Split or Swallow (Split or Swallow, #1)

by Lindsay Straube

“You have brought me nothing but pain since the day we met. I never should have let myself fall for you.” Tem recoiled. “Are you saying you regret choosing me?” she whispered. Leo’s face was the picture of fury. “I’m saying you are not at all what I expected, Tem.” Tem stood her ground. “You’re not exactly what I expected either, Leo.”

Why had she waited so long to sleep with him? She was attracted to Leo. She had feelings for him. And yet, she couldn’t pull the trigger—couldn’t let him all the way in. To sleep with him would be to lie to him. If Leo knew who she really was—if he knew she was a Hybreed—he wouldn’t want her anymore. He would be repulsed by her; Tem was sure of it. Or was she? Tem never gave Leo the benefit of the doubt. She always assumed the worst of him, even when he’d only given her reason to assume the opposite. Did she truly have so little faith in him? Perhaps of the two of them, Tem was the unworthy one. Perhaps it had always been that way. Leo would never get the chance to truly know her unless she gave him one. He loved only a version of her—the version she’d allowed him to see. It was time to show him all of her. Leo deserved the truth.

The moment his lips touched hers, something bloomed within Tem—a combination of safety and tenderness and love—something she didn’t know she could feel for two people at once. When the kiss ended, Leo didn’t pull away. Instead he looked Tem deep in the eyes and said: “I never really had you, did I?” Tem stared back at him, noticing the traces of green in his irises. She thought of Evelyn. “I never really had you either.” A sad smile twisted his lips. “We both know you did.” There was a pause, and Tem didn’t know how to fill it. Leo’s next words were a whisper: “I’ve been in love with you ever since I saw you in that green dress, Tem.”

There was no denying it—no pretending that what they had wasn’t real. This game of theirs had gone on long enough. Tem had revealed her cards, and Leo had too. There was no reason to resist anymore. She was done fighting the inevitable. His lips were on hers before the door slammed shut. There was perfect, complete rhythm to their movement: both of them touched the other as if they had always known this was the way it was supposed to be—as if they were destined to do this since the moment they met.

“How could you keep this cunt from me for so long?” “You had to earn it.” “And now that I have?” “It’s yours.”

He was cherishing her—adoring her with his tongue—kissing the center of her like it was the most precious thing he’d ever tasted. “Leo,” she cried as his fingers joined his tongue. His response was wordless, yet Tem understood what he was telling her with every stroke—she heard his message in every moment that he lost himself inside her. He loved her. Tem was approaching the edge. It was inevitable; she couldn’t resist if she tried. She threaded her fingers into his hair, holding his head between her legs. She felt no shame—this was everything they were always meant to do—this was the way they were meant to be.

“Do you want my cock, Tem?” She nodded. “Say it,” his fingers slid in and out of her, teasing her beyond what she could take. “Say you want my cock.” Tem would obey. Just this once. “I want your cock, Leo.” “When?” “Now.” “Where?” Her fingers joined his. “Here.”

After so many weeks of acting ambivalent toward Leo, he needed to hear that Tem craved him as much as he craved her. Tem, of all people, could understand how it felt to be unwanted, and how good it felt when the opposite was finally true. She would let him take anything he wanted from her; she would let him have exactly what he’d coveted for so long. Tem begged for it again and again, calling his name until she couldn’t tell where she ended and he began. She vocalized everything she loved about him, telling him exactly how he made her feel. With every word she said, Leo’s cock went in a little further. Finally, he was all the way inside her.

“You look so good on my cock, Tem,” he whispered. Tem wanted to move—to slide her hips forward to show him how good she looked riding his cock. But he had told her to be still, so she was. She watched him as he watched her, his eyes traveling over her body with haughty satisfaction. “Who knew that the only time you took orders was in bed?” Tem rolled her eyes. “Don’t get used to it.” “I certainly won’t.”

It was part of the reason she liked Leo so much. He was obsessed with her.

“You were made for me,” he rasped.

