Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk

Adelaide paused, tilting her head in the same way Caspen did when he was considering something. There was a moment of silence as her eyes traveled over Tem. “I do not know the extent of it,” she said finally. Another pause. The only sound was the crackling of the fire. Adelaide broke the silence. “I…

I know you can do it. Caspen believed in her. Caspen knew she could do it. Let go for me, Tem. There was nothing she wanted more. Let go. Tem let go. Everything in her plunged at once. The lake disappeared. There was no water, no cavern, no Caspen. Tem was no longer there, no…

Caspen laughed, the sound echoing around the sloping stone walls. As you wish. They did it again. And again. At some point, words were beyond them. They were simply moving, breathing, existing together-conforming to each other with nothing but their basest instincts and rawest desires. Tem herself ceased to exist. Instead, she was one with…

Caspen brushed his lips against hers, and Tem’s worries fell away. Her body was too sore for sex. But she wanted it anyway, and Caspen had never been able to resist her. When he slipped inside her, she bit her lip in pain. Caspen paused. We do not have to do this, Tem. I want…

Gabriel raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “Is that so?” “Yes.” “Come on, Tem. You mean to tell me you haven’t taken a dive in the princely waters yet?” She shook her head. “Really? You know the ball is tomorrow night, right?” “I know.” “Well then, you’d better hop on it if you want a chance at…

Thick, black smoke filled the cavern. Caspen was growing, his human form long gone. Join me. They barely sounded like words anymore. Caspen’s voice was just a hiss, thundering through her mind and rattling her teeth in her skull. Tem tried again to break free-to fling away the anchors that weighed her down, to cast…

Rowe nodded, his eyes still glazed over with orgasm, his chest covered in sweat. “Say it,” Caspen ordered. “Say her name.” Rowe blinked, his eyes focusing on Tem. “Temperance.” There was no mistaking the hot thread of hate in his voice. “Good. Now get out.” Rowe didn’t need telling twice. The moment he was gone,…

“Yes, you do. Tell me.” He sat up, and Tem sat up too. “I do not know for certain. After you crest them, they will be bound to you.” “And then?” “I do not know,” he said again. Tem stared numbly at his shoulder. It would be worth it. Whatever the cost, it would be…

Her mother stepped closer, taking Tem’s hands in hers. “It was wrong of me to conceal something so important from you. I pray you’ll forgive me.” Tem opened her mouth, then closed it again. Was she really going to blame her mother for keeping this secret when she was now keeping secrets of her own?…

Shock passed quickly over Caspen’s face. Then unfathomable anger took over. He dropped his hands. “Wait here,” he commanded. “Where are you going?” “I will explain when I return.” Tem pulled him back. “You will explain now.” “Tem, stop. I must-“ “Caspen.” At her cry, he went still. She threw her arms around his neck,…