At the castle, Tem assembles with the other competitors, including Vera. Vera reveals they will be participating in the “Frisky Sixty”—a tradition where each girl spends 60 seconds alone with the prince, expected to undress. Tem feels indignant, suspecting Caspen withheld this information. During dinner, Tem hears the disembodied voice again, warning her not to trust King Maximus. Leo touches Tem’s thigh through her dress slit and requests a kiss. When she refuses, he threatens to kiss someone else, prompting jealousy. As girls take turns with Leo, Tem realizes she cannot undress because the claw inside of her would be exposed.

She mentally contacts Caspen, explaining the situation. He causes the claw to vanish, using magic, but seems indifferent to Tem’s nerves and insecurity, telling her that it is her duty to impress the prince. Tem enters the room where Leo is waiting; the two of them banter flirtatiously, with Tem refusing to remove any clothing. Tem leverages his desire, arguing he would marry her just to see her naked. Tem and Leo kiss passionately, and he caresses her, spending longer than the allotted 60 seconds with her. When Tem leaves the room, Leo confirms she will remain in the competition.

The next day, Tem’s village prepares to celebrate the autumn festival commemorating the basilisks’ defeat. There are rumors that Leo will also undergo the ceremony known as the Passing of the Crown, wherein his father publicly acknowledges his future state as king (although Leo will not assume political power until he marries). As evening falls, Tem is walking alone through the woods when two local boys, Jonathan and Christopher confront and sexually assault her. Tem escapes and flees to the cave.

When Tem explains the assault to Caspen, he demands the names of the boys. Caspen comforts her, and for the first time, takes her to the chamber where he lives when he is not training her in the upper section of the cave. As they look around, Tem notices a mirror, and Caspen explains that the gaze of a basilisk is not dangerous when they are in human form. He points out that he frequently looks at her when they meet during their training. Tem realizes that the mirrored wall that supposedly protects the village is useless. If the basilisks wanted to, they could invade the village at any time by entering in their human form. Tem enjoys their tender and intimate conversation but worries about Caspen’s plans to get revenge on the boys who assaulted her. She pleads with him not to punish them, but he tells her it is none of her concern.

Caspen continues to praise and soothe Tem. When she still resists his compliments, Caspen uses magic to pull her consciousness into his perspective, allowing her to see herself through his eyes and experience his overwhelming desire. She perceives his protective instinct, his need for her, and understands that he genuinely adores her. They begin pleasuring one another, and Caspen’s tongue splits into a distinctive, snake-like fork. Their mental connection adds new intimacy and pleasure to their sexual activity. Caspen states that he wants to progress to having intercourse, and Tem agrees.

Tem and Caspen have ecstatic sex, and because of their mental connection, she can feel his joy and pleasure in her own mind. Eventually, Tem becomes tired and sore, but she is hesitant to stop, fearing she will disappoint Caspen. Caspen assures her he is satisfied, but Tem asks if he would prefer a fellow basilisk, who could match his stamina. Caspen uses his power to suppress her desire, fearing that she will hurt herself with her insistence on continuing to have sex. Tem accuses him of abusing his power, demanding he restore her feelings and promise never to manipulate them again.

After Caspen restores her desire, they have sex again. This time, Tem is frightened by his physical power and the force of his desire. Afterward, Caspen apologizes, explaining that his lust for Tem makes it hard for him not to lose control and hurt her. Tem asks why his transformation happens during sex. Caspen explains basilisks and humans are incompatible. His human form craves pleasing her while his true form craves hurting her. He confesses some part of him enjoys causing her pain.

Tem spends the night with Caspen and in the morning, after having sex again, Caspen produces a second claw fashioned out of both their fluids. Tem inserts it and prepares to return to the village for the festival; she is embarrassed when she brings it up to Caspen, but he says he does not hold her responsible for ancestral sins. Tem returns home and eventually goes to the village square for the festival celebration. However, Tem and the other villagers are horrified to discover two stone statues mounted in the square: Jonathan and Christopher (the boys who attacked Tem) have been petrified (turned to stone).

Tem knows Caspen is responsible for petrifying her attackers and fears the consequences this act will unleash. Tem tries contacting him mentally, but the connection is blocked. The next morning, a footman delivers an invitation: The elimination activities will continue that evening at the castle, as planned. This gathering allows the prince to evaluate remaining girls and their teachers, meaning Caspen will meet Leo. During the day, packages arrive with dresses from both Leo and Caspen. Resenting being forced to choose, Tem borrows a simple white linen dress from her mother instead, keeping the claw inside her and the gold chain at her neck.