She was his muse. “Leo,” she whispered as he poured himself into her. He sat up, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her tightly against his chest. “I know, Tem,” he murmured as he rubbed her back. “I know.” His fingers stroked her spine, his lips pressed against her shoulder. Tem drew in a shuddering breath. Leo’s heart was beating frantically in his chest, even faster than hers. He’d wanted this for far longer than Tem had. Leo was the one who yearned for her; Leo was the one who wanted a future that may never happen.

“You’re so gorgeous, Tem,” he whispered, his lips drifting to her neck. “So fucking stunning.” She grasped a handful of his hair. “So are you.” Leo let out a soft laugh, pulling her down onto the bed. “Is that right?” “Yes. Boys can be pretty too, Leo.”

She wanted to seal them together indefinitely—she wanted Leo’s heart imprinted on hers. She wanted to give him her heart in return.

He always waited for her—always made sure she got what she wanted, even when she didn’t know she wanted it. He listened to her. He cared. Leo’s face was right in front of hers. When he looked into her eyes, Tem understood that this moment meant everything to him. He’d chased her for so long, never truly earning her favor until it was too late. She wanted to give this to him now: to be together before everything inevitably fell apart around them. Tem relaxed beneath his thrusts, knowing they would find their way together. She felt the hardness of his body—how perfectly it moved within hers. Their song had taken a long time to write. But now it was all Tem wanted to hear. Leo wasn’t perfect, and neither was she. Tem didn’t know what their future held—didn’t even know if she would survive the week. But she knew she wanted to try. For him.

“I know you won’t end things with Caspen.” Tem nestled herself more securely into his arms. “How do you know that?” Leo gave her a sad smile. “He’s your Evelyn.”

“Know this also: I want you. And I know that’s not what you want to hear. And I know you don’t want me back—at least, not enough to justify betraying whatever connection you have with him. But I cannot live without you. Even if it means I only have some part of you—that is far preferable to no part of you at all.” “Vera is the better match,” Tem whispered. “You should just choose her.” “I’d rather have half of you than all of Vera. Even if it means sharing you for the rest of my life.” Tem stared at him. Had Leo just…proposed? Before she could process this, he spoke again: “I know you belong to him, Tem. And I know I want you anyway.”

There was nothing black and white about Leo—he was not good or bad, cowardly or brave. He was many things at once. And Tem loved him for it.

“He doesn’t want anything,” Tem said. “But I do,” Leo said quietly. He turned to Tem, and her heart stopped. “I do want something in return.” A beat of silence passed. Now Tem understood. Leo was willing to do this, but only on one condition. Her. Caspen let out a dry snicker. Leo held up his hand. “I do not expect you to stop seeing each other. I am not so naive to think that your bond could be ignored. Love demands to be felt.” There was a pause, and Tem’s heart nearly broke. Leo was always doing this—saying deeply impactful things in a matter-of-fact manner. He was skilled with his words, even now. Leo continued: “I understand that basilisks live very long lives. You will have nearly an eterni⁠t⁠y together.” His gaze moved to Tem, and his next words were a whisper: “I just…want you while I can have you.”

“It is up to Tem.” Leo nodded. “Of course,” he looked at her. “It’s up to you.” Tem opened her mouth, then closed it again. It was extraordinary—there was no other word for it. She couldn’t believe she was standing here in this cave, between these two men, deciding the fate of a kingdom. It wasn’t anything she ever expected for herself. And yet, it was everything she was meant to do. There was no future for her on the chicken farm—no possibility of ever going back to the way things were. It was time to step into who she was always meant to be. Tem was ready to speak her truth. “I love you both.”

“Tem,” he whispered. The entire world went silent. Tem could hear nothing but her own heartbeat, which pounded like thunder in her chest. “I know my time with you is somewhat borrowed,” Leo said quietly. “And I know that I will never have all of you. But Tem,” he paused, looking her right in the eye. “It is without ego that I say your presence in my life has changed me immeasurably. You are headstrong. And stubborn. And infuriatingly difficult to please.” She smiled at that one. Leo continued: “You are also courageous. And irresistible. And you invariably make me a better person, even when I struggle to return the favor. In short, you are too good for me. But I’m asking for you anyway.” Tears were coming. She didn’t bother holding them back. “I am greedy when it comes to you, Tem. I want every moment you’re willing to give me. Even if our marriage offers me nothing but the opportunity to humble myself before you, it would be worth it to spend what’s left of my life in your presence.” He opened the box. “Would you do me the honor of being my queen?” They were beautiful words. And they were all for her.

