Cronlen’s men were still at their posts even after a week and it seemed more people were eyeing the shop but not entering it. Cronlen had made his point very clear and Lemon herself was going to make hers cleared. Wearing her cloak that she’d embroidered with the shape of a dragon into it she opened shop.

  Lemon glanced over at the unhappy dragon who didn’t like the fact that she was standing directly in the doorway to the shop. Even when she made a point to pepper kissed some where on his face periodically. Lemon though was not going to break her routine because of a creep like Cronlen who had less survival instincts then most who noticed the share affection between her and a dragon.

  Lemon’s mood brightened at the sight of the young Tabaxi by Fren and his favorite person dragged behind him a little elemental boy by the name of Jib. They were both such sweet and entertaining children Fren brightly talking while Jib looked ready to run at any moment looking at Fren begging for them to just go to the next delivery.

  Lemon’s good mood soured when Cronlen’s men approached the boy who shrank back. One grabbed Fren by the back of the shirt large feline eyes widened further and he tried to bat himself free.

  “Zohar.” Lemon called and the Dragon was next to her in seconds looking out. A growl emulated from his chest.

  “Snakes.” He rumbled out. Lemon’s worry flicked away from the men trusting Zohar to be able to scare off the men. Her eyes were on Jib sparks leaving his skin as he looked at his friend being shaken and flailed until finally dropped with a thud. Fren for a moment didn’t moment.

  “Fren?” Jib asked when his friend didn’t answer electricity swirled causing people to run back. Fren groaned and sat up.

  “Jib?” He called but the panic had already taken over the little boy. Lemon knew panic well. Fren looked at the man who held him and processed his dead form. Then he stood and stepped toward Jib.

  Lemon was out before it got to that point pulling Jib back.

  “He’s upset and his magic will hurt you.” Lemon informed him before stepping toward the maelstrom.

  “Jib?” She called summoning all her calmness. “I’m going to take your storm so it doesn’t become to big.” Lemon informed him before starting to pull in energy. “It’s fine now.” She promised. And knew by the Dragon who hover around glaring at everyone it was. The thought eased her as her hair and eyes filled with light and the storm slowly faded and the boy crumbled. His little body racked with sobs and he curled laying his head in his lap.

  Lemon looked up to find Cronlen’s men being chased out of the guard posts by various store owners. Shouts and fights were ensuing. And she wasn’t quite sure if she felt a care in the world.

  The energy was not nearly as much as what Zohar was but it sung in her blood.

  The gentle trust of tears shed by the curled form was the only thing that kept her mind present. She needed to break the connection and yet she knew she wasn’t strong enough to.

  “Zohar.” She called. Not sure if he could even help. The boy was sharply lifted away from her placed down with Fren. The two boys hugging and crying together and Zohar kissed her for good measure. Not as fully as she would have liked but appropriate for the crowd around them.

  She sighed the connection had broken the moment he’d yanked the boy away but she only just allowed herself to be sure of that. Lemon closed her eyes breathing in and out. When she opened her eyes she looked up at Zohar. Her dragon stood with a boy under each arm looking frantically around.

  Lemon stood shakily picked up what was left of their food order. Glared around the room at Cronlen’s men who were trying to keep their positions though it seemed no one was having it.

  Zohar carried the boys inside the shop and placed them on a counter where they both looked scared and shaken. Lemon didn’t argue this time as Zohar closed down the shop fully protect mode. Lemon went to the shaken boys and held their gazes.

  “Fren I’m going to call your mother, Jib who can I call for you?” She asked. Jib blinked before his face heated and he buried his face in Fren’s arm.

  “He stays with us sometimes.” Fren answered eyes flashing protective of his friend. Lemon hummed nodding brushing both boys hair soothingly.

  “It’s good to have people you can rely on.” Lemon offered and Jib nodded. Lemon stood and walked up the stairs grabbing the phone and dialing.

  “Hello!” A pleasant purring voice beamed over the phone obviously no one had called her yet. Mrs. Calafax’s shop was one of the exceptions of being deeper into the market. Her branch didn’t get darker and more gritty it was a safe place for the Tabaxi immigrants that fled from the wars that tore down the borders settling in the safety of shadow.

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  “Hi Mrs. Calafax.” Lemon breathed to have a moment to process things in her mind.

  “Lemon? Did Fren and Jib get distracted on their way there again. I swear those boys follow every warm sun beam before they-” Lemon cut off the exasperated but affectionate tone of the woman.

  “No. Cronlen’s men approached them. They grabbed Fren shook him up and Jib panicked. There is currently a battle trying to get Cronlen’s men out of the guard posts and I don’t think the boys should go home alone but I can’t leave and my dragon won’t leave me.” Lemon informed her not letting her voice faulter.

  “I’ll be right over.” The woman’s voice shook as she hung up.

