Islinda should have known she’d get what she asked for by handing the reins to Ginger to plan their tour.
Their first stop was a bustling market square, brimming with vendors hawking all sorts of wares.
Ginger was like a child in a sweet store, drawn to every shop window filled with glittering trinkets and shiny baubles.
It was obvious that the winter court was in a much better state than when they had initially arrived; the depressing spirit was gone.
Ginger darted from one vendor to another, marveling at sparkling jewels, intricate ornants, all manner of glittery things and foods.
Gabbi and Milo matched her enthusiasm. Gabbi, a cook herself, was thrilled to discover new recipes, her eyes lighting up at every unfamiliar ingredient and unique cooking technique. Milo, the half-breed, was simply ecstatic to be outside the castle walls, the freedom making his eyes sparkle with childlike wonder.
Islinda initially felt a thrill at the beauty surrounding them, but as the tour progressed, her excitent began to wane. It wasn’t that the tour wasn’t fun, but there was this growing sense of unease. There was that feeling that this was just the calm before the storm.
Elena was too quiet for her liking and sothing told Islinda that the Fae was not going down without a fight. All of this bothered her hence the last thing she wanted was a day filled with frivolous activities. She appreciated Ginger’s help, but sadly, this was not her thing.
And speaking of Ginger....
"Isn’t this gorgeous, my lady? You must try it on!" Ginger held up a shimring scarf, her eyes wide with delight. "
Islinda forced a smile and obliged, draping the scarf around her neck.
"It is beautiful," she said, feeling the soft material.
"Told you this is going to be the best birthday ever!" Ginger squealed, moving ahead to go find her next interest, unaware of the weariness in Islinda’s deanor.
Perhaps Islinda was lucky in a way, because compared to her, Prince Wayne was in a far worse state under Ginger’s care. He was covered head to toe with shiny jewels and accessories Ginger deed fitting for him. He looked pretty?
Ginger had turned him into a living doll, even making them stop at a junction for an artist to capture his "unique appearance."
Prince Wayne wanted to protest this indignity in his own language, but he wasn’t about to reveal his secret identity.
Damn the Fae!
To think she was this mischievous. Well, it shouldn’t surprise him. After all, she had been such an interesting companion in bed, and he had deliciously enjoyed her last night. She had been extrely welcoming of his advances, and he would have visited her dreams again tonight if not for the princess rising today. He wouldn’t want to miss such a glorious mont, not for any pleasure. There would be plenty of ti for more.
Finally, Ginger stopped in front of a small shop with a sign that read "mories in Glass."
"I think this is!" Ginger said, and went in before Islinda could say a word.
"Sure, let’s go." She gestured with a sigh.
The group entered, a bell above the door tinkling softly.
Inside, the shop was warm and inviting. The air was filled with a soft, tinkling lody, and the warm glow of lanterns bathed the shop in a golden light. Shelves lined the walls, each one filled with intricately crafted snow globes.
Ginger was at it again. She was not a child. Islinda sighed.
A figure erged from behind the counter—a tall, elegant Fae with silver hair and eyes that sparkled like stardust. She wore a flowing gown that shimred with every movent, and a kind smile played on her lips.
"Welco to mories in Glass," she said, her voice lodic and soothing. "I am Elara. How may I assist you today?"
Ginger stepped forward, her eyes bright with excitent. "We’re looking for sothing special," she said. "Sothing that captures a unique mory, sothing personal."
Elara nodded, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "Ah, you seek a mory globe. These are no ordinary snow globes. They capture a special mont, a unique mory, and preserve it forever. A perfect gift for soone you love."
At the ntion of "soone you love," nearly everyone in the store turned towards Islinda, making her self-conscious of their accusing stares.
"What?" she rolled her eyes.
"Nothing," they chorused, turning back around as if minding their own business. Yet Islinda could still hear their whispered side talks and stifled laughter.
Damn them.
"You must be the one then," Elara said kindly, understanding in her eyes. "Co, follow ." She beckoned Islinda closer to a table at the center of the store, where an array of empty snow globes sat, each one gleaming with potential.
She picked out one among the others. "To create a mory globe," Elara explained, "one must focus on a cherished mory. It can be a mont of joy, love, or even a bittersweet farewell. The globe will then capture the essence of that mory and display it within its glass."
Ginger grinned and turned to Islinda. "Isn’t this amazing? I know you’re supposed to be the one receiving presents on your birthday, but you can gift Prince Aldric this. I’m sure he’ll cherish it."
Islinda thought about it and it didn’t seem so bad.
Tentatively, Islinda stepped forward, her mind already racing through countless mories. She closed her eyes and began to sift through them. She beca conflicted as it dawned on her she couldn’t exactly make a pick. So many things had happened in such a short ti. She couldn’t decide on a mory from before she t Aldric or after. Each period had its share of good and bad tis.
In the end, Islinda decided to gift Aldric a mory of her childhood, when her father had been alive and she had been the happiest. The dark Fae prince might not have had the best childhood, but she hoped he would relive joy through hers.
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