Between Two Kings (Split or Swallow, #2)

by Lindsay Straube

Tem had chosen Caspen. But it wasn’t because she didn’t love Leo. It was because she wanted more for Leo. And in doing so, she had accepted less for herself.

With Caspen, her desire was primal and raw, visceral, consuming her like a hungry animal. With Leo, it was slower—a glowing coal that smoldered deep within her chest.

Caspen smiled. “It is easy,” he whispered, “to worship you.”

“The heart is a curious thing, Temperance,” Kronos said carefully. “It cannot be reasoned with.” “What do you mean?” “We cannot choose who we love. Our hearts choose for us.”

“Temperance. You must be careful. Basilisks are free with their bodies but not with their hearts. It is a dangerous thing to love two people. You need to prepare yourself.”

“It does not matter what you did wrong, Temperance. It is how you choose to fix it that defines who you are.”

“Tem.” Gabriel leaned in. “You’re my best friend. Nothing could ever make me think any less of you.”

“It means if I were to die, Apollo would be given the option to court you first, before anyone else. He would be expected to marry you in my stead.”

You are their queen. A moment passed. Then: You are my queen.

“How can you always think the best of me?” “Because you are the best of me,” he said simply.

Of course she looked flushed. She’d just had an orgasm.

Caspen. You can’t hurt her. She’s the queen. Caspen turned to her, looking straight into her eyes. You are the only queen I answer to.

Finally, Apollo whispered, “Do not come to me for comfort, Temperance. Come to me when you want me to fuck you the way my brother will not.”

“I would do anything you asked, Tem,” he whispered. “Whether I am bound to you or not.”

Leo let out a dull laugh. “A fucking chaperone isn’t going to stop me from wanting you, Tem.”

Apollo’s smile only widened. “It would be an honor to die by your hand, Temperance.”

If she consummated the crest, she signed her own death sentence. But if she didn’t, she signed Leo’s.

Apollo also straightened, his eyes still on hers as he said, “Hello, Brother.”

obsessed with the damon and stefan reference 😍🤭

He burned for her—craved her as a starving man craved his last meal. She wondered what it would take to feed him.

Apollo looked down at her. If I am a god, you are a goddess.

A life without risk is not a life worth living, Temperance.

One more, Temperance. Just one more. Please. Again, he begged. A man undone.

Tem had been the first on her knees, but somehow, she had brought Apollo to his.

She was too driven by desire to accept that her decisions did not matter. The basilisk way was not her way. It never would be.

Apollo was nearly there. Just before his moment of climax, Tem placed her lips right against the shell of his ear so there was no possible way he would miss her saying, “Good boy.”

Apollo groaned. Then he came.

Leo ran his fingers through his hair before letting out a heavy sigh. “Will you be naked too?” “Yes.” He seemed to cheer up at that. “Very well.” “Really? Now you’re ready?” “I am but a man, Tem,” he smirked. That he was.

He was no longer a prince. It was an honor to see the king he had become.

“I was your first love, Tem,” Caspen whispered. “He will be your last.”

NO FUCK I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS

They sat on the bench together, facing the old willow tree. E + L And then, right below it: T + C

actually fucking crying

I am sorry you will have to watch me die.

NOT OKAY

It has been the greatest honor of my life to love you. I only hope I was worthy of your love in return.

full on bawling