Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
“Tem,” Caspen said. “Are you angry?”
She shook her head. “No. But…it seems like such a risk.”
He nodded. “It is a risk. Many basilisks choose not to bind their engagements in blood for that very reason.”
“But you chose to bind ours.”
“Yes,” he said quietly. “I did.”
“Why?”
Caspen looked at her for a long moment. His answer was simple. “Because I need you.”
It was a familiar sentiment. Tem had seen it in his mind the very first time he’d let her in, and it was one that she shared. Still, the gesture was staggering. It was not lost on Tem that Caspen had given her the little golden claw shortly after they’d met. He’d bound himself to her-using his blood-long before they knew anything about each other. His love had been that strong-that sure. Tem couldn’t conceptualize such clarity. It was flattering, to say the least. But it was also a problem. If anything happened to either of them, the other would be affected. The other would die. Adelaide was right. They had to be careful.
“Caspen,” she said. “I need you to do me a favor.”
He brushed a curl off her shoulder. “Anything.”
“I want to talk to Adelaide.”
Caspen frowned. “Tem,” he said quietly. “I told you I-“
“It’s not about the engagement.”
He tilted his head. “Then might I ask why you wish to speak with her?”
“You can ask,” Tem said firmly. “But I won’t answer.”
“So stubborn,” he murmured, brushing his thumb over her bottom lip.
Tem didn’t reply. She wasn’t ready to name the gnawing seed of doubt that hung heavy in her heart. Not yet. Not until she had proof.
“Very well,” Caspen said finally, and she heard the worry in his voice. “Will you be able to return tomorrow night?” He asked it as if he were actually asking something else-as if he wanted to know how things were going with her and Leo.
Tem didn’t know what to tell him. She settled on “I’ll try.”
It was the truth at least.
Caspen nodded before pulling her into a deep kiss. Tem kissed him back with everything she had, trying to soak up some final remnant of joy before she returned to the castle. When the kiss ended, they simply lay there peacefully, seeking solace in each other’s embrace.
Eventually, it was time to go back.
Caspen held Tem’s hand until the very last moment, only letting her go when they reached the head of the trail. When his fingers fell from hers, she felt cold.
The walk back was lonely. By the time she reached the castle, dawn was imminent.
It had been a good deal easier to climb down the trellis than it was to climb back up. But somehow Tem made it back into her bedroom, pulling the window shut just as the sun began to rise.
She slept all day. There was nothing else to do.
When she woke, it was dusk. Tem tried to reach for her bond with Caspen, but she could barely sense it. She had to talk to Adelaide, and soon. She was about to climb out her window again when there was a knock at the door.
It was Leo.
She answered it, and there was a heavy pause in which they stared at each other.
Then Leo said, “Tem.”
“Leo,” she offered in return.
“My father is throwing a dinner party tonight, and I must attend.”
“How nice for you.”
“I’d like you to come as my date.”
That wasn’t what Tem had expected at all. “But why?”
Leo ignored her surprise, answering smoothly, “Because I am in the mood to anger my father. Do we not share that interest?” He had a point there.
“I…” Tem started but stopped. She needed to see Adelaide. It was imperative that she confirm her suspicion. But she couldn’t tell Leo that.
Before she could decide how to answer, the prince continued. “I will have a dress brought up for you. Meet me in the foyer in twenty minutes.”
He swept away without another word.
Tem stood with her mouth hanging open, shocked at this turn of events. Was Leo manipulating her? Was this just another ploy to sway her heart in his direction? Tem was never sure with him. Regardless, she was starving. And she was certainly in the mood to anger Maximus.
So when the dress arrived, she pulled it on.
It was far too tight and low-cut to be appropriate for dinner. But Tem wore it anyway, willing to appease Leo if only for tonight. The golden claw still rested between her breasts, framed by the significant cleavage afforded her by the dress.
Leo was waiting in the foyer. He watched her walk down the stairs with his hands clasped behind his back, as if to prevent himself from touching her. Tem stopped on the bottom step so they were eye to eye.
“This dress is ridiculous,” she said.
His mouth twitched. “That’s the idea.”
“You’re depraved.”
“I’m taking that as a compliment.”
“That’s your prerogative.”
Leo extended his hand, palm up, and Tem took it. He guided her down the hallway into the same room where the girls had waited for the Frisky Sixty to occur. A circular table was set with gold cutlery and crystal glassware. They were the last to arrive. Leo pulled Tem’s chair out, and she took it gingerly, trying to sit in a way that wouldn’t accentuate her neckline. Leo’s arm rested on the back of her chair. Maximus sat directly opposite Tem, his slate-gray eyes searing into hers.
“Your father is staring at me,” Tem whispered.
At her words, Leo’s eyes flicked to her dress. “He has good reason to.”
“I highly doubt he’s as influenced by this dress as you are.”
“I should hope not.”
Maximus was still staring at her. It was becoming rather uncomfortable.
Leo murmured in her ear, “I apologize in advance for anything you might be subjected to tonight.”
“And what might I be subjected to?”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.