Page 204 of Between Two Kings

He smiled. It was a sad smile, and for some reason, Tem wanted to cry. What if this was it? Unless Caspen won the tournament, unless her heart called to him—she would never touch him again. A life without Caspen’s touch was not a life Tem could bear. She wouldn’t survive without him.

“I love you too.”

Adelaide’s hand was on her arm, pulling her back. The rest of the contenders were dispersing, leaving only Caspen and Rowe in the middle of the arena.

“Where are we going?” Tem asked as Adelaide steered her toward the stands.

“To your suite,” Adelaide said. “You will watch the first tier from there.”

They climbed the stairs together. All around them, basilisks reached out to touch Tem—running their fingers along her legs, her waist, her arms—as if they wanted to take some small piece of her for themselves.

The suite was an enormous, ornate balcony. It contained a long bench, from which Tem had a breathtaking view of the arena. Rowe and Caspen stood in the very middle. Caspen’s back was to her, and Tem reached for him with her mind, but their connection was closed. She turned immediately to Adelaide.

“Why can’t I talk to him?”

“You are not to communicate for the entirety of the tournament.”

Tem frowned.

“There is no cause for concern,” Adelaide said quickly. “You can still communicate with anyone else. I am at your disposal, Apollo as well.”

Of course Apollo was at her disposal. He always was. “Can he watch with us?”

Adelaide raised an elegant shoulder. “You may have anyone here that you wish. You need only ask him. I am sure he would be honored.”

Tem reached for the other Drakon brother with her mind, finding him immediately.

Apollo. Where are you?

I am with the other contenders. Why do you ask?

I want you here with me.

A pause. For some reason, she was nervous he would reject her. And then: I am on my way.

Tem turned to Adelaide. “Apollo is coming.”

“Good.”

But even this development was not enough to soothe Tem. “Caspen has no plan,” she said, voicing the thing that weighed on her the most. “He isn’t prepared. He thinks he will win just because he has more to lose.”

“You cannot expect him to prepare as a human would, Temperance.”

“That doesn’t mean he can’t—”

“He will do as he sees best. Do not underestimate his love for you.”

Adrenaline pricked Tem’s spine. She stared down at Rowe and Caspen, wondering what they were thinking.

“If Rowe starts to win, I’m leaving,” she said. “I don’t want to watch Caspen get hurt.”

Adelaide shook her head. “You cannot leave.”

“And why not?”

“When you swore to honor the outcome, you swore on Kora herself. The oath is binding. She will hold you to it.”

“What does that mean?”