Split or Swallow

CHAPTER EIGHT

“I’m so proud of you, my dear.”

It was the next morning. Tem was barely awake.

“I’m only the second girl he’s taken on a date, mother. Don’t get your hopes up.”

“That’s a good thing. It means you have a chance to make a good impression before anyone else does.”

Tem pushed her eggs around her plate. She had no idea if she even wanted to make a good impression on Leo. He hadn’t exactly made a good impression on her.

“I’m missing a night of training for this,” she grumbled.

“That doesn’t matter, Tem. A date with the prince is far more important. Your training is meant to prepare you for him. There’s no point in the training if you don’t catch the prince’s eye.”

Tem sighed. She’d caught Leo’s eye, all right.

The events of last night were still a blur to her. She’d tossed and turned until dawn, replaying her kiss with Leo again and again until she’d memorized every moment of it. She remembered his tongue in her mouth and his hands on her waist. She remembered the way he’d gripped her like she was the very air he breathed. Kissing Leo was different than kissing Caspen—the prince was younger and looser and free , with none of the restrained power or deep, complicated seriousness that radiated off the basilisk. None of the depth of character either.

But at least the prince wanted to fuck her.

Tem still couldn’t believe she was the only girl who hadn’t had sex yet. It seemed like some sort of evil joke: like the universe was conspiring against her. She felt a deep, jagged anger toward Caspen for allowing this to happen. How could he withhold this from her? Especially when her very future depended on it? It was unspeakably cruel.

Regardless of how she felt about Caspen, for once in Tem’s life, she was looking forward to visiting the bakery. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Vera’s face now that Tem had a date with the prince. But to her surprise, Vera wasn’t there. Instead Geoff, Vera’s father, was standing behind the counter.

“Where’s Vera?” Tem asked. She was eager to rub her new development in her face and didn’t like the idea of leaving without doing it.

“Sick,” Geoff grunted.

“Oh,” Tem frowned. “With what?”

Geoff shrugged, and began counting the eggs.

Tem’s frown deepened. It wasn’t like Vera to miss work. The bakery was her stage: it was where she held court over the entire village, gossiping and passing judgment with little to no regard for consequences. She’d once worked during a snowstorm just because there was a chance the boy she liked might come in to order his favorite pastry. Vera was a force of nature, and Tem couldn’t imagine a common cold taking her out.

“Well, do you know when she’ll be back?” Tem insisted.

Geoff shook his head. “Soon.”

He’d never been one for extended conversation.

“Fine,” Tem sighed. She’d just have to brag tomorrow.

By the time she’d done her rounds with the roosters, it was midafternoon and Tem was starting to get nervous. She had no idea what a date with the prince would entail. Would they be alone? Chaperoned? Would they go somewhere, or stay at the castle? She wished the training process had prepared her for dating. She wasn’t good at talking to boys, much less a prince. Caspen should’ve given her conversation lessons. Add that to the list of things he was failing to teach her.

No dress arrived for her this time.

Tem didn’t know what to think of it. Was Caspen withholding from her because he was angry she had secured a date with the prince? Tem was secretly pleased by the thought. She was not, however, pleased that she had nothing to wear. She was halfway through tearing her room apart in search of something suitable when her mother knocked on the door.

“Dear? A man is here for you.”

Tem froze, a heap of underclothing in her arms. A man?

She poked her head into the kitchen to see the footman from the other night standing awkwardly in the doorway.

“Miss?” he brandished a package at her. “The prince requested you wear this.”

Tem sighed.

Now she understood why there had been no dress from Caspen. Of course Leo wanted to pick something for her to wear. Just another way to control her—to make sure she knew he was in charge. Tem loathed the thought.

She snatched the package from the footman before slamming her door and tossing it onto the bed. Half of her was dying to see what it was. The other half had no intention of wearing it.

You will wear it.

