A damp mist hung in the air, as if it wanted to rain but just couldn't find the strength. Lúta made her way through the market with her basket, looking over the vendors' carts. She hadn't had much to barter with since she moved up to the palace with Ben. She had managed to negotiate a stipend from Erica for goods and supplies for Ben's work and it was nice that she had a little extra to buy a novelty here and there.
She had just pocketed a beautiful, old book when someone grabbed her arm. When she realized it was Bjorn her heart stopped for a second and she could barely catch her breath. She flinched to free herself from him, but his grip was firm and his claws dug into her arm.
He leaned in to whisper into her ear. "The human is dead and you are coming with me."
She shook her head in disbelief, "No." At first it came out as a whisper and then she was screaming it as he dragged her out of the market square. "No Bjorn, I loved him! Why?" Finally, as he pulled her into the open meadow she was able to yank her arm free from his grip. She backed up slowly, keeping him in her sights for the opportune time to make a break for it. "I will not go anywhere with you. I am property of the palace."
Bjorn stormed back over to her, "Maybe while the human was alive you were, but he is dead now and you belong to me. You were already betrothed, you were already PAID FOR!" He snatched her arm again to drag her with him and she swatted at him in self-defense. The drizzle the skies had been threatening now clung to her hair and fur making it easy to slip from his grasp.
She took off across the field towards the palace, hoping that if she could make it there that the guards would give her refuge. Pierce stood in front of the gates with his arms crossed over his chest. She tried to go around him and he moved to block her. Lúta pried at his arm and begged, "Let me in, please?" He stood staring at her coldly, silently. "Bjorn is coming for me, I need to get in."
