Chapter Seven #2
The market in the Shadow Realm moved at a more casual pace than that of the one in Bremloc. There were no merchants shouting at passersby to buy their wares or heckling by patrons for better deals.
“Good day,” a female demon greeted us. She sat behind a wooden stand selling colored fabrics and yarn. Half of her head was shaved, while the other side of her dark hair fell longer and clipped the top of her shoulder. Two blue horns jutted from her temples.
“Good day to you too,” I responded before continuing down the street.
It was crowded but far from bustling. People stopped to chat with friends, and families leisurely shopped, going in and out of the shops.
Various types of stands were scattered down the lane, some offering fruits and vegetables and others selling leather pouches, fragrant oils, and decorative combs and hair clips.
“What’s the currency here?” Callum asked, watching a demi-falcon pocket one of the combs. “I’ve not seen any exchange of money.”
“Money isn’t a thing in this realm.” I walked between him and Maddox, holding each of their hands. “People trade goods. Fane said it varies between people too. There’s no set price on anything. Just whatever the seller thinks is a fair trade.”
Briar seemed impressed. “Everyone helps each other. The way a community should be.”
“I thought the same thing,” I said. “Makes more sense to me.”
“Wonder what they’d trade for one of those meat skewers,” Quincy said, one hand resting on his belly. His gaze was pinned to a nearby food stand. “They look delicious.”
The trio of knights walked in front of us. More than likely to help guard me, the protective dorks, but probably also so Maddox could keep an eye on them. Ensure they didn’t get into trouble.
“Might wanna ask the type of meat first,” Duke responded with a slight shudder. “Could be human.”
I rolled my eyes. “It’s not human. Lake and I ate meat from that place the other day. Tasted like boar.”
Lake’s fluffy ears perked up at the mention of his name, and he turned from the flower cart a few feet away. He’d been admiring the roses. “Boar with a sweet glaze. Maple, I think.”
“Um, excuse me,” I called out, approaching the stand. Maddox and Callum followed close behind me. “How much for a skewer?”
“What do ya have to offer?” The seller crossed his muscled arms and looked me up and down. He had skin like red lava rock, orange eyes, and two large, ram-like horns that curved under and outward.
I thought for a moment, then remembered the basket I’d brought and opened the lid. “Oh! What about this?”
“A muffin?” the demon asked.
“Yep. Banana flavored.”
He regarded the muffin with interest. “Deal. One boar skewer for one of those.”
We exchanged goods, and I handed the meat to Quincy. “Here you are, good sir.”
The scar on his face crinkled as he grinned and accepted it. “Gratitude, little prince.”
Curious, I glanced back at the seller as he took a bite of the muffin.
He paused in his chewing, eyes widening, before taking another larger bite.
I smiled. Very few things in life compared to the joy I felt knowing someone enjoyed something I made; that one of my baked goods brought them even a sliver of happiness.
“How is it?” Baden asked, watching Quincy devour the skewer of meat.
“Think of the juiciest, most tender boar you’ve ever eaten,” Quincy said with his mouthful and groaned. “Much like that, only better.”
The ram-like demon beamed at the compliment. Seemed like he felt the same as I did about people enjoying his food.
Duke and Baden looked at me, at the food stand, then back to me.
They reminded me of puppies begging for scraps.
I laughed and walked back over, asking if the seller was interested in making another trade.
He made me a counteroffer, saying he’d give a skewer to each person in our group if I gave him the remaining muffins in the basket.
“Are you sure?” I asked, opening the lid. “There are only four muffins left. That’s not fair for you.”
“I’m certain,” he responded, wiping at the crumbs on his lips. “In all my years, I’ve not tasted anything like those. I’d say it’s more than a fair trade.”
Did his reaction have anything to do with my saintly powers enhancing the flavor of everything I made?
“Okay. Only if you’re sure.” I handed over the basket. Everyone was happy about the arrangement apart from Maddox, who stared longingly at the muffins. I looped my arm through his. “Stop pouting. I’ll make another batch just for you once we return to the castle.”
That cheered him up. My sexy glutton.
I thanked the seller again before our group continued through the market.
The farther we went, the more amazed they were.
Before my first visit, I’d imagined a place full of demons selling poisons and weapons, like those scary markets from dark fantasy movies.
But that wasn’t true at all. It was peaceful and far from ominous.
“There are so many demi-humans here,” Briar pointed out. “Falcons, lions, cats, and—” His breath caught. “Oh my.”
