Page 98 of Between Two Kings

“I did, but then something happened.”

His grip tightened. “What happened?”

For some reason, Tem hesitated. She couldn’t seem to talk about the church. If she said it out loud, somehow that made it real.

“Gabriel got hurt,” she said instead.

Caspen said nothing. He didn’t care if humans got hurt—he’d made that clear. But he’d also promised to protect Gabriel, and he was breaking that promise right now.

“I told you the villagers were angry,” she insisted.

“What do you wish for me to say, Tem? There is nothing to be done.”

“There’s always something to be done.”

Caspen just shook his head. What would it take to convince him that this was his problem too? What line had to be crossed in order for him to care? Would it take his own people getting hurt? That line was too far for Tem. She needed him to understand this now.

“I told you it would get worse.”

“The villagers are none of my concern.”

“They are my concern,” Tem nearly shouted.

Caspen sat up. Tem did too.

His dark eyes were on hers, deep and knowing. He touched his fingertips to her hip, brushing them up her waist, over her breast, and along the column of her neck. They rested beneath her chin, tilting her head up to his.

“You are my only concern, Tem.”

Tem wished she believed him. But Caspen didn’t seem very concerned with her at all. He’d gone hunting without her last night, and now he was dismissing her. Even Apollo had been more attentive than this.

“If I am your concern, then you should listen to what I’m telling you.”

Caspen sighed. His fingers traced her lips. His eyes were black; she knew he wanted her. But she would not be distracted by seduction.

“We need to do something about it,” she said. “And soon.”

“What would you have me do, Tem?”

For some reason, Tem thought of her conversation at the Horseman, how Gabriel had delighted at the idea of sex parties. An wild idea occurred to her, and spoke it aloud before she had a chance to overthink it: “What if Gabriel came here?”

Caspen blinked. “Why would he want to come here?”

“So he could…I don’t know…see how we live.”

Tem was grasping at straws. She was desperate. But how else could she humanize the basilisks in Gabriel’s eyes? He’d expressed interest in coming here in the past. What if he actually did it—what if he saw that the snakes he hated so much acted just like him? If Gabriel came here and integrated with the basilisks for a night, he might understand that their lives were just as worthy as his. Gabriel held significant sway with the villagers. If Tem was able to evoke some empathy in him, perhaps she could put a stop to this. The stakes were too high not to try.

“He’s the head of the rebellion, Caspen,” she said quietly. “If we can get him on our side, it would help. It could change everything.”

Caspen turned to the fire. Tem brushed her fingers along his shoulders gently, savoring the hard muscle beneath his skin. Even now, when they were talking about something serious, she wanted him. She would always want him.

“It is a risk, Tem. One I am surprised you are willing to take.”

To be honest, Tem was surprised too. But something in her gut told her that it would be fine—that Gabriel would be fine. He was open-minded. He did not harbor deep resentment against the basilisks the way Jeremy, Jonathan’s brother, did. The basilisks had not wronged him directly, and yet he led the charge against them. That meant there was still a chance to sway him. It meant there was hope.

“He’s my friend,” Tem said quietly. “I know he’ll see the best in us.”

Caspen sighed. “It is dangerous for humans to come here, Tem. Someone may crest him.”