Shopping time

The bustling marketplace of Ardglass was a feast for the senses. The scent of ripe fruits, the sound of bartering voices, the sight of a kaleidoscope of colors from the various stalls.

Esther's laughter rang through the air as a street urchin ran past us, his pockets undoubtedly fuller than before he'd darted through the crowd. Her laugh was infectious, and it brought an unbidden smile to my lips, even as my eyes scanned the crowd for potential threats. It was second nature, a habit formed from years of leading and protecting.

We stopped at various stalls, Esther picking up herbs and other ingredients she'd need for her healing work. Every now and then, she'd pause to show me something interesting or unusual. A particularly vibrant flower, a peculiar looking root, or an exotic fruit from a distant land. Each time she did, she'd lean in close to explain, her breath tickling my ear, her body just slightly brushing against mine.

Every time she leaned in, it sent a jolt through me, bringing me back to that dream, to the figure in the shadows.

At one point, we stopped at a stall selling a variety of spices. The scent was intoxicating, a heady mix of exotic aromas. Esther was practically glowing with excitement as she explained the different uses for each one, her fingers delicately picking up pinches of different spices.

“Here, try this,” she said, holding out a small amount of a deep red spice. I took a pinch and tasted it, the heat exploding on my tongue almost immediately. My eyes watered, and I coughed, much to Esther's amusement.

“I forgot to mention,” she said, teasingly, “It's a bit…hot.”

I spluttered and reached for my water skin, the heat still lingering in my mouth. As I drank, I couldn't help but notice Esther's eyes on me, a hint of something in them that I couldn't quite place. It was the same look she'd given me when she'd whispered in my ear at breakfast.

We moved on, but that look, that feeling, stayed with me. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I failed to see a small rock jutting out from the well-trodden path. My boot caught the stone, and with a surprised grunt, I stumbled forward. Time seemed to slow as I careened towards Esther, my outstretched hands instinctively aiming to catch something.

“Esther!” I managed to shout, but it was too late. I collided with her, sending both of us sprawling onto the dusty street. The world spun for a moment before I found myself on top of her, our bodies awkwardly entwined.

“Jasper!” she exclaimed, her blue eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, we just stared at each other, our faces mere inches apart. I could feel her breath against my skin, her heart pounding in sync with mine. It was a strange, intimate moment, one that sent a rush of heat to my cheeks.

“I… I'm sorry, Esther,” I stammered, quickly pushing myself up and offering her a hand. She accepted it, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she dusted herself off.

“No harm done, Jasper,” she reassured me, but there was a gleam in her eyes that suggested she found the situation more amusing than she let on.

However, our tumble hadn't gone unnoticed. The bustling marketplace had come to a brief standstill, curious onlookers watching the spectacle with varying degrees of amusement. I felt my face grow even hotter under their scrutiny.

Esther, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. She simply adjusted her cloak, flashed the crowd a bright smile, and continued on as if nothing had happened.

“I think we've entertained the crowd enough for one day,” she said, leading the way once again. “Let's finish our shopping, shall we?”