Lost but Loved

Chapter Five:The Meaning of a Man

It had been two days since Lucy had visited Cayden and rode out with Daniel. She still felt awful and remained quiet during meals and while she was with Damon. Sulking and silent, she only talked when spoken to and looked down to avoid stares from people. Alice was the only one she spoke freely to and Alice didn't push Lucy for answers about her strange behavior.

On the second day of Lucy's silence, she walked out to the stables, her royal blue dress trailing behind her, her hair loose and blowing in the slight breeze which carried the scent of fresh bread and herbs. The flowers in bloom sent a variety of perfumes in the air, calming Lucy down a lot. She reached the stables and entered, waving off servants who tried to help her. Finding a horse, she picked a chesnut with a white spot around its one eye. Looking over her shoulder, she made sure nobody saw her as she slipped in with the horse. She started stroking it, talking to it. The beautiful creature nuzzled her in the shoulder, making Lucy giggle.

Light footsteps came towards their stall but Lucy was too busy stroking the stallion. A shadow fell over the horse's head and Lucy spun around, her heart pounding in her ears and chest. A tall boy stood there, leaning against the divider for the stalls, watching Lucy. Lucy became defiant, and furious that someone would ruin her time with the horse and her time of healing. She really wished for her bow right now, the gentle flowing and gurgling of her stream, the chirps and song of the birds and the chatter of small animals.

"Is there something that you wish for me to do or say?" Lucy asked, her arms crossed over her chest, weight on her foot, chin up and head held high. The boy seemed unstartled and remained calm unlike a lot of people when faced with Lucy's anger. Her anger was an ocean storm, threatening to drown your boat, destroying you in the process. He stood solid as a rock though, not giving her a single ounce of power over him.

His brown hair hid his ears and eyes, making his expression almost unreadable, but Lucy could read almost anybody. He was sizing her up, considering if she could be an enemy. She knew she could be an enemy to anyone she wanted, but this boy seemed strangely different, refreshing even.

"No, but the queen is worried about your performance with the crown prince." Lucy's anger flared, reaching a high point. She almost stormed out right then and there, but the thought of her loving uncle stopped her. He didn't mean for this to happen to her, he only needed the money and thought this would be the safest thing for her to help with. She could've helped trap animals for their furs like others, but Uncle Thanos thought that was cruel so Lucy didn't offer.

"The queen needn't be worried. I have it all under control," she said through gritted teeth. Reaching out to the stallion, she petted it and found peace and calmness.

"I see. Just like how you have your temper under control?" the boy dared to go there. Lucy had had enough. Stepping forward, she swung her balled hand and smacked him solidly on the shoulder, shocking him. He stepped back and chuckled. "Yes, you definately have everything under control." Smirking at Lucy, he walked off.

Lucy, seeing this as a challenge, raced after him, her dress trailing behind her, her bushy blond hair flowing behind her like a banner in the wind. "Get back here, you son of a-" she screamed at him.

Whirling around, he caught Lucy off guard and sent her sprawling to the ground with a punch. Shoulders heaving, Lucy and anyone near could feel his anger rolling off him in huge crashing waves, some so strong that Lucy cringed away from him.

His hands were on her heaving shoulders, pinning her down on the soft grass. His hair still covered his eyes as he stared down at her. Even though he wasn't a big boy, he was still strong. Strong enough to pin Lucy Miller to the ground. She struggled, kicking and biting his arms but he didn't budge from keeping her pinned.