The Basilisk Princess

by Rozie Marshall

  A basilisk is one thing, a real snake is quite a bit different. The viper rubbed its scales together, to produce an eerie sound, similar to rubbing sandpaper together. It reared up as if to strike but began to transform into a small red-haired woman, with golden tanned skin. “I was told that the kings had a job for me.” Emot helped me off the table, as Kai cleaned up the mess I made.

  “How, in the fuck, can you change into a snake and not a basilisk?” I blurted out, still in shock at this tiny woman standing in front of me. Her black leather outfit was skin-tight, with more weapons than I could name attached to all sorts of places.

  Her laughter was cynical at best, down right menacing at worst, but she answered my question none the less. “I’m only half basilisk, half human. I can’t fully shift into what you can, but I can shift into any snake I want. The saw scaled viper is the deadliest in the Earthly realm and the rarest here, the venom helps with my job, I’m an assassin. I typically pick nonvenomous snakes while doing recon work. Why have I been summoned?” Her last question was directed at Sic instead of me.

  “We need you to gather intel on someone. He has been missing for some time and may require rescue. The only thing we know is that he is deep within the North Kingdom. He could be imprisoned, or he could be working for the king, we are unsure of his loyalties at this point. He is one of the Queen’s mates, so please tread with caution on this one. We need to know if he is in league with the King or if he is being held prisoner, and how to best get him out if he is the latter. Time is not something we have a lot of so be swift,” Sic laid it all out there, and she contemplated her next move while we watched in silence.

  “I’ll do it, on one condition. I want a night with her.” She pointed in my direction and the guys all began to bristle.

  “Absolutely not,” Sic said without hesitation.

  “Then you have my answer.” She turned and began walking towards the stairs.

  “Wait,” I called, and she stopped in her tracks. “What kind of night are you asking for?”

  She turned and smiled a devilish smile. “I think you know exactly what kind of night… I’ll even let the kings watch. To say I’ve slept with the Queen would be worth dying for, and you’re asking for an awful lot with this job.”

  I pondered her for a moment. She wasn’t much older than I was. Red hair cascaded down to her hips, framing her full breasts. Her body was slim and small, lean where my own was curvy. “One night, and they watch or stand guard, and no snake form. Take it or leave it.”

  “Done. I’ll just be on my way North then; I’ll be in touch very soon.” I watched her sway her hips, as she walked up the stairs and out of sight. Just as she rounded the corner the guys all exploded.

  “Absolutely not.” “Are you joking?” “You can’t do that.” I held up my hand and they stopped.

  “You three have no say in the matter, and frankly, it’s me she wants, it’s my decision. If you need to find him so bad, then so be it. Besides, sleeping with her won’t affect me losing my shift or not.” I walked back around to my seat and began cleaning my plate up to wash it. A kitchen helper came to take it from me before I could even get two steps away from the table. I huffed, as she carried my plate to the sink and began cleaning.

  I decided I had had enough of this shit, and walked out of the kitchen without another word. They could stew for all I cared, I still fully planned on making it home and never mating with a basilisk.

  I showered swiftly and found my favorite PJ shirt in a drawer. Sliding the cool cloth over my skin felt wonderfully comforting after the last few days. I walked out of the closet to see all three guys lined up by their doors. Then noticed the fourth door that remained closed at the end of the room.

  I guess they had planned on having the Duke here by the time I got here, but circumstances proved otherwise. I ignored the three men standing by the side of the room and walked over to the window. I had almost gotten a chance to run today, maybe if I waited a bit before truly trying anything, they might relax their guard.

  Once I was seated in the window seat, I heard them rustling a bit before I heard three doors close softly. Why had they waited? I didn’t know and didn’t care, I just wanted to go home. Even the stars look different here, their light a soft yellow against the purple-black backdrop of the sky. The night was so dark here that each star shone brighter than back home as well.

  I don’t know how long I sat but it felt like hours and yet only minutes. I heard the soft click of a door and then Kai sat across from me on the window seat. “Penny for your thoughts?” he whispered.

