Page 175 of Between Two Kings

With Caspen gone, Adelaide became Tem’s guide.

They moved through the crowd together, and Tem used the time to look at all the Senecas. They were staggeringly beautiful, just like the Drakons, but theirs was a different beauty: more ethereal, less harsh. Whereas Caspen’s features were sharp and severe, the Senecas seemed softer somehow, as if they were sculpted by the same artist but from a different stone.

“So how does it work?” Tem asked.

Adelaide raised an eyebrow. “How does what work?”

“The tournament. What’s the…schedule?”

It felt wrong to refer to it as if it were a sporting event. But perhaps that was exactly what it was. And if Tem was going to be put through this ridiculous ordeal, she wanted to be prepared.

“It will officially begin tomorrow morning,” Adelaide replied. “There will be a feast in the banquet hall. Both quivers will be in attendance.”

Tem didn’t like the idea of breaking bread with Rowe or his stupid brother.

“You will choose eight contenders at the feast,” Adelaide continued.

“Eight? I thought there were twelve.”

“Some of them have been chosen for you. Rowe contested your marriage, so he will automatically participate. Caspenon is defending his marriage, so he must participate as well. Each of them will choose an alternate—someone they trust with you should they fail to win your hand themselves. The remaining eight contenders are up to you.”

Tem took a moment to process this. Who would Caspen choose as his alternate? Adelaide was already answering her question before she asked it. “Caspenon will choose Apollo. He has first rights to you anyway.”

Tem’s heart beat a little quicker. “And how will I pick the final eight?” She knew basilisks well enough by now to know that it would not be as simple as pointing her finger.

“Only men whose ranking is high enough to qualify for the tournament will be eligible. You will select from that group.”

“Just men?”

Adelaide raised an eyebrow. “Would you prefer to include women?”

Tem considered the question. The only experience she’d had with a woman was with Adelaide, and although she’d certainly enjoyed it, she didn’t crave women the same way she craved men. For something as paramount as this—with her entire future on the line—it was probably better to stick with what she knew.

Tem shook her head. “No.”

“In that case, the men will present themselves for your consideration,” Adelaide continued.

Tem’s eyes narrowed. “Present themselves how?”

“They will stand before you,” Adelaide continued, her mouth upturned. “To give you an opportunity to compare their…physicality.”

Tem’s mouth fell open. “I’m supposed to make my decision based on their cocks?”

Adelaide smiled. “You are choosing potential mates, Temperance. It is essential that you see what they can offer you.”

“Is that all?” Tem asked, by now dreading the answer.

“Once you have made your selections, you will seal your choices with a kiss.”

Tem blinked. She would have to kiss each of the contenders?

Adelaide must have seen the look on her face, because she said, “The kiss is only the beginning, Temperance.”

Of course it was.

“The tournament will follow a specific structure,” Adelaide continued. “There will be three tiers of competition—one based on strength, one based on seduction, and one based on the heart.”

Tem waited for details. She already didn’t like where this was going.