From New York Times bestseller Lindsay Straube comes a prequel in the sexy, biting Split or Swallow series.

Daphne never meant to want him—the monster who could destroy her . . . and the only one who never would. Now they're both caught between their duties and their love.

Daphne Verus never planned to compete for the prince.

Now she's expected to trade the safety of her village for the caves beneath the mountain and be trained by Kronos Seneca—a basilisk who could overpower her, bite her, turn her to stone . . . but who also sees her better than anyone ever has and wants her despite himself. The only rule between them is the one she sets: no sex.

She's spent her whole life giving herself to men who didn't deserve it. Kronos is a monster by nature. But he honors her word when no one else ever has, and that is the most dangerous thing about him. Because if Daphne lets herself feel, she might discover she's capable of love after all.

And if Kronos claims her, he risks destroying everything—including his own chance at the crown.

Contains mature themes.