of a spicy scent, not unlike frankincense, clove, and apples, teased her nose. He dragged his lips against the sensitive skin at the corner of her mouth.
“They would not dare to offer any harm to you,” he murmured in a husky tone. “All within the palace know that you are mine, and mine alone. They will protect you fiercely, even more so if you earn a place of honor among them. If you wish for such an outcome, I suggest that you refrain from calling them creatures or monsters.”
“I am not yours,” she protested, rebelling against the claim as she ignored his advice regarding the trolls. She had no intention of being there long enough to require such loyalty. Instead, she focused on the anxious way her body tightened at everything promised in his claim.
She couldn’t be his. She wouldn’t surrender herself into anyone’s keeping. She refused to do so for any of the men who came to her door promising to take care of her, and she wouldn’t allow this… being to make such a claim over her.
His laughter was full of dark promise. “You think not? From the moment I saw you and claimed you, my mark was placed upon you that any in the forest shall recognize. Make no mistake: you are most definitely mine.” His fingers slid seductively around her ankles as he spoke. In one deft move, he pulled her legs out, stretching her out against the bed. Sliding forward, he flattened his pelvis against hers, and Diana was aware of the thick erection nestled against her belly.
“I don’t want this,” she hissed back. “You are fooling yourself if you think I am just going to spread my legs and surrender to you at your say. I decide.”
“Very well,” he said, his lips brushing against hers as he drew the words out, the warm pressure of his body disappearing from her own. “You will find that silvani are patient hunters, and I am lucomo of all silvani, king of all the forest kings. I am even more patient than most.” He nuzzled the sensitive place beneath her jaw. Seconds later, his tongue snaked out, caressing her pulse.
“I think your green-haired friend might have something to say about that,” she gritted out, remembering the way the female had looked at her as if she were less than a bug to be squashed. If he was publicly claiming her, she wondered what that claim would stir up against her. “She did not look happy at my presence here.”
“It is none of her concern,” he replied sharply. The bright glow of his eyes was so close that Diana felt into his gaze, lost within the light. “Think no further of the dryad,” he whispered as he pressed a soft kiss against her neck. “Are you sure you won’t change your mind? Your body calls out to mine. I could show you such pleasures…”
Pressing her lips together, Diana flattened her hands against the solid, thick muscle of his chest—good gods, he had a wealth of hot muscle beneath her touch—and pushed against him. It did nothing to move him, but he did still after one last drag of his textured tongue against her skin.
“I’m sure,” she replied with a soft gasp of pleasure. She shook her head, attempting to clear it.
“As long as you are sure,” he chuckled.
He pulled away, his body lost to the shadows as he slipped off of her bed. His eyes glinted with what she imagined was a look of wicked promise. “Sleep then, human.”
“Diana,” she said. “If I am going to be here for some time, you might as well call me by my name.”
She heard him draw in a sharp breath, followed by a whisper of a purr. “How interesting.”
Frowning, Diana squinted into the gloom. “And what is your name?”
He did not answer. Instead, he spun around, his body completely submersed in darkness now that he had his back to her, and she could no longer see his eyes. She wasn’t aware that he even moved until she heard receding footsteps as he stalked to the door.
“Rest well,” he growled as he stepped through the door and closed it firmly behind him.
She stared after him for a long moment, uncertain of what to make of the exchange. She wanted to throw herself on the door and demand that he let her out, but the memory of what touching the door did before kept her in the bed. She could hear the silvanus moving