Page 171 of Split or Swallow

“It does not matter. You are the only thing that matters to me.”

Tem looked straight at him.

“It doesn’t feel that way.”

Regret darkened Caspen’s eyes.

“Then I have failed you.”

She didn’t reply, because there was nothing to say. His words were not enough anymore. Tem knew how Caspen felt one day, and not the next. He was the one thing she truly couldn’t handle: inconsistent.

The fire crackled, and Tem resisted the urge to throw herself into it.

Caspen’s gaze fell to her lips.

“I am merely trying to protect you,” he whispered. “Basilisks do not respect humans. You are considered the enemy. By being with you, I betray my own kind.”

“But you said that it happens—that there are pairings of humans and basilisks.”

Caspen sighed. “Yes. There are.”

“Then how did they come to be?”

“Through great difficulty and sacrifice. Mostly on the side of the human.”

“What do you mean?”

Caspen was silent for a long time. Tem knew she only had to wait him out. She would not be dissuaded this time—she would find out exactly what it would take to be with him so she could make an informed decision about her future.

“There is a ritual,” Caspen said eventually.

“What kind of ritual?”

“One that would legitimize our engagement. But only if you can withstand it.”

“Withstand it?”

“Yes.”

“You make it sound like an attack.”

“It may as well be one.”

“What is it?”

But he hesitated. It was clear this was difficult for him.

“Caspen,” Tem insisted. “Tell me.”

“I already told you it is not worth discussing.”

“Yet clearly I wish to discuss it.”

“Yet clearly I do not.”

“But why?” Tem tried to pull her hand away, but Caspen tightened his grip.

“It would disrespect you,” he said.