Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
It was utterly unfair.
She was sick and tired of choices being made for her. She was sick and tired of Caspen holding all the power. A wave of frustration swept through her, and she stood up, screaming his name to the stars as if she could shake them from the sky:
CASPEN!
Silence. And then:
There is no need to yell, Tem.
Tem froze.
Caspen’s voice was inside her head, as it always was, deep and luxurious and knowing. It shocked her so much that she sat back down on the bench, her mouth hanging open.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Speak to me using your mind, Tem.
“Oh,” she said out loud, then clamped her mouth shut and thought it instead:
Oh.
She could feel his amusement, and with it, a weight came off her chest. Finally, the barrier between them was lowered. Finally, they were connected, just as they were always meant to be. Talking to Caspen was like sending her thoughts down a long, dark corridor and through an open door-one that, until now, had been locked tightly. It felt natural to be joined with him like this, and Tem couldn’t believe it had taken so long for him to allow it.
So, Tem. Is there something you wish to say to me?
Now that they were having a conversation, Tem found herself suddenly afraid. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to say, and she certainly wasn’t sure how to say it. But Caspen was here, in her mind, and she didn’t want to lose access to him. So she asked, Did I do something wrong? Earlier, I mean.
He was not beside her, but she could hear him sigh.
You did nothing wrong.
She felt relief at his words but wasn’t sure if she believed them. But I did do…something, didn’t I? Or at least…I caused something.
It felt like forever before he spoke again. When he finally did, his voice was but a whisper inside her head. What happened was not your fault. It was mine.
Tem summoned the courage for her next question. But what exactly happened? I don’t understand.
For the first time, Tem sensed Caspen’s hesitation. He was always so sure of himself; now his caution scared her. She worried he might not answer, or worse, cut off their connection altogether. Instead, his voice returned, still quiet, still subdued:
I lost control.
Tem processed his answer, wishing for so much more. She remembered the way he had pulled away from her when she’d pressed herself against him-his roar of agony that had nearly ripped her apart. She needed answers, even if he was unwilling to give them.
Did I hurt you?
Caspen’s presence grew in her mind.
It is I who hurt you.
She shrugged, and she was sure he could see her.
You healed me.
His disapproval was obvious, probing at the back of her neck. It was a curious sensation, and although it wasn’t necessarily pleasant, she savored it because it meant that he was still here. Tem needed to keep him with her.
She spoke before he could: Will our lessons continue?
The probing stopped abruptly. Of course they will continue.
An incredible lightness shot through her. So you’re not angry with me?
His mood softened. I am angry with myself.
Tem could feel his sadness and, beneath it, deep regret. She wanted nothing more than to run back to the cave to comfort him.
Before she could act on it, Caspen said: It is not your concern. Like I said, you did nothing wrong.
She felt him start to fade and only wished to pull him back. Please don’t go.
His presence paused. I cannot stay, Tem. We should not be talking like this in the first place.
But why?
Because it will only lead to pain.
She shook her head. You have never caused me pain. The wind caressed her cheek, and she swore he had sent it.
I did tonight.
He was fading again, pulling away. She had to keep him. If this will only lead to pain, then why did you give me…a piece of you?
Caspen’s presence grew, as if his hands were on her shoulders. The claw was still inside her, and she felt it pulse. I should not have done that either.
His words crushed her. Of course he regretted it. Of course she was not worthy of the gesture. She swallowed her shame. Shall I return it to you?
Caspen flared in her mind. I did not say I wanted it back. Only that I should not have given it to you. Do not assume I regret my actions. I am not someone who makes my decisions lightly.
His words came in an avalanche, so quickly Tem could barely keep up. She blinked, trying to remain calm as she asked, So you don’t regret it?
His answer was quiet. No.
Tem gripped the bench, as if by doing so she could grip him. Will you think of me?
His reply was barely a whisper, lost in the wind. Constantly.
Caspen relinquished his grip on her mind, and she felt his energy subside. Tem tried to hang on, but she knew this time he wouldn’t stay. His presence faded, and she was all alone in the garden, once again staring at the stars. Where a moment ago she had been warm, now she shivered.
She tiptoed back through the house, passing her mother’s door and hearing her reassuring snores. Tem’s room was dark but warm, and she undressed slowly, pretending that Caspen was watching. The tip of the claw gleamed between her legs, its pearly sheen glowing in the darkness. It was the most beautiful thing in the world to her-certainly the most beautiful thing she had ever owned. Although she wondered if she did truly own it. Could one even own a part of someone else? Was any part of Caspen hers to own? Tem wasn’t sure. All she knew was that he owned her completely, whether he wanted to or not. Tem touched the claw, pushing it deeper into the place Caspen had not yet been but she dearly wanted him to go.
The moment she did so, he returned to her mind.
His arousal matched her own; she could feel how much he wanted her, his heat traveling down the shared corridor of their connection. The tapered tip of the claw pressed against her clitoris, and when she imagined it was Caspen pressing her instead, she felt weak.
Tem climbed into bed, the sheets soft beneath her fingers. His voice came to her as she was pulling the covers over her shoulders:
Leave them.
Joy erupted in her chest at his command. She hadn’t quite believed him when he said he would think of her; then again, she never quite did. Yet here he was, mere minutes later, keeping his word.
Tem left the covers by her feet, lying back on the pillows and shuddering in anticipation. A single pulse tingled between her legs, traveling up her body and peaking her nipples. The pulse quickened and, with it, her heartbeat. She tilted her knees open, brushing her fingers down her stomach, preparing to touch herself.
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.