Page 93 of Split or Swallow

Tem could feel herself blushing. But she couldn’t seem to stop the words:

“They were rough. I…didn’t like it.”

Caspen’s eyes flicked back to her ripped dress. He stepped even closer.

“What are their names?”

Tem clamped her lips. Something about the way he asked it made her certain she didn’t want to answer.

“Tem,” his voice was a low, controlled growl. “Answer me.”

“Jonathan…and Christopher. They’re a year older than me. Jonathan…” Tem dropped her voice in shame. “…he was the one who touched me. Christopher only helped him.”

Caspen was standing with his fists clenched at his sides. When he didn’t say anything, Tem mumbled:

“I shouldn’t have disturbed you. I should go—”

“No,” Caspen shook his head. “You will stay.”

Tentative relief shot through her.

“Take that off,” Caspen nodded at her dress, which she was still holding together tightly.

Tem hesitated. She didn’t want to be naked right now, especially after what had just happened. She hadn’t come here for one of their lessons—she had come here for comfort. Perhaps she had been foolish to expect the basilisk to provide it. Perhaps he expected payment for his protection.

Before Tem could decide how to respond, Caspen pulled off his shirt. He held it out to her, and she took it cautiously.

“Thank you,” she whispered. He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. He continued to watch as she let her dress drop to the ground. Before she could put on his shirt, Caspen stepped forward.

“You are hurt,” he said. Tem followed his gaze to her breasts, where Jonathan’s greedy fingers had left several grape-sized bruises.

“I’m fine,” she shook her head.

Caspen reached for her, and she jerked away sharply, pulling the shirt up to block him. Caspen dropped his hands, his eyebrows knitting together.

“I only mean to heal you, Tem. Nothing more.”

“Oh,” Tem said. “Sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” he paused. “I will do it later, if you prefer.”

His voice was soft. Tem wasn’t used to that tone from him. Their relationship had only recently become a collaborative one, and she didn’t know what to make of the way he was treating her tonight. But she knew one thing: Caspen would never touch her the way Jonathan had.

“You can do it now,” Tem whispered.

She lowered the shirt slowly.

Caspen’s eyes lingered on hers before returning to her chest. He stepped clos⁠er, cupping her gently, his hands warm against her breasts. The fire dimmed as a coolness spread from his skin to hers. When he was done, Caspen brushed his thumbs over her nipples, caressing them tenderly, as if his touch could undo Jonathan’s. Tem closed her eyes, savoring the way it felt.

“You should only know pleasure,” Caspen murmured, tracing the curve of her breasts before filling his palms with them. “Never pain.”

“Tell that to Jonathan,” Tem said without thinking. It was the first thing that popped into her mind, and she immediately regretted it.

Caspen’s eyes narrowed. He looked her in the eye, and she saw all the anger in the world there.

“I intend to.”

Tem had never heard such fury in his voice before.