Author: admin

“I fucking knew it,” Leo hissed. The same scent from earlier washed over her. An earthiness she couldn’t place. “What is it, Tem? What did you do to us?” That question was too vast to answer. What had Tem done to them? She’d ruined them. She’d made it so that Leo’s life was at stake-so…

Tem drank the last dregs of her whiskeys. It was all she could do. The celebration resumed, and Gabriel disappeared to the kitchens. Tem and Caspen found themselves near a group of royals whom Tem recognized from her own wedding. They were talking to Evelyn and Leo. “We’re so excited to start a family,” Evelyn…

Evelyn turned to Leo. “We must show solidarity with our people.” “Your people caused this,” Tem snapped. “My people died.” “Your people are not people at all. They are snakes.” All the rage she’d suppressed toward Evelyn was threatening to spill out at the seams now. Tem wanted to lunge at her, to rip her…

The effect on him was immediate. His face softened as the shadow on his brow retreated. Tem knew it wasn’t a permanent solution, as nothing ever was. But for now, she tightened her grip on him, holding him against her, taking as much of his grief as she could. “Thank you,” Caspen whispered. “Of course,”…

Tem was so swept away in their kiss that she barely heard the dull swell of noise penetrating the back of her skull. She opened her mind, tuning into the collective consciousness of every basilisk under the mountain. It was utter chaos, dozens of voices, all talking over one another, all in a state of…

Both Evelyn and Tem stood abruptly, their conversation immediately abandoned. Evelyn opened the door to reveal the one person Tem wanted to see more than anything. Leo was wearing a dark suit, his hair slicked back. He looked similar to the way he’d looked for their wedding, and the thought made her want to cry….

“I trust I have your confidence,” Evelyn said quietly. She had nothing of the sort. Tem would not be silenced-she would not allow the sacrifice she’d made to be for nothing. To keep Evelyn’s secret would be to lie to Leo. It would mean betraying his trust-trust that Tem had only recently earned and barely…

The truth was she didn’t want to leave Caspen unaccompanied. Tem had no idea what he would do here in the castle, alone and angry, without her by his side. Will you be here when I’m done? I will. Still, Tem hesitated. She was waiting for something-waiting for him to say- Go. At his command,…

“Whispers about what?” “A coup.” “A coup?” “Food is scarce again, Tem. Not to mention a man disappeared, and people think it was the basilisks.” Tem’s stomach turned. The man again. The one she’d petrified. His disappearance had fanned the flame of rebellion, and it was all her fault. “Jeremy took over when I…stepped down….

“If my cock is out, I’m going to fuck you.” “I want to see it.” He smiled. “I know you do.” “Please, Leo.” “No, Tem. And don’t ask me again.” Tem couldn’t beg anymore. There were more important things happening-things that required her attention. The handle was moving quickly now, in and out, exactly as…