Page 243 of Split or Swallow

Caspen shrugged. “It is like you said. I have taught you everything else. Why not this?”

Tem smiled at that. But it quickly faded.

“I’m…scared,” she whispered.

His expression softened.

“We do not have to do anything today. You can take your time.”

But they were running out of time. The ball was mere days away—the wedding would be shortly after. If Tem didn’t do this now—if she couldn’t master this new part of her—Leo’s safety wasn’t guaranteed.

Something else gnawed at Tem’s heart—a fear she didn’t want to name. She looked up at Caspen, staring deep into his golden eyes.

“Caspen,” she said slowly. “You said our connection is what made the council acknowledge your authority.”

“It is.”

“So you can…draw power from our connection? From me?”

He nodded.

“I can.”

“Even if I’m not near you?”

Another nod.

“Yes.”

Tem looked straight at him.

“So when you send me pulses—when you turn me on—it makes you more powerful.”

“It does.”

He said it calmly. Tem frowned.

All those times he’d brought her to climax using the claw—he was drawing power from her. He was using her. She thought about the time in the bathtub—how it had occurred while he was meeting with the council, seeking approval for their engagement.

Caspen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Why are you asking me this, Tem?”

“You’re using me to gain power.”

He didn’t respond.

Tem tilted her head. “Am I wrong?”

Still no response. She hardened her tone:

“What if I didn’t give you power? Would you still be with me?”

Caspen touched her chin, pulling her face to his.

“Of course.”

She gave him a look.