Page 202 of Split or Swallow

“Are you hurt?” she asked him.

He let out a dull laugh. “You are the one I am worried about.”

“I’m fine.”

His gaze fell to her thighs, where fresh, pink burns were forming. He pressed his palms to her skin, healing the burns with a cooling pulse.

“I am sorry,” he whispered.

“I’m fine,” she said again.

He just shook his head.

“What now?” she asked. “Do we still…?”

“Yes,” Caspen nodded. “The ritual must continue. That is, if you…?”

“I can do it.”

Caspen pursed his lips. But instead of protesting, he gathered her gently in his arms, lifting her off the altar and setting her on the ground. His fingers touched her waist as he led them through the tunnels, and Tem knew they were headed to the suite where they would sleep together until midnight. Tem wanted to ask a hundred questions, but she also wanted to preserve her energy. So she spoke to Caspen using her mind:

I still don’t understand what happened. Why did they all transition?

The ritual collectively turned them on. When that happens, it has a hive effect. We all become one, and if one of us comes, we all do.

Tem processed this. It was a terrifying concept.

But why did it happen?

Because of you.

Tem couldn’t believe what he was saying.

That’s…good, isn’t it?

Yes. But it is also dangerous, especially for you. If you had opened your eyes—

But I didn’t. I’m fine, Caspen.

He pressed a kiss to her temple before changing the subject:

Are you ready for what comes next?

Tem knew what came next would not be easy for her. She thought of all the nights she’d spent with Caspen up until now—how he’d always accommodated her when she needed a break from having sex. He wouldn’t be able to do that this time. They were meant to sleep together repeatedly, without stopping, until the ritual was complete. She didn’t know if her body would be able to withstand it.

I think so.

It was the best she could give him. His grip tightened on her waist.

I will keep you safe, Tem.

She knew he would try. But she also knew what she had just seen: Caspen was bound to his quiver—bound to his true form. He would not be able to suppress his instincts forever.

Tem wanted to ask Caspen about the moment between him and his father—about the fear that had seeped from his mind into hers. But this didn’t seem like the time to broach the subject.

Besides, they had arrived at the suite.

A large room opened up before them with the same stone walls as the rest of the caves. There was no ceiling; Tem could see the night sky. Caspen followed her gaze.