48 Culture Shock

ELIA

She stood there, lamely, uncertain whether to apologize again, or to leave Behryn alone, when someone cleared their throat behind her.

She turned and found another merchant stall just a few feet away, with a young man standing behind it. He was tall. Very tall—like Behryn—and had the same barrel chest, yet slim limbs.

When Elia looked at him, he tipped his head for her to come towards him. She looked at Behryn again, but he was clearly intentionally ignoring her. Had he only been kind to her before because she was with Reth? Was this what it would be like whenever her husband wasn't nearby?

The young man made another "whsssst" sort of sound and she turned back to him, approaching slowly when he nodded.

She stepped up to his stall and he unfolded a pretty, braided necklace in front of her as if he was showing it to her to shop, but his words were very low, almost a whisper, and spoken through a tense jaw.