Page 58 of Between Two Kings

Apollo stepped forward, his arms still crossed. His cock was half-erect, thick and straight and glorious. Tem had removed her dress already, as had become habit when returning to the caves. She was suddenly acutely aware that she was naked.

“I saw him yesterday. Does that count?”

“No,” said Tem. “It doesn’t.”

“Shame.” He smiled wider. “I wish I could be more helpful.”

“Are you ever helpful?”

“Occasionally. For example, I know where Caspenon is right now.”

“Excuse me?” Tem snapped. “You just said you hadn’t—”

“You asked if I had seen him tonight. Not if I knew where he currently was. You should know by now that basilisks take pride in the details, Temperance.”

If it was possible to roll her eyes even harder, she would’ve. Apollo was infuriating. But that was not surprising. What was surprising was his willingness to help her.

“Fine.” She crossed her arms. “Then where is he right now?”

Apollo smiled. “And why should I tell you that?”

“Because he’s my husband. And I want to know.”

“Only one of those reasons is compelling to me.”

Tem didn’t bother wondering which one. “Just tell me, Apollo,” she said. “And then we can both get on with our evenings.”

“And what if I do not wish to get on with my evening?” Apollo murmured, stepping far closer than was appropriate. “What if I wish to linger here with you?”

Tem looked up at him—the familiar golden eyes, the same smooth, warm skin. Apollo’s heat radiated off him just as Caspen’s did, enveloping her. But she would not be seduced by it.

“I don’t care what you want,” she snapped. “I want my husband.”

“Perhaps I could be what you want for the night.”

“I’m taken, Apollo.”

“There are many types of relationships, Temperance. I have no doubt we could find an arrangement that everyone is happy with.”

“I’m already happy with my arrangement, thank you very much.”

He smirked. “If you insist.”

“I do insist.”

The smirk deepened. “You do not need his permission to do what you want, you know.”

“And how do you know what I want?”

“Please,” he laughed. “I can sense it.”

It reminded her of what Caspen had said in the caves. You are afraid of me. I can sense it.

Was Tem afraid of Apollo? She wasn’t sure. She was certainly wary of him. But that didn’t necessarily equate to fear, and it would be wrong to interchange the two. She was still getting to know him. And what she knew so far was decidedly aggravating.

When it became clear that Tem wasn’t going to indulge him, Apollo said, “Your husband is hunting.”

Tem frowned.