  “Too many for just one penny.,” I replied sarcastically.

  “Then a quarter?” he bargained.

  “I want to go home.” I sighed and turned to look at him. “I never wanted this. Back home I had a life, friends, a boyfriend. Well ex-boyfriend. I was going to get married and never mate with a basilisk, just so I could lose my shift.” I looked back out the window on that last confession.

  “Why would you want to lose your shift? Honestly, you would never lose it even if you weren’t mated by twenty-one. It’s an old wives’ tale to make their children mate young and create babies.” His words had the ring of truth, but I didn’t want to believe them.

  “How do you know that it isn’t true? It could be, but everyone here is brainwashed to marry before then.” I was getting defensive, not my greatest quality.

  “I know it’s true for several reasons. My cousin is the highest on the list, she just turned thirty and is still unmated. She can also still shift.” My heart sank at his words. “Emot’s mother, and yours for that matter were both past twenty-one when they mated, and they never lost their shifts.” With each new example my heart sank lower.

  “So, then it doesn’t really matter, if I stay unmated, I’ll always be this monster.” My words were more to myself then to Kai, but he heard them all the same.

  “I remember a little girl who loved the monsters. She used to ask about them every night. What happened to her, I wonder?” His words brought back memories of when I used to ask for stories about Lasina, before I knew what betrayal felt like.

  “That girl died a long time ago. Now you have me.” My words were harsh, more directed at myself than him.

  “Maybe she isn’t dead, but just hidden deep down inssside.,” his hiss became more pronounced as he said this. I turned to watch him slowly shift on the window seat, his body spilling onto the floor.

  Even after all these years of denying my own monster within, his basilisk called to me. He was chalk white with red and blue diamonds running down his belly and back. His scales sparkled softly in the moonlight coming through the window. His head was almost as large as I was, with two straight blunt horns and a soft feather like fan around them. He flicked his forked tongue out and then sighed.

  “You sssmell like heaven,” his words were a soft hiss and then his tongue flicked along the base of my neck. “Sssee, ssshe callsss to me.” I could feel my own basilisk begging to be set free, but I held her in check. I wouldn’t shift again.

  He backed away when he realized I wouldn’t shift for him and curled around himself. “Why do you call her a monssster?” he asked, once settled.

  “Because she killed someone I loved dearly.” Okay, so someone might be going a bit far, something I loved would be the truth. She killed the dog we had when I was fifteen, it had been an accident, but ever since then I had kept her locked away.

  “Ahh, yesss, I remember. Ssshe hurt your dog, but you know it was an accident, besssidesss, ssshe isss you and you are her. Ssso you are only punishing yourssself.” I didn’t want to remember that day so I turned away, but I could see him reflected perfectly in the glass. I could feel my basilisk begging to be released but I just held tighter onto the reins.

  Kai flicked his tail out and wrapped it around my calf softly. I froze as it wound around my leg; the scales so soft that they felt like cool silk sliding on my skin. His eyes sparkled in the moonlight as he stroked b
ehind my knee. I pushed his tail off my leg and curled it under my lap to keep him from doing it again. Instead of being deterred, he just laughed. “Oh, come now. Ssshow me your basilisk, pleassse.”

  He begged me sweetly, but I didn’t want to shift. I could hear her keening for his altered form, and I knew that this night would end in a bed somewhere if I let her out, and frankly, I didn’t want that, well, maybe only a tiny bit. “I think it’s time for bed,” I said, as I stood.

  “Great idea.” He wrapped his tail around my waist and lifted me off the floor.

  I screamed, as he carried me towards the bed. “Put me down.” Two more doors flung open as Sic and Emot raced into the room just as Kai tossed me into the middle of the giant bed. His body taking up only a quarter of the space.

  He used his tail to pull the covers over me and then his tongue licked a path form my shoulder to my ear. “Sssweet dreamsss, sssugar.” I shivered at the contact, but hid it by pulling the covers up higher. Kai slid off the bed and shifted back into human form just as he reached his door. He winked once at me, then closed it softly behind him. Sic and Emot exchanged looks then walked back into their own rooms, leaving me blessedly alone.

