Page 25 of Between Two Kings

Caspen sighed. In that sigh Tem heard the burden of brotherhood and the weight of their past together. “He was.”

“He shouldn’t be doing that.”

“He has every right to flirt with you, Tem.”

“Well. I’m not going to flirt back.”

Caspen finally looked at her. “I cannot stand in your way if you did.”

Tem frowned. “Seriously?”

He nodded. “Yes. My brother has first rights to you.”

“And what are those, exactly?”

“They are an ancient basilisk custom.”

Tem rolled her eyes. The last thing she needed was another ancient basilisk custom. “But what does that mean?”

“It means if I were to die, Apollo would be given the option to court you first, before anyone else. He would be expected to marry you in my stead.”

Tem blinked in disbelief. “That seems like it shouldn’t be allowed.”

Caspen gave her a small smile.

“Everything is allowed here, Tem.”

It was then that Tem remembered the ritual. Did she really expect siblings to respect one another’s relationships when she had slept with Caspen’s father to prove her worth to his quiver?

“I would never marry your brother.”

“That is your choice. But you should know he will expect you to sleep with him.”

“Why?”

Caspen’s lips twitched into a smile. “To ensure your compatibility in the event that I die and he has to exercise his first rights.”

“Well. You’re not allowed to die.”

The smile widened. “I shall endeavor not to.”

“And I won’t be sleeping with your brother.”

“It is not mandatory, Tem. I am simply telling you that he will expect it.”

“He can expect nothing from me.”

The smile widened. “That is your choice,” he said again. Then he kissed her on the forehead. “But he will pursue you unless you tell him not to.”

Tem shook her head. “Can’t you just tell him for me?”

“It would have to come from you. That is the only way he will respect it. Otherwise he will think I am trying to keep you from him.”

“But you are trying to keep me from him.”

“No.” Caspen shook his head. “I am not. You say you do not want him now, but you may change your mind in the future. And if you do, I cannot stand in your way.”

Tem turned his words over in her mind. She knew that Caspen liked it when she adhered to basilisk traditions. But she was having a very difficult time wrapping her head around how it could possibly make no difference to Caspen were she to sleep with his brother. The concept of first rights was completely foreign to her. It was almost as if siblings were considered interchangeable.