Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
Her mind was spinning with worry-with fear. She felt slightly better now that she’d claimed Leo. But beyond that, she had no guarantees that anything would go well. Soon the basilisks would be here, at the castle, and they would be angry. They were ready for war-a war that was completely up to Tem to prevent. Caspen was right; she was unprepared. At this point, she didn’t even know if she could perform the crest. Perhaps too much of her basilisk side was already dead. Perhaps it was too late.
But there was nothing Tem could do about it now.
There was no time to prepare, no time to change course. She would simply have to do her best and pray that it was enough. She had always excelled under pressure, always risen to the occasion when the situation demanded it. Now she was demanding it of herself, and Tem refused to fall short of what she knew she was capable of.
At last, it was evening.
Tem donned the first of her three dresses-white, made of beaded silk-before joining Leo in the ballroom.
“Flawless,” he said as he kissed her hand. “As always.”
Tem smiled. “Finally, a real compliment,” she said.
Leo grinned. He looked flawless too. He was wearing a dark green suit, his blond hair slicked back to accentuate his sharp cheekbones. For some reason, he seemed taller than usual, and Tem wondered if his newfound confidence was due to the fact that in a few short hours, Maximus would crown him king. Any son, especially one who had been through what Leo had, would feel triumphant.
“We will be married in the maze,” Leo told her as they descended the patio steps together, joining the throngs of people on the grounds. “There is a clearing in the middle. My family uses it for all royal weddings.”
Tem nodded, although she wasn’t listening. She was observing the guests with hypervigilance, scanning them quickly to see if Caspen was here yet. Or Bastian.
Tem didn’t know for sure whether the king would attend. She’d never been to a royal wedding after all. But she was positive that all the basilisks who’d been involved in the training would be in attendance, and that meant Rowe would be here. The thought made her exceedingly anxious, and her grip tightened on Leo’s arm.
“I’ve got you, Tem,” he murmured in her ear. She nodded but didn’t reply. Leo could do nothing to save her if something went wrong. Tem was the one responsible for protecting Leo, not the other way around.
They rounded corner after corner as the sun began to set.
“There will be a cocktail hour,” Leo said. “And then the ceremony. Afterward, dinner will be served.”
Tem nodded again. They had arrived at the center of the maze, and for a moment, she forgot her worries. The clearing was impeccably decorated: candles twinkled on the tables, interspersed with the floral arrangements she’d approved mere hours ago. The harpist was playing a sweeping, melodic tune. At the far end of the clearing were rows of golden chairs, all facing a stage where an enormous arch was sheathed in white roses.
No basilisks yet.
As if Leo could read her mind, he leaned in and said, “They should arrive soon.”
Suddenly, Gabriel appeared. He bounded over to them eagerly, grabbing Tem’s hand and pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“My blushing bride,” he crooned. “Congratulations to the happy couple.”
Tem smiled, and Leo did too.
Gabriel winked at him. “Your Highness.”
“How many times must I tell you to call me Leo?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I prefer Your Highness. I’ve got a thing for authority figures. Now”-he cocked his head at both of them-“I believe there was talk of me being the best man?”
Before they could reply, one of the kitchen staff waved him down, and Gabriel spun away.
“He’s really something,” Leo said.
“Something wonderful.”
“He certainly is.”
Tem felt a sudden rush of love for Gabriel. He was her greatest support system-her dearest friend. He never doubted her, and he reprimanded her when she doubted herself. He’d always encouraged her, long before Caspen ever did. It was because of people like him-the people she loved-that Tem would not fail tonight. She would protect the ones who had always protected her.
“Tem,” Leo murmured, breaking her from her thoughts. He pointed to the far end of the clearing. “They’re here.”
Tem followed his gaze.
At last, the basilisks had arrived.
They walked in a somber line led by Bastian, whose face bore an expression of utter disgust. Clearly, he was done hiding his disdain for the royals. Tem couldn’t exactly blame him. Behind Bastian was Caspen, and Tem’s heart jumped into her throat at the sight of him. He didn’t look well. The part of Tem that was dying was obviously affecting him-his face was even more angular than the last time she saw him, his cheeks hollow. He was diminishing. And it was all her fault.
Beside her, Leo tightened his grip, nodding at Bastian. “That’s their king.”
“I know,” Tem said.
Leo raised an eyebrow, and she remembered that he knew nothing of her time under the mountain.
“He’s Caspen’s father,” she explained.
“I see,” Leo said quietly. “Have you met him?”
The ritual flashed through her mind. “Yes.” Tem didn’t elaborate, and Leo didn’t ask her to. Instead, she asked him something in return. “Have you met him?”
“My father has. They speak occasionally to ensure the truce is upheld.”
Bastian’s gaze fell onto Tem. A chill shot down her spine as he began to walk toward her.
“Leo,” she said immediately. “Can you get me a drink?”
But Leo was watching Bastian too, his eyes narrowed. “No,” he said simply.
This was not the time for Leo to be brave. Tem didn’t want him anywhere near Bastian-especially when the king knew exactly how much the human prince meant to her.
“Leo,” she said again, turning to face him. “Leave. Right now.”
He opened his mouth to protest.
“Go, Leo. You’re in danger if you stay.”
Still, he hesitated. Bastian was getting closer.
Leo stood his ground. “If I’m in danger, so are you.”
Tem shook her head. “I’ll be fine. You have to trust me.”
Leo’s mouth was tight with worry. “That’s not good enough.”
“Caspen will protect me.”
Sharp jealousy darkened Leo’s face. Tem watched as it turned slowly to bitter resolve. They both knew he had signed up for this-that he had agreed to share her. Situations just like this were part of that agreement.
After an eternal moment, Leo bowed his head. “Very well.” Then he turned and was gone.
A moment later, Bastian was in front of her.
“Temperance,” he said smoothly, eyeing her up and down. “It would appear you have an entourage.”
Tem’s eyes slid to Caspen, who was standing at the edge of the clearing, watching them. Tem didn’t need to turn around to know that Leo was watching them too. “I’m a lucky girl.”
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.