Page 338 of Split or Swallow

“Yes.”

“And that you are engaged?”

She sighed.

“Yes, Leo.”

“Those would have been helpful details to know before our wedding day, Tem.”

“Enough,” Caspen said. They both fell silent. “What can be done?”

A beat passed before Tem began:

“I can perform the—”

“No,” Caspen said sharply. “You cannot.”

“It will make me powerful, Caspen. I can resist your father’s crest.”

“He is ancient, Tem. He has had centuries of experience wielding his power. You stand no chance against him.”

“You’re the one who always told me I could do anything. Was that a lie?”

“Of course not. But this is not a matter of sheer will. He will overpower you.”

“I have to try.”

Caspen crossed his arms.

“Crest just one person, Tem. Heal yourself, and then I will heal too.”

She shook her head.

“No. The deal was to crest the royals.”

Tem said it without thinking. It was only when Leo drew away that she realized the effect her words would have.

“You plan to—” he paused, and she could see him struggling to say the word, “—crest my family?”

Tem felt the sudden urge to cry.

“It doesn’t hurt them,” she insisted. “It’s completely painless.”

“But you would draw power from them? From me?”

Tem shook her head.

“No,” she said. “Not from you. Never from you.”

Caspen watched their exchange in silence, his mouth set in an unhappy line. Despite his previous threat to reveal their plan to Leo, Tem knew he never would have actually done so. He was like Leo in that way—he refused to do anything to hurt her. Tem was the one who was always hurting them.

Tem stepped closer, taking Leo’s hands in hers.

“I only agreed to the crest because it would spare you.”

“Spare me from what?”

“From my father,” Caspen took over. “He will kill you otherwise.”