Entranced by the Basilisks (Monstrous Matches, #3)

by Lillian Lark

But Emilia Rivera’s total avoidance of looking me in the eye causes an itch of discomfort. Always has.

well... talk to her boi

That doesn’t even cover the impact of his gaze. Eye contact with Ari Zeyad is arresting, hypnotizing, powerful.

i truly don't think I would survive Ari's gaze 🫠

His smile is wide and his fangs flash.

Do I have a thing for fangs? Yes I do

Nothing is right. The world is broken. Director Adder is collaring my throat, staring into my eyes, and I can’t look away.

we love a nice necklace😌✨

I’d been curious what it would be like to make eye contact with my restoration expert, and the reality of it obliterated any expectation.

you cannot expect me ro read this and NOT BLUSH!!

Her presence is the thunderous new beginning we needed. The Goddess has delivered me a blessing, a way to finally convince Jasper that we can have a mating. A way to create a unit.

sight of her still is a vise around my heart. This is bad.

The sensation of meeting a person and feeling like they’re the connection you’ve been missing for lifetimes.

Me w/Christopher

Emilia belongs with us. I feel it in my bones, see it in the way that Jasper watches her too closely, but Chosen have always had the final decision about their matches.

I drop the charming act and let Mrs. Rivera see the graveness I feel for the situation. The weight of losing the man I love and the woman I’ve only met but know to the core of my being will complete us. “I’ve been alone for a long time, and I recognize the opportunity not to be. I won’t ruin that for anything.” Not with Jasper’s fearful reticence or Emilia’s need for normalcy.

Lilian loves fo write Mastermind guys, which honestly I love. Like Taylor once said "I'm only cryptic and machiavellian 'cause I care"

“Where there’s a will…”

I lovethis woman HAAHAHA

“I can’t do this right now,” I whisper. One thing at a time. “Okay,” he says and steps back. There’s no disappointment on his face, only acceptance and patience. “There’s no rush, but that’s what I’m after.” I swallow. “I’ll let you finish packing,” Ari says. He turns to leave and stops at the door. “Just know, Emilia, you have nothing to fear between us. We will do whatever it is you want to do. I will not push you. You and Jasper are under my protection, and I take my responsibility for your care very seriously.”

All the years we’ve spent together, and I’ve never picked up on this craving of his to be needed. How tempted he is by Emilia because she needs him. Doesn’t he know that I need him too?

Emilia inspires a pang of hunger in me, an ache. I should run as fast and far from the situation that is brewing among the three of us as I can, but I’m too weak to abandon this now even when I’m sure this is going to end terribly for me.

The man behind me stops squeezing my body and blows out a breath as if trying to regain his control. Control that broke because of me. Because he wants me. The revelation is stunning. His interest may not be a surprise, but the depth of it, the burn of his want, is.

If I break, I break for him, but he’ll never know that. I may not be able to hide how my body reacts to him, but he’ll never know how much further his reach extends, how embedded he is in my very soul.

I’m so fucked.

Not yet, but hopefully soon sir

I go to meet the two men that inspire a variety of emotions, with only a few of them being appropriate.

Same sis

He asked me to trust him and… I do. He undoubtedly has a strategy, but I trust him with myself and more importantly, I trust him with Emilia. He won’t do anything that will hurt her.

these 2 are so wrapped up in Ari's finger to know better, but tbh same 🤷🏼‍♀️

Ari lifts my chin with a finger and gazes directly into my eyes. “Keep your eyes open this time, darling.” His voice is a caress and I lose my train of thought for a moment.

I can't breathe

It’s almost cute the way this obviously dangerous and old creature gets so bent out of shape at Jasper missing a meal.

he just wants to take care of his mates😭

As someone who is routinely overlooked, and most of the time prefers that, it’s odd that the idea of my presence being so cataclysmic appeals to me. Maybe it’s the power of it.

I felt like a big girl reading thw word "cataclysmic"🤪

She belongs with us. She draws both of us to her. It had been all that I could do not to invade her space constantly during training. Every time I touched her it inspired an ache that I welcome. Now to convince Jasper that this is possible.

“For transparency’s sake, I want you both, but I won’t detail exactly what I want to do to the pair of you yet—” Jasper's moan is thready and a matching one almost escapes from my throat. “—I don’t want to scandalize you too soon, Emilia.” The room falls into silence for a moment before Jasper lurches away from Ari and Ari lets him.

THE GASP I GUSPEDDD

The one person who has needed me, and I’m useless to help her.

Oh honey.....

Emilia is sin when she dances. Sin and smoke, curling and bending with the music, if smoke could wrap itself around my heart and cause my cock to harden painfully. Like the masochist I am, I move with her.

She belongs to us. She is mine and Ari’s.

SAY IT WITH YOUR CHEST JASPER

Ari drives us back to his place and similar to the state of my panties, the sky is soaking the world with rain.

this is literature ppl!

Who knew the director could deep throat?

Is always the quiet ones

“That belief is precious to me.” He kisses me softly before pulling away and approaching Jasper. “Jasper, you’ve known me for years and Emilia may not be ready to say the words, but I’ve held back my true emotions too long trying to make do with what you were willing to give me. I love you, my viper.” Jasper’s face shatters in a battle of anguish and happiness, but Ari continues, “I’ve loved you since the beginning, if you can believe that. My soul saw yours and it was like coming home for the first time in a very long time.” Ari cradles Jasper’s face in his hands. “I expect you to have doubts,” he says. “I expect this to be scary, but please believe that I will do everything in my power to keep our new family together.”

Sobbing

My place is with these two.

“I was drawn to you since the very beginning,” he confesses, his hands sliding up my thighs and kneading the flesh there. His words have mine sticking in my throat, but they give way. “I’ve always reacted to you. You’re intimidating, but even the most intimidating person I’ve been able to interact with, you were always the exception. Every moment in your presence felt monumental and I didn’t know why.”

“What—” I start. “What just happened?” Ari starts laughing. “That, dear sweet Emilia, my spark, my ember, my flame, was you compelling Jasper. A skill that we haven’t even mentioned yet.” “Oh shit. I compelled you? Are you okay?” I ask. Jasper’s face is the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. “Okay?” His voice is hoarse. “She compels me to fuck her, and she asks if I’m okay?”

everytime that they say "my..." I melt🫠🫠

“I’d be honored if you mothered me,” I say.

him craving a family and needing guidence in this moment and Mrs. Rivera being there for him bc she knows they will become family IS JUST SO FUCKING CUTEEE😭😭😭💕💕💕

There’s a craving in my soul that I know would be solved by her and everything hurts.

I will give Emilia anything she asks for.

“I love you,” I repeat. He squeezes his eyes closed tight, but it doesn’t hide the moisture that lines his lashes. “Please.” His voice is a pained rasp. “Please, be sure. I can’t lose you again. I can’t wonder if you’re going to make your way back to us.”

“I’m sure. You’re mine. You both are.” “I love you too, Emilia. I love your wry sense of humor, your wicked needs, and your bravery. My heart beats for you and it only took a curse to unravel my control enough to feel it.” I swallow. “Not a curse.” “No?” “A new beginning.”

All I have left to offer is myself. This is an inconvenient time to have an identity crisis.

Oh honey....