Page 84 of Split or Swallow

Now Tem was floored. Given their history, the question was almost cruel. She narrowed her eyes.

I haven’t decided yet. What do you think?

There was no mistaking the anger in his voice:

What I think is irrelevant. Your duty is to impress the prince.

Don’t you dare speak to me about duty.

I beg your pardon?

The door opened. The seventh girl came out. The eighth girl went in.

You have neglected your duty since the very first day we met. Everyone else was informed about tonight but me. Everyone else has had sex but me. You’re doing me a disservice, and you know it.

Caspen bristled.

Are you questioning my methods?

I thought that was obvious.

His anger only grew.

What is obvious is that you are impatient, insubordinate, and childish.

Tem didn’t have time to be hurt by his words.

Anyone would be impatient in my position.

Is there a reason for this conversation? Or did you only call upon me to argue?

Tem’s stomach twisted. He was going to make her say it.

If I undress, the prince will see what you gave me.

A pause.

I can remove it, if that is what you wish.

Tem frowned. She couldn’t read his tone.

If you remove it, would you…give me another?

The pause was longer this time. Tem could physically feel the seconds ticking by.

I would give you anything you asked for, Tem.

It was an evasive answer. She was beginning to expect those from Caspen.

There was no time to think it over properly. She had less than a minute before she would be face to face with Leo. She had no idea whether she would undress. All she knew was that Caspen hadn’t prepared her for this. He had purposefully kept vital information from her. And now she—and she alone—would suffer the consequences of his actions.

Remove it.

Caspen’s reply was made of ice.

As you wish.

Tem winced as he slammed the barrier between them back down. A moment later, a bursting pulse shot through the claw. Rather than growing in strength, this one blazed brightly and then diminished, and by the time it was over, Tem felt achingly empty, as if nothing was ever there in the first place.