Author: admin

Or could she? Tem had always felt out of place, like she was wearing the wrong clothes. She’d always hated the farm, always loathed the sound of the roosters. It grated against her on a molecular level-on an instinctual level. She’d always wanted something else from her life-something more. But she’d never expected this. She…

The crowd of basilisks had grown. Tem wasn’t surprised; this was the grand finale after all. This final hour would determine whether everything had been worth it-whether Tem was worth it. Caspen rolled on top of her. Tem knew it was his way of protecting her from himself. This way, her body was covered-she was…

Caspen looked up, following her gaze. “That…” He trailed off, and Tem finished for him. “That’s Kora.” “Yes. It is.” Tem stared up at the statue numbly. It was the largest depiction of Kora she had ever seen, carved from a stone that looked like marble, with delicate threads of gold laced throughout it. The…

“Yes.” The king didn’t ask anything else. It would seem the time for talking had passed. Without another word, he turned and climbed into Kora’s hands, reclining on his back so that her palms cradled his shoulders. It was clear Bastian wasn’t going to initiate anything; it was up to Tem to begin the ritual….

It pushed her there too. “Caspen,” she moaned. Just his name-nothing more. Caspen pulled out of her immediately, his shoulders hunching forward as he finished into his palm with an urgent groan. Before Tem had time to breathe, he slapped his hand hard against her hip, sliding it all the way down her thigh and…

But I didn’t. I’m fine, Caspen. He pressed a kiss to her temple before changing the subject. Are you ready for what comes next? Tem knew what came next would not be easy for her. She thought of all the nights she’d spent with Caspen up until now-how he’d always accommodated her when she needed…

Caspen’s grip became even tighter. The room was so quiet Tem could hear her own heartbeat galloping frantically against her ribs. Rowe’s eyes flicked to Caspen’s. They stared at each other for a long moment, and Tem knew they must be speaking with their minds. Rowe’s gaze slid to her. Tem stayed perfectly still as…

“Yes.” The thought repulsed her. “I’d really prefer you didn’t.” Caspen’s jaw clenched. “Trust me, I would prefer that too. But I must, Tem. I have to make sure his hands do not stray. If they do, I will kill him.” “Are his hands known to stray?” By the look on his face, Tem could…

Tem. There it was again. Tem shifted so she was facing him. She closed her eyes, concentrating as hard as she could. Caspen. No response. The corridor between their minds felt clogged, as if it were filled with smoke. Tem wondered if it was because Caspen was unconscious. She waited for him to call to…

Tem nodded. She was trying to remain calm, but her stomach wasn’t cooperating. “Do I need to…bring anything?” She didn’t know what else to ask. Caspen shook his head. “No. But do not exert yourself today. You will need your strength.” Tem nodded again. Before she could begin to worry, Caspen kissed her. They kissed…