Page 185 of Split or Swallow

Tem was jostled around as the cries of the crowd grew louder. Her eyes met Leo’s and she saw a sudden flash of concern in them—concern not for himself, she realized, but for her. He stepped toward the edge of the stage—toward her. Tem quickly shook her head. If he entered the crowd, he would surely be swarmed. She gave him a look that said: I’m fine.

Leo didn’t seem convinced.

For the first time, Tem feared for the human prince. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched at his sides. He was not immune to danger just because he was the son of the king. It only made him more prone to it. Tem knew she hadn’t imagined the precarious moment of delay when Maximus passed the crown. And now this.

Before she could do anything else, Leo’s eyes widened in fear.

A man was climbing onstage.

The villager lunged immediately in the prince’s direction, his arms outstretched, his mouth an angry slash. Leo raised his hands in defense, but it was Maximus who stepped forward to block the blow.

Tem gasped as another man joined the first.

She could do nothing but watch as the two men advanced on the prince and the king, their hands curled into fists. It was unprecedented: she’d never seen such a blatant display of insurgence. Another figure launched themselves onstage, and this one she recognized: Gabriel. He shoved the first man away from Leo before turning to the second. Members of the royal staff were now running forward as more villagers surged the stage. The crowd screamed, and Tem covered her ears against the sound.

A hand grabbed her arm. It was her mother.

“Come, my dear. It is not safe.”

She was right; it wasn’t safe. The crowd was in a furor, yelling and chanting and throwing things at the royals. Glasses shattered on the cobblestones as people tore down the great golden banners draped across the square. It was madness.

Tem watched as Maximus grabbed Leo by the shoulders and yanked him back toward Lilly, who was standing with her hands over her mouth. Tem’s mother was pulling her in a similar fashion, directing her to the edge of the crowd. The last thing Tem saw was the golden crown on Leo’s blonde head as his father ushered him off the back of the stage.

Tem and her mother hurried along the path home, not stopping for anything. Their little cottage seemed extra quiet after the chaos of the town square, and her mother immediately crossed to the sink and began washing the dishes. Tem knew it was a way to soothe her nerves, and she stood beside her in solidarity, drying dish after dish.

Neither of them spoke.

Tem used the silence to reach for Caspen with her mind. He answered immediately:

What is it, Tem?

I just came from the Passing of the Crown. The villagers are angry—they speak of revolt.

Silence.

Tem continued:

You violated the treaty. They won’t forgive it.

She felt Caspen bristle.

I am not the only one with unforgiven sins.

Tem shook her head.

More people will get hurt if you don’t make things right.

Caspen let out a humorless laugh.

We do not concern ourselves with their kind.

You mean my kind.

A pause. Caspen’s reply was merciless:

I told you there would come a time when you would have to choose.

And if I can’t?