Page 27 of Between Two Kings

He was still looking at them when he answered, “Dissent.” Before Tem could ask what he meant by that, Caspen turned back to her and said, “I must address this. It will not take long. Can you manage on your own?”

Anxiety closed Tem’s throat. She was all alone here; Caspen was her only lifeline. But she couldn’t cling to him forever. There was no future for her under the mountain unless she could manage on her own. So she said, “Yes.”

Caspen pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before turning and heading for the group of men.

Tem scanned the room, prepared to find someone—anyone—to talk to. Not even five seconds passed before someone appeared in front of her.

“Temperance,” the woman said.

“Hello,” said Tem because she didn’t know what else to say.

The woman sneered. “Hello? Is that all you have to say to me?”

So they were skipping the small talk. Lovely. “What else am I supposed to say to you?”

“You could start by apologizing.”

“For what?”

“For being here.”

Tem crossed her arms. “I have just as much of a right to be here as anyone else.”

“Do not make the mistake of thinking you are special,” the woman snapped. “Caspenon has had every woman under the mountain, including me.”

A blush rose on Tem’s cheeks. Her first instinct was to be embarrassed or even angry. But she’d already known that Caspen had slept with nearly everyone in this room. If this woman thought that information would hurt her, she was wrong. A part of Tem actually reveled in it. Caspen had been with everyone and he still chose her. It was an honor—an accolade to add to Tem’s list of accomplishments. She took pride in her status, and she would not be talked down to by this woman or anyone else.

“None of those women mattered to him,” Tem said. “Including you.”

“You should abdicate,” the woman hissed.

“Abdicate?” It was a ludicrous idea. Tem was insulted she’d even suggested it. It was true she was new to the throne and new to basilisk culture. But she had earned her place. Caspen had said so himself. “The day I abdicate is the day I die.”

The woman leaned in. “Then let us hope you are not destined for a long life.”

“Enough, Evangeline.”

The voice belonged to Adelaide. She emerged from the crowd with her arms crossed, looking as perfect as ever. Sharp fury flashed over the woman’s face before being replaced quickly by disbelief.

“Have you lost your mind, Sister?”

The moment she said it, Tem realized how unnervingly similar the two women looked. They had the same regal shoulders, the same flawless hair. It was a wonder she hadn’t noticed it before.

“Temperance is here, and she is our queen,” Adelaide continued. “We owe her our allegiance.”

Evangeline scoffed. “You are the rightful queen. We owe her nothing.”

“Enough,” Adelaide said again. This time Evangeline simply turned on her heel and disappeared. Adelaide looked at Tem, her expression sympathetic. “My sister is angry. I apologize for her actions.”

“It’s fine.”

“Temperance.” She touched her shoulder gently. “I mean it. I am sorry.”

Tem was struck by her sincerity and also by the physical contact. Adelaide knew better than anyone what it meant to be with Caspen. She’d been engaged to him before Tem, after all. Her apology meant a lot, even if Tem wasn’t in the space to hear it.

“Thanks,” she said quietly.

Adelaide dropped her hand. “You may find she is not the only one with opinions about your queenship.”