Filed To Story: Between Two Kings: A Split or Swallow Book PDF Free
The effect on him was immediate. His face softened as the shadow on his brow retreated. Tem knew it wasn’t a permanent solution, as nothing ever was. But for now, she tightened her grip on him, holding him against her, taking as much of his grief as she could.
“Thank you,” Caspen whispered.
“Of course,” Tem whispered. It was the least she could do for him. They fell asleep, Caspen’s head on her chest, her arms wrapped around him.
The invitation came the following day.
Temperance Verus,
You are cordially invited to the nuptials of Thelonius and Evelyn in one week’s time. The happy couple request your presence at the castle for a celebration the night before the wedding. A carriage will be sent for you. The dress code is evening wear.
Tem looked cautiously up at Caspen. In the whirlwind after the weasel attack, she had completely forgotten about Evelyn’s request.
“What does it say?” Caspen asked. He was still on the bed.
“They want us to stay at the castle the night before the wedding.”
He sat up slowly. “And why would they want that?”
“I don’t know. I…think it’s Evelyn’s doing.”
The look on Caspen’s face perfectly matched the way Tem felt.
“We don’t have to go,” she said quickly.
Caspen held up his hand. “Yes we do.”
“But why?”
He didn’t answer.
Tem stared at him. All night, he had been sad. All night, he had grieved. But now anger crept into his voice, and Tem found herself afraid of what it might mean. Why would Caspen be so willing to go to the castle right after such an egregious attack on his people?
“Caspen,” she said cautiously. “It’s their wedding.”
“I am aware of that.”
“We can’t…ruin it.”
It was all she said, but she knew he understood what she meant. Tem didn’t care about the wedding itself. And she certainly didn’t care about Evelyn. But she cared about Leo. Nothing had changed: they were still in the same position they had been before the weasel, and there was still no way to fix it.
“Basilisk royalty always attends the royal weddings.”
“I know, but-“
“You are the queen, Tem,” Caspen said. “You must be there.”
At his tone, she fell silent. It was clear he was done discussing this.
Was Caspen testing her? Daring her to say that she didn’t want to watch Leo get married? It was a cruel test, but she couldn’t blame him for it. The four of them were in lockstep, trapped in a pattern of distrust that was eating them from the inside out. Tem should have known there would be no peace, that these insufferable Sunday-night dinners would eventually lead to this.
They spent the following days in near silence. It wasn’t just them; every basilisk under the mountain was grieving the loss of their brethren. Tem felt their collective sadness on a physical level, as if a weight were crushing her chest. Basilisks did everything together, and grief was no exception. Tem spent most of the time in their chambers, lying next to Caspen, running her hands gently over his skin. She could think of nothing else to soothe him; the loss was too great.
“What do basilisks believe happens when they die?” she asked him one night.
“We believe our souls go to Kora.”
It was the same thing humans believed.
“When one of us dies, we all feel it,” he continued.
Tem could understand that. Basilisks were all connected-all one. “Do you have funerals?”
“We do.”
“What are they like?”
“We will burn their remains, then return their ashes to the lake.”
Tem nodded. She could think of no better send-off.
By the time the night before the wedding arrived, Tem was emotionally spent. The carriage ride was silent, and Tem tried not to project her anxieties onto Caspen. He seemed much calmer than her, although she couldn’t tell if he was sad or angry. Possibly he was both.
Evelyn greeted them at the door. “Thank you so much for coming,” she said smoothly, as if this were a regular Sunday-night dinner and not the night before her wedding. “We’re so happy to have you.”
Tem had no idea who “we” was supposed to be. Leo was nowhere to be found.
“Shall I take you to your room?”
Neither of them answered. Evelyn was acting…strange. Cheerful, almost. It was a stark contrast to her usual mood, and it was throwing Tem off. Was she simply excited about the wedding? Tem could imagine she was thrilled to officially get her claws in Leo. Or perhaps she was eager to rub it in Tem’s face. Either way, Evelyn was positively beaming as she ushered them up the stairs. Tem’s stomach immediately dropped as she realized where their room was.
Right across the hall from Leo’s.
Tem stared at his bedroom door, remembering the last time she was behind it. Leo had asked her to marry him not ten feet from where she was standing. He’d gotten down on one knee and given her the silver ring that was currently on her finger. Tem touched it now, trying to control her rage. Surely, this was purposeful. Surely, Evelyn had done it to be cruel.
Her next words confirmed it: “I put you nice and close to us, in case you need anything.”
The only thing Tem needed was a lobotomy.
“Tem?” Evelyn said. “Could I have a word?”
Immediately, Tem’s adrenaline spiked. “Why?”
“Oh, you know. Girl talk.”
Not this again. Tem had had enough girl talk with Evelyn to last her a lifetime.
“Come,” she chirped. “Let’s talk in my room. We’ll give your husband a chance to settle in.”
My room.
Your husband.
Tem looked at Caspen, who looked disinterestedly around the room. There was nothing in it but a bed, a desk, and a chair. For all intents and purposes, he was already settled in.
Will you be fine here?
I will be fine, Tem. I am not a child. You can leave me unaccompanied.
I know, but…