Page 193 of Split or Swallow

Tem tried to see the emotion, but found that she could not. Instead she could only feel it, concern and apprehension lacing into her as surely as if they were her own emotions. When she probed further, she realized the worry was surrounding her. Not the version of her that was currently inside Caspen’s mind—but the version of Tem he thought about when she wasn’t around. He was worried about her. Although, that wasn’t quite right—it was more that he was worried for her. Perhaps because of the ritual. But Tem had a feeling it had nothing to do with tomorrow’s events. It was a broader worry—a deep echo of uneasiness that bordered on fear. Fear for her.

Tem.

Caspen was awake. His voice boomed around her in the same way it had when they’d stood in front of the mirror together. She felt his consciousness join hers, and suddenly she was not the only one active in his mind. When he opened his eyes, Tem saw what he saw, which was her own body kneeling on the bed beside him. She was struck once more by the way he perceived her, as if she were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. His gaze traveled over her hungrily, taking in the curve of her hips and the way her hair curled gently around her shoulders.

Tem was in two places at once—his mind and her body—and she found that she had control in both. She smiled, and a bright surge of joy shot through Caspen’s mind. He reached for her, threading his fingers into her hair and pulling her face down to his. When their lips touched, Tem felt what he felt when he kissed her: pure, aching desire. She kissed him back, savoring the hunger that flooded his mind as he pulled her even closer. Caspen’s hands went to her body, his palms flat against her skin to feel as much of her as possible. Every time she moaned, a wave of lust overtook him. It was a wonder he didn’t tear her apart.

The kiss deepened.

Caspen rolled on top of her, nestling himself into the cradle of her hips. Tem spread her legs to accommodate him, and as soon as she did so, the worry vanished from his mind. His only focus was her: he only wanted more. Still, he didn’t initiate sex. He followed her lead, letting Tem set the pace, letting her determine when and how things progressed. Tem felt firsthand the restraint it took for him to go slowly. She saw how his gaze lingered on certain parts of her body—her neck, her collarbones, her lips—how he concentrated on a single thought every time he came close to losing control:

Keep her safe.

He thought it over and over, relentlessly, whenever Tem’s naked body became too much for him to resist.

Keep her safe. Keep her safe. Keep her safe.

It was extraordinary to experience him this way. He was utterly enamored with Tem—nothing mattered to him except for her experience. His pleasure came from her pleasure. Anything she did turned him on; the mere thought of her was enough to harden his cock.

He palmed her breasts, and she watched as her cheeks flushed.

Caspen groaned at the sight.

See what you do to me?

He was addressing her now, within his own mind. Tem still didn’t know how to answer him when they were joined like this. So she used her body to communicate, pulling him closer and kissing him on the lips. Heat flared all around her.

Perfect, perfect girl.

Tem only kissed him harder.

Caspen slipped a finger inside her, then another. Tem felt her own wetness—how soft and inviting her center was to him. He touched her gently, dipping ever deeper, adjusting his technique based on the sounds she made. He knew her body intimately—knew exactly what to do to make her moan. He bit her earlobe, she yelped, and he bit it again.

Something was brewing in the back of his mind now: something dangerous. Tem recognized it as the part of him that wanted to transition—the part that want⁠ed to shed his human form and rip into her with no regard for consequences.

Keep her safe.

The words were quiet—strained. It was becoming more difficult to follow them.

Tem realized she had some power here: she could help him resist his instincts. She placed her palms on his torso, pushing him away and creating distance between them. Caspen let her do this. Then she took the hand that wasn’t inside her and brushed the tip of her tongue over his fingertips. She was distracting him—forcing him to focus on something that wasn’t sex. The monster inside him settled, content to watch her as she sucked gently on his first two fingers. Caspen leaned forward, pushing them deeper into her mouth, all the way to the back of her throat. Tem closed her eyes, letting him penetrate her this way—letting him feel how far she could take him.

Look at you.

For once, Tem could do so. She watched herself through Caspen’s eyes, seeing everything he saw—seeing everything he loved. She felt how warm and wet her mouth was—how proud he was that she willingly took any part of him inside her. There was ownership in his gaze, but not control. He didn’t want to dominate her; he only wanted her all to himself. It was no different, really, than the way she felt about him. Tem wanted Caspen to belong to her and her alone.

I already told you, Tem. You have me.

Caspen withdrew his fingers from her mouth and pressed his lips there instead. His cock was completely hard, and Tem wrapped her palm around it, beginning to pull him inside her. Caspen followed willingly, and the moment he was all the way in, she finally understood what it was like for him to fuck her.

It was pleasure like she’d never known. It was so much bigger for him—so much more. Basilisks experienced sex on a spiritual level—one that humans couldn’t hope to comprehend. It was as if he wasn’t complete until he was inside her, as if only a fraction of himself existed without Tem. She felt the way he listened to her body, adjusting his movements based on cues as subtle as her heartbeat. Even her skin told a story. Caspen’s fingertips sensed every bead of sweat, every goosebump, every tiny variation in temperature. He knew she was about to orgasm before she did; he could hear the difference in the cadence of her breath. Of all the things Caspen had taught her, Tem never thought she’d be learning how to have sex with herself. It was extraordinary.

Caspen propped himself up on his elbows so he could watch her face with every thrust. Tem stared back at him, her expression open and trusting and at ease. She was happy and fulfilled in his arms; she was at peace. Nothing brought him more pride than seeing her that way. There was no greater honor than being inside her.

The monster was rapidly returning. Smoke seeped off Caspen in black swirls. When they skimmed Tem’s body, they were an extension of him—touching her like his hands would—feeling her just the same as he did with his fingers. The hiss that filled the air was deafening from within his mind. Tem almost wanted to cover her ears. But the imminence of orgasm was far more pressing. As it built in her, it built in Caspen, and Tem could feel how unstoppable the force of a basilisk’s climax truly was. He would not transition; he would keep her safe. But he also would⁠n’t hold back a single ounce of the pleasure that threatened to shatter the confines of his human form.

At the very last moment, Caspen pushed her from his mind.

It wasn’t because he no longer wanted her there—rather, it was so she could experience the orgasm he’d worked so hard to give her. Tem returned to her own mind just as her climax hit, and she gasped as the first moments of pleasure reverberated through her body. She looked up at Caspen, who was looking down at her.