Page 190 of Between Two Kings

Tem turned to Caspen. “Did he…?”

But she didn’t know how to finish her sentence. Make himself a new cock? seemed far too casual for what Rowe had done. But that was exactly what had happened.

Caspen looked just as shocked as she did. “Yes.”

Even from here, Tem could sense Rowe’s power. It flowed off him in waves, drawing the notice of everyone around him. The murmurs grew louder. All around them, basilisks whispered to one another in shock.

“I thought what you did made him weaker,” Tem whispered.

Beside her, Caspen rolled his shoulders. “It seems he has…found a solution.”

Rowe had certainly found a solution.

Light shone on his golden shaft, glowing in the dim lighting of the banquet hall. It was mesmerizing; Tem couldn’t look away. She’d been haunted by Rowe’s maiming ever since the wedding, but now she couldn’t believe she’d spent any time feeling guilty for what Caspen did. The golden cock radiated power. There was not a doubt in her mind that it was a great, terrible thing.

“Has anyone ever done anything like that before?”

Caspen shook his head. “It is forbidden to use your power in such a way.”

“Why?”

“Basilisks have always been able to turn their blood into gold. It is one of our most sacred properties. But it is not meant to replace that which was taken. To do something like this is an aberration of nature. There is a reason we are unable to regrow limbs or heal fatal injuries. Once a part of us is dead, it is supposed to remain so. To bring it back to life violates the laws of nature.”

Tem shivered. It certainly looked like a violation. “But what does it mean?”

Caspen pursed his lips. “It means that Rowe has done something no one else would dare to do. He has created a part of himself from himself. It is a source of power for him.”

Tem thought suddenly of the final tier, where she was expected to ride the remaining contenders. “Am I going to have to…?”

“Yes, Tem. You are.”

“But how am I supposed to—?”

“Just like you do mine.”

“But his is—”

“It is still a cock, Tem,” Caspen said. “It may not look like one that you or I have seen before, but it is one nonetheless.”

Tem stared up at him in disbelief. “How is this allowed?”

Caspen’s hands were balling into fists. “It is not allowed. There are supposed to be limits to our power. We can only heal what is broken; we cannot regenerate what is no longer there. This is not right.”

Tem couldn’t imagine what Caspen was feeling. He was the one who’d ripped Rowe’s cock off in the first place. It was his actions that had caused Rowe to do this. Rowe had already hated Caspen for cresting his father; Tem shuddered to think of the depth of his grudge against him now.

At that moment, Rowe’s eyes met hers.

Tem froze as his gaze traveled down her body, the desire in it unmistakable. There had always been a bitterness to Rowe, but now it was overpowering. He wore his rage plainly on his face, his expression the twin to Caspen’s.

“He’s so angry,” Tem whispered.

“As am I, Tem.”

Rowe turned, heading in their direction. A moment later, he was upon them. “Temperance,” he said, his voice like gravel. “Are you enjoying the festivities? They are in your honor, after all.”

Tem opened her mouth to answer, but Caspen beat her to it.

“Do not speak to her.”