Page 141 of Between Two Kings

Tem still hadn’t answered his question. Apollo still hadn’t moved any closer. They were at a stalemate, and Tem knew it was up to her to break it. But did she even want to? Caspen had made it clear he would allow this. He’d practically encouraged it. But men were funny creatures, and as Adelaide had said, they were stupid. Apollo held the power in this moment. But Tem knew if she said the exact right thing, she could take it from him.

I want you to teach me how to petrify.

His eyes narrowed. I think you want something else.

Well, I don’t.

You are delicious when you are in denial.

The spell was broken. Tem wrenched herself away. “Can we just get on with it already? I don’t have all night.”

He laughed.

“Forgive me. I did not realize you had somewhere to be.”

Tem had nowhere to be and nothing to do but this. But rather than admit that, she crossed her arms and glared at him. Apollo’s mouth was still turned up in amusement as he jerked his head toward the forest.

“Follow me,” he said.

Tem did so.

They walked slowly. Apollo adjusted his pace to match hers, waiting patiently while she navigated the rough trail with bare feet and a shorter stride. When they passed through the wall, Tem glanced in the direction of her childhood cottage but quickly looked away. They were headed toward the far end of town, into a sprawling field. The night was cold; Tem’s breath crystallized before her.

“If I had known we were walking this far, I would have worn clothes,” she grumbled.

Apollo let out a soft laugh. “But then you would not have been naked.”

“This is ridiculous. Anyone could see us.”

“Dawn is still an hour away, Temperance. And we are in the middle of a field.”

He was right. But still. “My feet are cold,” she grumbled.

“So warm them.”

“How?”

To her surprise, Apollo stopped. He turned to face her. “Did my brother not teach you how?”

“How to do what?”

“All basilisks have the ability to regulate their temperature. You are a Hybreed, which means you should be able to as well.”

Tem frowned. Caspen certainly hadn’t taught her that. Although to be fair, there were plenty of things he hadn’t taught her. His resistance to teaching her things was exactly the reason she was here with Apollo in the first place. She wasn’t surprised there were other secrets he’d withheld.

“How do I do it?”

“You can use your mind”—he tapped the tip of his finger gently against her temple, and Tem tried to ignore his proximity—“to direct the blood flow in your body.”

Tem was barely listening. He was standing so close to her.

“How?” she whispered.

“I can show you, if you wish.”

Tem nodded. She could do nothing else.

Apollo’s hand moved to cradle her face, his palm cupping her cheek. She felt his presence enter her mind, and she welcomed it.