Page 18 of Between Two Kings

“Pishposh.”

“And they’re constantly…”

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Constantly what, Tem?”

Tem blushed, remembering the banquet hall that very morning. “They’re constantly having sex.”

Gabriel’s face lit up with glee. “Are they, now? Do tell me more.”

“They do it all the time. It’s how they gain power and how they determine who ranks highest in their society.”

“Sounds like my kind of society.”

“Shut up. It’s…obscene. It’s all they do.”

“In that case”—his face brightened even more—“you should set me up with one.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Oh, come on, Tem. I could finally find someone who matches my stamina. Stable boys just aren’t cutting it these days.”

“This isn’t a joke, Gabriel. My world isn’t safe for humans. I don’t want you anywhere near it.”

Despite her warning, Gabriel was still smiling. “I think it’s rather unfair that you get to attend sex parties all day while I waste away washing dishes in the castle. You should let me come to one.”

“That’s not happening.”

“Tem, you’ve got to take me.”

“To the caves?”

“Yes. Immediately, if possible.”

“No, Gabriel.”

“Why not? If there are snake sex parties happening, I take it as a personal insult that I’m not invited.”

“There are no snake sex parties,” she hissed.

“Pah.” He flicked his fingers dismissively.

“Gabriel.” Tem put her hands on his shoulders. “I’m not attending any sex parties, and you wouldn’t be safe at them even if I were. I mean it. It’s dangerous under the mountain. I would never put you in that position.”

A sly smile curled his lips. “I’ve been in all sorts of positions, Tem. And I especially enjoyed the dangerous ones.”

Tem rolled her eyes at that.

“Fine,” he said finally, tapping the tip of her nose. “We’ll put a pin in that for now. But promise me this: no more secrets between us.” Gabriel looped his pinky finger around hers and kissed it. Tem did the same. “From now on, we tell each other everything.”

Tem smiled. For once, it was a promise she wanted to keep. “No secrets,” she agreed. “From now on.”

It was nearly morning by the time they left the Horseman. Gabriel disappeared with a jaunty wave, crooning a church hymn as he rounded the corner to his cottage. On the way back to the caves, Tem thought about what her father had told her: how basilisks were free with their bodies but not with their hearts. Guilt clenched her stomach. Only Tem knew the truth—that her heart did not fully belong to Caspen. Her feelings for Leo would not go away. With time or otherwise. She couldn’t do this forever. She couldn’t lie.

She thought about what Gabriel had said as well, how he wasn’t surprised that any of this had happened to her. How could that be true? Tem couldn’t fathom a world in which anyone was unfazed by such news. But if nothing else, it spoke to Gabriel’s perception of her. He thought she was worthy of the life she was now living. So perhaps she was.

When she reached their chambers, Caspen was by the fire. She crossed to him, touching his shoulder gently. It wasn’t time to bare her entire heart to him. But confiding in Gabriel had given her the courage to at least broach the subject that was most urgent.

“Leo wants us to come to the castle every Sunday night for dinner.”