Page 6 of Their World (Her Royal Harem: Lily #2)

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.

He walked on my right while Dhun walked on my left.

The demons who walked about the city eyed me warily, but one look from Zoman sent them scurrying on their way.

Most of the buildings were housing of one kind or another, apartments, duplexes, and houses, but there were a couple stores as well. We walked into one store and I was immediately intrigued by all the items. They were pieces of the burned trees, carved into shapes with symbols on them.

“What are these?” I asked Zoman.

“Totems with protective symbols,” he answered. Pointing to one he said, “This is a symbol for strength.” Pointing to another, he said, “This is one for increased stamina.”

“Do they work, or are they just for decoration?”

“How rude!” the male storekeeper shouted. He was a large demon, his head and horns were so tall he had to duck in the shop to keep his horns from getting stuck in the ceiling. He was wide as well, his shirt buttons were strained as they tried to keep from snapping off, bits of his skin and … fur … showing through the gaping holes.

“Rude?” I asked.

He snorted. “I do not sell fakes! These are one hundred percent legitimate protection symbols.”

“She’s not from here,” Zoman told him. “She doesn’t know about our world and is learning.”

The storekeeper narrowed his eyes at me. “You have no horns?”

“I’m only part demon,” I explained. Just saying it made my heart pound, and yet, I also felt a strange sense of rightness to acknowledge it.

“You poor thing,” he whispered and shook his head sadly.

Apparently, it was important to them to have horns. I wondered if the shape or size mattered to them?

“Do I have to hold them or just keep them in a pocket to work?” I picked up the figure that looked a bit like Jol, it even had a spiked mace in its hand, with the symbol for strength on it.

“You put it on your mantle, recite the words, and it will activate. Then, you leave it on your mantle and it will increase your strength, including your resolve,” the storekeeper explained. His voice was much softer and his body had relaxed now that he’d learned I wasn’t insulting him.

“Will it strengthen just me or everyone who lives in the house?”

“One item per person,” he explained.

“What are these symbols for?” I asked and moved to the next shelf.

The storekeeper explained them one by one to me. I pulled out my notebook and tried to draw the first symbol, but the storekeeper snatched the book out of my hand and the pencil.

“Hey!” I shouted.

He waved his hand dismissively. “Go look around more. I’ll draw them for you. Your first attempt hurts my soul.”

My mouth dropped. “Now who is being rude?”

Zoman chuckled, but covered his mouth when I turned to him.

Going to the next row of shelves, I inspected the other items offered for sale. There were some cute items and I wished I had money or items to trade for some of the things.

As I turned to the next shelf, my eyes widened, and I gasped at the item I saw. Reaching out a shaky hand to pick up the silver snake with ruby-colored eyes wrapped around a lily, I stroked a finger down it, feeling a deep pull to it.

“What have you found?” the shopkeeper asked as he stomped over to me.

“What is this?” I asked and held it on my palm so he could see it.

“Ah, that. It’s from an old prophecy.”

A strange anxiousness filled me. “What does the prophecy say?”

He held up a claw-tipped finger, walked behind the counter, and grabbed a book. He paused and said, “You must swear to tell no one that I, a male, have a book.”

That seemed a bit odd, but I nodded and said, “I swear.”

Zoman dipped his head.

The storekeeper opened the book and read, “In the realm where demons dance and death looms, in a time when darkness threatens to eclipse the light, a savior shall emerge as a ruby-eyed serpent with sparkling silver scales, born of mystic origins. Within the serpent’s gaze, a flicker of crimson defiance against the usurper will weave salvation and life into the fading realm through a harmonious dance of serpentine and floral grace. Upon the eve of despair, when the moon ascends to its zenith, the serpent, bathed in ethereal radiance, will sacrifice all to save the worlds. The savior’s sacrifice will bloom into a silver lily as a testament to the power of love in the face of darkness.”

My hair began to glow, but I took shallow breaths to calm myself and stop its glow.

Was I just being conceited to think that the prophecy sounded like it could be about me? I was a ruby-eyed serpent with white scales. And my origins were definitely unique, even amongst the hybrids back home.

“Can … can I copy that down?” I asked.

The storekeeper looked around nervously. “Don’t let the Grand Advisor see it. This is from the Third to Reign’s time and we aren’t supposed to keep items like this.”

I made an x over my heart and said, “I promise I won’t tell.”

After another moment of hesitation, he slid the book towards me and my notebook where he’d drawn the symbols and their meanings.

Quickly, I copied down the words, being sure to copy it exactly, word for word.

“Thank you,” I said and put the book into Dhun’s bag.

“Take these,” the shopkeeper said and held out the serpent and the strength totem.

“I don’t have any money or anything to barter,” I said quickly.

“You’re the first to show such interest in a long time, and all demons should have at least one totem. Consider it a welcome gift.” He smiled, showing off serrated, triangular teeth.

“Thank you,” I said and clutched them to my chest.

