Page 20 of Their World

Would the rest of my family view me differently? Would the trio view me negatively? Would they no longer want to court me? Too many questions without any answers. It was maddening.Maddening.

“You’re stressing a lot about this. Is it because you think we’re evil?” His voice was soft and he tried to look uninterested,but I could sense a bit of worry. His aura had been swirling chaotically ever since Grand Advisor’s announcement.

“No, it’s not because I think you’re evil,” I answered honestly. “But this …complicatesthings significantly in my world.”

“With the ones courting you?”

“Among others,” I murmured.

“Well, if you are part demon, as it seems, you are now with your people and it makes the protective feeling I have for you understandable.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Especially since Jol’s goal was to go to my current world and take it over.

“Why would the protective feeling be understandable now?” I asked curiously.

“Because, before I was king, I was a royal guard for the monarchs and swore a blood oath to protect the royal bloodline. That desire to guard the royal bloodline still courses through me, but sadly, they are all gone.”

“Wait, you aren’t from the royal bloodline?”

Shaking his head, he pushed open the door to my guest bedroom and set me on the chaise lounge.

“During the battle, one traitor assassinated many of the royals. Most of the royal guard were murdered as well. I almost lost my life, but survived and took my revenge on the traitor. The people gave me the title of king and I’ve been in that position ever since.”

“That had to have been rough,” I said and patted his hand where it lay on the chaise lounge arm. “I’m sorry.”

“Is there anything I can get you?”

“No, I just need to rest and think.”

He pulled out a stone from his pocket, the one he’d used previously to call for Zoman, and set it on the side table next to me. “If you need me or need anything, hold this stone in your hand, picture me, and talk. I’ll hear.”

“Okay,” I agreed.

He looked at me with an odd expression, then turned, and left, shutting the door behind him.

Laying down, I closed my eyes and took big, deep breaths.

Were they right? Was I part demon?

Was that why I felt something to the demons that I had thought was because they were hybrids?

Summoning my power, I looked at the snake and asked, “Are you demonic power? Or are you something else?”

The smoke snake’s tongue darted out as it tasted the air, but it gave me no answer.

With a sigh, I dismissed the power and threw my arm over my eyes. How had things become more complicated in just a day? One single day!

Chapter

Six

After half a day of moping, I vowed to move on and continue with my quest to learn more about this world and its people.

With a bit of begging, I convinced Jol to release Dhun so that I could take him with me to explore. Jol didn’t like the idea of me exploring outside of the castle, but Zoman agreed to go with us and vowed to protect me. Even then, it took a bit more begging and some use of my ultra-adorable pout to break his resolve.

Bag packed with snacks and water, and me wearing a new set of clothes courtesy of Zoman’s brother’s mate, the three of us headed out into the city.

Unlike in the castle, Zoman stayed next to me.

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