Page 126 of Between Two Kings

“If this is too hard for you,” she whispered, “you don’t have to come inside.”

“Of course I do.”

Tem flinched at his tone. At her reaction, his voice softened.

“I must come, Tem. I must protect you.”

They both knew there was nothing he could do to protect her. Tem had already made her choice. It didn’t matter what Caspen said now—the night would end with her in the dungeon, bleeding.

Tem reached for the door. Before she could open it, Caspen’s hand clasped down over hers. He leaned in. “Do not do this, Tem. It is not too late.”

She shook her head. “I have to do this.”

“You do not,” he insisted. “We will figure out another solution.”

Tem closed her eyes. If she backed out now, everything would fall apart.

“Tem,” his voice was low. “I will do anything to stop this. Anything.”

But that was exactly what she wanted to prevent. Tem knew there was no end to what Caspen would do for her—no limit to the people he would hurt. She couldn’t allow it.

“I’ve made my peace with this, Caspen. Why can’t you?”

“Because you are precious to me,” he said roughly. “When you are in pain, I am in pain too.”

“I’d rather be in pain than watch anyone else get hurt.”

“That is a beautiful quality, Tem. But you forget that I am the one watching you get hurt. And it is unbearable.”

She didn’t know what to say to that.

Caspen’s grip tightened. “Do not do this, Tem. Please.”

He was begging her. It wasn’t a tone she heard from him often. But he used it now, his golden eyes staring deep into her soul.

“It’s my choice, Caspen,” Tem whispered. “You have to respect it.”

Then they knocked, and a butler opened the door and greeted them in the foyer before directing them to the dining room. Tem was about to sit down when Caspen caught her arm. She looked up at him in surprise.

What is it?

Before he could answer, Evelyn and Leo entered. For a moment, nobody spoke.

“Tem,” Evelyn said silkily, “I hope you’re well.”

Tem nearly snorted. She was positive Evelyn hoped nothing of the sort.

“I figured we could enjoy dinner,” Evelyn continued. “Before…”

“We are not hungry,” Caspen said, his tone nonnegotiable.

Evelyn trailed off. Tem understood suddenly why they hadn’t sat down. They would not be enjoying dinner. She was here to bleed—nothing more. There was no point in pretending that this was a regular evening.

Tem’s eyes flicked to Leo’s. “How does this work?” she asked him.

She wanted him to say it—to spell it out in front of everyone. But it was Evelyn who answered.

“You will go downstairs,” she said carefully. “And you will provide your…sample.”