The Basilisk Princess

by Rozie Marshall

  The Basilisk Princess

  The Lasina Chronicles

  Book 1

  By Rozie Marshall

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright © 2020 by Rozie Marshall

  Dedication

  Cazzith Map

  Lasina Map

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  More by Rozie Marshall

  Copyright © 2020 by Rozie Marshall

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Rozie Marshall asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  Rozie Marshall has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

  Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

  First edition

  Cover art by MJ Marstens

  Formatted by Rozie Marshall

  Dedication

  To all the women who love sex, sin, and just a touch of scales.

  Mindy G and Krystal; I hope all your fantasies come true with this series. Please stop sending me pictures of your snakes, they scare the shit out of me.

  To my husband; Thanks for indulging my curiosity on reptile mating habits and maybe twisting them for the purposes of this series.

  To Everly Taylor, thank you for all the invaluable information on reptiles.

  “Once upon a time, there was an evil King. This King was the ruler of the North Kingdom in Lasina. The three other Kingdoms had always been at peace with the North Kingdom, until one day, the evil King killed his Queen, who was from the South Kingdom.”

  “But Mommy, you’re not dead. How can you be dead if you’re telling me this story?” a childlike voice sounded in the room.

  “Maisie, if you interrupt, I won’t finish your bedtime story.” Clara chided once again.

  “Yes, Mommy… but how did he start a war if you’re alive.” She continued to ask.

  “Well, when the King found out his wife was about to have a child, he tried to kill her. So, she faked her death, and ran away to the Earthly realm. The other Kingdoms began a war upon her disappearance, helped of course by the rumors of the King’s beastly temper.” Clara paused and shuddered as she remembered her husbands’ nasty fits of rage and abuse. “The war raged for several years, until very recently when three Princes were promised to the good Queen’s daughter.” Clara booped Maisie on the nose to indicate it’s her, causing Maisie to giggle.

  “The war ended in a very fragile peace, until the day the Princes can claim their Princess. On that day all of Lasina will be ruled by one family, ending the separation of the races that has lasted since the beginning of time.” Clara smiled at Maisie the way a mother does when she knows more than she’s telling.

  “Mommy, can you tell me about the monsters again?” Maisie’s voice was filled with excited curiosity. “And tell me about the Princes.”

  “Well now… Miss Maisie, the three handsome Princes are somewhat older than you. They must be in their late teens by now… let me see. Kai is seventeen now and strong. His father says that his basilisk form is white, with glittery red and blue scales down his side. The South Kingdom loves their Prince, for he is honorable and kind. Emot is now fifteen and as swift as the wind they say. The East Kingdom prides themselves on being so lucky for having such a Prince. His basilisk form is grey with flecks of orange and gold, like the setting sun. Sicrin is nineteen now and smart as a whip. His cleverness is beyond compare. The West Kingdom values intellect most and he is one of the smartest minds there is. His basilisk is jet black with waves of greens and purples.”

  “Oh, I love purple… Mommy, what color am I?” Maisie was a smart one, and brave to boot.

  “Oh, my dear, you were the most beautiful scarlet red when you were born, with swirls of pinks and green. And two very sharp teeth.” Clara pretended to bite at Maisie and they both laughed.

  Maisie yawned into the room, and Clara tucked her in tighter. “I think it’s time for you to get some sleep, Miss Maisie.” Clara kissed her head and began to turn out the light.

  “Mommy, can you check under the bed for monsters?” I heard the sweet sound of her voice asking.

  “Maisie, you know there are no monsters under there. Only the silly old dust bunnies.” Her voice was soft in the darkened room, reassuring to a child who thought everything was a story. Her voice conveyed truth. But she lied.

  “Kai… ssstay away from the bed.” Sicrin hissed in his basilisk form. “Ssshesss asssleeep.”

  “Ssshut it Sssic. I just want to sssmell her.” I couldn’t help but work my way farther out from under the bed. The little girl slept peacefully as I explored the room, Sicrin close on my tail. Emot slithered out from under the bed slowly to join Sic and me. I curled around myself in the doorway just as Clara walked by, she knew we watched over Maisie now that she’s promised to us. It’s a basilisk thing, the males protected their female no matter what age they were. She could be two and we would still protect her every night.

  Margaret ‘Maisie’ Day had no idea we watched over her as she slept. At eight years old we knew we would have to wait until she grew up more before she’s ours; but in the meantime, we would continue to protect her from her father. Maisie tossed in her sleep and began to mumble softly. Sic shifted to stand and padded quietly on bare feet to rub her back. His body casting a shadow over the sleeping girl.

  We were the monsters she talked about, the ones who lived under her bed. Little did she know, under her bed was another world entirely. Basilisks were real. We had scales and fangs… jaws that can crush bone… bodies that can squeeze the life out of a person in seconds. Our nest was almost ready for our mate… we just had to wait for her to grow up.

