Chapter Twenty
Everyone in the courtyard froze.
Tem followed Caspen’s gaze to the far wall, where something had been scrawled on the stone. Four words, indisputably written in blood.
Give her to us.
There was a single, hair-raising moment of silence. Then, pandemonium.
The courtyard erupted into chaos as Caspen grabbed Tem by the waist and yanked her toward the passageway. The last thing she saw before the crowd swallowed them was Damon doing the same with Gabriel.
“Where are we going?” Tem cried.
“Our chambers. We will be safe there.”
“But Gabriel—”
“Damon will protect him.”
Somehow, Tem knew he was right. If the way they’d bonded tonight was any indication, there was no safer person for Gabriel to be with.
“I don’t understand,” Tem stammered. “What happened?”
“They are warning us,” Caspen replied, his voice low. He was still steering her quickly through the passageway.
“Who is?”
“The Senecas.”
Tem couldn’t help but think of the message on the church steps: Feed us. The similarities were striking—both demands, both desperate.
“If we don’t give you to them,” Caspen continued, “they will take you.”
She remembered what Caspen had told her on the first night of mating season: They feel they are owed your allegiance.
“How can they take me?”
Caspen didn’t answer. They had reached their chambers, and he nearly pushed Tem onto the bed.
“Caspen,” she cried as he wrapped his arms around her, crushing her protectively against his chest. He only held her tighter. Their minds were still intertwined, and a torrent of fear and possession raged inside his head.
“Caspen.” She touched his face, looking him in the eye. “I’m fine. I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere.”
They held eye contact, and Tem saw just how truly worried he was for her.
Up until tonight, she’d taken his stoicism for granted.
But now she understood how deeply this affected him.
Their relationship was constantly under threat—from the Senecas, from Leo, from his own brother.
It was a daily battle simply to hold on to each other when everything around them was tearing them apart.
“I cannot lose you, Tem,” Caspen whispered.
“You won’t. I promise.”
He looked her in the eyes.
Everything was always fast and brutal between them—passion in favor of rationality.
But now, Tem savored the time between when they locked eyes and Caspen’s lips finally touched hers.
They kissed like it was the first time: slow and sensual and intimate.
Tem missed this side of Caspen. His rough edges were even rougher under the mountain, almost as if his proximity to his people hardened him.
She didn’t begrudge him his true nature, but sometimes she missed the side of him that was soft with her—she was happy to see that side again now.
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.”
“He’s Damon’s mate!”
“Only if he wants to be.”
But Tem just shook her head. Caspen wasn’t getting it.
To him, nothing had gone wrong. Gabriel was intact; Tem’s friend had survived the night.
But Tem didn’t want Gabriel to become caught up in her world.
The point of the evening had been to mend relations between the humans and the basilisks, not to find Gabriel a mate.
She closed her eyes, trying to calm down.
“Tem,” Caspen said gently. “I promise you Gabriel is not in any danger. The mating bond is not like the blood bond. It consists only of emotion—there is no magic involved. Gabriel is not tied to Damon in any way. He may walk away a free man if he chooses.”
Tem tried to believe him, but panic was cinching her throat. She hadn’t expected this, hadn’t thought that taking Gabriel under the mountain would mean indoctrinating him into basilisk society. It was the last thing she wanted for him. “Why did you let him stay the night in the first place?”
Caspen gave her a long, knowing look. “Because I could see how Damon felt about him.”
“Everyone feels that way about Gabriel, Caspen. He’s irresistible.”
He shook his head. “My brother’s feelings are genuine, Tem. He does not fall easily.”
Tem stared at him. He was being sincere; she could tell. But it didn’t change the fact that she needed to get Gabriel out of here. “Will you take me to him?”
Caspen nodded.
The journey to Damon’s chambers was a short one.
Caspen didn’t knock on his door; it seemed no one bothered to do that around here.
Gabriel and Damon were on the bed, their lanky bodies curled around each other.
Tem realized in that moment that she’d never seen Gabriel when he was sleeping.
He looked completely at ease, his golden curls tousled, his arm draped over Damon’s chest. The sight warmed her heart.
“Gabriel.” She touched his shoulder. “Wake up.”
His eyes opened slowly. “Tem,” he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. “What is it?”
“I’m taking you home.” As she said the words, some part of her wondered if he was already home.
Damon’s arms tightened around Gabriel. He pressed his lips to his neck. “Will you return?”
Gabriel looked up at Tem, silently seeking permission. But Tem found no need to give it. She understood that their relationship was out of her hands. Instead, she looked at Damon, speaking into his mind: Are your feelings for him sincere?
They are.
Why should I believe you?
Damon looked at Gabriel, who looked at him. Gabriel gave him a dazzling smile, which Damon returned. He is like sunlight.
He didn’t elaborate, but Tem knew exactly what he meant. Gabriel had been her sunlight her entire life. Perhaps it was time to let him shine elsewhere.
I’m choosing to trust you with him. Don’t make me regret it.
In response, Damon kissed him.
Tem watched them together, her heart full, her body warm. When they drew apart, she took Gabriel’s hand in hers as they retrieved his clothing in the cave before walking to the head of the trail. Gabriel stood by as Caspen pulled Tem into his arms.
“Will I see you back here before dinner?” he murmured against her neck. It felt like the question Damon had just asked Gabriel: Will you return?