Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
“It is a gathering place,” Caspen said. “Think of it as a courtyard.”
They continued walking ever downward, and Tem swore an hour passed before Caspen finally stopped them in front of a pair of double doors. He turned to her.
“I want you to try to relax.”
Tem rolled her eyes. Caspen always wanted that.
“Tem.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “You need to be calm. And you need to believe you can do this.”
She stared up at him. It was clear that Caspen believed she could do this, whether Tem believed it herself or not. That would have to be enough for now.
Tem nodded.
Caspen nodded too, then pushed open the double doors.
An enormous cavern unfolded before them. They were standing at its very edge, on a slope that led gradually down to a deep, wide lake. Glistening water went on for what seemed like forever-Tem couldn’t see the end of it. The cavern was lit by torches, their warm light flickering off the surface of the lake. Stalactites hung from the ceiling in great jagged drips.
“This is…” Tem whispered. But there were no words. It was beyond beauty; Tem had never been somewhere so clearly steeped in magic. She could feel it in her bones-much the same way she’d been able to feel Caspen’s power during the council meeting. There was a deep, ancient energy here, and Tem felt herself drawn to it.
Caspen guided her down the slope, right to the edge of the water.
“What is this place?” Tem asked.
“It is the center of the mountain.”
“Why did you bring me here?”
Caspen stepped into the water, and Tem followed. “It is sacred,” he said as they waded out until they were waist deep. “We believe that Kora herself bathed here.”
Tem could believe that too. The lake was ethereal; she could see how a goddess would feel at home here.
“It may be easier for you to transition somewhere that is connected to nature.”
“Why not outside?”
“There are people outside. If you transition and you cannot control yourself, they would be in danger. I do not want you to worry about hurting anyone your first time.”
Tem felt a rush of gratitude toward him. He had clearly thought this through.
Caspen took her hands in his, turning to face her.
We will do this together.
He said it with a confidence Tem did not share.
A moment later, she felt him pull her into his mind in the same way he had done before. Tem made a concerted effort not to panic at the thought of leaving her physical body unprotected while he transitioned.
I will keep you safe.
Tem would have nodded, but there was no point. Even Caspen’s conviction could not soothe her. She was too anxious-too frightened-to be at ease even in the shelter of his mind.
Relax, Tem.
Tem tried to relax.
She focused instead on the way Caspen felt, noticing how he was calm and steady despite what was at stake. It was a trait she’d always desired for herself. Tem felt too much, all the time.
You can use that, Tem.
Use what?
Your emotions.
How?
Transitioning is about becoming the truest version of yourself. You are emotional. Embrace that.
I thought you wanted me to be calm.
Perhaps what I want is irrelevant here.
Tem considered this. She was a hybreed. That meant she was just as much a human as she was a basilisk. It also meant that she would never be exactly like Caspen. There would always be a part of her that would not be tamed.
Now pay attention.
Tem knew that tone well. Her teacher had returned.
A subtle vibration was forming in Caspen’s mind. It buzzed along the perimeter, building gradually into a low hiss. Tem felt it all around her; it dug into her brain like a hundred tiny talons, scratching at the essence of her being.
This is how I begin.
Tem realized what Caspen was doing: he was showing her how he transitioned in the hopes that she would be able to do so too.
The hiss grew until it surrounded Tem on all sides, building into a singular gleam of power. There was a great swell, and Tem felt a sudden wave of motion sickness. Caspen was breaking-shedding-unfolding himself from the inside out. It was like being in the middle of a volcano while it erupted.
Along with the mental sensation, Tem experienced what Caspen felt physically. It was exactly as he’d said: transitioning was like taking off clothes. Layer after layer of restriction fell away, revealing the feral beast beneath.
Join me, Tem.
The hiss grew. Tem was unbearably hot, as if she had a hundred fevers at once.
Something called to her-something that felt like Caspen but wasn’t him, something primal and wild and free. Tem wanted to answer.
But she couldn’t.
When she tried to access the deepest parts of her, she was met with resistance. There were shackles holding her down-chains of doubt and fear that would not budge no matter how hard she yanked at them.
You can do it, Tem.
I can’t.
You are the only one standing in your way.
Tem was painfully aware of that.
Her consciousness pricked as Caspen passed the point of no return. Part of her ached to join him. An equal part recoiled in terror.
Trust your instincts, Tem. You can do it.
Tem felt as if she were splitting in two. I’m telling you I can’t.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.