Between Two Kings (Split or Swallow, #2)

by Lindsay Straube

This book is for anyone who has ever had to choose.

Tem had never been fucked against a tree before.

That was technically true; 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.

You never have to go without sex, Tem. He was still inside her. What do you mean? I mean you are free to sleep with other basilisks if that is what you wish.

“What do you mean?” “We cannot choose who we love. Our hearts choose for us.” “I love Caspen.” “I know you do. But you also love Leo.” Tem closed her eyes.

“The ones who love you need no coercion to do so.”

Tem stared at him blankly. “You’re not surprised that I’m half-basilisk?” “No.” “Or that I did the ritual?” Gabriel’s grin widened. “No. Although I’m a little jealous you got to fuck Caspen’s father.”

“I was beginning to think that you were entirely boring. That would disgust me far more than what you just told me.”

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

“And they’re constantly…” Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Constantly what, Tem?” Tem blushed, remembering the banquet hall that very morning. “They’re constantly having sex.” Gabriel’s face lit up with glee. “Are they, now? Do tell me more.” “They do it all the time. It’s how they gain power and how they determine who ranks highest in their society.” “Sounds like my kind of society.”

“I’ve been in all sorts of positions, Tem. And I especially enjoyed the dangerous ones.”

“Impressive,” a voice said. “But rather swift. Are you losing your stamina, Caspenon?” Tem turned to see a man approaching them. He was nearly as tall as Caspen and just as imposing. Beside her, Caspen shifted so he was between them. “Tem,” he said. “My brother. Apollo.”

“I’m fine, Caspen,” Tem insisted. “Will you calm down? Adelaide and I are friends now.” That got an amused laugh from Adelaide and a distressed grunt from Caspen, who pursed his lips but didn’t press the issue.

Tem knew Caspen was right. He was painfully, logically, right. As always. This dinner was a terrible idea. To her surprise, amusement seeped from his mind to hers. I think it is going rather well. Seriously? Yes. I had expected you to throw something by this point.

“Do you want to know what I think? I think Maximus never wrote you a letter. That’s why you don’t have it.” Evelyn’s lips pursed. She didn’t reply. But Tem couldn’t stop. “I think you wanted to leave him. I don’t know why—that’s between you and Kora—but I think you were too much of a coward to tell him, so you left town. When he came to find you, you made up the story about the letter so he would take you back. And now you’re looking to me for support, to corroborate your lie. But I won’t do it.”

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

“Temperance.” Adelaide smiled. “Good evening. To what do I owe the pleasure?” To what, indeed? There was really only one thing Tem wanted to tell her: “I slapped Apollo.” Adelaide’s eyebrows lifted. “May I ask why?” “He wouldn’t stop flirting with me.” Adelaide laughed. “Yes. He tends to do that.”

“I insist.” “You insist?” “I beg.” “That’s better.”

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

“All you do is flirt with me. It’s boring.” Apollo raised an amused eyebrow. “In all my years, no one has ever called my flirting boring.” “It’s repetitive. And predictable.”

“Shame. I should like to be in your good graces.” “I’m sure you would.” “I should like to be other places, as well.” “See? Boring.” Apollo threw his head back in laughter. “You are a challenge, Temperance.”

That’s not flirting. You’re just ordering me around. Some would consider that flirting. Not me. Most women would. And those women would have let me fuck them by now.

You will not ruin us. How do you know that? Because I know my brother. What does that mean? It means you cannot ruin what is already broken.

You are beautiful too, Temperance. So you’ve said. Let me guess. That is boring too? Yes. If I cannot call you beautiful, what shall I call you instead? Caspen calls me little viper. He is right to do so. You are deadly.

Evil woman. You have no idea how good you look.

You were stunning.

Caspen’s voice loomed in her mind: Keep going. Tem whipped her head over to look at him. Was he serious? You heard me, Tem. Keep going. Are you insane? He still wasn’t looking at her. He was looking at his plate, acting as if this were a perfectly normal meal. It was anything but. Apollo’s voice came to her next: What did he say to you? He told me to keep going. To her utter surprise, Apollo smiled darkly. You should do as he says. You’re both insane. I already told you, Temperance. You cannot ruin us.

My brother does not know how lucky he is. Trust me, he knows. Then he does not appreciate it. I would fuck you every day if you were mine. Too bad I’m not yours. Yet. Fuck you. I would like to.

Normal is worthless, Temperance. There is nothing normal about you.

Fuck. I want to taste you. Only Caspen gets to taste me.

If my attention is what you seek, you have it, Tem.

Apollo leaned forward, and Tem flushed. I do not need to coerce her to fuck me. She will come to me, on her knees, begging for it.

“He likes my impatience.” “That, I cannot fathom.” She shrugged. “He likes other things too.” Apollo smirked. “Now that I can fathom.”

“Make me come, Apollo. Right now.” His pupils were already dilating, his eyes turning black. “Are you begging me, Temperance?” “I’m ordering you.” “Even better.” Finally, Apollo stepped forward.

“Your cunt is exceptional.” “I—what?” “One of the best I have ever encountered.” Tem closed her eyes. “That’s what you choose to say to me right now?” “It is simply a fact.” “Basilisks are insane. All of you—insane.”

“You may belong to my brother, but I will protect you as if you are mine.”

Are you impressed? That you finished in thirty seconds? Hardly. It is not my fault you inspire such speed. Don’t blame your shortcomings on me. There is nothing short about me, and you know it, Temperance.

The only thing Tem needed was a lobotomy.

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

“Your husband is diabolically hot,” Gabriel murmured in her ear.

“He really is,” she murmured back. Gabriel gave her a tight, final squeeze. “I’m going to go fuck his brother now.” Again, Tem laughed. She rather hoped Caspen hadn’t heard that. “I expect nothing less.” With one last kiss on the cheek, Gabriel was gone.