Crowds of people walked the lanes, casually chatting amongst themselves with baskets over their arms. Children ran around and played with leather balls and marbles. Stalls overflowed with goods—material for clothes and an assortment of food, mostly. Apples, oranges, potatoes, long sticks of carrots, and tomatoes.
“There are so many demi-humans,” Lake said in awe, the tension in his muscles finally easing.
“Many defected with Varys, not only the demi-wolves,” Fane explained, leading us down the lane at a leisurely pace. “All on their own accord.”
I spotted demi-bears, hawks, cats, and lions. Demons mingled with them, each one sporting horns in all shapes and sizes. Some favored certain animals, like Borus being a boar-type demon. Others, like Fane, appeared mostly human. Vibrant hair colors popped out in the crowd. Purple, neon green, and different shades of blue.
A little boy with bright orange hair and black patterns in his tanned skin ran up to a man—his father, probably, based on their matching hair—and grabbed his hand. The two then walked into the nearest building.
“Something smells amazing,” I said, getting a whiff of warm spices and grilled meat.
“There.” Lake pointed to a food stall. Vegetables and slivers of beef, reminiscent of strip steak, had been skewered and cooked over an open fire.
“I suppose it’s well past the lunch hour.” Fane peered back at the clock tower that rose above the market. “Wait here a moment.”
He then approached the stall and ordered skewers for each of us. Returning, he divvied them out.
“Thank you.” My taste buds were already dancing at the thought of biting into the juicy beef. “How much was it? I can pay you back.”
“Pay me back?” Fane asked.
“Yeah, like money.”
“Money?” He was bewildered. “All goods are traded here. Fruits and vegetables are traded for fabric to make clothes. Loaves of bread for a soft and cuddly doll. There are no set prices, however. Everyone chips in to help everyone else, giving what they can.”
Now I was the bewildered one. The Shadow Realm was the exact opposite of what I’d expected. The concept of money was a made-up idea anyway. Providing goods in exchange for goods made much more sense.
We ate our lunch and continued through the market.
Along with the stands along the main path, we passed several shops. An apothecary with bizarre plants hanging in the front window. A bakery that sold savory breads, and a butcher’s shop that offered a selection of meat and seasonings. Passing another storefront, I saw cloth dolls and wooden toys displayed on shelves. Kids could be seen through the window, smiling from ear to ear as they ran down the aisles. A toy store.
A demi-lion couple exited with their purchase and spoke of how their son would love his new stuffed boar.
I smiled at them and kept strolling along the path.
The buildings were more antiquated compared to those in Bremloc but no less charming. Brick-red peaked rooftops and off-white siding. Vines grew up the sides of some of them, the leaves dancing in the breeze.
Lake came to an abrupt stop.
Two demi-wolves chatted with the owner of a fruit stand. They filled their basket with blueberries and apples before offering what looked like wool stockings in exchange. A laugh rang out before a demi-wolf girl no older than six ran up to the couple and showed them what she found—a blue marble.
“They…” Lake’s breath quickened. “They’re not being chased away. Or yelled at. They’re happy.”
My sweet wolf then dropped to his knees right there on the path, face sinking into his hands. Tears burning in my eyes, I knelt beside him and wrapped my arms around his waist. Hoarse sounds tore through his throat.
“Do you see now?” Fane gently asked him. “This realm isn’t a prison. Those here live full and happy lives. The outside world cast them out, but they have a home here. And you can too.”
Lake’s cries deepened.
Each sob felt like a slash across my heart. I kissed his shoulder and held him as he finally saw that future his father had spoken of—one where demi-wolves could walk again among the people. Where they could be free.
Chapter Seventeen
Muffin and the Beast
The emotional day took a toll on Lake. When we returned to the castle later that afternoon, he’d crawled into bed and conked out, too drained to do much else. He woke when Fane brought our dinner, then nuzzled me for a few minutes and went back to sleep.
I sat beside him and softly caressed his hair.
