long,” he smiled as he felt April zoom off toward the trees, by the time they’d gotten to the trail the guard mentioned April would be back and able to guide them straight to it.
The guard bowed again, “As you say, prince.”
He wasn’t sure how he felt about the prince consort thing, but it was damned convenient. It’d also make it less likely anyone would let their prejudices overcome their fear. They tied up their horses and headed for the forest at a jog.
As soon as they were out of earshot Shar said, “Their fear was absolutely delicious, I was tempted to let the wings out and stretch for them.”
He was about to comment negatively on that, when Nysa giggled and said, “I know right, or extend my claws and start cleaning under them?”
He cleared his throat pointedly.
Shar winked at him and gave him a coyly teasing smile, “I wouldn’t of course. I only play with my food, and you’re my only meal.”
He grunted, “Behave.”
She just laughed sultrily, but Nysa said, “Yes, master. It’s just strange, knowing they know what I am, and knowing that I am still safe with you. We know continuing to act our human parts will make things go smoother, but the mischievous impulse to flaunt our true nature is still there.”
He sighed, “As long as you don’t give into it. Though, I suppose if you’d rather fight with claws, that’s okay now if necessary, even while in town.”
Nysa grinned, “Actually, I’ve grown to like the daggers, and I can’t throw one of my claws. But it’s good to know I can fall back on that if it becomes necessary.”
“Tansya, any naughty impulses?”
Both Nysa and Shar giggled impishly.
Tansya replied breathily, “I really wanted to suck your cock when the guard bowed, but I resisted master, as you ordered, because we’re in public.”
He groaned, and his cock twitched, “I meant, impulses to flaunt what you are?”
Tansya shook her head, “No master. Our instinct is to hide from humans, we never flaunt what we are.”
Right, he should’ve figured that out, only his Nysa and Shar were hunters by instinct. Instincts that would be triggered by human fear like the guards had showed.
Nysa giggled, “I might’ve had a similar thought as well, master. When they showed you such respect.”
He swatted her ass, and she gave him a doting smile for his trouble. He thought he understood where the mischievous thoughts and teasing came from that morning. He loved his princess, but the giant castle had started to feel a little confining after a week away from nature. He felt a little free and wild himself, finally being back out in the real world. He was just too disciplined to show the same giddiness his women were.
They arrived at the trailhead, and Tansya touched his arm affectionately before jumping into a tree. No doubt she’d shadow them, be able to keep an eye on the whole forest through the trees, and also be able to sneak attack at the best opportunity and angle when the enemy was met. She was so sweet, but also a cunning and powerful warrior for his sake in her service to him, and he suppressed the sudden desire to eat her out until she screamed his name. They all turned him on, almost constantly, but never more so when they were violent warriors on his behalf.
Maybe their insanity was catching. Because he supposed his impulse hadn’t been all that different than Tansya and Nysa wanting to suck him off earlier.
They moved into the woods highly alert and looking for trails, or evidence the ogres were out on the hunt. Fortunately, ogres and bugbears were not subtle monsters at all. He wasn’t worried at all about being ambushed, at least not with his focus, vigilance, and readiness so high when he was on the hunt.
They hadn’t gone very far north, when April returned to report in a whisper.
“There are six ogres, and two bugbears. They’re in their cave, with the bugbears on guard near the entrance to warn of anyone approaching.”
He grunted, that wasn’t exactly a problem, but it would take away any chance of surprise. Bugbears might not have been subtle, but they also had fantastic senses of hearing and smell. Even their whisper quiet movement through the woods would be detected, if only because of the silencing of the nearby small critters as they passed.
“Shar, you’ll fill the cave with fire. That should get the bugbears to charge, and hopefully the ogres will delay