Filed to story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
Tem thought about how basilisks were so very different from humans and how she carried both traits within her. Adelaide’s beautiful face and blond hair flashed through her mind.
“Are you…giving your body to another?”
His mouth twitched. “There is no one else I want. My body and my heart belong to you.”
That was all it took to soften her.
It was just so easy with Caspen-so right. Tem felt their connection even when her mind was closed off to him, even when she was so angry she couldn’t think straight. He was her other half. He was hers.
Caspen’s hands cradled her face before brushing down her neck. He cupped her breasts-not unlike the way Tem had just cupped them for Leo-holding them in both palms.
His thumbs teased her nipples, hardening them.
Don’t we have a council meeting to get to?
The basilisk smiled. That we do.
He released her breasts, instead taking her hand in his. They wound through the tunnels together, and already Tem was beginning to feel nervous.
Is there anything I need to know before we get there?
Caspen’s hand tightened in hers. The purpose of this meeting is to guarantee that the Drakons remain in power. My father hopes to unite the quivers against the royals, and he thinks if the Senecas know we have a hybreed, they will fall in line.
Tem looked up at him. Does he know that I haven’t agreed to his plan?
Caspen clenched his jaw. Yes. He knows.
Then why would he want me at this meeting?
Because we are newly engaged.
I don’t understand.
You and I have a significant connection. Your presence contributes to my power. It may work in our favor.
Tem took a moment to process this. She’d never thought about how she might contribute to Caspen’s power-how their relationship would benefit him politically. Before she could ask anything further, Caspen stopped in front of a large wooden doorway.
It is time.
Tem turned to him. She opened her mouth to say something-anything-but before she could, Caspen pressed his lips to hers. He was not gentle; she could feel his anticipation. Even now, his power was growing. The same energy Tem sensed on him whenever he was about to transition was present now, thrumming between them. Caspen’s tongue found hers, and she wondered if he could taste Leo’s cum.
I can.
Despite this admission, he didn’t stop kissing her. His hands grabbed her ass; his cock pressed against her. Tem felt desperately warm and was suddenly grateful she wasn’t wearing any clothes. By the time Caspen pulled away, wetness was dripping down her leg. He traced his finger up her thigh, trailing it through her center before raising it to his lips. He licked his fingers slowly, and Tem couldn’t help but think of how similar it was to what she had just done for Leo.
Caspen smiled, as if he knew it too.
They entered the council meeting together.
The ceilings were high, just like the auditorium where the ritual took place.
The floor was stone, as were the walls, and there was an enormous, white marble table in the center of the room. It was long and oval, surrounded by twelve marble chairs. Ten basilisks sat along the table-the Senecas on one side and the Drakons on the other. They all wore their human forms, and they were all naked.
At the head of the table sat Bastian.
It was jarring to see him for the first time since the ritual. Tem had a sudden memory of how he’d felt inside her-how she’d strained to take him. Her cheeks flushed at the thought.
What of your mother? Tem asked, desperate for a distraction. Where is the queen?
My mother is dead.
Caspen said it so simply-as if he were reporting the weather. Tem couldn’t believe they’d never talked about it, that he’d never mentioned this deeply significant fact. What were the chances that the two princes in her life were motherless?
Caspen took the seat at the other end of the table, directly opposite his father. There was no additional chair for Tem. Instead, Caspen pulled her between his legs, his knees on either side of hers. She was grateful for the contact; his proximity made her feel less nervous, and she leaned back against his chest.
When everyone had settled, Bastian cleared his throat.
“We shall begin by congratulating my son on his engagement.”
Rowe made a scoffing sound.
The king turned his black eyes to him. “Do you have something you wish to say, Rowe?”
Rowe only sneered.
“Speak,” Caspen growled. “Or lose your tongue.”
Rowe’s response was cold. “Let us not waste time with pleasantries, shall we? We all know why we are here.”
“Rowe is correct,” Bastian continued as if the interruption was of no consequence to him. “There have been…tensions as of late.” His eyes slid first to Caspen, then to Rowe. “Today we hope to ease those tensions.”
The Drakons and the Senecas glared at each other from opposite sides of the table. Tem couldn’t imagine a world where the tension in this room was eased.
Caspen pressed a kiss to her temple. Be patient. We have barely begun.
Bastian steepled his fingers.
“I understand that many of you are no longer content beneath Drakon rule. But we must honor the circumstances that granted us power. Otherwise, we forsake Kora, and we forsake ourselves.”
There was a testy silence in which everyone looked at Caspen. Every basilisk in this room knew exactly which circumstances had granted the Drakons power.
“And why should the Drakons keep their power?” said Rowe, his jaw tight. “What have they done to earn it?”
Tem thought Caspen might say something in his defense. Instead, his hand went between her legs. A low hiss filled the room the moment he touched her. All the basilisks were staring at them-staring at Tem. It was then that she understood her role in this meeting. Caspen had said her presence contributed to his power. He was exercising that power now, drawing on their connection to bend the council to his will.
Tem couldn’t complain. What he was doing felt like heaven, and she allowed herself to lean into him, savoring the way he touched her. Caspen shifted his grip, pulling her legs open to display her. His fingers dipped slowly in and out, spreading her wetness until she was dripping onto the marble chair.
The hissing intensified.
Rowe’s eyes were fixated on Tem, who held his gaze. She could see the direct effect her bond with Caspen was having on him-his eyes were black, his hands clamped tightly on the edge of the table. He looked like a man who didn’t want to yield but had no other choice.
Pride surged through Tem.
What now? she asked.
Caspen was unreadable, his hard features like slate in the warm darkness. His lips brushed her neck.
Now we begin.
Bastian was looking at his son with something akin to pride, and Tem knew his plan was working. If Caspen hadn’t been turning her on right now, she’d feel indignant about being used. But his fingers were lulling her into a trance she had no desire to break, and she barely heard Bastian as he said, “I propose we put the royals in their place.”