Page 195 of Split or Swallow

Her mother looked up from her sewing.

“Yes, dear?”

“Do you still have the ylang ylang and sandalwood?”

Her mother frowned.

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

Tem hesitated. They were well into the training process; there was no reason why Tem would need the same thing she’d needed on her first night in the caves. Yet she felt much the same as she had that night: like everything she’d ever known was about to change.

“I…need courage tonight.”

It was all she could say without revealing anything else. Her mother’s frown deepened, but she didn’t ask any more questions. Instead she set her sewing aside and retrieved the amber glass vials, motioning to Tem to lift her skirt. She spread the oil gently on each thigh, and Tem felt immediately calmed by the contact. It reminded her why she was doing this: for the people she loved.

“Thank you,” she whispered when her mother was done.

In response, her mother kissed her on the cheek.

The walk was cold and windy.

Tem hunched her shoulders against the autumn chill, hurrying her way to the base of the mountain. Caspen was already waiting for her in the warm darkness of the cave, and he took her hand in greeting, brushing his lips against her wrist. Tem followed him to his chambers and they sat on the edge of his bed. Instead of initiating sex like they normally would, they stared at each other in anticipatory silence. Caspen squeezed her hand in his.

“You do not have to do this.”

Tem rolled her eyes. “Don’t say that to me.”

“Tem,” Caspen pulled her closer, forcing her to look him in the eye. “I will say it until the very last moment, so you know you have a choice.”

But Tem just shook her head. Because she didn’t have a choice—not really. She was on a mission now, one that Caspen couldn’t possibly understand. It wasn’t just about him. Or her. Or even Leo. This was about the future of the kingdom, and Tem would not falter now.

“I’ve made my choice,” she said.

Caspen gave her a small smile.

“So stubborn,” he whispered.

“You should know that by now.”

The small smile grew.

“That I should.”

They lay in bed for a while longer, watching the fire and talking about anything other than what was about to happen. Finally, it was time to go. When Tem began to stand, Caspen stopped her. He tugged at the bottom of her dress.

“There is no need for this,” he said.

Realization dawned.

“I’m supposed to go…naked?”

“Yes.”

“But why?”

“Basilisks have different rules than humans do.”

“I don’t understand.”