“If you are asking me to choose between you and my father, I choose you, Tem.” He said the words so calmly that she briefly wondered if she had hallucinated them. But then Caspen said: “I would choose the same.” This couldn’t be real. “Are you two serious?” Tem whispered. “I am,” Leo said. “As am I.”

There were far worse things, Tem realized, than to be loved by two people. She had no desire to live an ordinary life—a life devoid of passion and challenge and truth. She had always been destined for more. Her path may not have been a conventional one, but it was hers, and she wouldn’t trade it for anyone else’s.

“No harm shall come to her, Leo. You have my word.” It was the first time Caspen had called him by his name. Still, Leo hesitated. Caspen stepped forward so they were eye to eye, placing his hand on Leo’s shoulder. “I cannot protect you both at the same time, and I know she wants you to live. Go.” It was as close as Caspen would ever get to telling Leo that he mattered. For a moment, the two men simply stared at each other. Then Leo placed his own hand on Caspen’s shoulder. Neither of them said a word, but Tem saw a mutual understanding pass between them: they both needed to stay alive for her. Nothing was more important than that.

She quieted her mind, reaching for the remaining strands of her power. It was there, but just barely. She drew from it—drinking from the endless well within herself—using one side to fix the other. The moment she connected the two parts of her, every cell in her body lit on fire. Complete and utter clarity rushed through Tem’s veins as her basilisk side immediately began to heal. The frayed edges of her mind knit together seamlessly, creating something that was even stronger than what was there before. Tem felt buoyant, as if she might float from the stage and into the endless sky. She was soaring into infinity, experiencing nothing and everything all at once. There was no greater feeling than this—no better way to understand herself. All the broken pieces of her identity came together in one perfect, limitless point. Her power was cosmic—as vast as the stars. She was bound to no one. She was free.

Your human side is dying. You need to crest someone in order to heal it. And that someone has to be Leo? He would do anything for you. You know this. It’s not right. He will feel only pleasure, Tem. He’ll be bound to me, Caspen. He loves you. The two of you are bound together already.

Tem would not doom Leo to a life as her slave. That wasn’t love. True love was doing what was best for the other person, at the expense of yourself. True love was sacrificing your happiness for theirs. Leo deserved to be loved the same way Caspen loved Tem—unconditionally, and without obligation. Leo deserved more. Their bond was permanent; there was nothing she could do to change that. But Tem would not take his agency away. She would bestow it instead.

“Leo,” Tem whispered, knowing that her words would bind him, that he would have no choice but to obey. “I want you to find Evelyn. I want you to choose your future.” A slow, relaxed smile broke across Leo’s face. It wasn’t joyous, exactly. Merely peaceful. “I don’t know where she is, Tem.” “Your father knows. He’ll tell you.” It was the least Maximus could do for his son. Leo tilted his head, considering something. She knew he wouldn’t protest—he couldn’t. But it was almost as if he wanted to. Just when Tem was about to give him the order again, he said: “Then I suppose this is goodbye.” For some reason, Tem began to cry. Leo lifted his finger, brushing the tear off her cheek. “I never thought I’d see you cry over me.” “I never thought we’d be saying goodbye.” “I’m not worth these tears, Tem. Trust me.” That only made Tem cry harder. Of course Leo was worth her tears. He was worth so much more than he thought he was—than she had thought he was. In another lifetime, there was a happy ending for them. But not in this one.

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.

“She has the prettiest cunt I’ve ever fucking seen,” Leo whispered. Caspen’s mouth twitched. “Yes,” he said. “She does.” “This—” Leo rubbed her clitoris with two fingers, “—I dream about it.” “As do I.” “And here—” his fingers dove deep into her wetness, and Tem let out a desperate moan, “—if I could drown in it, I would.” Caspen’s smile widened. “As would I.”

