the shopkeeper the embarrassment.
Marieke gives me a look when I grab a few items I very much want to see Isla try on.
“Just remember we have other shops to visit after this. We can’t spend all day here!”
A few hours later, there’s still no sign of Reule or Mal. I’m starting to think Janak might have roped them into work, which is honestly really shitty. We only get a couple of days off together every month, and Guardians’ Week is the only real holiday we get. With Isla here, our time together at home is even more precious.
“What’s the matter? You’re having fun, aren’t you?”
I turn to face Marieke and smile. “Of course! I’m just wondering where my idiotic brothers are. I thought they’d meet us before we even left your house.”
My arms are full of bags and boxes from shopping with Isla. We bought more than she really needs, considering we plan to have her clothing custom-made in the future, but spoiling her felt even better than I expected it would. She became so much more animated while shopping than I’ve seen so far, and it quickly became apparent that she loves fashion.
All the shopkeepers we visited today adored her, and they all sounded so genuine when they congratulated us. Despite the fact that Isla knows only a few basic words in Briyan, everyone she’s met today has said she’s charming, sweet, and absolutely beautiful.
The streets are more crowded now than they were earlier, and people have become braver the longer we’ve stayed in the village. More and more people have approached Isla—to welcome her to Briya, to congratulate her, to pray to her, and to thank her.
She’s been given more flowers too, along with several small gifts and treats. A few girls Marieke is friends with helped weave the flowers into a crown, which Isla is wearing proudly now.
“I hope they get here soon,” Marieke says. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had at a Guardians’ Day festival, and I’m sure Isla misses them!”
“She does.” I smile and turn to look through the crowd once more until I spot Isla and Audun. A band started playing music a short while ago, and Isla dragged Audun out into the middle of the street to dance with her. I’m proud to say that I only felt jealous for a few seconds when she chose to dance with him first instead of me.
“I know people have been saying this to you guys all day, but I really am happy for you,” Marieke says softly. I probably wouldn’t be able to hear her over the loud music if I didn’t have enhanced senses. “The four of you have been so…sad and lost, for as long as I can remember. I’ve never seen you or Audun light up the way you have today. I know Isla didn’t come here under the best circumstances, but I’m still glad for it.”
Her words are genuine and heartfelt, and hearing her say all of that really means the world to me. Mal feels guilty for making Isla our wife and for making it impossible for her to go back home. I don’t, and maybe that makes me selfish. But Isla belongs with us, and I’ll never regret claiming her.
“Thank you, Marieke.”
“Caelan!” Isla screeches. I grin when I see her running toward me with a smile plastered across her face. She’s wearing one of the new dresses we bought her, and she looks gorgeous and carefree.
“Is it finally my turn then?” I smirk at her teasingly and shove all of the bags and boxes at Audun when he sidles up behind Isla.
The moment my arms are empty, Isla grabs my hand and pulls me into the crowded street where dozens of people are still dancing. Isla and Audun were the first to dance along to the music, but it certainly caught on quickly.
I let her lead for a few songs. Isla’s a very good dancer, and her moves make me more curious to learn about her old life and the world she’s from. When the band begins playing folk songs that were popular around the time I first became a Guardian, I grin and hold Isla close as I lead her in the traditional steps of the dances.
She’s vibrant and stunning, and I steal more than a few kisses while we’re dancing. I keep expecting her to push me away, but she never does. I’m starting to question whether or not Audun and I were stupid to