Page 196 of Between Two Kings

“On who will win your hand.”

“Are you serious?”

“It is a lively process, but there is nothing to fear. Gabriel is safe.”

But Tem was no longer worried about Gabriel. The thought of people betting on her love life was absurd. She’d always known that basilisks had no boundaries, but this was on another level.

Gabriel nudged her. “Might have to place a bet myself.”

She smacked him on the arm. “Don’t you dare.”

“Oh, come on, dearest. What’s wrong with a little friendly competition?” He clapped Caspen on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m betting on you.” To Apollo, he mouthed: And you. Then he waggled his fingers at them both before returning to Damon.

“He is really something,” Apollo said.

“You have no idea.”

The evening only devolved from there. Hordes of basilisks undulated throughout the banquet hall, eating and fucking and laughing in equal measure. Energy was unbelievably high; Tem saw immediately what Adelaide meant when she’d said that the basilisks were anticipating the tournament. It defied all logic, but Caspen was right: this was a way for the quivers to come together. Tem only hoped that their good moods would continue no matter the outcome.

At some point, both brothers left her. Caspen was pulled away by a member of the council, who seemed eager to discuss the impending fight. Apollo was pulled away by sex.

Tem watched as he fucked girl after girl, pulling them onto his lap one after the other. She knew it was part of basilisks’ culture—that with every climax, he became more powerful. Still, to watch it in such excess was breathtaking. When the tenth basilisk mounted him, Apollo’s eyes met hers.

Care to take your turn, Temperance?

No thank you.

Pity. I would prefer you over her.

I know you would. But it seems like you’ve already got your hands full.

He literally had his hands on the ass of the blond basilisk riding his cock. Tem’s stomach turned at the sight.

I would rather have them full of you.

I’m not an option, Apollo.

Not yet.

It wasn’t the first time he’d said that to her. But now that the tournament was imminent, Tem knew it was true. She would be sleeping with him in the final tier—riding his cock the same way the blond basilisk rode it now. If her heart called to Apollo, she would have to marry him. Tem tried to picture it: being wed to Apollo instead of Caspen. She couldn’t imagine that life.

I can.

His voice was quiet in her mind—barely a whisper—and it was sincere. For once, Apollo wasn’t flirting. He was testing the waters, seeing how Tem would react to a genuine display of vulnerability. Truth be told, she didn’t know how to react. This was the last thing she wanted to deal with tonight. Her dalliance with Apollo was nothing of importance; it wasn’t real. Not like her and Caspen.

Without another word, Tem left to find her husband. He was over by the betting basin.

My love. What is it?

Spend time with me.

As you wish.

They stood together, not touching, watching the revelry unfold.

One pair of women were so intertwined, they could have been fused together. When Tem looked closer, she realized they were. An object gleamed between their legs, just like the claw Caspen had made her. It was the same color and curved in a similar way. But this object was designed to accommodate them both, double ended, joining them together by their centers so that they experienced dual pleasure. It glistened with their combined wetness, dripping onto the table. The sight made Tem warm. The women were beautiful together—endless curves and soft skin. But it wasn’t until she saw two men tangled in an intimate knot that Tem flushed immediately with desire. Caspen’s presence nudged her mind.

Do you wish to join them?