Page 335 of Split or Swallow

It wasn’t even an option. But she had to say it.

Bastian’s cold smile returned. He pointed a single finger over her shoulder. Tem turned to see Leo, who was leaning against a statue, watching them.

“We had a deal, remember?” he murmured in her ear. “You perform the crest. I spare the human prince and his sister.”

“I don’t trust you anymore,” she snapped. “How do I know you’ll keep your word?”

Bastian’s voice dropped even lower, sending a chill down her spine. “Because otherwise, his death is guaranteed. Are you willing to take that risk?”

Tem knew the answer, even if she didn’t like it. She already had too many deaths on her hands; her fingers may as well be dripping with blood. She would do anything for the chance to spare Leo. And Bastian knew it.

But Tem no longer believed that Bastian would keep Leo and Lilly safe. Their deal meant nothing; any promise of peace was a false one. It didn’t matter that Tem was marrying Leo to bring their two worlds together—it didn’t matter that Caspen and Leo wanted a different future for the kingdom. Nobody would be spared from the wrath of the Serpent King. The crest was supposed to save them all. And now? Bastian was forcing her to choose between Caspen and Leo. If she performed the crest, she lost Caspen. If she didn’t, she lost Leo. It was an inconceivable choice, and one that was pointless. No matter what she chose, Caspen’s death was all but guaranteed.

Tem could see no way out—no solution to this terrifying problem.

“There has to be another way,” she said desperately.

Bastian let out a humorless chuckle.

“The time for negotiation has passed, Temperance.”

He took a step back, appraising her.

“Crest the royals as soon as the ceremony is over,” he said, his voice like silk. “Or accept the consequences.”

Then he was gone.

Tem stood there, completely numb, her mind racing. Before she could even blink, a hand was on her back.

“Tem,” Caspen’s voice broke her from her trance. “What did my father say?”

What indeed.

Tem looked up into the golden pools of Caspen’s eyes, wanting nothing more than to lose herself within them.

“Tem,” he insisted. “Tell me.”

Just when she opened her mouth to speak, Leo appeared.

“Tem,” he said. “Is everything in order?”

Caspen’s eyes flicked to Leo’s before returning to Tem’s. For a moment, nobody said anything. Tem was deeply aware of how odd they must look—the prince, his future wife, and the basilisk—standing at the edge of the maze.

She turned to Leo.

“I’m fine.”

She turned to Caspen. It was time he learned the truth.

“Your father means to crest me.”

Caspen frowned. Leo frowned too, and Tem knew he was about to hear some things that he wouldn’t understand, and might deeply disturb him. But she could do nothing to prevent that now.

“Why would he do that?” Caspen asked.

“He knows I’ll be a threat once I perform the crest. He won’t let that happen.”

Caspen’s frown deepened.