A demi-wolf couple walked hand in hand down the lane, stopping in front of the butcher’s shop before going inside. Another demi-wolf stood beside a fruit cart speaking to the owner. More exited the apothecary, along with three children outside a toy shop who excitedly clutched cloth dolls.
All gazes shifted to Lake.
He watched the demi-wolves go about their daily lives, his expression hovering between awe and sadness.
The latter more than likely came from him wondering what his life could’ve been like had his dad rebelled with Varys and the others all those years ago instead of staying in Bremloc.
Then he would’ve been like those happy demi-wolf children, never having known the pain of seeing his dad being murdered simply for existing in a kingdom that saw him as an enemy.
“Hey, pup.” Rowan nudged Lake’s arm. “Show me a good place to find a drink around here. I need to refill my flask.”
“Evan was right. You drink too much.” Lake lightly swatted him with his poofy tail.
“Yeah, yeah.” Rowan rolled his eyes. Like usual, though, he couldn’t hide his true emotions in those eyes. They were soft as they looked at our wolf. “Maybe we can find something salty or spicy to eat while we’re at it. That boar was too sweet for me.”
“All right,” Lake said. His somber mood had lifted. He seemed much lighter as the two of them each kissed me on the cheek and went down the path together.
I suspected wanting rum or food wasn’t the real reason for Rowan’s suggestion though. He’d wanted to make our wolf forget about that sadness weighing on his heart.
My chin wobbled. Something I loved? I wasn’t the only one my men cared about; they loved each other too. Lake and Rowan had formed a bond since our trip to Exalos last autumn, and it was only getting stronger.
“Hmm.” I frowned as something occurred to me. “I wonder how they’ll pay for the rum if they find any.”
Maddox exhaled. “Knowing the thief, he’ll steal it.”
“He better not.” I huffed. “I’ll spank him.”
Briar chuckled. “I have a feeling he’d like that too much.”
Probably. Rowan liked when I got feisty. And when I turned into a sad toad. Both sides pleased him equally. The meanie.
“Evan?” someone said from my right. Before looking, I knew the baritone voice belonged to Fane.
He stepped from the front door of a shop, holding a basket.
His lavender-colored hair was pushed back from his face, and his reddish-brown skin caught the sun’s rays, turning a beautiful sienna.
“I didn’t know you’d be in the market this afternoon. I would’ve offered to accompany you.”
“No worries. Seraphina and Borus are with us.” I stepped closer to him, inwardly sighing at the way my men tensed up in response. “Besides, you deserve to have time to yourself without me talking your ear off.”
He smiled, albeit faintly, before glancing at the others with me. Like them, he seemed to be on edge.
“What’d you buy?” I asked, nodding to the basket. Trying to put him at ease.
“Oh.” Fane glanced down at it. “Milord mentioned you wanted coffee beans. Took me a while to find a shop that offered them, but I managed to procure them for you.”
“You did that for me?” My throat tightened. Not sure what touched me more: Fane going through the trouble of tracking them down for me or Lord Onyx asking for him to. “Thank you.”
“It was no trouble.” Fane adjusted the basket on his arm, visibly uncomfortable. Awkward too. “But don’t expect me to make it for you. You’ll need to grind the beans and brew it yourself.”
I fought a smile. “Of course.”
“You can find them in the kitchen come morning,” he said. “For now, I suppose I should be on my way. Cyan and Nina are waiting for me back at the castle.”
“Say hi to them for me.”
“Will do.” Fane’s green eyes moved between me and the knights, who had come closer as we’d chatted. He nodded to us and went down the path, shoulders still tense.
A flash of red-orange hair and a bulky build drew my attention to Koga, one of the other demons I’d met earlier that day. He offered me a polite smile before walking with Fane, fading from sight a moment later.
“Would it kill you to be nice?” I scowled at Maddox. “You made him nervous.”
He gaped. “I did nothing of the sort. I merely stood here.”
“You stood there glaring at him,” I said, then directed my irritation at the other knights, starting with my favorite cinnamon roll. Callum balked under my hard stare. “Fane is my friend. He won’t hurt me.”
“But—” Duke started to say.
“No buts,” I interjected, putting my hands on my hips. “Be nice to him.”
Quincy wiped at his eyes, putting on a show. “Look at ’im giving us orders like a true little prince. Never have I felt such pride.”
Maddox smiled.