  Lemon descended the stairs looking at the two boys huddled together like the experience compounded their need for one another. Zohar awkwardly stood near them as if trying to figure out how he might help them. He looked at her and Lemon trailed over to him placed herself in his arms and he didn’t hesitated to hold her offering every warm affection. She wasn’t sure what possessed her to do it she’d never been a big hugger.

  Lemon only pulled away when there was a knock at the door and Zohar went to safety check before Mrs. Calafax and two large scarred Tabaxi followed her.

  “Mom!” Fren squeaked jumping down pulling Jib stumbling with him into the arms of the Tabaxi woman who hushed and comforted the two boys as they sobbed. Once again.

  Lemon fell against Zohar as her head pounded and her stomach churned.

  “Are you alright?” Mrs. Calafax asked looking truly concerned looking at her. Gosh she must look as terrible as she was feeling.

  “It wasn’t my lightening?” Jib asked sounding terrified. Lemon shook her head smiling at him.

  “No, it wasn’t your lightening I used a special power of mine to convert that. It’s just a lot of energy. I’ll be fine.” She promised though she felt anything but. Lemon though managed to wait until the group holding and comforting little boys left before turning on her heals marching into the bath area and emptying her stomach.

  “Lemon?” Zohar asked hovering around her. She stayed bent over for a few breaths before sliding to the ground. Zohar’s warm comforting hand cupped her cheek and she looked at him.

  “He didn’t nearly have as much energy as you but… It/s still a lot and it’s only been a week since the last time.” She hissed out. “Do we have anything that needs to be done?” She asked. Zohar shot up left before coming back placing a Large crystal in her lap. She’d made note of it’s existence before but hadn’t asked what it was for. He sat in front of her. Then stood again grabbing a basket and sat again.

  Lemon looked over the crystal it felt hollow. Not used like it was meant to be that way.

  “It’s meant to store energy.” Zohar offered with a cup of mint water. She took it swooshed stood and spat the mixture out. Then she held the crystal close to her. She pushed just a little bit and she felt it take. Concern ran through her but the crystal seemed to have more control then her because it stopped only with the outside energy.

  Zohar was hovering nearly on her.

  “It worked?” He asked running comfort down her back. When she nodded she was lifted her into his arms. He stood there looking around as if even the shop had enemies in it.

  “We’re going upstairs.” He told her already heading up. Half way up he shuttered and shook his head. “To your space.” He muttered. Lemon watched that as soon as she was fine he buzzed with nerves. Lemon didn’t argue. Instead she brushed kissed along his cheek, his ear and wrapped her arms around him.

  He though only seemed to calm when he had them changed into tunics and were tucked in the bed under a pile of the fabrics masquerading as blankets. Him wrapped around her like a warm protective shield.

  They laid there until the alarm for the door chimed to life announcing there was someone there. Zohar growled then his eyes ticked to the clock and his lips turned up.

  “The tailor.” He breathed. She’d planned when this time came to complain and be difficult. It felt though wrong to complain about something that eased his shaking worry and managed a smile on his face.

  The tailor was a very tall woman with thin but long limb her skin had an off greyish skin that she worked with well. Her name Cheseil Augor the designer of the dark and hidden. Known for her amazing works, her intricate designs and the woman was falling strait in line with Zohar’s nonsense.

  The various fabrics were draped across her she was turned, twisted and poked with each until she heard the happy clap of approval from Madam Cheseil Augor. She was able to talk them mostly into various cloaks but they were very much more noticeable. After years of wearing thinking to blend into any area the boldness of it made her shift with nerves.

  The cloaks though with their coordinating more comfortable base layer she rationalized sparkled and glittered to point out she was apart of a dragon’s hoard. Which at the moment was her greatest defense right now and thus still made it like she was blending in.

  The dresses though. The dresses. They weren’t so terrible to be ball gowns, but they were beautiful and flowy and so very impractical. When the tailor left with the fabrics and the pinned designs to finish them leaving the one dress that had been premade that she’d successfully pitched to Zohar on Lemon’s body.

  Zohar was looking over her and the dress still twirling her all around looking so pleased with himself.

  “You do realize I will probably never where this?’ She asked him. He frowned and nuzzled her neck.

  “Why not?” He asked her. His arms wrapped around her holding her very close.

  “Because I don’t leave the shop and how am I going to work in this.” She listed. Loosing her remorse and understanding that came with how much he’d loved choosing the clothing. Zohar hummed a rumbly sound right next to her ear turning her.

  “I like it on you.” He breathed turning her no quite twirling to face him. “I think it looks good with you.” He added. He always phrased it like that. Never it looked good on her or it suited her. It looked good with her. And the way he looked at her when he said it even when she put no attraction backing to the words it always made her feel like she was beautiful, and the clothing was just there to meet her. It flustered her.

  Lemon rolled her eyes.

  “Fine I’ll wear the dresses when the shop isn’t open and when there isn’t much I have to do.” Lemon offered. And her stupid dragon’s face lit up like the fucking sun.