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I tapped a finger to my lips thoughtfully. “Actually, yes.” I turned to the dwarven artisan, excitement bubbling in my chest. “Have you ever considered collaborating with a blacksmith?”

The dwarf's eyes lit up. “Aye, I've thought about it. But finding the right smith with the vision for it? That's been the challenge. Most smiths I know are brutes interested only in making the biggest, sharpest weapons.” She cocked her head at me. “Don't tell me you're a smith, lass? Not with that pretty face.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I can swing a hammer just as well as the best of them.”

“Is that so?” The woman set aside her work and crossed her arms over her ample chest. “Well then, you've got my attention. What did you have in mind?”

I leaned in, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “What if we combined your mithral weaving with other metalwork, appealing to women and mothers, a demographic usually overlooked by blacksmiths?”

“Like what?” she asked, stroking her beard.

“Like... a necklace that changes color when danger is near. For when a woman is out on her own.”

She snapped her fingers. “Or a bracelet that could warm or cool the wearer based on her needs.”

Thinking of Elias, I added, “Or a pair of tokens bound to each other, one for the mother and one for the child, for easy tracking.”

The dwarven artisan clapped her hands together. “I like the way you think, lass! It's not often I meet a human with such vision.” She thrust out a calloused hand. “Name's Brilda Steelweave. How about we set up a proper meeting to discuss this further?”

I shook her hand enthusiastically. “Soraya Ashford. And I'd love that, Brilda.”

As we exchanged details and made tentative plans, I could feel Vorgath's gaze on me. When I glanced up at him, the corners of his mouth had turned up in the barest hint of a smile.

“What?” I asked, suddenly self-conscious.

He shook his head slightly. “Nothing.”

Before I could respond, a commotion from the center of the square caught our attention. “Ladies and gentlemen!” a booming voice called out. “Prepare yourselves for a spectacle of fire and magic!”

Brilda grinned. “Ah, that'll be Fizzlebang. Best fire elementalist this side of the Crystal Caves. You won't want to miss this show.”

Vorgath's hand settling on the small of my back startled me. “Shall we?” he asked, nodding toward the gathering crowd.

“Lead the way,” I managed to say, my voice only slightly breathless.

As we made our way through the crowd, Vorgath's hand remained steady on my back, guiding me. The warmth of his touch seemed to seep through my clothes, leaving my skintingling. I found myself leaning into him slightly, craving more of that contact.

We found a spot with a good view just as Fizzlebang, a dwarf with wild hair that seemed to defy gravity, took center stage. With a dramatic flourish, he raised his hands, and suddenly, the air was filled with dancing flames. The fire twisted and spiraled, forming intricate shapes and patterns. Dragons made of embers soared overhead, their fiery wings beating in perfect synchronization. Flowers bloomed from sparks, their petals unfurling in a dazzling display of reds and golds.

I gasped in wonder, unconsciously pressing closer to Vorgath. His arm slipped around my waist, holding me steady as we watched the mesmerizing performance.

“It's beautiful,” I whispered.

“Yes,” he murmured, but he wasn't looking at the show anymore. I could feel his eyes on me, on my face, watching me as intently as I watched the show in front of us. “It is.”

My heart thundered in my chest, and for a moment, as I turned to meet his gaze, I forgot how to breathe. The world around us seemed to fade away, leaving only the warmth of Vorgath's embrace and the intensity of his gaze.

But just as the moment stretched between us, a small, excited voice cut through the haze.

“Mama! Vorgath! Did you see that? The fire turned into a dragon!” Elias suddenly appeared at our side, his eyes wide with wonder and his cheeks flushed with excitement.

I jumped, surprised, and turned to him with a smile. “It's quite spectacular, isn't it?”

“I should...” Vorgath started to pull away, but I caught his hand, holding him in place.

“No,” I said quietly. “Stay. Please.”

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded, his arm tightening around me once more.