  Maisie settled into a deeper sleep and Sic shifted back
and curled his massive body on the floor by her bed. Emot and I curled up on the other two sides. We watched as the night passed into day, only to slither under the bed as the dawn approached.

  Ten Years Later

  “Happy hatch day to you, Happy hatch day to you, Happy hatch day Miss Maisie, Happy hatch day to you.” Oh my god, my mom was the devil. She persisted in singing that stupid song every year, but finally I can leave. Move out on my own and conquer the world. Sam and I had a plan to run away to Vegas and get married just as soon as school gets out in two days. I would be hitting the road and never looking back. Sam didn’t know what I was, but I had every intention of living as a human for the rest of my life. If I was not mated by my twenty first birthday, I would lose my shift permanently. Only three years to go.

  “Maisie, Earth to Maisie… you in there?” I couldn’t help but flinch nervously. Caught daydreaming about a human life. It didn’t help that I was also thinking about last week when Sam and I got caught fucking in the back of his truck by the local cops. Mom was not happy about that one.

  “Sorry mom, I’m just excited about graduation.” So, what if I lied? I wasn’t telling her I planned to leave. “The cupcakes look wonderful, but when Sam comes over tonight could you please sing Happy birthday and not hatch day?”

  Mom set the large cupcake down in front of me and sighed. “Maisie, you really should break up with Sam. I like him, really, I do, but you’re promised in marriage to three Princes.” she paused momentarily, “I can’t stress this enough.” I tuned mom out as I peeled the wrapper off my cupcake and shoved it in my mouth whole, so I didn’t have to talk.

  I mumbled what should have sounded like ‘I’m going to be late for school’ but really just blew cupcake crumbs everywhere, as garbled noise exited my mouth. I rushed to get ready, swallowing cupcake as I changed. I grabbed my book bag and hit the ground running. Four more days and Sam and I will be husband and wife.

  Two Days Later

  Graduation arrived and I made it through the ceremony without falling on my face. Climbing the steps to the stage had been the most nerve-racking experience of my life. Sam and I planned on leaving first thing in the morning and I had my bag packed and ready. I was sneaking out at midnight to meet him and then we would leave this tiny town for a better life. As I climbed the stairs, I began daydreaming about what our life would be like.

  Mom was in the kitchen making dinner, so I had a half an hour to just put on some music and relax. I opened the door to see three men standing there, all dressed in jeans and t-shirts. I screamed and ran back to the stairs when I heard a familiar sound. The hiss was my mothers, and I could tell she was pissed. She slithered past me into my room, only to shift back just as swiftly when she got there. She began talking as if she knew the three and I couldn’t help my curiosity.

  I snuck back towards the door and peeked around the corner. All these men were gorgeous. They made Sam look downright plain in comparison. The one in the middle stood six foot four easily, with rock hard muscles that strained the confines of his shirt. His arms were tanned, suggesting he spent a lot of time outdoors. His brown hair had mixes of red and blonde, while his nose was perfectly proportioned to his face. His square jaw gave him the look of a model, but it was his eyes I couldn’t look away from. They were crystal blue, like the Caribbean Sea, and they looked decidedly reptilian.

  The other two were just as easy on the eyes as the one in the middle. The one to the right, stood about six foot two, blonde hair and just as perfect a face as his buddies; he also wore glasses that made his emerald eyes stand out even more. He was leaner than the other two and his lips looked like they would be good for more than just talking. I ducked back behind the door frame when he caught a glimpse of me, only to hear a deep chuckle that sent chills all the way down to my clit.

  I peeked back around after a moment and glanced at the last guy. He had to be six foot five or more. He stood taller than the other two but wasn’t as bulky as the middle one. He was lean but not skinny, and his arms still stretched his shirt. He had jet black hair shaved close to the scalp and grey eyes that spoke of secrets whispered in the dark. His face was softer than the other two, and I could see small laugh lines around the edges of his eyes. Those lines deepened as he smiled, and I about fell over at the hint of a fang I saw. His smile was a deadly weapon; it was slightly crooked like he had a secret he would never share.

  I slowly walked back down the hall on silent feet until I heard my mom call out. “Margaret Eliza Day get in here right now.” Fuck, she used the full name. I turned on my heel and slowly trudged back to my room.

  “Yes, mom?” I called softly, as I rounded the doorframe.

  “I want to introduce you.” She pointed to Blondie first. “This is His Royal Highness, Prince Sicrin Wells.” She waited for me to shake his hand. Pointing at Hulk next. “This is His Royal Highness, Prince Kai Harding.” I shook Hulk’s hand and noticed how it swallowed mine. “This is His Royal Highness, Prince Emot Howe.” She finished pointing to Buzzcut.

