Page 237 of Split or Swallow

“Be careful how you speak to me,” she snapped.

The entire council went quiet. Behind her, Caspen drew in a careful breath, and for a moment, his fingers stilled. Tem paused, ready for him to say something in her mind. But he didn’t. He seemed to be waiting to see what she would do.

So she said:

“I suggest you consider my conditions. If you find them unfavorable, you’re welcome to wait centuries for another Hybreed to show up. I hate to imagine what additional damage the royals could cause during that time.”

There was a long, tense silence.

Bastian was regarding her with something close to hatred. Tem knew she had crossed a line—pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable, or even safe. But she was no stranger to kings looking at her with open animosity. Maximus had prepared her for this.

“Very well,” Bastian said finally, his gaze leaving Tem’s and traveling around the room. “You heard her. The Hybreed is willing to aid in our cause.”

The table was silent. Bastian continued:

“It is time to regain our rightful place in this kingdom. It is time to free our brothers and sisters. It is time to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. And it is time to remember our common enemy.”

Rowe stood.

“That enemy is in the room with us,” he screamed.

Caspen let out a sharp hiss. Unlike the aroused, sensual hiss he made during sex, this hiss was harsh, and clearly meant as a reprimand.

Rowe hissed right back, and at the sound, Caspen stood too, pushing Tem to the side so he was leaning over the table at Rowe.

“Watch yourself,” he said, his voice a spear in the dark.

“Look at you,” Rowe’s eyes were hardened steel as they traced over Caspen’s erection. “Turned on by a blunt.”

Caspen went immediately still. His black eyes narrowed to slits.

“If you value your life, you will not say that word again.”

Rowe smirked.

“Is it not true? You chose a mate who is part human—a mate who is weak. And now you want us to—”

Caspen moved so fast that Tem didn’t even have time to blink before his hand was wrapped around Rowe’s throat.

“There is nothing weak about my mate.”

Several basilisks leaped forward in an attempt to pull Rowe and Caspen apart. The enormous marble table scraped against the floor as bodies crashed into each other in a disorderly tangle. Tem knew Caspen was powerful right now. So when he finally released Rowe it was because he chose to, not because the hands gripping his shoulders had any real impact.

Caspen yanked Tem back into his lap, his breath ragged in her ear. When everyone was finally reseated, ugly purple marks were forming on Rowe’s throat right where Caspen had choked him. Another second, and Rowe would have been dead.

The council was absolutely quiet. What felt like a full minute ticked by before Bastian said:

“Let us put it to a vote. All those in favor of cresting the royals?”

Eight hands went in the air. Rowe sat defiantly still. Caspen, Bastian, and Tem didn’t vote.

“The majority has it.”

Is it over? Tem asked.

Nearly.

The king continued: