Page 253 of Between Two Kings

“This is a mistake, Caspen,” Tem said it as calmly as possible. She knew they would get nowhere if she lost her temper. This was a conversation she needed to control.

“It is already decided.”

“No. It isn’t. You’re the only one who has decided, and you can still change your mind.”

“I will not change my mind.”

“Caspen.” She touched his shoulder. “If Leo comes here, he could get hurt. Please think about this.”

“I do not care to think of anything, Tem. I have already made my decision.”

“Think of me.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. Would it be enough? Adelaide had once told her that she held more sway over Caspen than anyone else. Tem was about to find out whether that was true.

“Think of me, Caspen,” she whispered, leaning closer. “Think of how this will affect me.”

He turned to her. “Your infatuation with the human prince has gone on far too long. You should have learned your place long ago. It is right here, by my side. If you do not understand that by now, I doubt you ever will.”

A chill ran down Tem’s spine. She’d never heard him speak like that—the way powerful, entitled men spoke to women.

“If my place is by your side, that means we are equals. And I have a say.”

Caspen shook his head. “Kora decided your place long ago. Do you think it is a coincidence that you are a Hybreed? You think it mere chance? You are meant for greatness, Tem. It is not your fate to dally with the humans.”

For some reason, tears pricked her eyes. “If you hate them so much, it means you hate a part of me.”

“I could never hate any part of you, Tem. That, apparently, is my undoing.”

His words cut her. “What are you saying?”

“I am saying that you are the love of my life. But I am done accommodating the love of yours.” With that, he rose and left.

Tem stared into the fire numbly, wishing she could throw herself into the flames. It was a disaster beyond what she could comprehend. Things had just begun to heal. And now this. She couldn’t let Leo come here. It was impossible. But Tem knew Caspen well enough to know when he had reached the end of his patience. And he was beyond it now. There was no reasoning with him, no talking him down from this. This went beyond mere anger. This was meant to punish Leo and, by extension, punish Tem. If anything happened to Leo, she would be devastated. And Caspen knew it.

Night fell before she was ready. Tem climbed into the carriage alone, trying not to stare at the empty seat beside her. When she knocked on the door to the castle, a butler greeted her, as always. Leo was already waiting for her in the dining room.

He was alone.

The last time they saw each other, he’d told her to leave. They’d had no communication since then; Tem had no idea whether he had married Evelyn or sent her away. She’d been too busy with the basilisk funeral to have any time to communicate with Leo. Besides, she was almost too scared to know. If she didn’t know, it meant there was still hope.

“Where is Caspen?” Leo asked as the butler began serving dinner.

Tem considered lying. She could say Caspen wasn’t feeling well or that he was tired. But that would solve nothing. “He’s not coming.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“He’s angry.”

“At…?”

“You.”

Leo frowned. Then, slowly, he said, “He holds me responsible for the weasel attack.”

Tem nodded.

Leo sighed. He looked so defeated Tem almost reached for him. “Did you pass along my condolences?”