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October 3 - October 6, 2025
“You hold the stars in your hands,” her mother had always said, rubbing Tem’s fingers between hers. “Just like your father.”
When she finally slept, she dreamed of fire. It didn’t burn her. Rather, it warmed her gently, from the tips of her toes to the base of her skull. The fire felt familiar somehow, as if it were sent by someone she had known a long time ago. Flames licked her fingers, her palms, her arms. A single breath brushed her cheek. Then it was over.
If what he said was true, it meant that Caspen was the Serpent King: the legendary basilisk whose power was far superior to all the others. His reputation was exemplary in the village; people talked about him like he was a god. Tem had the most coveted teacher.
“Like I said, it will connect us. I can make it…pulse.” “Pulse?” He smiled, and she melted. “When it pulses, you will know I am thinking of you.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. His next words were barely a whisper. “You are not meant to be tamed, Tem.”
“I hate that you have this much power over me.” To her surprise, he laughed. “What’s so funny?” His grin only widened. “Of the two of us, I am not the one with the power, Tem.”
If you remove it, would you…give me another? The pause was longer this time. Tem could physically feel the seconds ticking by. I would give you anything you asked for, Tem.
“Am I not allowed to protect you?” he murmured. “You are,” she murmured back. “I just didn’t realize you wanted to.” Caspen held her gaze. “Protecting you is only the beginning of what I want to do.”
He wanted her more than life itself because a life without her wasn’t one he cared to live.
She saw how they had been balancing on a treacherously thin knife’s edge ever since the night they met, and Caspen was finally done fighting the inevitable. She was his sun. He revolved around her.
“This is not just a necklace,” he said softly. “Then what is it?” Caspen paused, his fingers stroking the charm. “It is…a gesture of intent.” Tem frowned. “Intent to what?” His eyes found hers. “To marry you.”
“Tem,” he said firmly. “I do not trust myself.” “I trust you.” Caspen only shook his head. “I have done nothing to earn it.” “But you love me,” she said again. “My love for you is my burden to bear.”
She yanked herself from his grasp. “Then why did you let it happen?” “Because I am weak.” Caspen practically yelled it. Tem stepped back in shock. He stepped closer. “I am weak when it comes to you, Tem. I cannot control my actions. I cannot follow logic or reason. All I think about is you. I wonder what you are doing and who you are doing it with. I obsess over every moment you are with the human prince, and I want to rip his head from his shoulders every time he touches you. It is not rational. It is not acceptable. But it is my reality, and there is nothing I can do about it.”
“Temptation? Is that what I am?” His grip tightened on her shoulders. “Temptation, salvation, heaven, hell—you are everything, Tem. You are my undoing. You are beyond comprehension. There are no sufficient words to describe you, either in my language or yours.” His hands moved to her face, cupping her jaw. “My compass points to you. I could not change direction even if I wanted to.”
They left the bar together, all linking arms. Gabriel extracted himself with some difficulty before saluting them with a flourish. “It’s been a pleasure, gentlemen.” “I’m a lady,” Tem said. “Barely.” She smacked his chest. Leo held her back. “That’s our best man you’re accosting.” “That would require a wedding,” Tem insisted.
“Only rich people have scars from carriage accidents.” “I am a rich person, Tem.” “Don’t remind me. It’s one of your more abysmal qualities.”