  I woke to the sunlight streaming through the window and the smell of coffee wafting through the air. I didn’t drink the stuff, but Mom always drank it in the mornings. I sat up and stretched opening my eyes. I expected to see my own room, but I was in the dead center of the massive bed. Damn, it had only been a dream. Sic walked through the main doors quietly with a steaming mug and froze when he saw me.

  His mouth gaped open like I had two heads. “Um honey, do you realize you’re naked right now?” I looked down my body and gasped, swiftly pulling the covers up to my chest. Tattered remains of my favorite shirt were scattered around the bed.

  Sic walked closer with the coffee mug. “Would you like some coffee, or hot chocolate?” he asked, while trying not to stare at my nipples poking through the sheets.

  “Hot chocolate would be great. Thank you.” I looked down to ensure he couldn’t see anything, and he set the mug on a side table.

  “I’ll let you get dressed, and for the record, we’ve all seen you naked from time to time, we don’t exactly object.” He turned and walked back out the doors, and closed them. I swiftly hopped out of bed and raced to the safety of the closet to throw on a pair of pants and a t-shirt. I didn’t feel like rummaging through the underwear again.

  Once dressed, I walked back out to the room and grabbed the mug Sic had left, inhaling deeply. He had known I would choose hot chocolate from the beginning. I took a sip and sighed as the chocolate flavor burst on my tongue. I carried my cup as I walked through the main doors and into the living area. Emot had a table set up brunch style with an omelet station off to one side.

  “Care for an omelet, love?” he asked, as he plated one for Sic.

  I walked over and looked over the toppings but didn’t see any broccoli. He must have read my mind because he bent down and pulled a small bowl of broccoli florets from under the table. He smiled knowingly, as he said, “If I don’t hide them Kai will eat them all raw.” He chuckled and began making me an omelet just the way I liked. Broccoli, cheese, and just a sprinkling of ham.

  “Thank you.” I said as he began to heap more cheese on top. Just like my mom used to do. If I didn’t know any better, I would say she had told him.

  “Once in a great while, your mom would bring us breakfassst. Usually on daysss you had to get up sssuper early. She alwaysss made omeletsss, so I thought this might help you feel more at home here.” He plated my food and handed it over, then started his own. Kai slid a chair out for me and then stole the bowl of broccoli from the omelet station, as Emot yelled at him to go away. Kai placed the bowl down in front of his plate and began popping broccoli onto every bite he took.

  “Sasha mentioned that you met with the Nymphs yesterday at the lake,” Sic spoke, while Emot pulled up a chair.

  “Yes, the King offered me his son as a consort. I declined of course but invited him for dinner as a peace offering.” I put another bite in my mouth and chewed as slowly as possible, so I didn’t have to add more.

  “You invited the Nymph King here for a meal? You do realize what that means, right?” Sic asked, shocked.

  “They are so small, I figured they won’t eat much, but then the guard told me that they can change to full size and I realized I might have been a bit too hasty. The damage is done now, besides how many people could he bring?” I continued to eat, as all three gaped at me.

  Emot cleared his throat. “Well, let’sss sssay it’s just the royal family that joins usss, we are looking at three thousand. I don’t think we can accommodate that many, if they are full sssized, the nest just isssn’t big enough.”

  I choked on a bite and coughed. “Did you say three thousand?”

  Kai slapped my back and smiled. “Yes sugar, he did. The King has a thousand wives and consorts, they have almost fifteen hundred children and the heir himself has five hundred wives and consorts.” It was my turn to gape.

  “Oh,” was all my brain could muster at the moment. “Maybe we ask just the King and his Queen to come, with the son and his main wife. Or we could ask them to remain small. Then we would have plenty of room.” I was grasping at any idea that might smooth over my mistake.

