Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
“Tell me how the crest will benefit me.”
The king considered her for a long moment, and the basilisks on both sides of the table shifted uneasily. Tem knew that everyone in this room wanted the royals gone. They wanted it more than they wanted power for themselves. And Tem was the catalyst.
When Bastian spoke, his voice filled the room. “The crest will free your father.”
It was the one thing he could have said to give her pause.
Tem’s father was the perfect example of the royals’ cruelty-of their greed. She may be able to justify some things Leo’s family had done, but never that. Never the bloodletting. It was unforgivable and unconscionable and evil. But did the royals deserve to be crested for it? Did they deserve to lose their free will? It didn’t seem right.
But Tem refused to sanction open war.
She pictured Jonathan and Christopher, petrified in the town square. There would be more deaths-countless deaths-unless Tem put a stop to it herself. The future of the entire kingdom was at stake. Gabriel, her mother, every human who played no part in the basilisk war yet would be caught up in it anyway. If the crest would save innocent lives, it was worth it.
Tem, Caspen said softly in her mind, and she knew he’d heard her thoughts. You should think this through.
Tem ignored him. She’d thought it through enough. It was time to act.
“Fine,” she said. “I will crest the royals.”
We should discuss-
“On one condition.”
Bastian splayed his hands open. “Please. Enlighten us.”
Even Caspen fell silent as the room awaited her condition.
Tem cleared her throat before saying, “The human prince will not be harmed.”
There was immediate uproar. The basilisks cried out in unanimous fury, with Rowe’s voice ringing the loudest.
“It would appear that the plaything has fallen in love with her playmate,” he jeered.
There were sounds of agreement, and Tem tried to ignore the unmistakable wave of disapproval coming from Caspen’s mind. She didn’t care if he didn’t like it. She wasn’t done yet.
Tem raised her voice. “And neither will his sister nor her children.”
The uproar increased. It wasn’t until Bastian pounded his fist on the table so hard it cracked the marble that everyone finally quieted down.
“That is more than one condition, Temperance,” he said darkly.
“Those are my terms.”
“This is not a negotiation.”
“Isn’t it? I’m a hybreed. You need what I can provide.”
“Be careful how you speak to your king.”
But Tem was done being reprimanded. “Be careful how you speak to me,” she snapped.
The entire council went quiet. Behind her, Caspen drew in a careful breath, and for a moment, his fingers stilled. Tem paused, ready for him to say something in her mind. But he didn’t. He seemed to be waiting to see what she would do.
So she said, “I suggest you consider my conditions. If you find them unfavorable, you’re welcome to wait centuries for another hybreed to show up. I hate to imagine what additional damage the royals could cause during that time.”
There was a long, tense silence.
Bastian was regarding her with something close to hatred. Tem knew she had crossed a line, pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable or even safe. But she was no stranger to kings looking at her with open animosity. Maximus had prepared her for this.
“Very well,” Bastian said finally, his gaze leaving Tem’s and traveling around the room. “You heard her. The hybreed is willing to aid in our cause.”
The table was silent.
Bastian continued. “It is time to regain our rightful place in this kingdom. It is time to free our brothers and sisters. It is time to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. And it is time to remember our common enemy.”
Rowe stood. “That enemy is in the room with us,” he screamed.
Caspen let out a sharp hiss. Unlike the aroused, sensual hiss he made during sex, this hiss was harsh and clearly meant as a reprimand.
Rowe hissed right back, and at the sound, Caspen stood too, pushing Tem to the side so he was leaning over the table at Rowe.
“Watch yourself,” he said, his voice a spear in the dark.
“Look at you.” Rowe’s eyes were hardened steel as they traced over Caspen’s erection. “Turned on by a blunt.”
Caspen went immediately still. His black eyes narrowed to slits. “If you value your life, you will not say that word again.”
Rowe smirked. “Is it not true? You chose a mate who is part human-a mate who is weak. And now you want us to-“
Caspen moved so fast that Tem didn’t even have time to blink before his hand was wrapped around Rowe’s throat. “There is nothing weak about my mate.”
Several basilisks leaped forward in an attempt to pull Rowe and Caspen apart. The enormous marble table scraped against the floor as bodies crashed into each other in a disorderly tangle. Tem knew Caspen was powerful right now, so when he finally released Rowe, it was because he chose to, not because the hands gripping his shoulders had any real impact.
Caspen yanked Tem back into his lap, his breath ragged in her ear. When everyone was finally reseated, ugly purple marks were forming on Rowe’s throat where Caspen had choked him. Another second and Rowe would have been dead.
The council was absolutely quiet. What felt like a full minute ticked by before Bastian said, “Let us put it to a vote. All those in favor of cresting the royals?”
Eight hands went in the air. Rowe sat defiantly still. Caspen, Bastian, and Tem didn’t vote.
“The majority has it.”
Is it over? Tem asked.
Nearly.
The king continued, “All those in favor of the conditions our hybreed has imposed?”
No hands went in the air.
A flicker of anger crossed Bastian’s face. His eyes went to his son’s, and Tem felt Caspen nod.
It is time, Tem.
For what?
In reply, Caspen’s hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her onto his cock. He thrust into her quickly, holding her just above his lap so he was in complete control. Tem had been wet for so long that she needed no foreplay; the entire evening had already been foreplay, and she was more than ready to take him.
She came so fast that she gasped.
Caspen finished a moment later, letting out a low groan as he lifted her off his cock, showing the council proof of their union.