Page 321 of Split or Swallow

“You both want the same thing,” Tem said. “Can we at least agree on that?”

They looked at her.

She realized she had inadvertently spoken too much of the truth, and scrambled to move things along:

“When Leo becomes king, he will cease the bloodletting immediately.”

Caspen looked back at Leo.

“Your father might mind.”

“He won’t be king anymore. He won’t have a say.”

Caspen’s jaw tightened.

“The bloodletting is the reason you have so much gold. If you cease it, you forsake your wealth.”

Leo licked his lips, and Tem wondered if he was thinking about the golden fangs in his mouth.

“Wealth obtained in such a way is of no value to me. There are far greater treasures than gold.”

Tem didn’t miss the way his eyes flicked to hers. Caspen stepped toward Leo, who immediately stiffened. For a single, terrifying moment, Tem thought he might tell him about the crest. But then Caspen said:

“Why?”

Leo blinked.

“Why what?”

Caspen stepped even closer. To Leo’s credit, he didn’t step back.

“Why are you willing to go against your own father?”

Despite how close Caspen was standing, Leo looked over at Tem for a long moment before answering:

“I know how it feels to lose something you love,” he said. His eyes slid back to Caspen’s, and he finished quietly. “My father loves power above all else. I’d like to see him lose it.”

Caspen didn’t know Leo’s story—didn’t know he was referring to Evelyn. But Tem knew Leo’s motivations better than anyone. The bloodletting wasn’t just a misdeed that needed to be corrected—it was a way for Leo to heal from his past.

Caspen raised his eyebrows, and Tem swore she saw a modicum of respect pass over his face. Then he stifled it.

“No royal is so altruistic. What do you expect in return?”

“He doesn’t want anything,” Tem said.

“But I do,” Leo said quietly. He turned to Tem, and her heart stopped. “I do want something in return.”

A beat of silence passed.

Now Tem understood. Leo was willing to do this, but only on one condition.

Her.

Caspen let out a dry snicker. Leo held up his hand.

“I do not expect you to stop seeing each other. I am not so naive to think that your bond could be ignored. Love demands to be felt.”

There was a pause, and Tem’s heart nearly broke. Leo was always doing this—saying deeply impactful things in a matter-of-fact manner. He was skilled with his words, even now.