Filed To Story: Between Two Kings: A Split or Swallow Book PDF Free
“Basilisks have always been able to turn their blood into gold. It is one of our most sacred properties. But it is not meant to replace that which was taken. To do something like this is an aberration of nature. There is a reason we are unable to regrow limbs or heal fatal injuries. Once a part of us is dead, it is supposed to remain so. To bring it back to life violates the laws of nature.”
Tem shivered. It certainly looked like a violation. “But what does it mean?”
Caspen pursed his lips. “It means that Rowe has done something no one else would dare to do. He has created a part of himself from himself. It is a source of power for him.”
Tem thought suddenly of the final tier, where she was expected to ride the remaining contenders. “Am I going to have to…?”
“Yes, Tem. You are.”
“But how am I supposed to-?”
“Just like you do mine.”
“But his is-“
“It is still a cock, Tem,” Caspen said. “It may not look like one that you or I have seen before, but it is one nonetheless.”
Tem stared up at him in disbelief. “How is this allowed?”
Caspen’s hands were balling into fists. “It is not allowed. There are supposed to be limits to our power. We can only heal what is broken; we cannot regenerate what is no longer there. This is not right.”
Tem couldn’t imagine what Caspen was feeling. He was the one who’d ripped Rowe’s cock off in the first place. It was his actions that had caused Rowe to do this. Rowe had already hated Caspen for cresting his father; Tem shuddered to think of the depth of his grudge against him now.
At that moment, Rowe’s eyes met hers.
Tem froze as his gaze traveled down her body, the desire in it unmistakable. There had always been a bitterness to Rowe, but now it was overpowering. He wore his rage plainly on his face, his expression the twin to Caspen’s.
“He’s so angry,” Tem whispered.
“As am I, Tem.”
Rowe turned, heading in their direction. A moment later, he was upon them. “Temperance,” he said, his voice like gravel. “Are you enjoying the festivities? They are in your honor, after all.”
Tem opened her mouth to answer, but Caspen beat her to it.
“Do not speak to her.”
Rowe’s eyes slid to his. “And why not? She could be my future wife.”
“The day you take her from me is the day I die.”
Rowe smiled. “There is no need for such words, Caspenon. I come in peace.”
Caspen actually snorted.
Tem’s eyes shifted to the basilisk beside Rowe. Eros was taller than his brother and just as formidable. He stared down at Tem with burnished gold eyes that felt like they were looking straight into her soul. She barely came up to his collarbone; his shoulders were so broad, she couldn’t see anything behind him.
Rowe suddenly entered Tem’s mind.
She gasped in surprise, throwing up walls to block the assault. But she couldn’t shut him out-his power was indescribable; it pushed against her like an indomitable force, crushing her like a spider against glass.
You will yield to me, Temperance. And so will Caspenon.
It took everything Tem had to look him straight in the eye and say, “Never.”
Rowe’s mouth twisted into a dark, amused sneer.
“It is a shame,” he murmured. “You are as stubborn as ever.”
Tem lifted her chin. “And you are just as cruel.”
His sneer deepened. “Cruelty is a necessity in the world we live in, Temperance. Your husband knows that better than anyone.”
Tem had no way to refute that. What Caspen had done to Rowe was undeniably cruel. But Rowe had deserved it. And now, with their fight imminent, Tem hoped Caspen would be cruel once more.
Rowe directed his final jab straight at Caspen. “May the best man win.”
Then he walked off without another word.
Tem turned immediately to Caspen. He was staring after Rowe with his fists clenched, a vein pulsing in his temple. Tem wanted nothing more than to reach for him, to feel his warm skin against hers, to find comfort in each other. But it was the one thing she could not do.
Adelaide appeared at her side. “Tem,” she said gently. “All eligible basilisks have now arrived. It is time to make your selections.”
Tem looked at Caspen. He looked at her.
“Will you stay with me?” she whispered.
“Always.”
They followed Adelaide to the end of the banquet hall, where a stage had been assembled. On it was a group of twenty or so basilisks, all handsome, all fully erect. Tem remembered what Adelaide had said-how she was supposed to make her decision based on their cocks. She glanced up at Caspen, who gave her a reassuring nod before stepping to the side to join Rowe, Eros, and Apollo. When Tem’s eyes met Apollo’s, he nodded too.
You can do this, Temperance.
She barely believed him. It was difficult to imagine that any of these men could be her prospective husband. None of them compared to Caspen.
Tem was frozen in place, acutely aware of the crowd behind her, watching her every move. It was too much pressure; she could not perform under the weight of everyone’s expectations.
Caspen’s voice came to her:
Relax, Tem. Allow your basilisk side to make the decision.
Tem closed her eyes, resolved to do as he said. She concentrated on the side of her that liked being watched, the side that was powerful and bold and brave. She suppressed the human side, pushing away her doubts and insecurities. When she opened her eyes, she was ready.
Tem recognized only one basilisk in the group of men before her. He was tall, with slicked-back blond hair-the man Caspen had pleasured in the ouroboros. Immediately, she was drawn to him. She didn’t even glance at his cock; it didn’t matter what it looked like. Adelaide’s words came back to her suddenly: You will seal your choices with a kiss.
Tem knew what she had to do.
The moment she stepped forward, the crowd cheered. She approached the blond basilisk slowly, holding eye contact until she was right in front of him. Then she cradled his face in her hands, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him. She imagined it was Leo and poured every ounce of longing into their kiss, doing what she could not do with him. When they broke apart, the basilisk smiled widely before bowing to her and moving to the sidelines to stand next to Apollo.
One down. Seven to go.
Tem made the rest of her selections by instinct alone. She didn’t care about their cocks-they were all equally glorious anyway-she cared about how they made her feel. Tem kissed only the basilisks whose power was compatible with hers-those who she knew, on an instinctual level, could handle her. She let the heat between her legs guide her, choosing anyone who turned her on. By the time she’d kissed the eighth man, she was wet.
The crowd roared as the final basilisk joined the line of contenders. Caspen smiled at her, and she knew she’d done well. Adelaide reappeared at her side.
“Now what?” Tem asked.
Adelaide leaned in. “Now there will be a ceremony.”
“What kind of ceremony?”