Page 236 of Split or Swallow

“A reason?”

“Tell me how the crest will benefit me.”

The king considered her for a long moment, and the basilisks on both sides of the table shifted uneasily. Tem knew that everyone in this room wanted the royals gone. They wanted it more than they wanted power for themselves. And Tem was the catalyst.

When Bastian spoke, his voice filled the room:

“The crest will free your father.”

It was the one thing he could have said to give her pause.

Tem’s father was the perfect example of the royals’ cruelty—of their greed. She may be able to justify some things Leo’s family had done, but never that. Never the bloodletting. It was unforgivable and unconscionable and evil. But did the royals deserve to be crested for it? Did they deserve to lose their free will? It didn’t seem right.

But Tem refused to sanction open war.

She pictured Jonathan and Christopher, petrified in the town square. There would be more deaths—countless deaths—unless Tem put a stop to it herself. The future of the entire kingdom was at stake. Gabriel, her mother—every human who played no part in the basilisk war, yet would be caught up in it anyway. If the crest would save innocent lives, it was worth it.

Tem, Caspen said softly in her mind, and she knew he’d heard her thoughts. You should think this through.

Tem ignored him. She’d thought it through enough. It was time to act.

“Fine,” she said. “I will crest the royals.”

We should discuss—

“On one condition.”

Bastian splayed his hands open.

“Please. Enlighten us.”

Even Caspen fell silent as the room awaited her condition. Tem cleared her throat before saying:

“The human prince will not be harmed.”

There was immediate uproar. The basilisks cried out in unanimous fury, with Rowe’s voice ringing the loudest:

“It would appear that the plaything has fallen in love with her playmate,” he jeered.

There were sounds of agreement, and Tem tried to ignore the unmistakable wave of disapproval coming from Caspen’s mind. She didn’t care if he didn’t like it. She wasn’t done yet.

Tem raised her voice:

“And neither will his sister or her children.”

The uproar increased. It wasn’t until Bastian pounded his fist on the table so hard it cracked the marble that everyone finally quieted down.

“That is more than one condition, Temperance,” he said darkly.

“Those are my terms.”

“This is not a negotiation.”

“Isn’t it? I’m a Hybreed. You need what I can provide.”

“Be careful how you speak to your king.”

But Tem was done being reprimanded.