Page 129 of Split or Swallow

Tem didn’t bother waiting for a welcoming committee. She dipped immediately into the shadows, traversing the passageway using nothing but her memory. When she reached the door to Caspen’s chambers, she paused. There was no telling what kind of mood he’d be in. Did he even want to see her? Both Caspen and Leo had discovered that the other meant something to her tonight. It seemed too cruel a punishment for her to lose them both because of it.

Without another second’s hesitation, Tem opened the door.

The fireplace was lit, but the room was empty.

Tem sat on the edge of Caspen’s bed and wondered suddenly if this had been a terrible mistake. What was she thinking, coming to his chambers without an invitation? What if he didn’t want to see her—or worse—what if he had sought refuge with someone else? Her stomach turned at the thought. She could hardly expect loyalty from Caspen when she herself was entangled with the prince.

The fire began to burn low.

What if he never showed? Tem had no idea where Caspen might be—or if he even knew she was here. He could be somewhere deep in the forest, hunting in his true form. He might not return for hours. Tem stood, resolved to go back home. That was when she heard it.

“Temperance.”

Her full name.

Tem looked over to see Rowe in the doorway. He must have just returned from the castle. She was immediately aware of how vulnerable she was—alone under the mountain with a basilisk that wasn’t Caspen. The situation was far outside of her control.

“I came to see Caspen,” she managed to say. “Is he here?”

“He is close by,” Rowe replied smoothly, tilting his head as if listening to something. “And getting closer.”

Tem’s heart picked up the pace. If Caspen was close, she was almost safe.

Rowe stepped into the room, and Tem instinctually stepped back. The basilisk chuckled at her retreat.

“Are you afraid, Temperance?”

Tem said nothing. Rowe smiled, and her blood ran cold.

“Answer me,” he commanded.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’m afraid.”

His smile widened.

“As you should be.”

Tem raised her chin. It was the only thing she could do to defy him.

Rowe crossed slowly to the fireplace, keeping his eyes on Tem the entire time. He moved the way Caspen did, with the same unattainable grace.

“I must confess,” he said musingly, as if this were a casual conversation and not a deeply dangerous scenario. “I cannot understand Caspenon’s infatuation with you. You are not much to look at.”

Tem couldn’t muster the energy to be insulted. She knew there was no winning with Rowe.

“Of course,” he continued. “Caspenon has always been…sentimental.”

Tem reached desperately for Caspen with her mind, but the door between them was still shut tight.

“He knows what he wants,” she said stiffly.

“That much is clear,” Rowe sneered. “And yet, I doubt he knows the price he will pay if he gets it.”

“I don’t understand,” said Tem despite herself.

“No,” his eyes flicked down her neck, to the little golden claw. “You would not.”

Tem fought to control the conversation: