Elizabeth
I wasn't accustomed to being around so many people at the same time. The trip to town had been uneventful, though, once we stepped outside the car into the crowd, I found myself recoiling back and looking for something to hold and prevent me from running away.
Nowadays, I was afraid of people, especially when they kept staring at me and evaluating my appearance, my clothes, my hair, and why I was with the royal family of these parts.
“Are you okay?” Jessica asked, holding on to my hand and squeezing it tight. “There's no need to be scared. You are safe here, and we'll have lots of fun choosing new clothes for you.”
“I don't need much,” I mumbled, searching for Eric. He was talking to the bodyguards, giving pointers to where we were going and what we needed to do. Despite being safe, as Jessica was claiming, there were a lot of bodyguards to keep us safer.
“It's always a bit crazy when a member of the royal family comes to town. Especially if they bring the whole entourage to escort us. But don't mind them. We’re going to pretend that we’re normal girls, shopping for clothes. I texted Anna to join us later. I hope you don't mind.”
“No, not at all,” I said, trying to relax.
“I'll be right beside you, and Eric won't be far behind,” Jessica whispered as she leaned closer to my ear. “So no need to be afraid. He won't let anything happen to you.”
Gulping, I nodded and walked beside Jessica who pushed me into a nearby shop with female clothes.
Jessica shrieked with excitement, “I love that pink one! What's your favorite color?”
“Purple,” I answered. “I like pink, too.”
“Do you want to go inside and try some of the dresses?” Eric spoke, joining us with his hands behind his back and eyes on the dress.
“I don't feel comfortable wearing dresses,” I explained. “Let's look for something else. Something simpler.”
Jessica followed me down the street as people mumbled among themselves and looked at their queen and prince while most likely wondering who I was.
“There's a really nice shop down the road with a lot of different types of clothes. They have jeans and underwear. Do you want to see it? The shop assistants are also really friendly,” Jessica shared as she put her arm inside my arm. She seemed cheerful, and I wished that her joyfulness could be contagious.
“Yes.” I didn't want to seem ungrateful for her assistance. “I'm glad that you came with me. I can use a woman's opinion.”
Jessica's smile widened. “I love shopping, and I wanted you to have an excuse to leave the house and face the world outside. I know that it can be traumatic, but we are here with you. Plus, you really need new clothes.”
“At least underwear because I'm grateful for all the clothes you and Anna gave me.”
“Eric, do you think that we could all have lunch in the diner instead of going home? Marcus could join us, and we could show Beth the nicest places to hang out in Affinity.”
I looked back, watching my mate stroll behind us.
“I can call him while you try on clothes.”
The next few hours were busy and exhausting. I wasn't used to going out and seeing so many humans and other supernaturals. I had been kept prisoner inside a house with supernaturals and everything I needed was provided by Alaric and Vincent. Plus, my captors were under the impression that I just needed nice dresses and jewels and going outside wasn't an option. Now, that I was actually free, I couldn't wait to return to my bedroom and hide.
Jessica was fun to be around, though she would suggest clothes that I’d never think about wearing. Having Eric around was scary and exciting at the same time. He was quiet, most of the time, only speaking when Jessica asked him something or demanded his opinion. Still, I liked the way he looked at me. It warmed my heart and gave me a sense of peace and belonging.
A few hours later, I came out from the changing room with some of the clothes I had decided to keep and bring home. Meanwhile, Jessica was seated beside Eric, having a fun conversation because he was laughing and smiling like I’d never had the opportunity of seeing him. My heart leaped inside my chest. I wanted to be able to make him smile like that.
“They are adorable together,” the old lady who was helping me with the clothes said with a friendly smile.
I knew that she was human and probably had no idea who Jessica and Eric were. Not everybody in Affinity was supernatural and aware of other supernaturals as Eric had explained to me previously.
Grabbing the clothes I didn’t want, I placed them in a pile on an empty table.
The shop assistant raised her brows. “Are you sure you don't want to take the purple dress with you? It looked really well on your figure. You are beautiful.”
“Thank you, but I don't think I'll have the opportunity to wear it,” I mumbled with my eyes on Jessica as she described something using her hands.
“You know that they are just friends, right?” the old lady commented.
I stared at her with confusion. “What?”
“The girl and the young man. She sometimes comes here with her other lady friend. He's her husband’s brother if I'm not mistaken. Of course, that's none of my business. But I see how you look at him and how he looks at you.”
My cheeks turned red, and my hands trembled.
“Is everything all right?” Eric asked, showing up beside me as if he sensed my panic.
The old lady smiled at him. “I was just telling the young lady that she should take the purple dress, too. It looks beautiful on her, and I'm sure that she'll have plenty of opportunities to wear it.”
Eric looked at the dress that the shop assistant was showing him before addressing me. “Why don't you take it?”
“We’ve already spent too much money on new clothes that I'll probably never wear. I don't think it's wise.”
Eric's hand touching mine hushed me. I dared to raise my eyes at him and became mesmerized by his boyish grin aimed at the shop assistant.
“My wife will take it. Just put it with the rest of the clothes she chose,” Eric said.
“Oh, your wife!” The nice older lady beamed. “That explains a lot. I’ll add the dress and give you a discount.”
The shop assistant left, and Eric used his index to raise my chin. “Are you okay or do you want me to take you home?”
Shivering, I gulped and focused my blurry vision on his kind face. “I’m okay.”
“Good. I’ll pay, and then we’ll leave.”
I nodded.
Eric walked to the counter and removed his card from his wallet. “Here's my credit card, one of my bodyguards will carry the bags. Thank you for all your help.”
“It was my pleasure. I hope to see you soon,” the lady said.
“Beth,” Eric called me, showing me his hand for me to hold.
I moved to him, and he entwined his fingers with mine.
“Where do we go now?” Jessica asked, getting up and joining us. “I'm hungry. I'm just saying.”
“Where do you want to go?” Eric asked me. I shrugged. “Let's eat, then.”
Nodding, I looked behind where the shop assistant was folding the clothes, and the bodyguard was waiting to carry the bags and receive Eric's credit card.
Wife. Will I ever feel like a normal person again?