Cut through my skin, pull you within (On hold)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

That following morning Lucia jumped at the chance to join Jennifer at the market. “I don’t know if that’s wise Miss Lucia. The market is no place for a princess.” Jennifer could be worse than her mother and grandmother all mixed into one when it came to being overprotective.

Lucia wrinkled her nose. “Being a princess doesn’t make me any less capable of doing day to day activities. I have a good pair of working legs and hands. I can help you and more so I want to help you.” Jennifer was nearly her sixties and while she was as strong as a bull, or in their case a lion, that didn’t mean she had to tend to every duty by herself.

With a sigh Jennifer wavered. “Then grab your wrap and let’s be on with our trip. I’d like to return before one of the men notice our stupidity.”

“If you wish something bad it’s bound to happen. Think positive please Lady Jennifer.” Lucia was quick to grab her wool grab and join her friend at the door.

“I am positive I should not let a twenty year old girl change my mind and yet here we are.”

Lucia was amazed as she walked side by side with Jennifer through the market. It was an open stretch of land with carts pushed together selling everything imaginable from food to the luscious materials her gowns were made of. She had never seen anything like it before and she knew this would be the next thing she’d paint.

While Jennifer stopped to sort through the different dress material she wanted to grab Lucia continued to look around. Her heart swelled when she noticed a cart up ahead selling an array of paint colors.

“An artist?” the older man behind the cart asked. He spoke with a French accent that made her smile.

“Yes. I love to paint about the land.” She was picking up each individual bottle of paint to examine the color within better when someone bumped into her side. It was a crowded place so she paid the person no mind.

That was until he spoke to her. “What’s a girl like you doing around here?”

Lucia looked toward the person and felt her heart tightened with fear. The man staring at her had red eyes and red eyes belonged to hyenas. “A girl like me?”

“You’re too clean and too polished to be a regular.” He gripped the front of her wrap and pushed it off to the side. “You dress with money.”

“Let me go.” She pulled her clothing out of his prying hands.

He smirked. “There’s no one here that will help you little girl so why don’t you fork over whatever coin you’re holding?”

Lucia knew money wasn’t worth getting hurt over but her pride refused to cower and let this evil monster win. “No.” she growled as her lion ached to come forward and claw into this bully of a man.

The hyena took grab of her arm but before he could manhandle her anymore someone was grabbing him instead. “Let the lady go.” Lucia’s eyes went wide at the sight of Dawson. He might very well be the last person she expected to see now of all moments. The hyena listened to reason and let her go and stepped away from a fight he’d surely lose. “Are you all right?” Dawson asked now.

“Yes.” Lucia grew embarrassed to notice a small crowd of people were watching what had taken place.  

“Are you here alone?” his blue eyes were brighter in the sun.

“No.” she stumbled on the word as Jennifer pushed her way over to them.

“I turn away for a second and you give me a heart attack.” Jennifer laid her hand over her chest for effect. “We stick together, remember young lady?”