Page 235 of Split or Swallow

“Our freedom is also yours. We have a Hybreed,” Bastian spread his fingers wide. “And we plan to use her. She is a resource for us all.”

“If the prince chooses her,” Rowe spat. “And if she even agrees to be used.”

“He will choose her,” Caspen snapped. “My students are always chosen.”

Rowe turned to him, his eyes narrowing.

Tem remembered that Caspen had a reputation to uphold—a legacy to defend.

“And she will not be used,” Caspen continued, his voice dangerously low. “She is not your tool of destruction. She is my future queen. I decide what happens to her.”

“Actually,” Tem said quietly, “I decide what happens to me.”

Everyone at the table turned to look at her.

Bastian cleared his throat. Caspen’s grip on her tightened protectively.

“Of course,” the king said evenly. “You have a say in this, Temperance. Is there something you wish to add?”

There were plenty of things Tem wished to add. But only one thing came to mind right now:

“Why should I do this for you? Why should I enslave innocent people?”

Bastian leaned forward.

“The royals are hardly innocent.”

His words reminded her of the ones Caspen had said—how he didn’t consider human lives a loss. Tem thought of Lilly’s young children, who had no fault in the war against the basilisks. Were they to answer for the sins of their ancestors?

“Perhaps the king is not innocent. But the rest of the royals would be collateral damage.”

“There will be far more damage if you do not perform the crest.”

Tem frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Bastian shrugged with practiced ease.

“The crest is an elegant solution to our problem. It involves no loss of life, no bloodshed. My people can regain power peacefully. If you refuse, we will be forced to carry out a…less elegant solution.”

“You mean war.”

“Yes,” Bastian said simply. “Is that what you want?”

War was the last thing Tem wanted. But she didn’t want to crest anyone either.

“I want peace.”

“I understand your position,” Bastian said. “But the situation is bigger than yourself.”

He spoke carefully, and Tem knew he was trying to control her. If she refused to perform the crest—if she denied the king in front of his council—the Drakons would lose the upper hand.

Tem didn’t want to put Caspen at a disadvantage. But she wasn’t willing to sacrifice Leo’s family for him either.

“Give me a reason,” Tem said.

Bastian raised an eyebrow.