Page 120 of Between Two Kings

He kissed her tenderly, his mind cradling hers. Smoke rose from his shoulders, but he didn’t begin to transition. Instead, he moved without hurry, sliding his fingers gently inside her, exploring every inch of her center as if it were brand-new to him. Tem unwound beneath his touch, allowing him to see her as she was seeing him: vulnerable and defenseless.

When she was ready for his cock, he gave it to her.

He was nestled between her legs, his face in front of hers. They both knew they would remain this way, that they would see it through together.

I will not let them take you.

I know. She believed him. She always believed him.

You are mine.

And you’re mine.

Tem would not let anyone take Caspen away either. Spending time around the basilisks had changed her too. She was stronger now. Surer. Tem once thought that the ritual was the biggest gesture she could give to Caspen. But now their bond was deeper, and she knew there was no limit to what she would do for him. No height was too high, no distance too vast. Caspen was willing to cross lines for her. Tem was willing too.

Caspen’s eyes had long since turned black. His hands were everywhere—skimming over her breasts, brushing down her hips, massaging her clitoris in time with his thrusts. Tem knew they would come together. She knew it as surely as she knew the sun would rise in the morning. When it finally happened, she kept her eyes open so she could see him come too. Tem noticed every detail: the way his neck tensed in the moment just before climax, the way his grip tightened on the back of her head, the sounds he made as he watched her come too.

Everything about it felt right…but something about it felt final.

When they awoke the next morning, Caspen kissed every inch of her body as if he wanted to memorize it. Tem felt his reverence in the way his lips brushed against her skin, reminding her with each gentle stroke that she was loved, that she was treasured, that she was home.

“Caspen,” she whispered eventually. “I need to take Gabriel home.”

“He is with Damon. He is safe.”

But Tem was still worried. The night had ended in disaster. This was supposed to be their opportunity to bring the humans and the basilisks together, to establish some common ground. Instead, Gabriel had seen dissent within ranks—he had been put in danger. It was unacceptable to Tem.

“He could have gotten hurt.”

“But he did not. He spent the night with a basilisk on the final day of mating season,” Caspen said. “That has implications.”

Tem sat up. “What implications, exactly?”

Now Caspen hesitated. “The point of mating season is to choose a mate.”

A beat of silence passed.

“So?”

“So…my brother chose Gabriel.”

“What?”

Caspen placed his hands on her shoulders. “Calm down, Tem.”

“Calm down? But what does this mean? Are they…bound?”

There were so many rules in basilisk society, so many sneaky catches. For all she knew, Gabriel and Damon were practically married now.

“There is no bond other than an emotional one,” Caspen said quickly. “Their connection is symbolic. Damon made his choice, but Gabriel does not have to reciprocate. He is free to accept or reject that choice as he sees fit.”

It was a disaster. Of course Gabriel would accept. She’d seen the way he looked at Damon, the way they’d looked at each other. It would be the single greatest thrill of Gabriel’s life to find out that a basilisk chose him as his mate. There was no bigger accolade.

“Tem,” Caspen said, pulling her closer. “There is no cause for alarm.”

“Of course there is,” she snapped. “I’m very alarmed. And I’m angry with you. You were supposed to keep him safe. We were supposed to keep him safe. This was not supposed to happen.”

“Nothing has happened. He is safe.”