Page 44 of Bitten By the Basilisk

He smoothed his hand on her shoulder down to her arm and gripped it gently, bringing up his other hand to mirror the first. “You won’t be the only outsider, and you’ll be next to me for the entire dinner.”

She recognized that he was trying to comfort and calm her, but the idea of being thrust into what she presumed was a relatively closed community, especially as someone who wasn’t even a resident of Indigo Cove and only knew one other like herself, was terrifying.

“The fact that we met yesterday is less concerning than you seem to think,” he went on, running his hands up and down her arms. “Many of the serpent-folk participating in the festival are from different nests and are not familiar with one another.”

Her heart rate slowed, but only a fraction. “What exactly does this festival entail?”

“Put in the simplest terms, it mainly functions as a way for unmated serpent-folk to meet. They’ll mingle at tonight’s gathering and decide if and whom they wish to court over the next three days.”

“Sounds like speed-dating.”

Nic was the one who answered. “Precisely. We’ve prepared a handful opportunities for unmated attendees to interact, and the town has plenty more, thanks to Hallowe’en Week. The second day is when suitors usually offer a unique gift to their desired mate. Courtship continues if the gift is accepted.”

“Don’t forget courtship challenges,” Bruno added.

Alice looked up at Silas questioningly. He stood a little taller, his shoulders pushed down, the slightest smile curving his lips. How was such an imperious look so incredibly hot? “Anyone who has attracted a suitor may specify up to three tasks their suitor must complete to earn their continued interest.”

She instantly sensed an advantage, though she was also intrigued by the notion itself. “Hmm, is that so?”

“It cannot be something unreasonable,” he clarified, having already guessed where her mind had gone.

Not that she anticipated taking part in anything past tonight’s event, of course.

But out of curiosity… “Is that it? Three days of courting and then the festival is over?”

“The evening of the third day is when the full moon rises,” Silas explained. “Once it does, everyone gathers for a final gala where suitors may perform a mating display for their desired mate.”

Her eyebrows rose. “A mating display? Like…a peacock?”

“It’s more of a dance,” Bruno grumbled.

Alice couldn’t help imagining it—Silas in his serpent form, swaying and twisting, moving to some primal rhythm, all for her. To lure and seduce her. Her heart fluttered, and so did something low in her belly.

“Only way to find out is to attend,” Silas slyly said.

She tried not to sound flustered as she asked, “And after?”

Silas’s golden gaze grew molten. “If the suitor’s display is accepted, they and their mate leave the gala together in search of privacy.”

“Oh.” She dared not press her hand over her thrumming heart and give herself away, but she had the feeling her warm cheeks had already done that. “Would that mean they’re essentially married?”

“‘Engaged’ is more accurate.” Silas squeezed her arms, his stare unwavering.

She wasn’t sure what scared her more—the fact that he was all but proposing marriage after one night, or the frisson of joy that seized her heart.

The room felt overly warm, not just because she wore a sweater and had downed half a mug of hot coffee. Her pulse was also racing.

This thing between them was proceeding way too fast. As wonderful as Silas was—as much as she wanted to spend more time with him and revel in his attention—she needed to keep in mind that he wasn’t hers.

In fact, there was a nonzero chance of seeing his red thread at tonight’s function, tying him to someone else. If that happened, she needed to have enough composure—enough emotional distance—to tell him and escape before she broke down in tears.

He’s not mine. He can’t be mine.

She couldn’t stand to go back on her word that she’d go on a second date, but she had to try one last tactic to get out of it. Her voice started out breathy, but she quickly got it under control. “Well…unless the dress code is casual, I’m afraid I don’t have anything appropriate to wear.”

That wasn’t true, as her mom would be able to lend her a formal kimono, but Alice was desperate.

Silas immediately turned to Nic. “Is that something you can take care of?”