Page 30 of Their World

“Go on,” Jol said.

“This should be given privately,” Zoman whispered, his stance rigid.

What would he not want to say in front of me?

“Is it my family?” I asked, standing and moving towards him. “Did my family go through a portal? Are they here?”

“Out with it,” Jol ordered Zoman.

“The three demon hunters … they’re headed here from the east,” Zoman admitted.

I gasped and Jol glanced at me with a frown.

“The one …” Zoman swallowed hard. “The one you’ve been after is among them.”

Jol growled deep in his chest. “Get my armor ready.”

“Wait!” I snapped and grabbed his arm. “Wait, please. If it is who I think it is, they’re my friends, the ones I’m cour?—”

“The one who took my to-be mate is among them, and his death must be at my hand,” Jol snarled.

“I understand it hurt you immensely to lose her. I can’t bring her back, but killing him won’t bring her back, either. Please, please don’t go after them. He’s my friend. He’s … they’re my courters.”

His brows rose in shock.

“This can all be fixed. We can come to a peace agreement and we can help each other. But only if you give up on revenge. Please, Jol …”

Zoman growled.

For the first time in my life, I bowed my head to another monarch. “Please, King Jolmach. I am begging you to spare his life. We didn’t know your people were sentient. Please! I—I … I love them!”

Jol staggered back a step as though I had physically struck him.

Talrinir and Dhun looked between Jol and I, but stayed silent.

“Your Majesty?” Zoman asked.

Jol’s face hardened. “Fetch my armor, Zoman.” He turned on his heel and headed towards the castle.

My legs gave out and I dropped to my knees. “No,” I whispered. If Jol faced off against the trio, I wasn’t sure who would survive, if any. If he killed one of them …

Getting to my feet, I clenched my hands into fists at my side and shouted at his retreating back, “If you kill them, I won’t helpyou! I won’t help your plants or your people. Don’t do this, Jol. Think of your people. We can work this out. We can be partners and restore your world.”

Jol continued walking away, ignoring me.

Dhun crouched by me, whining softly.

I couldn’t let this happen. I had to get the guys and leave. I had to prevent them from killing each other.

Putting the bag around my shoulders, I turned to Dhun, set my hand atop his head, and said, “I’m sorry, Dhun. I’m sorry it came to this. Tell Jol …” I swallowed hard. “Tell him that we can still become allies. We can reach an agreement that will prevent war and save both of our worlds. Tell him I promise to find a way to save this world that doesn’t require a battle.”

Dhun whined and canted his head.

Pressing my lips against his snout I whispered, “Stay safe, friend.”

Turning to Talrinir, I said, “You are in danger because of me. Come with me and you can live in my world. I will give you a safe place to live.”

She shook her head. “I cannot. I must stay here to help as many as I can.”

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