Page 110 of Between Two Kings

Tem sighed. There was no containing him. Perhaps it was impossible to anyway. Gabriel’s joy radiated off him in infectious waves, and even Tem couldn’t help but feel hopeful. It was the happiest she’d seen him look in weeks.

“Yes,” she muttered.

“Excellent.”

“But, Gabriel”—she placed her hands over his, holding him to her—“you have to take this seriously. The point is to show you how the basilisks live. The point is to humanize them.”

Gabriel sobered somewhat at that fact. It was true; this was no lighthearted visit. There might be pleasure involved, but pleasure was not the point. The entire goal of him coming under the mountain was to show him that the basilisks were deserving of respect—that they were kind and worthy and just as important as the humans. Everything was riding on this.

“I understand,” he said quietly, his eyes holding hers. “Trust me.”

Tem did trust him. She always had. “I have to warn you,” she said. “It’s mating season.”

“Mating season?” He waggled an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

“It’s a time when any single basilisk seeks a mate. It’s a particularly…voracious time.”

“Voracious?”

“I don’t know how else to describe it.”

“You described it perfectly, dearest. I await the ravenousness.”

Tem rolled her eyes again. He was impossible.

They spent the rest of the evening drinking beers and talking about nothing. They didn’t discuss the protests, the church, or anything of substance. It felt like old times, and it felt damn good. But eventually, it was time to go.

They walked to the caves together, Tem’s arm looped in Gabriel’s. She held him close, keeping his body right next to hers, as if she could keep him next to her heart.

“Don’t leave my side, even for a second,” Tem said. They had just entered the cave, and Gabriel was acting far too excited about what was about to happen. “And don’t talk to anyone unless they talk to you first. And don’t flirt.”

Gabriel’s lips turned down in a pout. “What’s the point of meeting a bunch of sexy basilisks if I can’t flirt with them?”

“They could kill you. That’s the point.”

“You underestimate my flirtation abilities, Tem. I could charm the clothes off a tree.”

“I have never once underestimated your flirtation abilities. I don’t think anyone ever has.”

Gabriel threw his arm around her, pulling her close. “This will be fun, Tem. Lighten up.”

“This isn’t supposed to be fun, Gabriel. This isn’t a game.”

He became serious. “I understand, Tem. I want this to go well just as badly as you do.”

Tem nodded. She knew Gabriel understood the stakes, knew he grasped that the future of their kingdoms hinged on this visit. Still, she was rapidly regretting the entire thing. What was Tem thinking, bringing him around a bunch of basilisks? It was dangerous for him. Possibly lethal. If anything happened to him, she would never forgive herself. And yet, if this could soften him toward them—if meeting basilisks could humanize them in Gabriel’s eyes—it would be worth it. Gabriel was the leader of the villagers. His word held real weight.

With a sigh, Tem led Gabriel into the caves.

His eyes slid to the mat in front of the fireplace. He raised an eyebrow but didn’t question it. There was no need to tell him that Tem had trained there—he knew what happened in the caves just as well as anyone else.

“You will need to take off your clothes,” Tem said.

But Gabriel required no explanation. Before she could even finish her sentence, he was naked.

Tem had never seen his cock before; quite frankly, her best friend’s cock was none of her business. So she averted her eyes, keeping her gaze on her own body as she undressed. When they were both naked, she gestured toward the passageway, which they entered together. The deeper they went, the wider Gabriel’s grin became.

“Can you please not look so excited?” Tem hissed. “They’re going to think you’re deranged.”