It’s dead. I think it’s dead. Gone forever.
I hold my breath as I await Papa’s confirmation of the dark creature’s demise. The Nameless One. Why was I able to hearthe whispers on the wind that chanted the creature’s name? Why did the wind withhold Kalleus’s name from Silas and other forest guardians until now?
Papa starts rushing toward me in his stag form, but by the time he reaches me, he’s already changed to his antlered human form. He takes me in his arms, holding me out as he looks me up and down. “Are you all right, little girl?”
“I’m fine. What about you?” I peer at his antlers, which he’d used to crash into the demon repeatedly, but I don’t see any damage to them, nor do I glimpse any injuries on his body. Not even the smallest scratch.
“I’m also fine,” he says, and relief fills me to bursting.
As we embrace in the middle of the forest, a gentle breeze ruffles our hair. Papa lifts me in his arms and briefly presses his lips to mine. “You’re extraordinary, little girl,” he says. “You heard the voices before I did. You heard the true name of the demon on the wind.”
Yes, I suppose I did. But why? How? I ponder the question as he kisses me again. Joy abounds within me that he’s safe. We’re both safe, and the danger that’s plagued Zochal for years is no more.
“Let’s go home, sweet girl,” Papa says, and he carries me up the mountain.
Chapter Ten
Silas
As I carry Kiera toward the cabin, the wind whispers to us again, finally providing some answers.
The Nameless One was a founding resident of Zochal. Only a human descendant of the Nameless One, or the descendant’s mate, could be permitted to know the true name of such an old demon.
Kiera gasps, and though I can’t yet read her mind, I know what she’s thinking. She’s shocked to learn she’s a descendant of Kalleus, and she’s also worried this might be a reflection on her. She’s worried it might mean one of her ancestors was sired by a demon, but before I can assure her such a thing isn’t possible, the wind continues its explanation.
The Nameless One became a demon after its soul became corrupted in the afterlife,the wind whispers. Kalleus made too many deals with ancient demons, and he became The Nameless One who tormented Zochal and neighboring villages.
The wind ceases blowing, and the forest goes quiet. I pause in a small clearing, and I stare down at my Little girl, searching her face for any sign that she’s frightened or upset by the news the wind just imparted.
“I didn’t know people could become demons after they died,” she says in a haunted voice. “How shocking. But I’m glad it happened… after. The thought that I might be part?—”
“Demons can’t reproduce with humans. If you’ve heard otherwise, know that it’s only a myth, one I’ve heard being passed around in human villages. I promise that you don’t have a single drop of demon blood in you, little girl.”
“Well, that’s certainly a relief.” She gives me a profound look. “I’m glad you’re all right, Papa. Gods, I was so worried the demon would hurt you. But you were so brave as you fought the dark creature. Am I right to presume that vanquishing demons is part of your duties as a forest guardian?”
“Yes, vanquishing demons is one of my tasks, however it’s not one I must perform very often. You needn’t worry about encountering another demon anytime soon, little girl. I suspect it will be many years, perhaps even decades, before another demon dares to set foot within my domain.” I resume the journey to the cabin, and it soon comes into sight amidst the tall, ancient trees that cover the mountain.
Though I no longer sense a dark presence in the forest, I’m still eager to get Kiera inside the safety of the cabin. She stirs in my arms, and after bolting the door, I set her on her feet. But I’m quick to draw her close again, and I’m delighted when she wraps her arms around my waist, returning my embrace.
Then it hits me. The scent of her excitement.
As I hug her, I let my hands wander downward to cup her bottom over her dress, and the aroma of her slickness intensifies, filling my nostrils with every breath I take. My cock becomes rigid, and my blood heats as I imagine stripping off her gown and bending her over the bed.
The urge to mount her from behind and rut her until we climax simultaneously has me guiding her toward the sleeping area. Her breath catches when she glances at my crotch. As she’sstill peering at my bulge, I imagine myself naked, and all my clothing disappears. She gasps and tries to step away, but I lead her closer to the bed.
I move behind her and press my hard appendage to her bottom through the layers of her white gown, the gown she wore yesterday as she stood on the altar like a godsblessed offering. She emits a tiny moan and a tremor besieges her.
Just as I can sense her affection for me, I can also sense her desire to be claimed. Even though she’s still sore from our first mating, she’s yearning for the same kind of hard pounding I gave her yesterday.
I lean down and place my lips at her ear. “I know what you want, little girl. You want it long and hard and rough. Don’t you?”
She whimpers. “Yes, Papa.”
I step back and fist my cock. “Lift your gown and present yourself to me. Show me the slick hole I’m about to fuck.”
She glances over her shoulder, and her eyes go wide as she watches me stroke my appendage. Her mouth falls open, and a pretty blush envelops her face.
I clear my throat and give her a stern look, then I release my cock and gesture at the bed. She gulps hard and scrambles to comply, and her obedience pleases me. I watch as she draws the skirt of her gown up and approaches the bed. She’s not wearing any pantalets, as I shredded the only pair she had yesterday, so as she bends over, I’m immediately rewarded with a view of her slick, pink nether area.