Page 146 of Between Two Kings

Do you wish for me to help you?

I don’t need your help.

You cannot access your power. I can access it for you, if you wish. Do I have your permission to do so? He was asking to do the same thing Caspen had done many times over.

Fine. Do it.

With pleasure.

Tem gasped as Apollo’s presence sharpened, his grip on her—both mental and physical—tightening mercilessly. A great pulling sensation began to form in her chest. It was a familiar feeling; she’d felt it before with Caspen. But this time, Tem was resisting. She couldn’t help it. She didn’t want Apollo to see her like this, struggling and incapable, like a child in need of assistance.

His voice bloomed in her mind: Relax.

I’m trying.

Not very hard, apparently.

You said you would help me.

I cannot help you unless you relax.

His reprimand was so familiar, she flashed immediately back to her training with Caspen. The brothers had the same way of speaking—calmly, with little inflection, as if what was happening was of no concern to them. Tem had always been the opposite: impatient, restless, fallible. There never seemed to be enough time to do what she wanted to do, to learn what she wanted to learn.

Let me help you, Temperance.

It was the last thing she wanted to do. But Tem was at Apollo’s mercy. She couldn’t achieve this alone. Finally, Tem relaxed. She gave herself over to him, allowing Apollo to do what only Caspen had done, letting him all the way into her mind so he could join it with his. An unmistakable yank tore into the center of her chest, as if Apollo were taking something solid from her. It was not unlike how she’d felt just minutes ago when he’d taught her how to warm herself. But instead of directing her blood, he was directing her power, and finally, she transitioned.

Tem sighed with relief as her basilisk side emerged, clawing its way to the surface until it engulfed first her mind, then her body. Everything was lighter. Everything was better. She hadn’t transitioned in so long—it was nothing short of bliss to wear her true form once more.

Open your eyes.

Tem did so.

Seeing through a snake’s eyes was a singular experience. Certain things stood out: the jerky movements of the chickens, the weak pulse beating at the man’s neck. Other things fell to the wayside, like color. Everything was in shades of bluish green; the sun looked as if it were rising underwater. Tem turned her head to look at Apollo. It was the first time she’d seen him in his true form, and he was infuriatingly beautiful. His scales were darker than Caspen’s, laced with veins of deep blue that reflected the deepening dawn. Apollo looked at her too, and she found herself hoping he liked what he saw. Faint amusement passed from his mind to hers, and she knew that he did.

Then Apollo said, Are you ready?

Yes.

Together, they moved past the wall.

Their transition had been silent, and the man still hadn’t looked up. Apollo released a vibration as they approached, a predator’s call. The man would sense it, just as any human could sense when someone was standing behind them. Sure enough, as soon as they were close, he turned. The man’s eyes widened. They were clouded with white—he was nearly blind—yet the fear in them was unmistakable. Beside her, Tem could feel something happening. Apollo was gathering energy, crystallizing his strength into a single beam of light.

Focus on his heart.

Tem did as he said, focused on the man’s heart, which was hammering. She felt as if she were in a trance. There was so much happening, yet also nothing at all. The man wasn’t running—he was simply standing there, frozen, an open and willing target. They had all the time in the world to do this, yet time no longer functioned as it should.

What now?

Now we take.

Chapter Twenty-Five

He didn’t specify what they were taking. He didn’t have to.

Apollo’s body rippled, then went taut. Tem mimicked the motion, bracing herself for an exertion of force. Instead, his mind cradled hers.

Take, Apollo said again.