Chapter 22 Girls' Day Out

After Kai vanished into the crowd, the girls stood in place for a moment, staring down at the coin pouches in their hands. It felt strange to be given money—not earned, not bartered, but gifted. Slowly, smiles began to form.

They didn’t hold back.

They moved through the market without hesitation. Every stall they passed pulled them in. One sold fabric dyed in plum and forest green. Another shimmered with silver bangles that chimed when touched. Baskets overflowed with bread still warm from the oven, and fruit with skin as red as fire apples.

Skye leaned into a mirror trying on feathered earrings, then swapped them for tiny gold ones shaped like stars. Fara ran her fingers along the edge of a scarf with flame patterns stitched in orange thread. Revoli darted between them, tail swishing with every turn, picking up bundles of herbs, jerky, and a bag of rock sugar she swore was for later.

At one corner stall, Skye slowed. Her eyes landed on a leather-bound armguard. The iron buckle was plain, but the band was strong. Her hand hovered over it. Something about it reminded her of Kai—quiet, grounded, built to endure.

She reached out and touched it.

Fara stepped beside her. “That’s not made for girls,” she said softly.

Skye flinched and let go of it, cheeks burning. “I know,” she muttered.

Fara didn’t move. She picked up something from a nearby hook. A pendant—rough, worn. A cross inside a shield. She held it between two fingers and turned it slowly.

“I can tell how you feel about Kai.”

Skye blinked. “How?”

Fara glanced at the metal in her hand. “Because I feel the same.”

Skye didn’t answer. Her ears dipped, just a little.

Revoli came bounding back, crunching a slice of honeyed apple.

“What are you two whispering about?” she asked, mouth full.

“Nothing,” they said in unison.

The three girls wandered toward the next shop, sunlight warming their shoulders, hearts a little heavier and lighter all at once.