Page 109 of Between Two Kings

Tem rolled her eyes so hard, she nearly sprained her brain. “I told you. They aren’t sex parties.”

“Sure sounds like a sex party to me.”

“It’s dangerous, Gabriel. There will be hundreds of basilisks there. If any of them transition, you’ll be dead.”

“I’m sure you won’t let that happen.”

“If I transition, you’ll be dead.”

“Pah.” He flicked his fingers.

“This is serious, Gabriel. I’m…” She paused, and he held her gaze.

“What, Tem?”

“I’m trying to make things better,” she whispered.

It was the least she could say—the least she could do. She wasn’t just trying to make things better—she was trying to fix everything in one night. It was an impossible task.

Gabriel shifted closer, his blue eyes holding hers.

“Is this a peace offering?”

Tem nodded.

“And if I go, will the basilisks leave the villagers alone?”

Tem hadn’t exactly cleared that with the basilisks. But if she was as powerful as Caspen said, she would do everything she could to make that the case.

Again, Tem nodded.

Gabriel leaned back, tilting his head as he appraised her. “So,” he said, taking the last dregs of his beer. “What can I expect?”

Pure relief swept through her. Nothing mattered except for the singular fact that Gabriel had agreed to her plan. Tem felt suddenly light as a feather. “You can expect…everyone to be naked.”

“Perfect. I love being naked.”

“They’re naked all the time.”

“As they should be.”

“Gabriel.”

“Tem.” He put his hands on her shoulders, pulling her close. “I understand this is an olive branch. But if you’re telling me that I’m going under the mountain, I need to know what I’m in for.”

He was right, of course. The last thing she needed was for Gabriel to be out of his depth.

“It’s a risk,” she said honestly. “And I cannot guarantee your safety.”

Gabriel touched her cheek. “Surely there is no danger as long as I’m with you.”

“That’s not necessarily true.”

“Well, surely there is no danger as long as I’m with your hot husband.”

Tem’s mouth fell open. “That’s not true either. He can’t—”

“Tem.” Gabriel grabbed her face, looking her straight in the eye. “Am I going to see him naked?”