Kiss of the Basilisk (Split or Swallow, #1)

by Lindsay Straube

Tem rolled onto her side with a sigh. She stared at the palms of her hands, which were sprinkled with freckles. The tiny dots of pigment trailed from the end of one palm to the other, forming a pattern across her skin not unlike a constellation.

shes def part snake

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;

not her getting the serphent king himself whaaaaaat omg

The same hiss she had heard during her first night in the cave returned now. It filled the stone room, echoing around them in an endless loop, growing louder with every stroke. “Faster, Tem.” Maybe Tem was imagining it, but it didn’t sound like an instruction to her. It sounded like a plea, like he was begging her instead of telling her. Tem went faster. Caspen’s jaw was clenched, his fingers digging deep into her skin. His breath hitched with each stroke, and she knew he was close to finishing. But how to get him there? She remembered the church—the way Vera had dipped into Jonathan’s lap. She remembered what Caspen had said about how the head was sensitive to a man. So Tem leaned down. Immediately, Caspen grabbed her by the chin, pulling her face up to his.

okay there is something going on here i wonder if they are mates he cant do this with everyone???? like???

There was nothing to say, so neither of them spoke. But Tem felt an overwhelming understanding sweep over her like a tidal wave. In it, she felt Caspen’s satisfaction as if it were her own. His approval was undeniable; he was looking at her like he wanted to devour her, like she was the single most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

hey dadddyyyyyyy 😏😏😏

Caspen shrugged. “It is a natural reaction. I am not offended.” Tem nodded, although she wasn’t sure she believed him. Her mother’s warning was still fresh in her mind. “I…like it when you touch me,” she said quietly. The basilisk smiled fully, baring his teeth in the flickering firelight. It was a feral smile—one of triumph and victory. “I know you do.”

ahhhhhhh

Vera’s face contorted into a sneer. She and Gabriel had never gotten along—possibly because he was friends with Tem, possibly because he always somehow ended up kissing the boys Vera liked. Either way, they hated each other. “There’s no need to be rude,” she hissed. “I know there’s no need. I’m rude because I want to be.” Vera didn’t bother with a retort before flouncing haughtily away.

vera is such a fucking cunt

With her other hand, she reached between his legs, pressing her palm against his cock—not even stroking it yet—just feeling how hard he was for her. She wrapped her fingers around it, pulling him even closer. “Fuck me, Caspen,” she breathed. “Not tonight, Tem,” he said against her lips. Tem didn’t understand. She wanted to have sex. She was ready to have sex. But for some reason, Caspen was withholding it from her. He defined the boundaries of their relationship—if it even was a relationship. But Tem knew it was. She knew they had crossed a line somewhere, probably the first night they met, when she’d asked him to undress and she’d touched herself in front of him. She was not just his student, and he was not just her teacher. They were more than that. They had to be. “Please,” she said as she tilted her hips, pulling his fingers deeper. “Do not ask me again.” His voice was strained—he was begging her.

ohhhhhh my god AH

She spent the next hour tracking down each girl left in the competition, subtly steering the topic toward their time in the caves, the twist in her chest becoming tighter with each conversation. They were all having sex. Every single one of them. Which meant that Tem was the only girl whose basilisk wasn’t fucking her. It felt like the surprise elimination all over again, like she was the ugliest girl in the room—like she was the girl that nobody wanted. Tem’s insecurities curled around her like vines, squeezing her stomach and compressing her lungs. How long had the other girls been having sex? Since the first night in the caves? But no—Vera had said that her basilisk didn’t even touch her that night. So at least they were equal in that. But it didn’t matter. They’d been unequal every day since, and Tem was once again the least experienced girl in the room. Suddenly she couldn’t breathe. She needed to get away from all these people, and she needed to do it now.

TEMMM PLZ RELAX

When Tem opened her eyes, they were filled with tears. Perhaps she shouldn’t have bothered; perhaps communication with Caspen was contingent on his consent, and she was wasting her time trying to speak to someone who didn’t wish to speak to her. It was utterly unfair. She was sick and tired of choices being made for her. She was sick and tired of Caspen holding all the power. A wave of frustration swept through her, and she stood up, screaming his name to the stars as if she could shake them from the sky: CASPEN! Silence. And then: There is no need to yell, Tem.

And a OOP

Tem lay there, naked, the claw still clamped around her neck. The afterglow of their orgasms was so strong, she barely heard Caspen when he asked: Did you like that? His voice was a purr.

yes daddy

Tem couldn’t help but smile. She lay there for a while longer until she became cold. She sat up slowly, and when Caspen didn’t protest, she crawled up to the head of her bed. When Tem went to place the claw in her bedside drawer, she heard: Stop. She paused, her hand out. I may want you again. Anticipation rushed through Tem. Eagerly, she slipped the claw back inside her. It went easily; she was still wet. Then she pulled the blankets up and, despite her excitement, fell straight to sleep. Caspen had her twice more that night.

CASPEN!!!!

All she could think about was having sex with him. If she could’ve run back to the cave to fuck him all over again, she would’ve. Patience, Tem. He was amused. She was restless. Night finally fell, and it was time for the festival.

I know thats right YES LAWD

Tem rolled her eyes. “Would you please behave? This is hard enough without you gawking at him like he’s some kind of deity.” “Have you seen him? He is some kind of deity.” “For Kora’s sake.” “I’ve never seen a more beautiful man.” Tem sighed. Neither had she. “I can’t believe you get to have sex with him.” Tem sighed again. Neither could she.

Same girl same