If it broke, she would’ve needed her family’s help to pay for it . . . and that would involve coming clean about her trip to the market. The mere thought sent shivers down her spine. She couldn’t bear to imagine the consequences her family might impose, or the disappointment that would reflect on their faces if they found out.
“I’ll try to be more careful,” she said.
“No harm done.”
Thank the skies above for that. As Luna finished moving between the tables, she took one last glance over the products. There were numerous unique vases on the table: One shaped like a cat lying on its belly, and another looked like a pile of books. However, there was one piece inparticular that caught Luna’s eye; a vase shaped like a unicorn with its horn touching the ground. “They’re quite beautiful for something so deadly,” Luna admitted.
Marion followed Luna’s gaze to the small unicorn. “I think anyone can be deadly, it’s more of a matter of heart rather than magical abilities.”
“I suppose that’s true.” She paused, then added, “For instance, look at Nina. She’s a unicorn, and she’s protecting us.”
Marion nodded slowly. “I’ve recently learned about those protection ceremonies she holds.” The woman’s gaze moved from the unicorn vase to the other items the merchant sold. “Are you looking forward to tomorrow’s ceremony? I’ve heard it is quite thecelebration.”
Luna tilted her head. “Have you not been before?”
“No . . .” Marion shook her head. “I’m not from around here, so this will be my first time attending.”
Marion gestured beyond the merchant table and began walking in that direction.
“I haven’t been before either,” Luna announced, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice as she trailed behind Marion. “But my sister told me there will be food galore, plus the ceremony is something else to witness. And afterwards, they light lanterns and dance.”
With a glimmer in her eye, Marion replied, “If dancing is involved, you can count me in.”
When they emerged from between the stalls, the crowd was noticeably less dense. “To tell you the truth, I’ve never even danced before . . .”
Marion stumbled, cranking her head backwards to look at Luna. “Why not?”
Luna dropped her gaze to her feet, her cheeks heating up. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I just haven’t had the chance to do it.” Explaining that the king had forbidden her wasn’t something she really wanted to share. Better to just keep some details about her life to herself.
“Well, that’s just not right,” Marion stated with her upper lip raised slightly. “I’ll tell you what, after we go to Corey’s, I’ll take you to the tavern close by and we will dance.”
Luna’s smile was as wide as the sea. “I’d love that.” To think a day that started more than a little rocky—with the fall from the trees, the wall, and bumping into the unicorn—was taking this kind of turn. At this rate, she was going to have the best day of her life.
“Here it is,” Marion announced, her hand gesturing towards a plump lady standing behind a table.
Corey’s stall consisted of a 3-tiered shelf display of small boxes filled with many colourful bite-size macarons. With all the colours, the display almost looked like a rainbow.
“Back for more?” asked the plump lady with a voice like honey. Luna could only assume this was Corey. She sat on a stool, twirling one of her brown curls around her finger. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Luna. I told her how amazing your treats are, and she had to come see for herself. She’s like us—broke—so do me a favour and treat her well,” Marion said with a wink.
Corey rolled her hazel eyes. “I always treat my customers well.” She looked Luna up and down with a broad smile. “Especially the ones that look as good as you, sweet cheeks. What would you like? It’s on the house.”
“That’s really kind of you,” Luna replied, bending down to read the small handwritten cards by each box. The red ones were labelled red velvet, and the green were key lime. The yellow, lemon drops. The purple, blackberry lavender. The white ones claimed to be salted caramel, and surprisingly, the orange were mango. As soon as Luna spotted the brown macarons, she knew exactly which one she wanted to try and pointed eagerly. Corey handed one to Luna with a smile.
Just as she was about to open her mouth to thank Corey, a well-dressed man collided with her. She began to tumble backwards and would’ve fallen straight on her bottom had Marion not been there to catch her. The force of the impact sent pain radiating from her shoulder all the way down her arm. The man looked down his nose at her servant clothes. “Watch where you’re going,” he spat out with a tone of superiority. He then plucked the macaron right out from Luna’s hand, and with a laugh, plopped it into his mouth.
Before Luna could even register what had happened, the man pivoted on his heel and tried to disappear into the crowd. Unfortunately for him, Corey didn’t need time to register what had happened. She lunged forward, grabbing his lapel and punching him straight in the jaw. He fell flat on his back from the sheer force.
Groaning, the man clutched his face and tried to sit up, but before he could recover, Corey had her foot pressing on his chest, keeping him where he was. “I’ve crushed men beneath my boots for less,” she growled. Her voice was low and threatening, with an edge of sweetness to it. Luna pictured this woman could go on a killing spree and wear a smile while doing so. “Now, I suggest you apologize to my customer.”
“I will not! Do you know who I am?” he said as he grabbed Corey’s foot with both of his hands and tried to move it off him. Corey moved as much as a mountain does in the wind.
She leaned down, pressing more of her weight into her leg. “I don’t care who you are. You’re going to apologize and you’re going to do it now.”
“Jerk isn’t worth the attention you give him, Corey,” Marion called over. “Let him go before he has to change his pants.”
“Fine.” Corey stepped back.