Tem was close. But Caspen had other plans. “Not yet,” he said. “Make her wait.” Leo’s lips quirked into a smirk. “Very well.”

They took turns tasting her, sucking and licking her until she could barely take it any longer. Caspen would perform a motion—like stroking her clitoris with the length of his tongue—and Leo would do the same. Eventually, Tem couldn’t tell them apart. She only knew the intense and searing ecstasy that came from having two people worship you at once. They were attentive and caring. They belonged to her. Every time she wanted something, Caspen said it aloud, and Leo did it. The three of them established a rhythm together, until finally Tem was falling apart beneath them.

“I want to watch you kiss.” It was beyond the scope of what they’d agreed upon—it had nothing to do with Caspen teaching Leo how to touch her—it was selfish and indulgent and entirely based on that fleeting night in her childhood bedroom, when she’d touched herself to the thought of them together. Neither prince seemed shocked by her request. Perhaps they expected this of her—perhaps they knew she had fantasized about them both. Perhaps they had fantasized as well. Nobody could deny how good they looked together. Leo was blonde, Caspen’s hair was dark. Sun and moon. Day and night. Tem wanted to see them together—wanted opposites to attract. It seemed a natural thing to her. Surely, it would be natural for them.

Join us, Tem. Tem tucked her hand under Leo’s chin, pulling him away from Caspen and pressing her lips to his. Caspen’s hands went to their necks, pushing their heads together, solidifying their union. A moment later, his mouth joined theirs. All three of them kissed. It was simple between them—like music. This was a language they all spoke: a dance they all knew how to do.

He is rather vocal. Tem smiled. Yes. He is. You like that about him. Yes. Why? It’s nice to hear how he feels. It was merely a fact about Leo—not a dig toward Caspen. Still, there was no mistaking the regret that tinged his response: I am glad he fulfills you in that way.

With Caspen behind her and Leo before her, she could do nothing but moan as they did everything she’d ever wanted them to do to her. They were the two most relentless men she knew. To have them both at the same time was nearly unbearable. It was too much. And not enough. It was everything Tem had ever needed—two men, both hers—two men who wanted her more than they wanted anyone else. Two men who would do anything for her.

The three of them moved in tandem: Caspen behind her, Leo before her. Tem knew they would reach their apex together—that they would achieve the most perfect pinnacle imaginable. There was not point in resisting, no point in delaying. They had finally accepted the ultimate truth. Tem felt them finish at the same time: Leo in her mouth, and Caspen inside her, and with their climaxes inevitably came her own. They were moving—gasping—breaking together, falling apart into each other’s bodies like waves on the shore. They experienced it as one—all of them—surging along a singular channel of ecstasy.

Caspen grunted, and Tem knew Leo’s tongue was on the base of his shaft. He was pleasuring them both—sucking on Tem’s clitoris while putting pressure on Caspen’s cock. It was an assertion of his power—a way to remind them of his role in this. Tem welcomed it, threading her hands into his hair, holding him between her legs. A moment later, she came. Caspen did too. Their combined wetness coated his cock, and Tem knew Leo could taste it. When he raised his head, he kissed Tem once more. For a while that was all they did. Then Caspen lifted her off his cock, setting her between them. It was then that Tem realized Leo was hard again. Before she could reach for him, Caspen did so instead. She watched as his hand found Leo’s cock, his fingers wrapping around the shaft and pumping in steady, even strokes. Leo let him do this, his eyes still hooded, his shoulders relaxed. What are you doing? Rewarding the prince. Tem understood. Leo had done well: he’d been a willing participant, and now it was his turn to receive his prize. Caspen’s head dipped down, and Leo’s eyebrows shot up. “Fuck,” he said hoarsely. It was an amazing thing to see.

Caspen didn’t swallow. Instead, he straightened, reaching for Tem’s face and coaxing her jaw open with his thumbs. Then he leaned down and released Leo’s cum into her mouth. Tem swallowed as it slid down her throat, the act a perfect mirror of when Caspen had given her his venom. It was so simple: so easy. Tem loved tasting what the basilisk had brought forth from the human prince. There was nothing better than the fruits of Caspen’s labor—better still when they were Leo’s.