world I’ve become.
Isla pulls away from me. For a moment, I panic, thinking she’s going to be angry or embarrassed that we brought her to a place like this. Instead, she turns and glances between me and Audun with a saucy little smile on her face as she laughs and says something in her melodious voice.
She’s teasing us and calling us perverts. I just know it.
A curvy blonde woman comes out from a back room behind the register and calls out, “Happy Guardians’ Day! Everything today is—oh!”
She stops speaking once she’s close enough to recognize us. The look of panic on her face is something I’ve grown used to over the years. When people aren’t expecting to see us in public, they tend to show their fear a little more noticeably. Most days, this sort of thing would bother me immensely. After all, we’ve dedicated our immortal lives to protecting the people of Briya from evil they can’t even fathom. They may worship us and call us gods, and I know in the back of my mind they’re grateful to have us. But I always feel like such a monster when I see people react fearfully to me and my brothers. As though we would ever hurt the people we live to protect.
Today, it doesn’t bother me at all. Isla knows what we are and she even saw Reule in his beast form. He said that she showed no fear at the sight of his beast, and never once has she looked at any of us like we’re monsters.
“Hello!” Marieke greets the shopkeeper when Audun and I stay silent. “Guardian Audun and Guardian Caelan were hoping to buy their wife some new undergarments today.”
“Ah, yes, of course!” the girl exclaims, her voice raising a few octaves. Her gaze moves to a sign above the register before she quickly turns to face us once more. When I realize she’s blushing, I curiously look up at the advertisement.
A surprised laugh escapes me before I can help myself. How the hell did I not notice this sign when we first walked in? It’s several feet long and depicts a graphic illustration of four beasts salivating over a scantily-clad woman. The advertisement reads: “Wear something that will make your man act like a beast in the bedroom. Buy-One-Get-One 50% off during Guardians’ Week Only!”
“This is very awkward.” Audun groans. I feel a little bad for my youngest brother. He’s always been so easily embarrassed. I know the only reason he wasn’t shy with Isla last night was because of the Beasts’ Moon.
On the other hand, this is pure gold. I wish Reule were here right now—he’d agree with me wholeheartedly.
“Does the discount still apply to us?” I grin at the embarrassed shopkeeper.
She ignores my question and bows deeply to Isla. “Do you know what size you wear, milady? If you’re not sure, I would be more than happy to measure you.”
Isla tilts her head at the girl. I’m sure she finds it strange that people are addressing her so formally, and I’d love to know what exactly is going through her head. After staring at the shopkeeper, she shrugs and walks over to one of the displays. The brassiere she picks up is black and lacey with all kinds of straps.
I’m suddenly a million times more interested in this shopping trip than I was already.
The shopkeeper furrows her eyebrows when Isla begins speaking to her. Before Audun or I can do so, Marieke steps in and explains, “Lady Isla is new to Briya and she doesn’t know our language yet. She would be grateful if you could take her measurements and pick out a few things in her size. I’m afraid she’s actually starting from scratch with her wardrobe.”
“Absolutely!” Intrigue replaces the girl’s embarrassed expression as she meets Isla’s eyes for the first time. She smiles broadly as she pulls a measuring tape from the front pocket of her apron and holds it up for Isla to see. “Are you able to translate for her, Miss Marieke?”
Isla’s eyes light up when she sees the measuring tape, and she starts unbuttoning her coat. Audun groans and asks in a pleading voice, “You have a dressing room, right?”
He’s probably worried that Isla’s going to fully undress right here in the middle of the shop. For all we know, that’s a normal and acceptable thing to do wherever she’s from. I wouldn’t mind at all, but a dressing room would probably be best to spare Audun and