Filed To Story: Between Two Kings: A Split or Swallow Book PDF Free
Gabriel pressed his lips to her cheek. “You had better go.”
There was nothing else to say. A moment later, he was gone.
Tem followed the winding path among the trees, her heartbeat finally settling as silence fell. Here in the quiet, she allowed herself to reflect on what she’d just seen. The villagers were furious. It was not ideal. Their ire reflected what Evelyn had said at dinner:
It’s unfortunate that our people will be affected by this.
Will be. As if the effects were not already in motion.
Feed us.
Tem couldn’t stop picturing those horrible, streaky words. To write something in such a blasphemous way beneath the eaves of Kora’s home was a sin beyond what Tem could comprehend. For the first time, fear slipped through her. Not so long ago, things were different. Not long ago, it was Maximus who would have reaped the consequences of rebellion. Now those consequences fell to his son.
By the time Tem returned to the caves, she had resolved to talk to Caspen. He was the one who had killed Jonathan and Christopher; he was the one who would have a solution for this. Yet when she reached their chambers, he wasn’t there. A cursory search revealed nothing. He wasn’t in the courtyard, and he wasn’t in the banquet hall. Tem was about to give up looking when she heard a voice behind her.
“All alone tonight, Temperance?”
The voice belonged to Apollo.
He was leaning against the wall of the passageway, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. She was struck once again by the similarities between him and Caspen-how they shared the same broad shoulders, the same strong brow. But Apollo’s beauty was harsher than Caspen’s. He resembled his father more than he resembled his brother, and every time Tem looked at him, she couldn’t help but think of Bastian.
“Looking for someone?”
Apollo’s mouth was turned up at the corner. There was no one Tem would be looking for other than her husband. He knew this, and she knew it too.
Still, Tem answered, “Have you seen Caspen tonight?”
Apollo stepped forward, his arms still crossed. His cock was half-erect, thick and straight and glorious. Tem had removed her dress already, as had become habit when returning to the caves. She was suddenly acutely aware that she was naked.
“I saw him yesterday. Does that count?”
“No,” said Tem. “It doesn’t.”
“Shame.” He smiled wider. “I wish I could be more helpful.”
“Are you ever helpful?”
“Occasionally. For example, I know where Caspenon is right now.”
“Excuse me?” Tem snapped. “You just said you hadn’t-“
“You asked if I had seen him tonight. Not if I knew where he currently was. You should know by now that basilisks take pride in the details, Temperance.”
If it was possible to roll her eyes even harder, she would’ve. Apollo was infuriating. But that was not surprising. What was surprising was his willingness to help her.
“Fine.” She crossed her arms. “Then where is he right now?”
Apollo smiled. “And why should I tell you that?”
“Because he’s my husband. And I want to know.”
“Only one of those reasons is compelling to me.”
Tem didn’t bother wondering which one. “Just tell me, Apollo,” she said. “And then we can both get on with our evenings.”
“And what if I do not wish to get on with my evening?” Apollo murmured, stepping far closer than was appropriate. “What if I wish to linger here with you?”
Tem looked up at him-the familiar golden eyes, the same smooth, warm skin. Apollo’s heat radiated off him just as Caspen’s did, enveloping her. But she would not be seduced by it.
“I don’t care what you want,” she snapped. “I want my husband.”
“Perhaps I could be what you want for the night.”
“I’m taken, Apollo.”
“There are many types of relationships, Temperance. I have no doubt we could find an arrangement that everyone is happy with.”
“I’m already happy with my arrangement, thank you very much.”
He smirked. “If you insist.”
“I do insist.”
The smirk deepened. “You do not need his permission to do what you want, you know.”
“And how do you know what I want?”
“Please,” he laughed. “I can sense it.”
It reminded her of what Caspen had said in the caves.
You are afraid of me. I can sense it.
Was Tem afraid of Apollo? She wasn’t sure. She was certainly wary of him. But that didn’t necessarily equate to fear, and it would be wrong to interchange the two. She was still getting to know him. And what she knew so far was decidedly aggravating.
When it became clear that Tem wasn’t going to indulge him, Apollo said, “Your husband is hunting.”
Tem frowned.
“Ah,” Apollo whispered. “Are you surprised he would seek sustenance without his bride?”
“Of course not. It’s just…”
But it was a surprise. There was no denying it. Tem had always hunted with Caspen-ever since she’d come under the mountain. It was their routine, and it was special to do it together. But considering how dinner had ended, she couldn’t exactly blame him for going off alone. She’d gone to the village to see Gabriel, after all. It was only fair that Caspen unwound in whatever way he saw fit.
“You are hurt,” Apollo said quietly, interrupting her thoughts.
Tem blinked. “What?”
“You have a bruise.” He raised his fingers and touched them gently to her cheek. “Just here.”
Tem hadn’t even noticed-it was probably a remnant of the rowdy crowd. She swatted his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
Apollo dropped his hand. “Bruises are complex,” he said with a smirk. “Like you.”
Tem rolled her eyes. It wasn’t the first time a Drakon brother had tried to compliment her, and it certainly wasn’t the most flattering. To say she was complex was like saying the sun was bright. It was hardly a groundbreaking analysis, and it would not soften her to Apollo.
“Your observation skills leave something to be desired,” she said.
“Do they?” Apollo arched an eyebrow, stepping even closer. His smile grew so wide, it looked as if it might split his face. “And what do you know of desire?”