Filed To Story: Between Two Kings: A Split or Swallow Book PDF Free
You feel so good it almost feels…bad.
Caspen skimmed his palms up her body, cupping her breasts and squeezing. He rubbed her nipples between his fingers until they were hard, tender points. It was almost beyond what Tem could handle. He was molding and forming her body into whatever he wanted. His lips brushed her neck, and she felt his teeth nip her skin.
More, she begged.
No.
Please.
Good things come to those who wait.
His fingers resumed their slow, sensual teasing on her nipples. Tem strained against his touch, arching her back and pushing her breasts into his hands. At her desperation, Caspen’s amusement only increased.
Sit still, Tem.
Tem did as she was told.
The moment she sat still, Caspen rewarded her with one single, hard thrust. Tem yelped at the sudden change, crying out in surprise and pleasure, aching immediately for more. But he didn’t let her have it. Instead one hand moved from her breast to her clitoris, rubbing in a steady rhythm. Tem was lulled into a trance by the motion, content finally to let Caspen take control.
He didn’t thrust into her again, but his other hand reached forward, dipping into a jar of honey on the table. Caspen swirled his fingers slowly through the honey before bringing them to Tem’s lips. She opened her mouth, lapping the honey with her tongue, turning her head so he could see her doing it. When the honey was gone, Tem sucked gently on his fingers before taking them all the way down her throat until he said:
Kora.
If this was a game, Tem knew she could beat him at it.
She moved her hips an infinitesimal amount, shifting barely an inch at first. The great expanse of his chest was behind her, keeping her upright, preventing her from doing anything sudden. But Tem went slowly, teasing him just as he had teased her, arching her back in order to take him deeper. It was just like what they did last night, only this time they were not alone. Tem knew people were watching, knew everyone could see where she was sitting. A low thrum of approval vibrated over the table. It was one thing for basilisks to have sex in public-it was another to watch their king and queen do it. They were their leaders; they set the standard. It was an honor to do so and not one Tem took lightly. She knew they looked to her for guidance, that she held a position some thought she had not earned. She strove to be worthy of it now, with Caspen inside her, for everyone to see. Tem understood this was a way to prove herself, that those who doubted her ability to thrive would have no choice but to accept her if they saw how good she was at this.
Her body moved in earnest now. Tem grabbed the edge of the table, holding on for stability as she took herself there. Her palms were sweaty; she could barely keep her grip. Caspen’s hands were on her hips, jerking her forward, his entire body rigid beneath hers. Her orgasm came like a lightning bolt, sudden and bright, taking the air from her lungs. Caspen came too, his teeth pressed against her neck. Tem was breathless. Caspen’s chest rose and fell with hers, in sync even as their heart rates slowed. Caspen kissed her on the cheek.
You did well, my love.
Tem smiled. Then she kissed him back.
It wasn’t until they left the banquet hall that Tem found she could think clearly again. When they passed through the courtyard, it was bustling with activity. Basilisks congregated around the fountain, arranging an elaborate tower of goblets.
“What’s going on?” Tem asked Caspen.
“They are preparing.”
“For what?”
“For mating season.”
“Mating season?”
“Yes.” Caspen smiled. “It is a time when anyone who is not partnered will seek a mate. It happens every winter.”
Tem took a moment to process this. Basilisks were already amorous on a regular day-look what had just happened at breakfast. She couldn’t imagine how they would act during a time when their sole purpose was to find a mate. “And what exactly does mating season entail?”
“There will be a series of events to celebrate.”
“Such as?”
“They are rather difficult to explain.”
Tem sighed. It didn’t matter whether Caspen told her; she would find out soon enough. “When will the first event be?”
“Tomorrow.”
So soon. Tem had barely begun to adjust to basilisk culture, and now there was an entire event to consider.
As if on cue, Caspen said: “You can always tell me when it becomes too much for you.”
Tem frowned. She didn’t like his wording- when instead of if, implying that it was only a matter of time before it became too much for her. The last thing she wanted was Caspen thinking she was incapable of adjusting to his world. “It’s not too much. It’s just a lot. There’s a difference.”
And there was so much more. Tem had barely begun to scratch the surface of basilisk culture. There were a thousand unanswered questions, and never enough time to ask them. “When will I learn how to petrify?”
To her surprise, Caspen frowned. “You will not learn to petrify.”
“Why not?” Insecurity cut through her. “Don’t you think I can do it?”
“Of course you can do it.”
“Then why won’t you teach me?”
They reached their chambers and sat on the bed.
When Caspen didn’t answer, Tem insisted, “I want to learn.”
He shook his head. “You will not learn from me.”
“But why?”
“Tem.” He looked her in the eye. “It is a terrible thing to take a life.”
“But you do it all the time.”
Darkness flashed over Caspen’s face, and Tem knew immediately that she’d struck a nerve. He looked away. “I do it only when necessary,” he said quietly.
She reached for him. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Caspen placed his hand over hers. “I am not offended. It is true that I have had more than my fair share of kills. But you must know I do not relish it. I regret most of them, and I do not want the same for you.” He paused, staring into the fire before whispering, “I would not have you become a monster.”
Tem’s grip on him tightened. “You’re not a monster.”
A grim smile twisted his lips. “Perhaps not to you.”
The fire crackled. Neither of them spoke.
Tem tried to see where he was coming from. She supposed it made sense that Caspen wouldn’t want her to feel the same regret he did. He wanted her to retain this last strand of morality. But it was not his decision to make. And it didn’t change the fact that she wanted to learn how to do it. It was a part of her that was still undiscovered-something all other basilisks knew how to do. Tem didn’t want to be the last to know. Not again.
She waited an appropriate amount of time before asking, “Can’t you teach me how to do it on an animal?”
Caspen shook his head. “Petrification is not effective on animals. They are our peers. It is only for-“
“Humans. Right. Of course.” Tem sighed. She should have known that would be the case.
Caspen brushed a curl from her face. “I did not mean that as an insult, love.”
Tem sighed again. “I’m just tired,” she whispered. “One minute I’m doing just fine, and then the next…”