Page 14 of Split or Swallow

They had no shortage of eggs. But other food was scarce, and their social status as chicken farmers had long since distanced them from the kindness of their neighbors.

“Then you will eat while you are here,” Caspen said. “I will feed you after our sessions, starting tomorrow.”

Tem nodded, still staring at the ground.

“And do not cut your hair,” he continued. “The prince likes it long.”

Tem’s hair currently fell just below her shoulders, although it was longer when it was wet before her curls set in.

“Lift your chin,” Caspen commanded.

She did so.

“Sit down,” he gestured at the rock ledge behind her. “And spread your legs.”

She did so.

The moment her knees parted, Caspen’s jaw tightened. Up until now, his gaze had been detached, almost unfeeling. Now his eyes glowed brightly, lit with raw intensity. He kneeled suddenly in front of her, leaning forward and closing his eyes. True to his word, he still didn’t touch her. But he breathed in deeply, and she saw his nostrils flare, accentuating the sharp angles of his face.

“Ylang ylang,” he said quietly, “and sandalwood,” his eyes opened. “Who told you to do that?”

“My mother,” Tem said, trying to focus on anything other than the fact that he was kneeling between her very naked legs. “She said it would give me courage.”

Caspen stared at her for a long time.

“And did it?” he whispered.

Tem gave a small shrug.

“I’m not sure.”

He was still kneeling, still holding eye contact. But now his gaze returned to the center of her, and he spoke another command:

“Open yourself.”

Tem’s stomach clenched.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“Use your fingers,” Caspen said slowly. “And let me see inside you.”

He was mere inches away. Tem couldn’t fathom revealing this part of her. But she knew she wanted to. So she took her fingers and spread herself open, showing him what she’d never shown anyone before. As soon as she did so, Caspen’s pupils dilated wide within their golden irises, their expansion mimicking her own. He looked for a long time, so long it became difficult to hold herself open as she slowly became wet beneath his gaze. What was he doing down there? Memorizing her anatomy? Determining how to teach her? Either way, it was exhilarating to bare herself to him. She wanted his approval, and she wondered if he would give it.

Tem was not the only one affected by the process.

For the first time, she experienced what it was like to influence a man. Caspen’s arousal was undeniable—he grew harder the longer he looked at her, and she felt a surge of pride at being the one who caused it, along with an intense curiosity she could barely suppress. She wanted to touch him—to feel the effect she had on his body. She wanted to do what Vera had bragged about doing—take him in her hands and stroke him until he finished. The thought turned her on so much that her fingers slipped into her wetness. The motion felt good, and without thinking, she did it again, right in front of Caspen’s gaze.

She thought he might reprimand her, but he didn’t. Instead she heard a low hiss, and realized it was coming from him. The hiss echoed throughout the cave, bouncing along the walls and surrounding them with its vibration. Tem wasn’t sure whether she should be scared of the sound.

“Do you approve of me?” she asked.

The hiss stopped immediately.

Caspen’s eyes snapped to hers.

“My approval is irrelevant,” he said sharply. “It is the prince’s approval you should seek.”

Tem was suddenly self conscious. She stifled her aching wave of desire, kicking herself for being so insolent. Caspen was a basilisk—she was an idiot for thinking she could have any effect on him.