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.

Guilt prodded her. There was someone she loved. “I would be jealous if you slept with anyone else,” she whispered. Caspen smiled. “I know you would. And that is understandable, given that you are part human. But I told you, Tem, there is no one else I want.” He said the rest gently into her mind: My body and my heart belong to you.

It is all the same to us, Tem: eating and sex. There is no difference. Both are basic needs. Both must be met. Do they have to be met right now? We do not believe in delaying our gratification. Tem thought back to last night, when she’d made Caspen wait for it. You do. She felt another wave of his amusement. Only when it comes to you. And why am I so special? Because with you, the reward is worth the wait.

“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.” “I love Caspen.” “I know you do. But you also love Leo.” Tem closed her eyes. “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.”

“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.”

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

I like Adelaide. Do you? Yes. She’s a girl’s girl. I do not know what that means. It means she would choose me over you. His arms tightened. Who could blame her?

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.

To sin is to live, Temperance. I know you want me. So taste me.

Even though she’d just slapped him, he looked at her as if she’d kissed him. And perhaps, in his opinion, she had. The slap was as good as a kiss. Both were an exchange of power. Both were a passionate, raw reaction. The slap only confirmed that Tem was out of control with him, that she was unable to resist her emotions. She’d thought she was drawing a line between them, but now she realized she was doing the exact opposite. By the way Apollo was smiling, he surely realized it too. She had slapped him, yet he had won.

“We’re nothing,” she snarled. “You’re nothing.” For the very first time, a shadow of hurt flashed in Apollo’s eyes. It was gone so quickly Tem wasn’t even sure she saw it. But it prompted her to say, “I’m sorry—” “No,” he cut her off. “You are not. And I do not want you to be sorry anyway. You are justified, and you know it quite well.” He stepped closer, and Tem’s cheeks flushed. “To accept your apology would be to comfort you.”

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.”

if she surrendered to her instincts and let Apollo fuck her—it would risk her relationship with Caspen. And nothing could make her do that.

Isn’t that the complete opposite of what you’ve been told it would do? I’m definitely thinking you’re going to ruin it with Leo but what do I know 🤷🏼‍♀️ Plus idk who you’re convincing bc it isn’t meeee

“Your basilisk side does not function at half capacity just because it makes up half of you. The part of you that is a basilisk is fully so. The same with your human side.” “So?” “So you are two things, Tem. You always have been. And you are both of those things fully. Your power is unparalleled.” Tem thought about what Caspen had just said to Apollo: She is mine. If she was so powerful, did Caspen covet her power? Tem knew she was safe with him—she always had been. But if Tem was as powerful as he said, perhaps even Caspen could not resist such a draw.

It’s not hard to be a Caspen hater. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s just trying to get your power. Especially to use against Leo

Tem understood Caspen was afraid for her, and she could understand why. It seemed like everyone wanted to take from her. Always, always taking. It was exhausting, and Tem was tired of it. There was never enough of her to go around—never enough to make everyone who wanted something happy. It was beginning to wear on her, to rip her at the seams.

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

“All alone tonight, Temperance?” It was the exact same thing he’d said to her in the passageway before she slapped him. Apollo was always catching her alone, as if he possessed some sort of instinct for when she would be at her most vulnerable. It was a rather uncanny ability, and she hated it. “I guess,” she said as he sat down across from her. Apollo smiled, picking up a fork and twirling it deftly between his fingers. “In that case, I shall keep you company.” “You don’t have to do that.” “I insist.” “You insist?” “I beg.” “That’s better.”

“This isn’t working, Gabriel. You aren’t hurting anyone but yourselves. Do you think the royals care that the church burned down? This will only affect the villagers.” “They’ll care soon enough.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “The royals are just the beginning. The snakes are next.” A chill ran down Tem’s spine. “When will it be enough?” she whispered. The wind was picking up now, howling down the alleyway. Gabriel stared down at her, his eyes gleaming in the darkness. “When they give back what they took from us.”

“I’ve never petrified before.” Apollo blinked in genuine surprise. “Why?” Tem crossed her arms, suddenly embarrassed. When she didn’t answer, Apollo prompted her. “Are you afraid to do so?” “No,” said Tem firmly. He furrowed his brow at her tone. “I see. In that case, why have you refrained?” “Caspen won’t teach me.” “And why not?” “He doesn’t want me to kill anyone,” Tem grumbled. The barest flash of amusement brightened Apollo’s eyes. “You sound disappointed. Do you dream of being a killer?”

I YEARN TO PETRIFY

“You are my only concern, Tem.” Tem wished she believed him. But Caspen didn’t seem very concerned with her at all. He’d gone hunting without her last night, and now he was dismissing her. Even Apollo had been more attentive than this.

