Page 211 of Split or Swallow

“When will they make their decision?”

“They have likely already made it. I will speak with my father today.”

“But what happens if—”

“Tem,” he said gently, pulling her closer. “Enough. There is nothing more you can do.”

She fell silent, content simply to breathe for a while. It felt good to lay there—to do nothing but feel Caspen’s arms around her. His lips were right by her ear, and he murmured:

“Can I do anything for you?”

Tem considered the request. Caspen had never asked that of her before, and she was not quite sure how to answer. Instead of speaking, she pressed her palm flat against his chest, trailing her fingers slowly down his torso.

Caspen grasped her hand, stopping her before she could go any lower.

“Anything but that, Tem.”

Shame shot through her.

“Do you not want me?” she whispered.

“Of course I want you,” he intertwined his fingers with hers. “I am merely following tradition.”

“Not more tradition,” Tem groaned.

Caspen chuckled softly.

“This one is quite tame. We are not to sleep together the day after the ritual.”

“Oh.”

For once, a reasonable tradition.

“In that case I should get back to the farm.”

Tem tried to sit up, but Caspen’s arms tightened around her.

“Be still,” he said. “You need to rest.”

“I’m fine,” she insisted.

His mouth twitched. “You are stubborn.”

They lay in silence for a moment longer.

But Tem could not remain here forever. It was true she had to return to the farm, otherwise her mother would worry. Beyond that, there was still something else to contend with.

The ball.

Tem found it odd that Caspen hadn’t brought up the event, or the fact that she may very well be moving into the castle by the end of the week. Surely, that would have some impact on their engagement. Surely he cared.

“Caspen,” she said slowly, her breath against his cheek.

“Tem.”

“What will happen to us?”

“When?”