.” Maximus held out a hand, preventing Delilah from passing me the list. “Shouldn’t the mage shop for the magical items?”
Delilah hesitated and sent me a panicked look. I knew little about potions and less about weapons, so there was no reason for me to go with Trey except as an excuse for us to spend time together. Her eyes lit up as she had the same thought. “Because this is a bonding experience! Trey and I are cousins, so there’s no point in us bonding.”
“Trey and Wilde already know each other too,” Maximus argued. “Besides, you can shop with Angelica.”
Angelica huffed in offense. “Why does it feel like I’m being pawned off onto someone else?”
Ignoring her, Maximus plucked the list from Delilah’s hand. “Fitz and Wilde will shop for the magical items, Trey and I will go to the armory, and you and Angelica can go clothes shopping.”
“Why? Because we’regirls?” Delilah demanded.
Maximus paused, realizing that he was dangerously close to crossing a line.
“It’s fine,” I said, stepping toward Fitz. “As long as the shopping gets done.”
Maximus glared at me, like he didn’t appreciate my ‘help.’
Fitz looked around at everyone, adjusting his glasses nervously, then readjusting them because they’d been in a better place before. “Meet near the food stalls in an hour?” he suggested.
Tension lingered between the girls and Maximus, but everyone quietly agreed.
As we entered the crowded shopping center, I looked over my shoulder at Trey. Our connection was already thin and weak, and every step he took away from me stretched it closer to a breaking point.Spending one afternoon away from each other won’t ruin the plan,I scolded myself. But shopping with him could have been our first real date, so it was hard to shake off the disappointment.
Fitz cleared his throat, silently reminding me that he was my partner for the day. “It’s quite crowded here. Perhaps, so we don’t lose each other, we should hold—” he stopped himself as heat flooded his cheeks. “No, sorry, stupid idea.” Then he turned on his heel and stalked down the shop-lined corridor.
I practically ran to keep up so I wouldn’t lose him in the crowd. His legs were longer than mine, translating into a longer stride. Catching up to him would be easier if I teleported next to him, but I’d promised Trey. “Wait.”
To his credit, Fitz immediately stopped and waited for me, and together we walked through the shops.
Chapter Twenty: Wilde
Fifty Minutes Later
The Windermere Plaza
Almost Done Shopping
“Is that everything?” I asked.
Fitz leaned over my shoulder to review the list of books and magical ingredients, the swoop of his tawny hair tickling my cheek and neck. “I think so.”
I pulled away from him and tucked the list back into my pocket. “Then we should meet up with the others.”
“Wait. I … before we join them, I wanted to talk to you. In private.”
I looked pointedly at the dozens of people surrounding us, milling in and out of shops. Parents with their kids. Young lovers on dates. Friends laughing and joking together as they pressed their faces to store windows. This was the exact opposite of ‘private.’
