Filed To Story: Between Two Kings: A Split or Swallow Book PDF Free
Tem froze. Apollo had never yelled at her before. Basilisks favored negotiation-logic and reason always trumped outbursts. But Apollo was beyond reason. He was an inch away, his eyes boring into hers. At the look of surprise on her face, he softened his tone, but just barely.
“I will not let you anywhere near Rowe.”
“Who are you to tell me what to do?”
“I am someone who loves you, Temperance. And I will not watch you die tonight.”
“Excuse me?” Leo interjected.
Tem held up her hand. “He doesn’t mean it like that, Leo. He just means-“
“I mean it,” Apollo said firmly, enunciating each word. “In the way I have earned the right to mean it.”
Basilisks were always being vague. But somehow this made sense to Tem. She understood how Apollo loved her: not like Leo did and certainly not like Caspen.
Love can take many forms, just as Adelaide had said. He loved her the way she loved him-without expectation or judgment. Freely.
“You must go, Temperance,” Apollo said. “Please.”
“But I-“
“I know you wish to fight.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, steadying her. “But I cannot protect you from my brother and Rowe at the same time.”
Tem opened her mouth again, but Apollo shook his head.
“You will not stay here. You will take your human prince”-he jerked his head at Leo, who was watching their interaction with barely contained bewilderment-“and you will get to safety.”
Tem stared at him. She thought about their history together, how he had gone from her pursuer to her protector. She hadn’t always felt safe with Apollo. But she felt safe now.
“Please,” Apollo whispered. “I beg of you. Go.”
When just a moment ago he’d been yelling, now she could barely hear him. The words were strained, as if it took great effort to say them. Tem could hear the cries of battle just outside the door.
“I can’t just let people die when there’s something I could do to stop it.”
Apollo’s expression softened. “Their choices are their own. Basilisks believe in fate.”
Tem shook her head. This was wrong.
Wrong.
“I-” she began, but before she could finish, Apollo’s lips were on hers. He kissed her softly, with more tenderness than he had ever shown her before. Tem heard Leo make a disgruntled sound, but she ignored it, kissing him back as screams echoed down the passageway. The sound of her name pulled them apart.
“Tem?” It was Gabriel. He was accompanied by Damon, who immediately addressed Apollo.
“They must leave. All of them.”
“I am well aware,” Apollo said. “But they are rather difficult to convince.”
“Rowe has infiltrated the caves. He seeks Tem.”
“I am well aware,” Apollo said again. Before he could say anything else, Caspen’s voice entered both their minds at the same time.
I am coming back.
Apollo’s eyes widened. He looked desperately at Tem. But she just shook her head as Caspen said,
You must leave, Tem. Get as far away as possible.
No, Caspen. I have to fight Rowe.
You have to do nothing of the sort. Apollo, make her leave.
I am trying, Brother. She will not listen.
She never does.
Will you two stop it?
Tem slammed her connection with Caspen shut, turning to Apollo. “I’m not leaving.”
“I cannot protect-“
“I know you can’t protect me from both. So choose one. Protect me from Caspen.”
The screams were becoming louder.
“Hold him back, Apollo. I will handle Rowe.”
Apollo shook his head. But Tem knew he would do as she said. Unlike Caspen, who would never allow her to run toward danger, Apollo had always trusted Tem to make her own choices. Apollo understood who she truly was. “I do not know how long I can hold him.”
“Just give me as long as you can.”
Apollo didn’t reply. But his jaw was set, and so was Tem’s. With one last glance at her, he left.
Tem turned to Damon. “Get them both out of here.”
He bowed his head. “Of course.”
“You can take them to my parents’ cottage. They’ll be safe there.”
“Your Highness.” Gabriel winked at Leo. “Ready for a field trip?”
Leo turned to face her. “I can’t lose you again, Tem.”
“You won’t.”
“I need you to come back to me.”
“I will.”
Leo cupped her face in his hands, pulling her close. He kissed her-perhaps a little harder than necessary-and Tem felt how terrified he was for her. He’d just gotten her back.
She’d just gotten him back. If there was to be a future for them, it would start after the events of tonight. And Tem dearly wished to be there to see it. Finally, Leo pulled away. Then he followed Gabriel into the passageway.
“Who was that man kissing Tem?” she heard him ask Gabriel as Damon ushered them away.
“That’s Apollo,” Gabriel replied. “Caspen’s brother.”
“His brother?”