Filed To Story: Between Two Kings: A Split or Swallow Book PDF Free
Apollo smiled, flashing his brilliant teeth. “Like what, Temperance?”
“Like you want to fuck me.”
His smile widened. “I do not know how else to look at you.”
Tem stared up at the stars-anywhere but at Apollo.
“You are right in front of me,” he continued smoothly, his voice laced with amusement. “Where else would you have me look?”
“The ground. The sky. Anywhere.”
“Those are not nearly as delectable as you.”
Tem bristled, ready to insult him again. “Why do you have to be such a-“
But Apollo pressed a single finger to her lips, cutting her off. They stood there silently, nothing but the murmur of the forest around them. Tem wanted to pull away. She really did. But his finger was warm and soft on her mouth, and she found herself leaning into it, pressing the plump flesh of her lips even farther into his skin. Apollo smiled wider.
What is on your mind, Temperance?
You know what’s on my mind.
Yes. But I should like to hear you say it.
Tem sighed. He wasn’t going to make this easy for her. He was going to make her admit, to his face, that she wanted him. It was an age-old game, and it was one she had played before. Tem was no stranger to the power struggle, to the way the advantage could switch from one person to another in the span of a heartbeat. He shifted closer, closing the distance between them. He was so tall. Tem craned her neck to look up at him.
Tell me, Temperance.
His presence probed her mind, seeping between the layers of her consciousness and settling at the base of her neck. It felt as if he were holding her head up to his.
Tem still didn’t answer. She was too busy adjusting to how close he was standing, how overwhelming he was when he was just inches from her face. He smelled like smoke, just like all basilisks did. But there was an undertone of something else layered within Apollo’s scent-something fresh, like the forest. He smelled like wood, like trees. It was intoxicating, and it was all Tem could do not to press her nose to his chest and breathe him in. At the thought, a wave of his hunger crashed into her mind. Apollo wanted her. But more than that, he wanted her to want him. Tem understood the distinction. It wasn’t enough for Apollo just to sleep with her. He needed Tem to initiate it-to need it as much as he did. She felt his desire for her grow the longer they stood there staring at each other. She almost wondered whether there was a limit to it.
It was different than Caspen’s desire. His was laced with emotion: deep, intimate feeling and care. Apollo’s was animalistic, bordering on predatory. He wanted to dominate her, to possess her-to take her. Sex with Apollo would not be gentle. It would not be loving or intimate. It would be rough and raw and turbulent, and Tem wasn’t entirely sure she’d survive it.
It was intriguing, to say the least.
Tem still hadn’t answered his question. Apollo still hadn’t moved any closer. They were at a stalemate, and Tem knew it was up to her to break it. But did she even want to? Caspen had made it clear he would allow this. He’d practically encouraged it. But men were funny creatures, and as Adelaide had said, they were stupid. Apollo held the power in this moment. But Tem knew if she said the exact right thing, she could take it from him.
I want you to teach me how to petrify.
His eyes narrowed.
I think you want something else.
Well, I don’t.
You are delicious when you are in denial.
The spell was broken. Tem wrenched herself away. “Can we just get on with it already? I don’t have all night.”
He laughed.
“Forgive me. I did not realize you had somewhere to be.”
Tem had nowhere to be and nothing to do but this. But rather than admit that, she crossed her arms and glared at him. Apollo’s mouth was still turned up in amusement as he jerked his head toward the forest.
“Follow me,” he said.
Tem did so.
They walked slowly. Apollo adjusted his pace to match hers, waiting patiently while she navigated the rough trail with bare feet and a shorter stride. When they passed through the wall, Tem glanced in the direction of her childhood cottage but quickly looked away. They were headed toward the far end of town, into a sprawling field. The night was cold; Tem’s breath crystallized before her.
“If I had known we were walking this far, I would have worn clothes,” she grumbled.
Apollo let out a soft laugh. “But then you would not have been naked.”
“This is ridiculous. Anyone could see us.”
“Dawn is still an hour away, Temperance. And we are in the middle of a field.”
He was right. But still. “My feet are cold,” she grumbled.
“So warm them.”
“How?”
To her surprise, Apollo stopped. He turned to face her. “Did my brother not teach you how?”
“How to do what?”
“All basilisks have the ability to regulate their temperature. You are a Hybreed, which means you should be able to as well.”
Tem frowned. Caspen certainly hadn’t taught her that. Although to be fair, there were plenty of things he hadn’t taught her. His resistance to teaching her things was exactly the reason she was here with Apollo in the first place. She wasn’t surprised there were other secrets he’d withheld.
“How do I do it?”
“You can use your mind”-he tapped the tip of his finger gently against her temple, and Tem tried to ignore his proximity-“to direct the blood flow in your body.”
Tem was barely listening. He was standing so close to her.
“How?” she whispered.
“I can show you, if you wish.”
Tem nodded. She could do nothing else.
Apollo’s hand moved to cradle her face, his palm cupping her cheek. She felt his presence enter her mind, and she welcomed it.
Heat originates in the heart. It travels with your blood. Concentrate on your heartbeat, and you should be able to feel it.
Tem tried to do what he said, but it was difficult when her heart was hammering so loudly, she could practically hear it.
Focus, Temperance.
He might as well have asked her to perform a somersault. The last thing Tem could do right now was focus. She was still cold. The only heat she could feel was Apollo’s, and it was driving her insane. Her basilisk instincts were screaming at her to step forward-to kiss him and then some. But she couldn’t do that. Not tonight. Tonight, Tem was only here to learn.
So she closed her eyes and concentrated. Apollo was right; when she listened for her heartbeat, she could hear where her blood was flowing. From there, it took surprisingly minimal effort to direct it where she needed it.
Warmth seeped from Tem’s chest. She could feel it traveling through her bloodstream, spreading through her body. When it reached her limbs, she sighed. Her fingers were no longer numb; she could move her toes once more. Heat probed every part of her- every part-right down to her center. Tem was no longer just warming herself. She was turning herself on.
Her face flushed; she gasped for air.