Page 174 of Split or Swallow
There was no way she could do this—no way she could mount a father the same way she mounted his son. Tem had always known how the basilisks valued sex. But this was so far beyond the scope of sanity that she was having a hard time processing it.
She looked up at Caspen.
“What happens if I don’t do it? Can we still be together?”
“We can. But…”
He faltered. Tem waited him out.
“My people will not accept you,” Caspen said finally. “They will consider you an accessory—a plaything—a—”
He paused, searching for the right word. When he finally found it, he finished quietly:
“They will look upon you as my pet, Tem.”
Rage shot through her. Tem was nobody’s pet.
“Is that the future you want for us?” she said sharply. “As owner and pet?”
“No,” he shook his head. “Of course not.”
“Then how do you suggest we proceed?”
In the pause that followed, Tem watched as a thousand emotions passed through Caspen’s eyes—regret, desire, and concern foremost among them. All he wanted was for her to be safe—for her to fit smoothly into his life without the struggles that inevitably came with their relationship. But it was not destined to be so. Now Tem knew the truth—that she would never be accepted—that she would never be able to stand beside him as his equal in the eyes of his people unless she did this single, unfathomable thing.
Caspen didn’t reply. Instead, he kissed her.
In his kiss, she felt everything he couldn’t say. She remembered the parts of her that had been stifled and miserable until the moment she’d met Caspen in the cave. Her life was empty before Caspen. He’d shown her that she was capable—that she mattered. It was a revelation Tem now believed wholeheartedly, and she was no longer willing to settle for less than she deserved. Even if that meant having no one at all.
Caspen’s lips were gentle on hers. He didn’t pull her closer or try to undress her. Tem knew he was purposefully holding back, and she was grateful for his restraint. The only advance he made was internal: she felt him tentatively brush along the edge of their connection, as if he were knocking on the door to her mind.
Tem didn’t let him in yet.
She allowed the kiss deepen first, letting Caspen slip his hands into her hair, letting him pull her body against his. His desire was obvious, and so was hers. But Tem was taking her time now. The only thing she wanted was to enjoy this kiss.
It wasn’t hard to do so.
Caspen’s hands cradled her face, holding it to his. His tongue caressed hers softly, coaxing a moan from her throat. He brushed his lips briefly to her cheek before returning to her mouth, paying her such care and attention that she felt like the only girl in the world.
Eventually, she opened her mind.
Neither of them said anything at first. Instead, Caspen’s presence curled around hers, holding her the same way his hands did: tenderly, as if she were something exceedingly precious to him. It was only when Tem let the last of her guard down that he whispered:
I love you, Tem.
Tem loved him too. Their connection was undeniable; it rippled through every inch of Tem’s body, vibrating from her head to her fingertips. She could feel her resistance slipping with every stroke of his tongue, her desire to be with him rapidly eroding her desire to be angry at him. Caspen was in her mind, and she knew he could sense this. Still, he didn’t take things further. Instead, he pulled away. They stared at each other for a long moment, the only sound the snap of the fireplace.
Caspen spoke first:
“Will you take a walk with me?”
“Where?”
“I must show you something.”
He waited until she nodded before taking her hand in his.
They entered the passageway together, and Tem immediately trained her eyes on the ground.
