Page 89 of Bitten By the Basilisk

Sighing with irritation, he went back into the studio, where his irritation only grew when he saw how close Justin was standing next to Alice, their backs turned toward him.

Alice was observing one of the other artisans shape what looked like a drinking glass, but Justin was more interested in observing her.

“So, you two been together long?” Justin asked, his tone casual. Alice turned her head slightly, likely glancing at him, but before she could articulate a response, he tacked on, “I’ve seen him around plenty of times, but I haven’t seen you.”

“We’re…pretty new,” she told him before turning her attention back to the other artisan.

Silas slowly approached, watching to see if Justin would take the hint. Alas, Justin sidled closer, right to the edge of her personal space. “How serious about him are you?”

Completely serious, Silas could only hope, barely holding back from grabbing Justin by the scruff of his neck and slamming him on the floor.

Alice turned her head again, her posture stiff as she leaned away from Justin. “Serious enough to say you’re standing too close.”

Her highly satisfying response was the only thing that stopped Silas from snarling and yanking Justin off his feet. “Hitting on my girl, are you?”

Alice jumped as she looked over her shoulder, her expression worried.

Justin, meanwhile, took a big step to the side. “Uh⁠—”

“I don’t blame you,” Silas continued, feigning calm for Alice’s sake. “She’s pretty incredible.” He sent her a smiling glance, intending to reassure her that she had done nothing wrong, but when he looked back at Justin, he made no effort to hide his displeasure. “Too bad she’s mine.”

Justin swallowed, then nodded nervously. “Y-yeah, I hear you.” To Alice, he said, “Sorry.”

Somewhat mollified, Silas slipped his arm around Alice. “Can we speak a moment?”

She nodded, her shoulders relaxing, and they moved out of hearing range. “Did Nic have bad news?”

Silas sighed. “Apparently, a courtship challenge went wrong and a fight broke out, resulting in one male throwing another through the front window of a store.”

“Oh shit,” she softly gasped. “How badly are they hurt?”

“Not badly,” he said, shaking his head. “Minor cuts. Nic can handle the store owner and compensation, but I need to read the riot act to the two males, as we don’t currently have the luxury of the town’s wards to rewrite anyone’s memories. Wouldn’t do for a normie to see anyone’s fangs or claws.”

“You have to go?” Alice asked with the most adorable pout.

He cupped her cheek, smiling apologetically. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Will you be okay here?”

She wouldn’t be alone with Justin, but he wouldn’t expect her to stay if she was no longer comfortable learning from him.

Alice nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

Though she looked and sounded confident, he nevertheless felt the need to make their status crystal clear and lowered his head to taste her. She lifted her chin, no doubt expecting a chaste meeting of lips, but he slid his fingers to the back of her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss, his mouth opening hers with firm pressure, allowing his tongue to invade.

She gasped, swaying against him and grabbing at his flanks for purchase. Once she had her fingers curled into his sweater, he wrapped his other arm around her back and pulled her in tighter.

With her secure in his embrace, he opened his eyes to make sure Justin was watching, staring daggers as he slanted his mouth against hers and slid his tongue between her lips.

Justin reared back, then hastily looked away.

Having communicated his claim, Silas closed his eyes to better savor her sweet surrender. When at last he lifted his head, he made sure she was standing on her own, then dropped one last kiss on the tip of her nose.

“Have fun, kitten. Text me if you need anything.”

“O-okay,” she breathlessly replied, her cheeks pink.

Seeing no need to explain his departure to Justin, he left through the studio entrance, determined to return to Alice as soon as possible.

Chapter Twenty-Eight