  “We can’t just ask the King and Queen but, if we explain the situation they might agree to remain in their true form,” Sic explained and rose from the table. “I’ll go speak to His Majesty now and sort out the details. Once we figure out a number we can better prepare for the meal. Emot go inform the chefs about the dinner and begin planning dishes we know that won’t offend the Nymphs. Remember they are primarily vegetarian with only fish thrown in occasionally. Kai you go prep the guards for any additional precautions that need to be taken with their arrival,” Sic barked orders like a general, and they all began to fall in line to walk out.

  “What about me?” I called, as Sic got to the door.

  “Honey, you don’t need to worry about a thing, we will take care of this.” Kai and Emot waved but kept going on their assignments. “It is our job to see your wishes fulfilled, even if we must die to do so. That is what a mate does.”

  His words were soft, but I was even more troubled. “But we aren’t mates Sic. You know that, right?”

  He walked back over and knelt beside me. Cupping my cheek in his hand he placed his forehead to mine. “I pledged myself to you when you were eight years old. We have watched over you as mates are required to do. We built you a nest fit for the Queen of all Lasina, as mates are supposed to do. In my mind you are my mate, consummated or not. Nothing will change that. The same goes for Kai and Emot, and if Zugo is still on our side he will feel the same.” He kissed me softly on the cheek and then stood. “No matter how long it takes, you’re our mate.”

  I watched him walk out the doors and all I could think to say after he left was a whispered, “But I’m not your mate.”

  I walked to the barracks, my home away from home. I was a soldier through and through. I took a deep breath of sweat and leather and sighed. “General Thuzo, might I have a moment?” I said, as I entered the General’s quarters.

  “Your Majesty, what may I do for you today?” He stood and shook my hand. Before I signed my name to the Treaty, I stood where Thuzo now stood, and was happy when he took my place. He was the perfect man for the job, and he was the perfect General.

  “I need to inform you that we will be visited soon by the Nymphs. Queen Margaret has invited the King to dine, we are unsure at the moment how many will be joining us for this event, but I need you to make all necessary preparations for the Queen’s safety. I will know more details when Sic returns from speaking to them. You will, of course, be given every able soldier should you need them, as long as Her Majesty is kept safe,” I made my words brisk and to the point, most military men wanted it neat and tidy minus the bow.

  “Yes, Your Majesty, I will place my best me
n nearest the Queen for any potential immediate danger and then add extra soldiers to the patrol on the evening of. We can also increase all security measures as more information arises.” He detailed a few things and then began going over files of his soldiers like he wanted my opinion.

  “I trust your judgement Thuzo. I will bring you the count when it is known, also whether they intend to be nymph-size or human-size. I’ll let you get back to work.” I turned to go when he stopped me with a hand.

  “Before you leave, I have a personal matter I would like to discuss with you.” He seemed hesitant. “Know that I have no desire to leave my post, but I have met someone from Saxdale, I wish to ask her to mate. She knows I live here, and that I don’t want to retire yet, and she suggested I ask permission from Your Majesties before taking her as mate, since that would mean she would be moving here. She has no other mates and works as a seamstress there. I know that with Her Majesty now in residence her skills may come of value,” he stopped the ramblings leaving his mouth.

  “I am glad you have found someone that makes you happy. Yes, you may bring her here and mate with her. However, please don’t let it cause any issues with your duties. You’re the best General we’ve had.” I smiled at his huge grin, and he shook my hand profusely.

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Your Majesty.” He ran his hand through his hair like a huge weight had been lifted.

  “Go, the preparations can wait until all of the intel has come in. Go get your mate.” He shook my hand again, and with a huge smile practically ran from the room.

  I followed slowly, walking back out of the barracks. I walked towards the steward’s office to relay the news. His office was on the ground level with a door to the courtyard. I knocked and opened the door. The slim man was writing in some huge tome as I opened his door. His mate was making tea in their small kitchen. Yaga was as old as dirt and had chosen to live here from the day his office was complete. Ahxezo, his mate, joined him as soon as his kitchen had been complete. I had known Yaga’s mate, Ahxezo, for many years and he was a wonder with sweets. I thought to have him make something special for Maisie.