Page 79 of Entranced By the Basilisks

I hadn’t expected last night to happen. I’d only assumed that we’d go out, giving Jasper and Emilia the opportunity to unwind, but it would seem that the best unwinding happened when we got back.

I’ll need to start stocking blankets in my room so I don’t have to steal them off another bed like I had last night. After Emilia had come down from the mind-blowing sex we’d shared, she started to get nervous. Makes sense that in the satiation of our bodies she’d feel awkward.

Jasper had surprised me. For all the times he’s climbed out of my bed right after we’d fucked, last night he hadn’t. Instead, he’d pulled Emilia down to the padding to spoon, disrupting whatever actions her nerves would have her take and settling her.

His actions mean something. They mean that he wants what I’m planning.

And for the first time in our relationship, I was given the gift of falling asleep curled around Jasper. That I’d stroked Emilia’s soft skin until her breath lengthened with sleep was more than I thought possible.

My plan is working.

“I trust you.”I miss a beat at the memory of Emilia’s words. The stab of guilt is quick, but I push it down. It’s a good thing, a fantastic thing that she trusts me. It’s more than I thought possible so quick.

She trusts me… and I’m keeping things from her. From Jasper too…

I purse my lips and continue with the food preparation.

I should tell them… but if I do, will they stay?

The wave of fear at that possibility is too much and I lock it away before it can cascade away from me. I breathe through the tension racking my chest until only calm remains.

I can’t tell them. Not yet.

Our relationship has barely started. Emilia should have a moment of calm before she has everything heaved up again. She should feel established in our triad before being upset.

But time is running out. The clock started the moment that the douche canoe—I got that term from the internet—Dietrich realized what Emilia is and that she’s unbonded.

I swallow against the urge to rush. The sand is slipping through my hands, but for the first time in centuries I have a home with family, and I will not allow that to be rushed.

And if that means keeping the truth about Emilia’s condition from the two people I care about most, so be it.

34

JASPER

A rustle hasmy eyes opening. Heat and sleep make my limbs heavy and languorous, but I’m awake enough to notice Emilia trying to slide from my arms. She’s scooching away from me bit by bit so as to not wake me.

“Good morning,” I say, the smile that stretches my lips comes easier than usual as if her added body heat, or the comfort of cuddling up to someone, has taken all the starch from my personality. It can’t last, but I’ll enjoy the ease while it’s there.

Her head snaps up, eyes wide. “Uh… good morning.”

My smile fades and my heart starts to fall in my chest at the deer-in-the-headlights look she’s giving me.

“Are you okay?” I ask, swallowing in memory and consideration before asking, “Was last night too much?”

Emilia looks away as if embarrassed.

“Of course not.” Her voice goes up an octave and pain stabs my fallen heart.

Inhibitions and walls had been broken down last night. In the light of day, Emilia is back to avoiding my gaze. It hurts worse now.

She’d said last night that it wasn’t fear that drove her to avoid my eyes, but in the light of day, I’m not sure that’s true.

Is she regretting everything? Our kiss that triggered the instinct? My tasting of her? The way I’d held her body to be taken by Ari? I distract myself from the more graphic memories and open my mouth. To say what, I don’t know.

“I need a shower,” she squeaks and dashes from the room, naked.

Leaving the beating in my chest broken and alone.

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