Page 85 of Between Two Kings

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means we understand that our deaths are predetermined. If I ever found myself fortunate enough to be beneath your blade, I would welcome it.”

Tem rolled her eyes.

Apollo’s smile only widened. “It would be an honor to die by your hand, Temperance.”

“It would be a privilege to kill you.”

Apollo laughed outright. It was always unnerving when basilisks did that. They were usually so serious that anything other than stoicism caught her off guard. But laughter suited Apollo, Tem realized. Despite his wicked tongue, his energy was decidedly lighter than Caspen’s. It was the same with Damon—almost as if the brothers were born in descending order of seriousness. Then again, Caspen shouldered the burden of leadership. Everyone else was untethered by such responsibility. Tem would be mirthful too if she wasn’t worrying about the future of a kingdom.

“I was impressed by you the other night,” Apollo said, still twirling the fork.

“How so?”

“The ouroboros is not for the faint of heart.”

“My heart is anything but faint.”

“That I know.”

Tem snorted. Apollo didn’t know anything about her heart. He never would. But that didn’t mean he didn’t care for her. She hadn’t forgotten what he’d said after the ouroboros—how he’d warned Caspen to leave the courtyard when the Senecas were advancing on them, how he’d urged him to take her to safety. It was a side of him she wasn’t used to—a side that was compassionate and caring and protective. Of her. Moments like that made her wonder whether his advances were genuine. Moments like that made her falter.

But she could not afford to falter today.

“All you do is flirt with me. It’s boring.”

Apollo raised an amused eyebrow. “In all my years, no one has ever called my flirting boring.”

“It’s repetitive. And predictable.”

“I see. And what would you suggest I do to change that?”

“I’m not giving you tips.”

“Shame. I should like to be in your good graces.”

“I’m sure you would.”

“I should like to be other places, as well.”

“See? Boring.”

Apollo threw his head back in laughter. “You are a challenge, Temperance.”

“You want a challenge? Go away.”

“That will not prevent me from flirting with you. I can still make you blush from across the room.”

“Then prove it.”

It just slipped out. But Apollo tilted his head thoughtfully. “Shall I?” he said quietly.

Tem didn’t answer. She’d said too much already, let this go too far. But Apollo was already standing. He’d been sitting with his back against the wall, already at the edge of the banquet hall, and had to circumvent their table in order to cross the room. As he passed her, his fingers touched her shoulder. Tem shivered at the contact. The moment he left her field of vision, he entered her mind.

Turn around so I can see you.

Tem was frozen in place. What had she just done?