Page 143 of Split or Swallow

Caspen let her set the pace, kissing softly up her neck as she rode him. Tem used his shoulders to steady herself, gripping his warm skin while establishing a rhythm. She loved having sex like this: slowly, intimately. Caspen liked it too. He gazed at her with unfiltered adoration, pulling her closer every chance he could. His hands touched every part of her, brushing up her hips to caress her breasts, holding his palms flat so she could press her nipples against them each time she arched her back. He understood her implicitly, without being asked. He knew she wanted to gain experience—to learn what her body liked—to use him to do it. There was no ego when it came to her pleasure. Both of them wanted her to enjoy it.

Tem was getting close. Her clitoris was tender; her nipples were hard. She was thrusting quickly now, riding him desperately, eager to come. Caspen’s fingers wound around the back of her neck. His other hand gripped her ass, yanking her hips against his in rapid succession.

That was all it took for her.

“Caspen,” she cried.

That was all it took for him.

Their climaxes fused together, rushing forward in a ferocious wave that threatened to drown them both. Tem would never get used to this: the raw exchange of energy that only sex could draw forth. They clung to each other, gasping, as the tide of their union flowed between them. Their faces were an inch apart. Tem brushed the tip of her tongue over his bottom lip, tasting the shadow of his venom. She bit him lightly, pulling his lip into her mouth.

Harder, Tem.

She clamped down, drawing blood. Caspen let out a rough grunt, but didn’t pull away. It felt natural to Tem—she wanted to taste every part of him. She already had his venom inside her. Why not his blood too?

Tem gently sucked his lip. When she drew away she watched in fascination as the wound healed itself, just as Caspen had done for her. He smiled.

“Did you like that?”

She nodded.

“Good.”

“Did you?”

“Yes.”

“But I hurt you.”

His smile only widened. “You can do anything you like to me, Tem. Trust I will enjoy it.”

There was no mistaking the desire in Caspen’s eyes. Tem watched it slowly fade as his pupils shrank and his eyes became golden once more. He pressed a light kiss to her shoulder.

“I will walk you out,” he said.

Tem wanted to protest. She wanted to stay here, with him, forever. But she also knew that he had more pressing things to do—things that might affect their future. She supposed she had better let him do them.

Tem slid the claw back in. Caspen walked her out.

When they arrived at the head of the trail, Caspen pulled her into his arms and held her. They stood there, clasped together, his body the only thing keeping her warm.

“Will you tell me how the meeting goes?” she murmured against his chest.

“Yes,” he murmured back. “But it will run quite long. Probably until morn⁠ing.”

“Wake me up.”

“No,” he shook his head. “You need sleep.”

Tem didn’t bother protesting. He was right; she needed sleep. It had been a harrowing twenty four hours, and her adrenaline was running low. The thought of her cozy cottage bed was exceedingly appealing, and the thought of falling asleep even more so. Caspen must have sensed this, because he kissed her on her forehead and said:

“Go, Tem.”

Tem went.

On the walk home, she realized she had no idea whether she was still in the competition—she’d left the castle before Leo had announced the final five girls. Now her heart performed a nervous swoop as she considered what the future might hold. She was one step away from being engaged to Caspen. But what if the council punished him? Or worse, punished her? Tem knew nothing of the ways of basilisks. If there were ramifications for an engagement such as theirs, she had no hope of predicting what they might be.

And then there was Leo.