Page 63 of Bitten By the Basilisk

“I’ve hardly thought about it, actually,” Alice said before sending Silas a cheeky look that wiped away his irritation. “Been pretty preoccupied with other things.”

Warmth bloomed in his chest. He slipped the tip of his tail a little higher, up to her knee, earning him a reaction subtle enough to go unnoticed by anyone but him as Alice drew in a deep breath and sat a little straighter.

Stars above, she was such a lovely creature. Not only stunningly dressed, but handily holding her own against his father’s foul mood, which Gabriel’s fear of losing face had barely kept in check so far.

Nearly every moment since she’d arrived had been a fierce battle against his instinct to claim her. While he had managed to keep his fangs sheathed and his cocks contained, both areas throbbed with stinging heat.

He nearly hadn’t listened to his better judgment after adorning her in the jewelry set aside for his bride-dowry. The need to sink his fangs into her sparkling, fragrant skin and rut her upon the ottoman had thrummed in his veins.

His cloacal muscles had been holding his vent shut for so long that they were starting to ache and tire. He didn’t dare imagine how easily he could insinuate his tail between her thighs, right then and there, and rub the blunt tip against the no doubt swollen mound of her sex until her slick soaked her panties.

In fact, if he dared even to consider making her come when she couldn’t let her pleasure show, his cocks would instantly extrude, and he would embarrass not only himself but everyone around him.

Thankfully, the pair of guests who would sit next to Alice arrived just in time to distract him. Not only were Isaac and Una a love match, but Isaac was one of only a few serpent-folk of Silas’s acquaintance whose mate was an outsider.

“Good evening,” they greeted, both beaming. Isaac bowed gallantly as Una performed a curtsy. Both wore sapphire-blue attire.

“I trust you’re well, Basilisk,” Isaac said, laying his hand over his heart.

“Never been better,” Silas replied as he returned the gesture.

“Mr. and Mrs. Stone. Wonderful to see you both.”

Gabriel, now looking more uncomfortable than upset, gave Isaac a nod. When Isaac had decided to court Una, Gabriel had tried to talk him out of it, questioning whether the selkie—and, by extension, her kin—would be able to integrate into the nest.

Though Vesta wore an outwardly pleasant smile, the way she was glancing expectantly between Gabriel and the couple looked suspiciously like schadenfreude.

“You must be Alice,” Una said once she’d taken her seat. “I can’t tell you how nice it is to see a new face. I’m Una, and this handsome snake is Isaac.”

“Pleasure to meet you both,” Alice replied, dipping her head.

“I swear I’m at the spa every week. Your mother is such a kind soul.”

Alice smiled softly. “She is.”

Una would have continued chatting with Alice if the server hadn’t returned to pour them champagne.

“None for me, thank you,” Una said, covering her empty flute. The server smiled and moved on.

“Oh, how have you been feeling, dear?” his mother asked her. “Any queasiness?”

Una shook her head. “Not anymore.”

Alice caught on quickly. “You’re pregnant? Congratulations.”

The selkie smiled her thanks. She and Isaac had welcomed their first child three years ago, and a second would be arriving in the spring.

“Do you know yet if it’s a boy or a girl?” his mother asked.

“It’s still too early, but Cillian really wants a little sister,” Una replied, resting her hand on her middle.

Like its older sibling, the one waiting to be born would have traits from both of its parents. Not only would it be capable of shifting into half-snake form the same as any serpent-folk, but it would also be an instinctual swimmer with a truly enviable resistance to the cold.

Isaac smiled proudly as he laid his hand on Una’s leg. “I just hope this one takes after its beautiful mother.”

“How soon do you think we could expect a pregnancy announcement from you, Alice?” his mother then asked.

Alice’s smile froze in place.