Filed To Story: Between Two Kings: A Split or Swallow Book PDF Free
“Caspen is already worthy of it.”
“Not to the Senecas.”
Stubborn resistance curled in Tem. “But why? There are other inter-quiver couples. I don’t see anyone else’s marriage being contested.”
“You are a Hybreed, Temperance. It is an incredible gift. Your loyalty is an advantage to whichever quiver you favor.”
Tem hadn’t found that being a Hybreed was an incredible gift. Being half-basilisk had caused her nothing but an insurmountable pile of trouble. There was nothing incredible about it.
“Tension has existed between our two quivers for centuries, Temperance. The quiver with a Hybreed has the upper hand. The Senecas know this, and they covet that power. They do not accept that you have married a Drakon. They want you on their side.”
“But
I don’t want to choose a side,” Tem insisted.
“You chose a side when you married a Drakon.”
Now Tem looked at Caspen. His eyes were closed. Perhaps he was processing this in his own time. But Tem needed him right now.
“Caspen,” she said firmly. “Say something.”
Caspen heaved a great sigh, his chest rising and falling in what felt like slow motion. When he opened his eyes, he looked at her. “The tournament is an ancient tradition, Tem. It is bound by magic.
We”-he raised his hand to touch her again before dropping it-“are bound by its magic.”
A rock settled in her stomach. Tem wasn’t used to Caspen admitting defeat. She refused to marry another. Why didn’t he feel the same?
“But why now? Why didn’t they just prevent us from getting married in the first place?”
“They should have,” Caspen said. “But my father placated them. He promised to use you to defeat the royals. Now he is dead, and the humans are still in power. The Senecas are angry he broke his word.”
“This is ridiculous,” Tem said.
Caspen sighed. “Perhaps to you. But you are a Seneca, Tem. Your quiver has every right to present a more suitable match for you.”
“There is no more suitable match for me.”
Caspen gave her a small smile. “I agree.”
It was unfathomable to Tem that everyone would be so involved in their business. Basilisks were so nosy. Everything was a community event-every decision needed approval-everything was voted on and discussed and considered by a great many people before it was allowed. She couldn’t understand it. For all the freedoms the basilisks enjoyed in their sex lives, the rest of their society was rigidly structured. It was a bizarre juxtaposition and one Tem would never get used to.
“You said they will present a suitable match,” she said slowly.
“That is correct,” answered Adelaide.
“So who will they present?”
Adelaide glanced at Caspen. “We…cannot know for sure. Only the highest-ranking male has the power to contest a marriage.”
“And who is their highest-ranking male?”
Caspen rolled his shoulders. Tem knew him well enough by now to know that something bad was incoming.
“Who, Caspen?” Tem insisted. But she already knew.
There was only one Seneca who would care enough to contest her marriage to Caspen-one man who would do anything to destroy the home she’d built here.
Tem already knew.
But Caspen answered anyway. “Rowe.”
Rowe.
The very basilisk she wished never to see again, the one who had irreparably hurt her and Caspen. The basilisk who wished her dead.
“But Rowe hates me.”
“He does not hate you, Tem,” Caspen said. “He is envious of your power, and he carries a grudge against me. Marrying you would kill two birds with one stone.”
“But he-he doesn’t even have a-“
Caspen knew where she was going and answered, “A cock is not a requirement for marriage, Tem.”
“It is for me.”
Both basilisks smiled, but their grins quickly faded.
“Rowe is not the only factor at play,” Adelaide continued. “They will present Eros as well.”
“Who’s Eros?” Tem interjected.
“Rowe’s older brother.”
“He has a brother?”
“He does.”
This was terrible news to Tem. One Rowe was bad enough. Now there were two of them?
Adelaide turned to Caspen. “Eros is known for his bloodlust,” she said, her mouth tight with worry. “Rowe would be preferable.”
“Neither would be preferable,” Tem snapped. Caspen had to win. Any other result was unacceptable to her.
“Even if Eros wins,” Adelaide continued, “knowing Rowe, he would kill his own brother to enact his first rights.”
“Is that allowed?”
Caspen sighed, repeating the line he had told her once before: “Everything is allowed here, Tem.”
Everyone processed his words in silence. All things considered, it was a disaster. “I won’t participate,” Tem said. “I refuse.”
“Your marriage has been contested, Temperance,” Adelaide said firmly. “It is not up to you. You must participate.”
“But why?” She hated the desperation in her voice.
Empathy softened Adelaide’s face. She placed a hand on Tem’s shoulder. “Nothing is certain in our society, even marriages. There is always a chance that a stronger option could present itself.”
But there was no stronger option than Caspen.
“You and Caspenon cannot touch until the tournament is complete,” Adelaide continued. “And even then, you will only be reunited if Caspenon is the victor. If Rowe wins-“