yet, the creatures only prey on humans, but how long will that content such monsters? The aelven court beseeches your mercy.” He dropped his knees in full supplication, arms held out before him and palms upward in entreaty.
A shiver ran over Silvas’s skin as he sat back once more and stared at the male, savoring the moment. He tapped one long claw on the arm of his throne thoughtfully. “So, the aelves come to me not out of concern for the human populations among their new forest borders, but to save their own lives from the jaws of the creatures once more roaming their woods. How typical,” he sneered.
Bilban’s head shot up, his jewel-colored eyes widening. Silvas snorted mirthfully and waved a hand. “Calm yourself, aelf. I merely point out the more accurate details of your request,” he said, allowing his voice to drop into a purr once more. He traced a pattern with his claw on the wood beneath his hand. “But since you speak of truth, let me be direct with you now: I do not tolerate evil in my woods. I will search it out, but I will not favor your kingdom for the human world. If I must chase my quarry over the boundaries and leave your hallowed courts to whatever fate that might receive, I shall do so without hesitation or regret. My only interest will be in my hunt. Is that understood?”
A quiver shot through the male, but he met Silvas’s gaze without flinching. “Perfectly, lucomo. With your permission, I shall return immediately to my father with your word.”
Silvas flicked his fingers dismissively. He was done with the aelf, his thoughts turning already to the foul taint that had risen in his woods and yet had managed to keep itself hidden from him. “Go,” he rasped, turning to stare out of one of the windows.
Several nymphs approached, setting food in front of him. One reclined against his throne as she removed her top. Her eyes sparkled at him with humor as his lust raged to the fore. It was all a game with the nymphs, to tease and torment him without any hope of relief. Their only interest was to feed off the sexual desires they stoked. His body pinched painfully, and he groaned as her delicate fingers slid toward the cloth draped around his hip. He caught her hand and pushed it away with a low snarl.
“I am not in the mood for your games. Remove yourself,” he hissed.
The nymph’s eyes widened before she giggled and pushed up to her feet once more. Tossing him a wicked grin over her shoulder, she strode away, her hips swaying enticingly. The others mercifully followed her, exchanging sly looks as they glanced back at him. Silvas reached into his pants and shifted his cock into a more comfortable position as the last of them cleared the room.
Fucking nymphs.
His eyes trailed back once more to the window at the sound of wings. A pale dove landed with a flurry of feathers, its head bobbing with interest as it adjusted its position on the edge of the window. It cooed delicately, and he bristled.
Wretched creature of Turan, Venus—or whatever name his mother, the goddess of love and desire was going by as of late. He wasn’t going to be a victim of one of her amusements.
“That goes for you too, Mother,” he snarled. “I am in no mood for any lustful trickery. If you are looking to tease me, then leave.”
The goddess didn’t materialize, but then again, he hadn’t really expected her to. She rarely showed up in person unless she had a specific reason. He should only be so fortunate that it wasn’t one of those times. Instead, he was left glowering at a bird as it fluttered down into his throne room. A low growl sounded in his throat.
Oh, she wanted something though.
Silvas clenched his fist. He didn’t have time for guessing games. If she wasn’t going to explain what she wanted, he wasn’t going to humor her by chasing after her messenger!
Shoving off his throne, he stalked away, giving his back to the animal. He had other things to attend to—namely finding out what exactly was occurring in the Eternal Forest. Fauns and red-capped goblins scurried out of his way as pixies darted out of the bushes in surprise. The trees bent, reaching toward him in silent tribute as he left his cavernous palace beneath the great tree of the forest.