Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
“You cannot be silenced, Tem. That much is very clear.”
“Did you kill Jonathan and Christopher?”
Caspen lifted his chin, looking down at her. “Of course I did.”
“I told you I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“And I told you some things do not concern you.”
“Loss of human life concerns me.”
“Their lives were hardly a loss.”
The pulse quickened. They were arguing, but he was turning her on. “Stop that,” she demanded.
“Why?”
“It isn’t fair,” she insisted. “I have no way to retaliate.”
“You speak as if we are at war.”
“It feels as if we are.”
The pulses stopped. She hated how much she missed them.
Caspen leaned in, his eyes holding hers. “It is not my wish to wound you, Tem.”
“Then what is your wish?”
The crowd seemed to disappear around them.
“To prepare you.”
“For what?”
The pulse returned, gently this time, throbbing rhythmically against her underclothing. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation.
They were still closed when she heard Caspen whisper, “For what comes.”
When Tem opened her eyes, they were no longer alone.
Another basilisk stood beside Caspen. This one had black hair that brushed his shoulders and cheekbones so sharp they reflected the light. He was several inches shorter than Caspen, with the same rigid posture. He appraised Tem with clear contempt.
“So, Caspenon,” he said, still looking at Tem. “This is your student.”
Something about the way he said “student” made it clear he meant it as an insult.
“Her name is Temperance,” Caspen said, his voice purposefully even. Tem recognized his tone; it was the one he used when he was attempting to restrain his anger.
“Temperance,” the basilisk said slowly, tilting his head to get a better view of her. “Interesting.”
“And you are?” Tem asked before she could help herself.
The basilisk blinked, as if surprised she was addressing him directly. “I am Rowe Seneca.”
“Interesting.”
Rowe is dangerous. Do not anger him.
Tem nearly jumped as Caspen’s voice returned to her mind.
Why not?
But he was already gone again.
Rowe’s gaze fell to the golden claw around her neck. A cross between disbelief and rage flashed over his face. He looked at Caspen.
“Tell me that is not what I think it is.”
Caspen tensed. “That is none of your concern.”
Rowe stepped closer, and Caspen’s hand darted to Tem’s waist. Rowe’s eyes followed the movement with disgust. “You are a disgrace to your quiver,” he snarled.
Caspen’s grip only tightened. “And you are a burden on yours.”
Rowe let out a bitter laugh. “Better a burden than a traitor.”
The ballroom seemed to shrink as Caspen leaned forward, his face mere inches from Rowe’s. “Remember your place. Or I shall remind you of it.”
Rowe stared up at him in defiance, but Tem didn’t miss the unmistakable flash of fear in his eyes. An endless moment passed as the two basilisks glared at each other. Tem didn’t dare break the silence. It was clear there was history here, but she had no idea what it could be. She remembered what Caspen had told her about basilisks: how their quivers were like their clans. Rowe was from another quiver-perhaps one that had tension with Caspen’s. She couldn’t begin to imagine the political climate of the basilisks. Surely, it was even more complicated than the royals.
They were still standing in silence when Vera appeared.
“Run out of dresses, Tem?” she chirped.
Her voice snapped the basilisks from their stalemate. Rowe turned to Vera. “I told you to wait for me until the prince called us in.”
Tem raised her eyebrows. Rowe was Vera’s basilisk.
Vera’s eyes went jealously to Caspen’s hand, which was still on Tem’s waist. She touched Rowe’s arm in an imitation of the gesture.
“I know, but I-“
He brushed her off. “Leave us,” he barked.
Vera’s face pinched. It was a dismissal and not a kind one. For a moment, it seemed like she might protest. But one glance at Rowe’s face seemed to change her mind. With a final dissatisfied huff, she flounced away.
Rowe turned back to Caspen, continuing as if Vera were never there. “I should rip that from her neck.” He pointed at Tem’s necklace.
Caspen immediately angled himself so that he was between her and Rowe, his body acting as a shield. “Only if you wish to lose your hand.”
“The way you protect her…” Rowe’s nostrils flared. “Disgusting.”
“Say one more word,” Caspen hissed, and Tem felt a chill rush down her spine. “And you will join your father.”
Horror flared in Rowe’s eyes, followed by pure, unfiltered loathing.
Then he turned and was gone.
Tem looked up at Caspen. He was staring after Rowe, his jaw locked. She had so many questions, but she was sure he wouldn’t answer any of them. Before she could decide where to begin, a butler appeared beside her.
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.