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"What are we going to the market for?" Aria asked. His servants and slaves brought in food to the castle and fabric to make clothes. What did a prince need to go to the market for?
    "I thought you might like to experience the kingdom from beyond the palace walls. If I'm wrong, then I can invite..."
    "No!" Aria's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "I'll come with you. But, can I wear something other than the green gown?" She feared how others might react seeing her in public. Her mother had sheltered her and for good reason.
    "No one from outside the palace knows what the colors of the gowns mean. Besides, it's only something I do with my courtesans. The ladies for Prince Aaron all wear a combination of red and gold. For Prince Henry they wear blue and purple. Prince August's women would wear nothing if it were always up to him. You, my dear, are a jewel to be treasured. I will protect you, now and forever."
    "I'll accompany you, Prince James, but don't make a promise you can't keep." It was no secret he would choose a woman next month to leave the royal harem. Sending Aria or any other of his women to be sold into slavery was in no way offering protection.
    A fresh green gown, similar in color but the style was different as this one cut across the shoulder with only one strap. Aria carried the dress to the bathroom and shut the door. It was the only hint of privacy she had in this place.
    It took her a few minutes to get dressed. Once the gown was on, she ran a comb through her hair and stepped out into her bedroom. James leaned against the wall, staring out the window. His attention turned to Aria when she sauntered back into the room. "You look lovely."
    "Can I get a pair of shoes to wear out?"
    "They're by the foyer for you to borrow a pair," he said. James took her arm and led her out of the room and down the hall. The palace was like a maze, stretching on for miles, but it should be no surprise given there were forty-eight rooms for courtesans.
    James guided Aria to the stairwell and she held the railing of the banister as she glided down the stairs. Careful, she raised the hem of her dress just enough to not trip on her descent.
    Approaching the foyer, Aria tried on a few different pairs of sandals until she found ones with a wedge that fit. It kept her gown from dragging on the floor. She secured the straps and was led outside. A large vehicle waited for them. The driver opened the back door and she slid in with James joining inside the car a moment later. The driver shut the door and walked around to the front. The car held five comfortably. The windows were tinted in the back. No one from the outside could see them. Was it to keep James safe?
    He reached across the backseat, taking her hand. "Thank you for trusting me enough to come with me today."
    "Of course," Aria said. Trust didn't feel like the appropriate word. She didn't trust James anymore than she trusted Prince Aaron who she knew nothing about. At least he'd kept to himself, hadn't bothered her like Prince August.
    Aria shifted closer to James. Although she didn't wish to be intimate with him, she wanted even less the driver hearing their conversation. "What will we do at the market?" she asked in a whisper.
    "It's up to you." James smiled and patted her arm. Aria didn't think he understood why she scooted closer. He seemed more relieved, like she trusted him or liked him. "My favorite is the relic search."
    She frowned, not having heard of anything even similar. "What's that?"
    "There are vendors at the market that bring old items from before the war. Some items are in good condition, others beat up so bad you can hardly tell what they are. It's fun to guess what it was used for back before we were born. You'll enjoy it."
    "Is this what you do with all your ladies?" Aria asked. "Take them to the market to play guess the item?" She teased him. It felt good to forget her troubles, even for one fleeting moment.
    James paused and stroked his smooth jaw. "No,