HORNS (BoyXBoy)

Chapter 184

My ears snapped up and I drew back, fighting back a scowl, offended.

"You're correct," Sebastian smoothly agreed. "Absolutely. We are brash and quick to react, that much is very true, though I hardly see why that matters. There's nothing wrong with culture shock as long as you are respectful. If you don't understand something, ask about it and you will almost always receive an enthusiastic answer. As you very well know, Dalmadora, people do tend to love talking about themselves and the pride they have in their culture."

Shock hit my stomach when the elf's hair sparked very faintly for a second and I bit the inside of my cheek to avoid laughing when he aggressively cleared his throat. However, before he could fire a retort of any kind, Sylias leaned forward and interlaced his fingers over his lap.

"You are also correct, Lord Sebastian. Such conduct is something that I, and many others living in the Eternal Forests, can confirm," he broke in. "However, because the Archduke has graciously chosen to host your trial on behalf of the Queen's will and for the sake of all our people, I would ask that the Four Courts give me the liberty of explaining something to everyone present about the accusing party."

His father paused, turning to give him a stoic stare. The diamond chains dangling from his crown swung around his ears like stars, twinkling gorgeously.

Sylias flicked his ears higher.

"I accept," the woman in the red cloak, Meeryn, finally sighed, nodding once. "I would listen."

"As would I," Chiron the Minotaur hummed.

"And I," Erlking Rahn grunted. 

"I would hear his words, too," Lord Belba, prince of Giants, thundered from his oversized throne at the edge of the elevated platform. I was momentarily amazed that he wasn't uncomfortable considering his head, shoulders, and neck were pressed against the top of the diamond and he had to sit hunched over with his limbs drawn in tightly just to fit in a reasonable manner.

More voices chimed in, including Wisp and Morganna, all of them agreeing.

And then--

"I'd rather not," Chtali sighed, turning her piggish nose up. "Can't we simply proceed?"

"No, you've been outvoted," Wisp said in a cold, pleasant tone; a shiver wracked the grey-skinned woman, and she tossed a lock of her moss green hair, nervously avoiding his gaze.

I wondered about that for a moment.

I saw Sylias shift out of the corner of my eye. He was looking at me, studying my face closely, though his expression didn't change. The men beside him, who I assumed were his brothers, weren't so subtle--three of them were actually smirking, and they were also the only individuals sitting on the thrones showing expression. It was also because of them that I realized for the first time that the entire Dalmadora family had been seated together. 

Sylias and his brothers were sitting between the archduke and a gorgeous female elf wearing a sultry gown of diamonds woven together like a net of beads over her tall, lithe body. I assumed it was the archduke's wife. She was naked aside from the strange netting.

Sylias tilted his head.

Watching me.

"Go ahead, Duke Sylias," Beira finally chimed, melodic and musical and chilling. Goosebumps rose along my arms as her blinding Sunfire skin shimmered and pulsed. "Speak."

"Lord Heros has explained that cultural differences can impact the minds of those who are not used to them," Sylias said loudly and clearly, beautiful face made of stone. "He is, in fact, correct about that, so I would like to break in here and give a reminder that lycanthropes are not like us in any way, from their reactions to their overall behaviors. While that may be the case, however, it does not mean that their way of living is wrong. Life on the surface blending in among humans has required them to adapt in ways that have impacted the cores of their beings. Some behavior we may see during the proceedings might seem jarring or unpleasant."