Page 332 of Split or Swallow

Tem shook her head.

“I’ll be fine. You have to trust me.”

Leo’s mouth was tight with worry.

“That’s not good enough.”

“Caspen will protect me.”

Sharp jealousy darkened Leo’s face. Tem watched as it turned slowly to bitter resolve. They both knew he had signed up for this—that he had agreed to share her. Situations just like this were part of that agreement.

After an eternal moment, Leo bowed his head.

“Very well.”

Then he turned and was gone.

A moment later, Bastian was in front of her.

“Temperance,” he said smoothly, eyeing her up and down. “It would appear you have an entourage.”

Tem’s eyes slid to Caspen, who was standing at the edge of the clearing, watching them. Tem didn’t need to turn around to know that Leo was watching them too.

“I’m a lucky girl.”

“Apparently.”

There was a silence, and Tem dearly wished Leo had gotten her that drink. It was difficult not to feel nervous when Bastian was looking at her as if she were his next meal. It was not unlike the way he’d looked at her during the ritual.

“Congratulations on your nuptials,” the king offered.

“Thanks.”

A pause. The wedding guests milled around them. Then Bastian asked:

“Are you ready to perform the crest?”

Tem didn’t know how to answer him. She settled on:

“As ready as I can be.”

Bastian nodded.

“I hope you succeed.”

Somehow it sounded like a threat.

“Do you?”

A cruel smile slowly twisted Bastian’s face. At the sight, Tem felt rather ill.

“Of course,” he said with feigned nonchalance. “Why would I not?”

“Because it wouldn’t benefit you.”

The moment the words slipped out, Tem realized they were true. To her surprise, Bastian let out a low chuckle.

“I do not do anything that does not benefit me, Temperance.”