Page 162 of Between Two Kings

“Even if Eros wins,” Adelaide continued, “knowing Rowe, he would kill his own brother to enact his first rights.”

“Is that allowed?”

Caspen sighed, repeating the line he had told her once before: “Everything is allowed here, Tem.”

Everyone processed his words in silence. All things considered, it was a disaster. “I won’t participate,” Tem said. “I refuse.”

“Your marriage has been contested, Temperance,” Adelaide said firmly. “It is not up to you. You must participate.”

“But why?” She hated the desperation in her voice.

Empathy softened Adelaide’s face. She placed a hand on Tem’s shoulder. “Nothing is certain in our society, even marriages. There is always a chance that a stronger option could present itself.”

But there was no stronger option than Caspen.

“You and Caspenon cannot touch until the tournament is complete,” Adelaide continued. “And even then, you will only be reunited if Caspenon is the victor. If Rowe wins—”

“Rowe will not win,” Caspen cut her off.

Adelaide pursed her lips with annoyance. “I said if, Caspenon. If he wins, Temperance will have to marry him. We must all prepare for that possibility.”

Tem crossed her arms. She would do no such thing. The thought of marrying Rowe was abhorrent. She’d kill herself before she let that happen.

Caspen must have read her thoughts because he shook his head and said, “Put that out of your mind, Tem. It is not an option.”

“And why not?”

A small smile tipped his lips. “I would rather not die just yet.”

Immediately, Tem understood. The blood bond tied them together. If she killed herself, it would kill Caspen too. She shook her head. “This is ridiculous. If I’m so powerful, why can’t I call off the tournament? Why can’t I make us touch again?”

“It is like Caspenon said: this is a magic greater than you. We believe the tournament is sanctioned by Kora herself.”

“It is meant to test our love, Tem,” Caspen added.

Tem couldn’t think of anything worse to test right now. She was already struggling with her feelings for Leo—feelings that were likely to get her killed. It was not an ideal time to put a strain on their relationship. The last thing she needed was for everything to be out in the open.

“Basilisks take their traditions seriously,” Adelaide continued gently. “You must adhere to the results of the tournament. We all must.”

Tem wasn’t in the mood to adhere to the results of anything. She abhorred the idea of someone else deciding her partner for her. Of all the basilisk traditions, this was the most ridiculous. Why would she ever accept any other outcome than Caspen?

Tem needed more information. She was dying to know what the tournament entailed, how exactly they would compete for her hand. If Caspen was going to beat Rowe, they needed to be prepared. She turned to Adelaide. “You said you’ve seen this before. What happened?”

“My grandmother was a Drakon, my grandfather a Seneca. The Drakons contested their marriage, and my grandfather had to fight for their love.”

“Fight?”

“Yes.”

Tem turned to Caspen. “I don’t want you fighting anyone. If there’s a chance you could get hurt, I don’t want you doing this.”

“You have already made it abundantly clear that I am not allowed to die.”

Tem almost smiled at that.

“But I am afraid it is not up to you,” he sighed. “The tournament is binding. I must participate. To do otherwise would be an insult to both our quivers and most of all an insult to you. If I do not compete, I surrender you to the Senecas.”

He sounded resolute, as if he had accepted this a long time ago. And perhaps he had. Caspen had seen the warnings—the angry group of Seneca man, the writing on the wall. This was not a surprise to him, even if it was to Tem.