At the castle ballroom that evening, Tem chats with her friend Gabriel, who admires how handsome both Leo and Caspen are. Tem is uneasy because she knows the recent attack in the village threatens the truce between basilisks and humans. King Maximus gives a speech framing basilisks as service providers, who are not equal to humans. Tem continues to hear the strange voice in her mind and when she and Caspen have a moment alone, she asks him about it. Caspen seems concerned and refuses to discuss the topic, which aggravates Tem. Tem and Caspen begin arguing, but are interrupted by another basilisk, Rowe Seneca (who is Vera’s mentor).

Rowe is rude to Tem, but when she begins to retort, Caspen mentally warns her that Rowe is dangerous. Rowe catches sight of the golden claw pendant and seems horrified, calling Caspen a disgrace and traitor. Rowe and Caspen begin trading insults and Caspen threatens Rowe with joining his father. Before Tem can make sense of what is happening, she and Caspen are summoned to meet Leo.

Leo and Caspen begin discussing Tem, and Caspen seems surprised to learn that Leo and Tem have not had sex. Leo’s arrogance irritates Caspen, who spars with him. Tem intervenes, rebuking them for treating her like an object and discussing her. Leo orders Caspen to leave the room, but Tem can sense the latter’s rage and asks to check on him. Leo agrees and Tem pursues Caspen. She confronts him for treating her like an object and being indifferent to her, while Caspen defends himself by claiming he has no control over the process and expectations that govern the competition. Tem can sense his jealousy and possessiveness and fears that Caspen might try to harm Leo.

Tem returns to Leo, who accuses Caspen of being a brute. When Tem defends Caspen, Leo realizes that she cares for the basilisk and asks if this is why she will not have sex with him. He also asks if she loves Caspen; Tem lies and says no, but Leo can tell she is lying. He tells her to go to Caspen and leaves. Tem fears that she is going to be eliminated from the competition. Nonetheless, she heads to Caspen’s cave and goes straight to his chamber to wait for him. Rowe comes into the chamber and frightens Tem by speaking threateningly. He leaves but when Caspen arrives, he can immediately tell that Rowe was there and cautions Tem not to come to the basilisk chambers alone.

Tem confronts Caspen, demanding to know what is going on. Caspen reveals that the claw charm worn on her necklace is a basilisk betrothal gesture—an intent to marry her.

Tem is eager to accept the proposal, but Caspen explains his “quiver” (his extended family clan) must accept on her behalf. He doubts they will approve of the match, since basilisks and humans rarely mate. When Tem asks how long he has loved her, Caspen says longer than she has loved him. Tem continues to question his feelings, struggling to understand why Caspen seems tormented by his love and desire for her. Although Caspen fears losing control again, Tem initiates sex. They have pleasurable and emotionally intimate sex during which Caspen reveals the depths of his love for her. During climax, Caspen drips his venom into her mouth.

Afterward, Caspen reassures her that basilisk venom is only dangerous if it comes from a fang during a bite. By harmlessly administering his venom to her, Caspen has protected her from being “crested”: a power-extraction technique through which a basilisk forges an unbreakable bond that removes all agency. If she is crested, she will be subject to complete obedience to the basilisk who crested her, no matter what. Caspen is wary that Rowe might try to crest her, vaguely alluding to a time when he took something precious from Rowe (who now wants revenge).

Tem asks more questions about cresting, demanding to know why Caspen won’t crest her. He admits that he could (his venom only protects her from other basilisks) but does not want to diminish her agency and power to choose. He also explains that a basilisk cresting another basilisk results in death.

Caspen tells Tem the quivers have called a council meeting about him and his recent actions. He must attend, so Tem should go home. Caspen reveals he is the son of the basilisk king. His nickname, “the Serpent King” references his beauty and sexual prowess, but not his political standing among the basilisks. Tem walks home, wondering if Leo eliminated her after she left the palace. She wonders how she will explain to him if it turns out that her engagement to Caspen is permitted to move forward.

The next morning, she remembers the upcoming competition event: The prince will kiss each remaining girl publicly while the crowd votes by cheering. At the festival that evening, Tem finds Gabriel, who explains that no one was eliminated the prior evening (seven girls remain, rather than the traditional five). Gabriel doesn’t know exactly what happened, but after Tem left the palace, Leo had some sort of confrontation with his father, cut short the meetings with the girls and the basilisks, and sent everyone home.

Caspen enters her mind, saying the council meeting was eventful and he is not in trouble. He tells Tem they will meet the following evening, and he will explain at that time. Irritated by the power imbalance in her relationship with Caspen, Tem watches as Leo calls the girls onstage and kisses each one. When her turn comes, Leo kisses her longer than the others, and she responds passionately. However, no one in the crowd cheers, since Tem is not popular or well-regarded in the village. Leo eliminates two girls, leaving both Tem and Vera (who was popular with the villagers) in the top five.

Afterward, Tem and Gabriel go to the local tavern, where she is shocked when Leo suddenly appears.