Page 113 of Split or Swallow

Her first orgasm came out of nowhere, rearing its head so suddenly that Tem gasped in surprise as much as pleasure. She arched her hips only to be met with the hard relentlessness of his cock. True to his word, the second she came, Caspen pulled out, dipping his mouth between her legs and licking her until he had swallowed every last drop of her wetness. Then he yanked her hips against his and slid once more inside her. She was becoming one with him, their bodies conforming to each other like waves against sand.

“More,” she begged.

Caspen drew away, and for a moment, she was afraid he was displeased.

Then his hands grabbed her, lifting her and turning her so she was on her knees facing the mattress. Tem cried out as his cock entered her again. Caspen groaned, and she knew he was beyond the point of stopping. He thrust harder and harder, his hips slapping against her ass so quickly she could barely stand it. But she didn’t dare ask him to go slow—she knew he couldn’t have if he tried. Just when she was about to finish, Caspen leaned down, grabbed the base of her neck, and yanked her upright so her back was pressed against his chest.

The sudden change in position left her breathless.

“Caspen,” she gasped. “I was close.”

“I know you were,” his grip moved to her throat, turning her head to his. He spread her legs with his knees, his other hand working her clitoris rhythmically between his fingers. “I want to see your face when you come.”

“You see my face every time.”

“And it is not enough.”

He was still thrusting into her—never giving her a break—never stopping. His fingers tightened around her neck. She could barely breathe.

Let go,Tem.

Her eyes squeezed shut as she surrendered to his grip, allowing him to push her straight into oblivion. As the pendulum of her release began to swing, Caspen’s hiss filled the cave. His thrusts only quickened as his climax joined hers, and Tem felt their combined wetness begin to drip down her thighs. They shattered together.

Eventually, his thrusts slowed, then stilled.

Caspen shifted his weight backward as he pulled out of her. His hand went between her legs, gathering their cum and holding it in his palm. Tem’s breath caught in her throat as she realized what he was doing. He placed his other palm over his hand and just like last time, the fire dimmed completely before suddenly flaring back to life. Another claw was in his hand.

This time, it was made of two luminous substances instead of one.

Tem looked at it in wonder. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Two shimmering swirls combined to make a single claw. The best parts of them, joined together in one object. When Caspen held it out to her, she shook her head.

“I want you to do it.”

His mouth twitched.

Then he pulled her onto his lap so she was straddling him. Slowly, keeping his eyes on her the entire time, he slid the thicker end of the claw inside her. She stayed steady, holding onto his shoulders as he worked it all the way in. When it was fully inserted, Caspen wrapped his arms around her, burying his head against her neck and breathing in her scent.

“Stay with me today,” he murmured into her hair.

Tem smiled against his skin.

“I can’t. I have to get back to the farm. The festival begins tonight.”

At her words, Caspen stiffened.

Too late, Tem realized what she had said. The festival was a way to commemorate the basilisks’ defeat. It was not a topic she should have brought up around him.

“I’m sorry—” she said quickly, “—I didn’t think—”

Stop.

He said the word in her mind, and Tem immediately stopped.

I do not hold you responsible for the sins of your ancestors.

Tem wasn’t sure how to respond. Caspen may not hold her responsible, but it was impossible to extricate her from the past. She was only here because the basilisks were meant to train the prince’s future wife. Their relationship was a product of the sins of her ancestors.

“The festival is stupid anyway,” she murmured.