Page 32 of The Prince and His Stolen Throne

“Funds and list,” Fitz said, shoving a torn piece of paper and a coin pouch into her hands. “We’ll check in with you at the food stalls in three hours.”

Maximus followed us without a word.

“Trey, you asshole!” Delilah’s furious shout echoed after us as we plunged into the crowded halls of WindermerePlaza.

The shopping center was three floors of colors, sounds, and pressure-sales. Stores lined the walls and booths crowded the walkways, selling everything from clothes to magical supplies to knickknacks and collectibles. The center of the first floor was an open area to socialize, containing dozens of food stalls and a large statement fountain with a stone mermaid splashing through rainbow water. The second and third floors had random squares cut out of them so people could peek between the levels.

We’d barely stepped inside before a salesperson sprayed me in the face with perfume and another accidentally hit Fitz in the head with the curling tongs they wanted to demonstrate.

Maximus somehow remained undisturbed. Maybe because no one could reach his head.

We finally pushed through the sea of sellers and shoppers to find a clear area in one corner. “Alright,” Fitz said, “Now we need to review the list and devise a plan for the most efficient way to tackle everything.” He pulled it out of his pocket and held it up for Maximus and me to read.

I skimmed it, mouthing the words to myself.Packs, tents, water canteens.All basic supplies. “Is that it? I thought we were going to look for, you know, more important things.”

Fitz frowned and turned the list to face himself, then he groaned. “Dammit, I gave the interesting half to the girls.”

“What was on their list?” I asked.

“Various research books, potions, and of course, the weapons.”

“Wonderful. So, they get to do the interesting shopping while we’re running the basic errands.” Once Delilah realized that, maybe she’d forgive me for dumping Angelica on her.

“Looks that way,” Fitz said. “Though we are all responsible for our own clothing, since that will need to be individually fitted.”

A small consolation prize for the world’s most boring shopping trip. Hopefully the girls would have fun at least.

Princess Delilah Takes Over the Narration

Princess Delilah Woeful refused to embody her family name, even when her only companion was a nasty birdie she couldn’t bite. Angelica kept pecking and cawing at her at every opportunity as they walked through the uppermost floor of the Windermere Plaza.

“Can youpleasehide your ears and tail,” Angelica whined. She’d already tried to remove the collar herself and earned several bright red scratches along the back of her hand. They were fully on display as she hid her face from the crowd, refusing to be seen with her current company.

“No.”

“Princess to princess,” Angelica began, her tone wheedling. “Do you think this is appropriate behavior in public?”

Delilah stopped. Normally, a small person stopping in the middle of traffic risked getting trampled. The crowd avoided Delilah, parting around her like a river around a boulder.

Several people bumped into Angelica, almost shoving her to the ground.

“Do you think your attitude is acceptable behavior among peers?” Delilah asked.

Angelica scoffed and dusted off her skirts, glaring at the crowd. The other shoppers had finally noticed the roadblock and kept their distance, though a few shot Angelica equally nasty looks. “What isthatsupposed to mean?”

“None of us are going to coddle you. We won’t give you special treatment just because you’re royalty. We’re all royalty. You’re no longer special, you’re barely even average.”

“Average?!”

“What skills do you bring to the table? A pretty face? Frankly, I’ve seen better. Even your insults aren’t unique. Trey is more than capable of outmatching you. Do you haveanythingto offer us on this quest that makes you indispensable?”

Angelica said nothing.

Delilah gave her until the count of ten to respond, then turned around and continued her march through the crowd. The first thing on their list: potions.

Several people had gathered around a large sign on one wall that provided a store directory. Delilah scanned the list until she found two different apothecaries, noted their locations, and headed for the nearest one.

Angelica silently trailed behind her.