Do not tempt me, Tem. I will rip that dress off right now and fuck you in front of them. I doubt that would help relations. I doubt I care.

She leaned closed, ignoring her body’s scream of desire. “You chose this, Leo. Now you have to live with the consequences.”

I meeeeean…? I understand where she’s coming from but also.. you told him to go find her. What else was he supposed to do but bring her back and let her be Queen? Plus who knows what stupid shit she’s pulled to make Leo obey.

“History will always repeat itself,” Maximus sneered. “We do not learn. We do not correct. We forget, and then we repeat the mistakes of our past. It’s a pattern, Temperance. One that cannot be broken.”

“You think you are so much better than your ancestors,” Maximus said, interrupting her thoughts. “You think you can do it all differently. But something always has to give, Temperance. Peace is an illusion.” But Tem was not Maximus; she would not give up hope. She could choose a different path—for the kingdom, and for herself. “Peace is possible.” “There is always a winner and a loser. The cycle cannot be broken.” “You’re wrong,” Tem whispered. “I am not wrong. And you will realize that before the end.”

Caspen didn’t reply. Instead, his eyes traced down her naked body and a chill slipped down Tem’s spine as his gaze landed between her legs. His nostrils flared. An eternity passed. Then he said, “Tell me, Tem. Why is my brother’s cum in your pussy?”

Oh lord.. here we go 🙄

“The remaining contenders will bring themselves to climax in your honor.” Tem stared at her blankly. “In my honor? And what exactly is the point of that?” “It is meant to impress you. The men who can finish the quickest are the most qualified to wed you.” “The quickest? Shouldn’t it be the opposite?” “Not in this case. They will be touching themselves to the sight of you; if it takes them too long to come, you should view that as an insult.”

Helplessly—that was the way he looked at her. Tem had been the first on her knees, but somehow, she had brought Apollo to his. He stared into her eyes, his gaze unwavering as he whispered, “You may belong to my brother, but I will protect you as if you are mine.”

You are worth fighting for, Temperance.

“I am Apollo,” he said. “Caspenon’s brother.” “Brother? I must say I’m rather fond of the brothers in this family.” He glanced over his shoulder, where Damon was watching them with a smile on his face. “Good genetics.” He winked at Apollo, who let out a bewildered laugh. Tem couldn’t help but laugh too. Basilisks, with all their life experience, were somehow never prepared for Gabriel.

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.

It was all coming to a head now. Tem didn’t know whether it was ego or denial or sheer hope that had blinded Caspen for so long, but now there was no more hiding, no more pretending that Tem didn’t feel the way she felt about Leo.

“It is not your mistakes that matter, child. It is how you fix them.”

“At least I have a husband,” Tem said. It was the one thing that might hurt her. Vera’s mouth fell open. “Close your mouth, Vera,” Gabriel said cheerfully. “A bug might fly in.”

Surely, this was purposeful. Surely, Evelyn had done it to be cruel. Her next words confirmed it: “I put you nice and close to us, in case you need anything.” The only thing Tem needed was a lobotomy.

“Tell me, Tem, even if you had them both—could you love them equally?”

Being completely torn in the middle of who your heart was calling to while doing that challenge should let Tem know she could absolutely love both of them equally. Thats the whole reason she couldn’t choose Caspen on her own 🙄

“Everything worked out just the way it was supposed to.” “I’ll say,” one of the royals said. “The last one was a chicken farmer, wasn’t she?” It had been a long time since that simple taunt had made Tem blush. But it did so now, and she turned to Caspen. “Can we go?” He was looking at the man with fury in his eyes. Tem placed her hand on his arm, holding him steady. “Please, Caspen. I just want to go.” But the man wasn’t done. “Seems like you upgraded. You wouldn’t want your children playing in chicken shit, would you?” Immediately, Caspen opened his mouth to retaliate. But Leo beat him to it. “Watch what you fucking say about my wife.” Tem’s mouth fell open, and hers wasn’t the only one.

“You look beautiful, Tem,” he whispered. He shouldn’t be saying that. He shouldn’t be telling a woman who wasn’t his bride that she looked beautiful. But he was. “So do you,” Tem whispered back. Leo tilted his head. “Is that so?” “Yes. Boys can be pretty too.”

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.

Finally, Leo pulled away. Then he followed Gabriel into the passageway. “Who was that man kissing Tem?” she heard him ask Gabriel as Damon ushered them away. “That’s Apollo,” Gabriel replied. “Caspen’s brother.” “His brother?”

I only think about you more. You’re in the whiskey I drink, the books I read, the stars I see. You’re a part of me.