Page 111 of Between Two Kings

Gabriel shrugged. He looked positively overjoyed. “Oh, come on, Tem. Put yourself in my shoes. Wouldn’t you be excited?”

“I’d be scared out of my mind. I was scared out of my mind.”

Tem thought back to the first time she’d come under the mountain—how Caspen had taken her to his chambers after Jonathan and Christopher assaulted her. She’d kept her head down, her eyes on the ground. Gabriel displayed no such qualms. His shoulders were thrown back, his chin held high. He was fearless.

“There’s nothing to be scared of,” he said. “They’re just snakes.”

“Don’t call them that.”

“I won’t. I’m only joking.”

“This isn’t the time for jokes, Gabriel.”

“I know that, dearest. Trust me, I know.”

They didn’t speak after that. Tem guided him through the passageway, trying to quell her anxiety. It was clear she was more nervous than Gabriel was. By the way he peered around every corner, he was obviously eager to spot a basilisk. Tem was not so eager. She was worried this had all been a giant mistake—one that would once again hurt someone she loved dearly. But it was too late to go back now. Adelaide had already told everyone they were coming. They had to do this. When they reached the edge of the courtyard, they stopped.

Tem put her arm around Gabriel instinctively.

“What’s the holdup?” he asked, peering down the passageway.

“Caspen said he’d meet us here.”

It was true; Caspen had said that, although technically not to Tem. They hadn’t spoken since she told him Gabriel was coming, and Adelaide had been the one to coordinate this meetup. Tem was just starting to worry that Caspen wasn’t going to show after all when he emerged from the darkness, his skin glowing in the flickering torchlight.

“Gabriel,” he said, his voice low. There was a pause, and in it, Tem experienced a bout of minor panic. Were they really about to do this? This was absurd. What if Caspen reprimanded them? But to her relief, he said, “Thank you for coming.”

To Tem’s surprise, Gabriel performed an exaggerated bow, dipping his head nearly to his knees. “Thank you for having me.”

Tem pulled him upright. “There’s no need to bow,” she whispered.

“He’s a king, isn’t he?” Gabriel jerked his head at Caspen.

“Yes, but—”

“You’re supposed to bow to kings.”

Tem sighed. Before she could say anything else, Caspen raised his hand, subduing her.

“You are Tem’s friend,” he said calmly. “There is no need to bow to me.”

Gabriel smiled. Caspen turned to Tem. “Did you tell him the risks?”

“Yes, I did.” Tem neglected to say that she doubted he cared.

“No flirting.” Gabriel piped up, nudging Tem with his shoulder. “Right, boss?”

Caspen raised an eyebrow. Not for the first time, Tem prayed to Kora for patience. She needed Gabriel to behave just this once. Too much was at stake for this to go any way other than perfectly.

“Tem’s wish is for you to experience our culture,” Caspen said. “My people know you are coming, but I must be transparent. Some are not happy about your presence.”

For the first time, fear crossed Gabriel’s face.

“No harm will come to you,” Caspen said. “I will personally guarantee your safety.”

Gabriel relaxed, and so did Tem. She understood that this was Caspen’s way of making things right between them. He cared about the same things she did, even if he had very different ways of showing it.

Tem tightened her grip reassuringly. “Nothing bad will happen,” she insisted. “I promise.” She had absolutely no business making such a promise. But she made it anyway, as if by saying it out loud, she could guarantee that it was true. She turned to Caspen. “Will you make him calm?” she asked.