Page 67 of Bitten By the Basilisk

Silas straightened with pride. “I enjoyed the challenge.”

“Mm, speaking of challenges,” Una said, drawing Alice’s attention with a gentle touch on her arm. “Has anyone explained courtship challenges to you yet?”

Alice snuck a look at Silas, who was taking his last bite while paying close attention to her. “Mostly,” she said to Una. “Does that start tonight?”

Una nodded with a bright smile. “You may issue a challenge at any time until the full moon rises.”

Alice peeked at Silas again. He was still staring at her, relaxed but motionless, having finished his dessert.

“I know a challenge can’t be unreasonable, but what’s customary?” she asked the table.

Vesta answered. “Traditionally, courtship challenges test the suitor’s cunning, determination, strength, and courage. For example, retrieving a specific piece of treasure tossed into the cove, defeating a rival in combat, or successfully abducting their desired mate.”

Alice’s eyes went wide. None of that was considered unreasonable?

His mother smiled as she raised a staying hand. “Nowadays, those seeking mates are far more likely to set a challenge that tests some aspect of their suitor’s character, rather than their physical abilities.”

“When Isaac was courting me,” Una said, “I wanted to see what sort of father he would be, so I challenged him to look after my niece and nephew for a day. Their parents spoil them, and they were at a rather rebellious age, but he’s now their favorite uncle.”

Isaac chortled. “I’m their only uncle.”

“Wouldn’t that also make you their least favorite?” Alice joked, earning a round of laughter that made her feel warm and light. Even Silas’s father cracked a smile.

The length of tail wrapped around her lower leg squeezed gently, drawing her gaze to the shifter to whom it was attached. Silas was smiling at her in that subtle way of his, his lips curled slightly.

Alice had come tonight expecting a chilly reception at best, but for the most part, everyone she had met had been rather welcoming, much to her surprise and especially her relief.

In fact, the local serpent-folk all seemed to be regulars at Renart Salon and Spa, some more than others, many of them having known her grandparents.

Una leaned closer in a private aside. “Truthfully, what made me hesitate the most was the mating bite.”

Alice looked at Una with a confused shake of her head, not sure whether the selkie was joking or if she had misheard her. “The…what?”

Una tilted her head, then her eyes widened. “Oh. I-I’m sorry. I figured you already knew.”

Alice slowly shook her head. A horde of poltergeists could invade the banquet, and it wouldn’t be enough to break her focus on the current conversation. She already knew Silas had fangs and venom, but she’d assumed they were for fighting and fighting only.

“During mating season, when some serpent-folk are in rut, they typically bite their lover to…” Una paused, her cheeks darkening. “Well, to dominate them. The rest of the year, they can largely resist the urge.”

For a moment, Alice sat there stunned. Once her jumbled thoughts organized themselves, she first had to wonder why he hadn’t told her about something as wild and out there as a mating bite that paralyzes.

Then she remembered what she’d said after that vampire had tried to feed off her and Silas had joked that she looked “good enough to eat.” How she’d laughed but then expressed revulsion at being bitten. No wonder he hadn’t yet brought it up.

But as understandable as the omission was, it was still unacceptable. If he truly wanted her as his mate, she needed to know what she would be getting into!

The moment we’re alone again… she silently seethed.

“Does it hurt?” she whispered to Una.

“It’s no worse than a needle prick, and the pain fades instantly. During mating, their venom’s chemistry changes a wee bit. It still paralyzes, but instead of leaving you feeling cold, you feel…h-hot all over.”

“Hot?”

Una pressed her lips together, then put her mouth right next to Alice’s ear. “As aroused as you’ve ever been in your life.”

Alice swallowed. Okay, that didn’t sound too bad, but being unable to move?

“How long does the paralysis last?”