Page 29 of Their Princess

“You may build whatever you see fit. I will have Zoman assist you. Just tell him what you need and he will ensure it happens.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that. I want to do as much as I can for the children here. Creating an orphanage where they can sleep feeling safe is the least I can do.”

“Will you put Elrith in the orphanage?” he asked as he examined the leaf of a small plant at his feet.

“That will be up to Elrith, but my mates and I plan to offer to adopt him,” I answered.

He smiled as he raised his head and said, “I figured as much.”

“Do you have many demons with the ability to shift?” I asked. “Or use shadows?”

He straightened and frowned. “Shifting is not an ability of our kind. We are as we are. The shadows are a different story. In my lifetime, I have only known a handful who could use the shadows, and those were all very powerful demons, such as Third to Reign and you.”

Could Elrith be a hybrid? Was it possible that his parents weren’t full demon and that’s why he could shift?

“Is this regarding the boy?” he asked.

“I can’t say as I’ve made a promise, but I’ll do some investigating and update you when I can,” I answered.

He smiled warmly and said, “I understand and will not pressure you to answer. I hope you know that I do not discriminate, though, on what powers or not my people possess.”

I nodded. “I know, but it seems some are uncertain.”

“Are you truly okay?” he asked, his smile falling. “You seem … drawn.”

“When I used that power to become a goddess, to take down the Grand Advisor, it felt like a piece of me was burned away. Destroyed. It was more than an overuse of my powers. It was like I cut off a piece of myself and cauterized it. I knew when I used the power I would have to sacrifice a part of myself and I would do it again without hesitation. It’s just taking me a little longer than I anticipated to feel like myself again.”

He set his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “If there is anything I can do, you let me know and I will do it immediately. This world, including me, owe you a debt we could never repay. Even if you asked for the throne, I would gladly hand it over.”

I set my hand atop his on my shoulder and smiled. “The prophecy said I would give you the throne, remember? Plus, you’ve done so much for our people and I know deep down that you are the rightful ruler.” It was like a bone deep knowledge. “Though, I do hope you continue taking my advice on matters.”

He squeezed my shoulder and said, “Always.”

ChapterTwelve

Dhun raced into the garden, his spines rattling as he slid to a stop before me. He yipped loudly and pranced around me in a circle.

“Dhun!” I gasped and dropped to my knees to hug him. “You’re so big now!” He was even larger than when I’d seen him at the battle. “Are you ever going to stop growing?”

“He’s the largest hellhound we have record of,” Jol commented. “Druth couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw him.”

Elrith ran over and stood between Dhun and I. “Get back!” he shouted and growled. He pushed me with his tail, trying to get me to back up.

Dhun’s ears lowered, and he backed up a step, whining.

“It’s okay, Elrith. Dhun is my friend.”

“Hellhounds aren’t friends!” he growled. Black smoke began to seep from his feet and swirl up his legs.

“Elrith,” I whispered and set a hand on his back, “you can’t judge all hellhounds based on a few bad ones.”

“They’re evil,” he growled. His tail lashed back and forth behind him, and I could feel him shaking beneath my hand.

I wasn’t certain what trauma he’d faced from hellhounds, but it was clearly bad.

Jol squatted down beside Dhun and set a hand on him while keeping eye contact with Elrith. “I understand your desire to protect Princess Lily, but Dhun is not her enemy. Dhun and she are friends. Dhun protected her during the battle.”

“He saved us,” I agreed with a nod.

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