Author: admin

“How will I know what to do?” she asked. “Your instincts will tell you.” Tem sat up, touching the necklace. She remembered how the wires were fused to her father’s hands, how the gold had seeped out of them. Without another word, she concentrated. Caspen was right; her instincts took over, and she knew what…

“I cannot protect you both at the same time, and I know she wants you to live. Go.” It was as close as Caspen would ever get to telling Leo that he mattered. For a moment, the two men simply stared at each other. Then Leo placed his own hand on Caspen’s shoulder. Neither of…

“I can do this,” Tem said. Both men stared at her. “You can do anything, Tem,” Caspen said quietly. “Of that I am certain.” The gentle clinking of a glass broke the moment. Maximus was standing on the edge of the stage, facing the aisle. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, his voice floating over the…

Tem noticed how he emphasized only human life. “It is a privilege to be king.” Maximus turned to face Leo. “A privilege that I know my son will take as seriously as I have.” Father and son stared at each other. As if in slow motion, Maximus lifted the crown from his own head and…

It wasn’t even an option. But she had to say it. Bastian’s cold smile returned. He pointed a single finger over her shoulder. Tem turned to see Leo, who was leaning against a statue, watching them. “We had a deal, remember?” he murmured in her ear. “You perform the crest. I spare the human prince…

It was true. The sun was setting, and the early moon would soon rise. People were beginning to find their seats. They had to resolve this before the ceremony commenced. Tem turned to Caspen, her hand still firmly on Leo. “When you crested me, it wounded my basilisk side. It’s been dying ever since.” Caspen…

“Apparently.” There was a silence, and Tem dearly wished Leo had gotten her that drink. It was difficult not to feel nervous when Bastian was looking at her as if she were his next meal. It was not unlike the way he’d looked at her during the ritual. “Congratulations on your nuptials,” the king offered….

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…

Eventually, it was time for Tem to say goodbye to her childhood home. She sat on her bed and looked up at the ceiling. She smelled the bottle of salt spray on her mother’s dresser. And she walked through the chicken coop one last time, reveling in the fact that she may never hear a…

“No.” Tem raised her eyebrows. He’d answered that awfully quickly. At the look on her face, Leo softened. “He won’t be pleased, Tem. I’d rather you not hear what he has to say.” Protecting her again. Tem nodded, because it was just easier that way. She didn’t particularly want to hear what Maximus had to…