Page 6 of Their World

He shook his head. “Not yet. I’m sure he’ll reach out soon.” Looking down at Dhun, he said, “Ensure you show her the boundaries of the castle and don’t stray from them. Tensions are high amongst our people right now.”

Dhun barked his acknowledgment.

“Do you have communication devices?” I asked. “Like phones or other electronics?”

“We have magic stones that we can use to hear each other across far distances,” he answered. “Are you wanting one?”

“I thought it might put you more at ease if I had one, in case I needed to call for your help,” I said and shrugged. “It was just a thought.”

“I was going to suggest it, actually. I’m glad we seem to be on the same page. I have to admit, I was worried when I first met you and how you acted the first couple of days, but it’s refreshing to have someone who can adapt so quickly to the situation. Perhaps the Grand Advisor really did know you were the person we needed.” He pulled out a clear teal stone and held it out on his palm. “You just grip it, picture the person you want to speak to, and it will send your voice to them.”

“To the stone you have?”

He tapped his temple. “To their mind.”

Was this how the person who said I was going to become a goddess had communicated with me?

“So, it wasn’t you who communicated with me previously?” I asked.

He scowled. “Someone communicated with you?”

I waved my hand and smiled. “Forget about it. Where’s the warrior who will go with us?”

Pulling a stone from his pocket, he closed his eyes and said, “Come to the kitchen.”

Several minutes later, a warrior demon, a bit shorter than Jol, walked in and bowed to him.

“This is Zoman. Zoman, this is Princess Liliana. I want you to shadow her in case anyone tries to harm her. She and Dhun have agreed to stay in the castle and only explore the interior of the castle, so they shouldn’t need your help, but it will make us both feel better to have you there as well.”

Zoman dipped his head and bowed. “As you wish, my king.” His voice was softer than I expected, somewhat melodic, and it was obvious he had great respect for Jol. Once again, I felt a sense of familiarity, of pack, like he was a hybrid shifter.

“I need to grab a couple things from my room first,” I said and looked down at Dhun. “Can you carry things in your bag for me?” He still had the bag across his back that he’d used to bring the book and other items to me.

Dhun barked his agreement.

“Great!” I said and turned to Zoman. “I will do my best to avoid causing you trouble today.”

He just stared at me without responding.

Got it, I wasn’t his king and he clearly didn’t like me.

Jol said, “I’ll come find you for lunch.”

“Okay,” I said with a smile and headed out of the kitchen and in the direction I thought went to my room.

Dhun trotted at my side, more pep in his step than I’d seen so far.

“You seem to be in a good mood,” I commented.

He yipped his agreement.

“He thinks it is a great honor to be assigned to you,” Zoman said. “He thinks being your friend will boost his status amongst the hounds here more than it has already.”

“Is that why they left you alone the last time I saw you? Because you’d stayed with me for a bit?”

He barked an acknowledgment.

“Well, I’m glad I could help you,” I said and smiled down at him. Stopping at a turn, I looked both ways. “I think I’m lost,” I admitted.

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