Page 262 of Split or Swallow

Well. I’d rather you didn’t.

Rowe was coming closer.

If I crest you, everything will change between us.

Nothing will change between us. I’ll still love you, and you’ll still love me.

His blood was seeping onto the stone floor.

Our relationship as it is now will be forfeit.

Only if you decide it is.

You will be bound to me. You will—

I know what will happen. I remember everything you said. But you need power, and I can give it to you. It’s the only way.

Caspen’s eyes fluttered shut.

I will not take your agency from you, Tem.

Even if I’m asking you to?

It will corrupt your very nature. You are not meant to be tamed.

I’m a Hybreed. I’ll be fine.

You do not know that. It could kill you.

Rowe had reached them. His face stretched in a maniacal grin as he leaned forward, extending his hands. Time had run out, and they both knew it. Perhaps the crest would kill her. Perhaps it would enslave her. But if Caspen did nothing, Rowe would kill them both.

Caspen’s voice was barely a whisper in her mind:

I never wanted this for you.

Tem sent her next thought with everything she had left:

I’ve only ever wanted you.

Slowly, Caspen opened his eyes. He raised his hand, wrapping his bloody fingers around Tem’s throat.

You should only know pleasure.

She finished the line:

Never pain.

He closed his eyes.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then something inside Tem erupted, slamming into her from all directions with more force than she could comprehend.

She couldn’t take it. She needed more.

She wanted it to stop. She would die if it did.

It was pain. It was pleasure.

It was everything.