  I went to shake his hand, but he pulled mine to his lips. “The pleasssure, isss all mine,” his hiss evident even when he spoke in human form.

  “Gentleman, this is my daughter. Her Royal Highness, Princess Margaret Eliza Day.” They all bowed, and I about laughed but mom gave me the death stare.

  I turned to leave Mom to her company, when she grabbed my arm. Her hiss strong as she whispered to me. “Sssince I know you planned on leaving with Sssam, they have come early to collect you and take you back to Lasssina.”

  My jaw dropped; I couldn’t believe what I just heard. “You can’t expect me to leave with these strangers, and I’m not leaving Sam, I love him.”

  “Oh, please… You only think you love Sam. You’re a Basilisk, and you need to mate with another Basilisk,” she countered.

  “Yeah… so I can then run for my life when one of these three tries to murder me… all because I got pregnant.” My mother flinched as if I had slapped her.

  “You’re leaving tonight, and that’s final.” I watched her walk out of the room leaving me with these three men. Men I knew nothing about and was suddenly expected to mate.

  Just then my phone rang, and the caller ID said ‘Sam’. I slid the button over and answered, “Hello.”

  “Hey babe, wanna catch a movie with Ella and Jake tonight?” he sounded cheerful, the total opposite of how I felt.

  “I can’t tonight. My mom has guests over and I’m expected to stay,” I lied; I couldn’t very well tell him the truth.

  “Shit, oh well, maybe after we get settled in Vegas, they can come visit. Love ya, talk later.” He didn’t even wait for my response before hanging up the phone.

  I turned around and looked at the three men standing in my room. “So, what am I supposed to do now?” I couldn’t help the bitchy tone I had.

  “Your mom invited us to stay for dinner, then we pack and leave,” Hulk said.

  “Ignore Kai, he isn’t the best with words… I’m Sicrin, but you can call me Sic. We have been waiting ten years to finally meet you.” He smiled softly and his emerald eyes lit from within.

  “What do you mean finally meet me?” my tone still bitchy.

  Emot spoke up softly, “We’re the monstersss under your bed, love… We’ve been watching over you sssince you were eight.” He paused and slapped Sic in the chest. “Hell, this sssofty used to rub your back when you had nightmaresss.” Sic blushed but didn’t say anything.

  Thankfully, Mom yelled up the stairs about dinner. I rushed out as fast as I could just to get away from these weirdos. I vaguely heard a grunt and a hissed ‘Ass’ as I ran down the stairs.

  Dinner was quiet and strained. What did I have to say to anyone? Mom kept up inane conversation, as if she knew these guys well. Hell, if what they said was true, she knew them better than I ever would. I was still planning on sneaking out, only my timetable had been moved up slightly. I plotted my escape to Sam’s house as I sat silently, eating my food. These g
uys seemed nice and all, but I didn’t know them. I knew Sam, Sam was safe, and scale free. I finished my last bite and stood swiftly. Walking my plate to the sink, I rinsed it off and ran back up the stairs. I grabbed my bag and shimmied myself out the window while everyone was still eating. Climbing down the trellis was second nature to me now, as I snuck out regularly to see Sam.

  Once my feet hit the ground, I booked it towards the back fence and hopped over. I skirted Mr. Junks pool and exited out his side gate, before turning up the block towards Sam’s. I ran the four blocks ‘til I could see his door and slowed. Walking the rest of the way to catch my breath. I was hoping he would be surprised that I came early. I walked up the path to the door opening it like always. I walked into the living room and there, sitting on the couch, was Sam, naked, with Pamela Conrad bouncing on his cock. I must have made a noise because they both froze. I turned and ran, Sam running naked out his door after me. “Maisie, wait!” I heard his yell, but didn’t stop until I was back to Mr. Junks house.

  I slowly opened his gate and walked through only to stop as I saw all three of my mom’s guests, waiting by the fence. I ignored them as I hopped back over said fence and walked to the back door. Just as I opened the glass door my phone buzzed, I looked at the caller ID, ‘Sam’, I slid the ignore button and turned my phone off. I threw my phone on the table, dropped my bag, and walked up to my room. Slamming the door, I fell face first into the bed and bawled.

  I didn’t hear the soft knock, and I barely felt the hand rubbing my back as I cried. When Mom came in, she had a box of tissues and my bag. “Maybe now would be a good time to leave.” She whispered, I assumed to one of the guys.

  The hand paused briefly. “We have time, let her get it out, Clara.” The hand continued its motion, rhythmically soothing me.

  “If Vago finds her without you three, he will kill her.” Mom’s voice was muffled by the pillows I had buried my head under, but I knew she was talking about my father.