Zoman held open the door for me and we went to another store.

After looking at the other three stores, we sat on what used to be a fountain, but was empty of water and filled with ash. I pulled out a granola bar that I’d found in the kitchen and ate it.

Even the fountain here had mana stones. What did they use them for? They seemed to be placed all over. They weren’t being used as a barrier that I could tell. It seemed strange to have so many mana stones not in use.

“Do you believe in prophecies?” I asked Zoman, while watching the demons around us.

Many were curious about me, openly staring, though from a distance.

“Prophecies do have a tendency to come true, but I hate how convoluted they often are. They’ll talk about a flower, but it’s actually a power or something crazy like that,” Zoman answered.

Dhun snorted in agreement.

“Hmm,” I whispered.

A thought occurred to me.

“Do you have magic users?”

Zoman scoffed. “Of course we do. What do you take us for?”

“Why haven’t I seen any?” I asked. “The only demons I’ve yet to see are fighters.”

“You have only seen a few of our kind,” he replied. “We’re spread out all over our world, waiting for portals to open, to go and find supplies, and bring them back.”

“What type of powers do you guys have? Elemental?”

“Some have elemental,” he answered with a nod. “Fire powers are the most common.” He paused and looked at me. “Though, none have powers to grow or nourish plants like you do.”

Why would they have elemental powers, but no plant powers? That seemed odd. Since they didn’t differentiate themselves by races, like we did, I couldn’t be sure of the answer to my next question.

“Are there certain demons capable of it? Ones that look a certain way?”

“Oh yes, the ones that look …” he stopped talking and scoffed. “You’re just trying to get information out of me! Sneaky woman.”

“What? I’m not asking for malicious reasons,” I said, though, it would be helpful for my family to know which demons to watch out for if they did go to battle.

“Tsk. You’re just like the others, conniving!” Zoman got to his feet angrily and turned away. “I’ll wait over here until you are ready to leave.”

Dhun whined and set his head on my knee.

I stroked his quills carefully and asked, “You know I wasn’t asking for malicious reasons, right?”

He whined again and closed his eyes as I continued to pet him.

A small demon child noticed us and ran over. “Your skin is so weird!” he shouted and poked my bare arm.

The child had small, thick horns at the top of his head, long, thick fangs like a vampire, and a tail that swished wildly behind him. His skin was covered in scales, similar to that of a dragon.

“Is it?” I asked, and let my snake scales flow over me. “Look again.”

He looked down and gasped. “Scales! Like me! Wow, lady, you’re super weird!” He laughed and the sound was so joyful that I found myself laughing with him.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“I’m Elrith!” he shouted.

“And what is your dream?”

He flexed his arms, though little muscle moved, and said, “I’m going to be a great warrior, like our king!”

Smiling, I patted his head between his horns and said, “I’m sure you will be. Where are your parents?”

He looked down. “They are dead, lady.”

An orphan?

“Do you have no one to take care of you?”

He shook his head, but quickly looked up and smiled. “I can take care of myself! I don’t need anyone.”

My heart hurt to see the orphan boy, but I also knew so little about this place that I couldn’t provide a way to help him. “Are you eating well?”

He nodded vigorously. “We have soup and bread most days at the town center.”

Like a soup kitchen back home?

“I’m glad to hear that,” I admitted.

He frowned. “You must not be from this area.” His eyes narrowed on my hair. “And you have no horns? You must be picked on a lot.” This time, he patted my head. “You poor thing.”

The urge to laugh was high, but I held it in. “Yes, I am hornless, a truly sad occurrence.”

“If you become a strong fighter, you can prove yourself worthy and get many mates!” he said with conviction. “You should do your best to help the demons.”

Do my best to help the demons …

If only life were that simple.

“I will try,” I said and smiled, though my smile was a bit forced.

“I have to go. Be strong, lady!” The boy patted my hand and ran off across the city.

“You like kids?” Zoman asked.

“I was an orphan,” I explained. “In my world, I help as many orphans as I can.”

“That is commendable,” Zoman said softly.

Dhun whined and yipped and Zoman nodded.

“What?” I asked.

“He said we should return to the castle since it is getting late and I agree. We mustn’t worry the king needlessly.”

“Okay,” I agreed and stood. “Will you take me to other cities? To visit the women communities?”

“If our King allows it, yes,” Zoman said and dipped his head to me. “As a demon, you should learn as much as you can about your people.”

“Exactly,” I said with a nod. “Now that I’m here and know my lineage, I want to absorb as much as I can.”

“I’m still watching you,” he muttered, but his face softened as he added, “but there is much you can learn about our ways without it being possibly detrimental should it get back to your world.”

“I appreciate your loyalty to your people and your willingness to teach me as much as you can.” I said and dipped my head to him.

He tsked. “Don’t bow your head to me. You’re a princess.”

“And you are a loyal guard,” I said back. “You deserve respect as well.”

He didn’t reply, but I noticed him walking a bit taller as we returned to the castle.