Split or Swallow

CHAPTER FORTY ONE

Hardly any royals survived.

Those that did were found wandering the maze, including Maximus, who was cowering beneath his own statue. The former king was placed in the dungeon to await trial for his war crimes, and the training process was abolished shortly thereafter. There was no need for it anyway: the prince had found his wife.

The remaining members of the Seneca quiver fled deep into the forest, Rowe first among them. Vera was nowhere to be found; she was last seen wandering just outside the wall, calling out for Rowe.

Tem’s mother was the one to unlock the cell door and lead Kronos out of the dungeon. They held hands as he saw the sun for the first time in years.

The other basilisks who were victims of the bloodletting returned to the mountain, where they paid homage to their new king and queen. Tem was still getting used to her title. But the more Caspen said it, the more she believed it.

My queen.

They were in Bastian’s bed. It was tradition for the new king to take over the former king’s chambers, and Tem saw no reason not to honor the custom. Such was the basilisk way, after all.

It was morning, or nearly so. They’d gotten in bed the day before and never gotten out.

My king.

Caspen’s fingers brushed up her bare spine, tangling in her hair. He kissed along her collarbone, pressing his lips to the vein in her neck. His cock was hard, but Tem didn’t touch it yet. Instead she let him kiss her, knowing without a doubt that she was right where she was supposed to be.

Tem pulled his face to hers and kissed him.

I love you.

Caspen kissed her back.

And I you.

There was nothing else to say.

Their bodies returned to one another, weaving a tapestry no one else could weave. It was natural with Caspen—like breathing. The human side of her had always called to him, and now the basilisk side did too. Tem savored every caress—every tender stroke of his fingers, and eventually, his tongue. He gave to her; she gave to him. They did what they were always meant to do—what they could do with no other. When the fractured shards of Tem’s soul split, Caspen’s swallowed them whole.

Afterward, his fingers traced her spine once more.

“Tem,” Caspen said quietly. “What did you say to the prince?”

Tem thought back to her conversation with Leo, both of them broken and bleeding on the stage.

“I said goodbye.”

Caspen didn’t reply, and she knew he was giving her space to elaborate.

After a moment, she did:

“I told him to find the girl he loves.”

Caspen frowned.

“Was that not you?”

Tem shook her head.

“He loved someone before me.”

Caspen absorbed this information in silence. Tem didn’t feel like explaining herself any further, so she didn’t. Eventually, Caspen said:

“You did him a kindness, Tem. I cannot think of a better way to utilize the bond of the crest .”

At his words, Tem nearly cried.

Caspen cared nothing for Leo’s happiness. But he cared deeply for hers, and no doubt he knew how much Tem needed to hear those words. Of course, his approval was also selfish. With Leo marrying Evelyn, Caspen would have Tem all to himself. But he would also have a happier version of her—a version that wasn’t riddled with guilt.

They lay there together for as long as they pleased.

Eventually, Tem asked a question of her own:

“Do basilisks have weddings?”

Caspen pulled her closer.

“We do not.”

“Then how do we get married?”

Caspen touched his fingertip gently to the golden claw around her neck.

“You would give me a similar token.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes,” he smiled. “That is it.”

It was so simple. Tem thought about how much it had taken for them to be together—the ritual had been public—every part of her on display for his entire quiver to see. It was interesting to Tem that this next part would be completely private. But she found she liked the contrast. At the end of the day, sex was something that everyone did. But not everyone had a bond like her and Caspen.

Tem looked down at the little golden claw.

“Where do I find one of these?” she asked.

“You would have to make one yourself.”

“ Make one?”

“Yes.”

“But how?”

Caspen shifted so he was looking at her.

“Our engagement is bound by blood. You would need to complete the bond.”

“So…by bloodletting?”

He shook his head.

“Bloodletting is the name we give to what the royals did to us. It refers to an act of violence. This—” he touched the claw again, “—is born of love.”

“How will I know what to do?” she asked.

“Your instincts will tell you.”

Tem sat up, touching the necklace. She remembered how the wires were fused to her father’s hands—how the gold had seeped out of them.

“But Tem—” Caspen sat up too, grabbing her wrist, “—if you do this, our union will be permanent. We will be bound together for the rest of our lives.”

Tem could think of nothing better.

Without another word, she concentrated. Caspen was right; her instincts took over, and she knew what to do. It didn’t hurt. Rather, Tem felt a slight tingle just below her freckles, right at the base of her fingers. It was the easiest thing in the world to bleed for Caspen as he’d bled for her—to give him a physical token of her love. The claw formed in her palm, its golden curve resting on her freckles.

Caspen watched her in awe. Tem could appreciate how significant this was for him. He hadn’t even done this with Adelaide—this was an act reserved only for Tem.

A single word flashed through her mind as she lifted the chain and placed it around Caspen’s neck:

Mine.

It was the ultimate truth: nothing could be more certain. She was his, and he was hers, and they would be bound together, forever. Caspen smiled up at her, his fingers wrapping around her waist as he pulled her on top of him once more.

Mine.

THE END