Tem jumped. It was Caspen’s voice. He’d been absent all day, and he chose now to show up? Tem tried to send him a thought back, but found that she could?n’t. Her words pressed up against the same wall that had always been erected between them. Instead she spoke them out loud:

“Says who?”

His reply came with humorless rigidity:

Says the prince.

“And you? Do you want me to wear it?”

But he was gone.

Tem stared at the package. With a sigh, she ripped the paper perhaps more aggressively than necessary, and a dress tumbled into her hands. It was beautiful. There was no doubt about it. Tight and velvet and dangerously low cut. But Tem hated it. It was sexy and revealing and clearly meant for Leo’s pleasure alone. Caspen’s dresses had complimented her , accentuating her beauty. Leo’s dress had a decidedly different purpose: to reveal as much of her body as possible. Tem’s ingrained stubbornness balked at the idea of wearing such a dress. All she could think about was how different it was from what Caspen would have chosen.

But it didn’t matter what Caspen would have chosen. He didn’t care about her. He refused to have sex with her. And he certainly wasn’t going on a date with her tonight.

There was nothing for it.

By the time she’d pulled the dress on, it was time to go. Tem kissed her mother goodbye and bundled into the carriage, her stomach already twisting itself into a knot. She had no idea what to expect, and the long ride to the castle didn’t help. All she could think about was Caspen. Why was there a one-way barrier between them? Why wouldn’t he let her speak to him? Why did he insist on keeping his distance when all she wanted was to pull him closer? His apathy was infuriating, and she was almost thankful that the night’s events would provide a welcome distraction from the anxieties eating away at her mind. When the footman dropped her off at the castle entrance, Tem took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

To her surprise, Leo opened it.

The prince leaned casually against the doorframe, his head cocked to the side as his eyes raked over her body, taking in every detail of her dress.

“Stunning,” he said. “As always.”

Tem crossed her arms.

“You picked it out.”

He cocked his head in the opposite direction. “I thought it would suit you. Don’t you like it?”

“I like making my own choices.”

“Ah,” his mouth quirked into a smile. “So I’ve offended you already.”

“I’m not offended. Just annoyed.”

Leo extended his hand.

“Then allow me to make it up to you.”

Tem glared at his hand. Then, after a very long moment, she took it. The prince intertwined his fingers with hers, pulling her inside the castle and into a room just off the foyer. It was large and warm, with a crackling fireplace on the far end. Oil paintings lined the walls, and the smell of pipe smoke clung to Tem’s nostrils.

“What is this?” Tem whispered.

Leo dipped his mouth to her ear.

“What do you mean?” he whispered back.

“I mean, I thought we were…going on a date.”

“Is meeting my family in the parlor not sufficiently romantic for you?”

Tem took a moment to remember the royal family tree. There was Leo, of course, the only son of Maximus, the king. His mother had died giving birth to him. He had one sibling: his older sister Lilibet, who was married to Edward Fitzwilliam, a duke of somewhere or another. They had two children: Aurora and Desmond. The king’s brother was the Lord Chamberlain, which made him Leo’s uncle, but Tem couldn’t remember his name. He had no wife, which meant no children.

“Um,” Tem said. She had no idea how to respond. Leo chuckled at the look on her face.

“Dating me isn’t like dating some village boy, Tem. You’re the future queen. That comes with formalities.”

Before Tem could process his use of the present tense, the door opened.

“So it begins,” Leo muttered.

“ Tem! ”

It was Lilly. She was wearing a yellow dress, and she looked beautiful as she bound right up to them and pulled Tem into a tight hug. Then she smacked Leo on the shoulder.

“I was right, wasn’t I? You like her.”

He swatted her hand away.

“That doesn’t make you right about everything,” he hissed.

“Just the important things.”

Leo rolled his eyes. Then his expression sobered, and his voice dropped.

“Is he in a good mood today?”

Lilly pursed her lips before dropping her voice too. “No.”

Tem looked between the two of them. “Who are you talking about?”

“My father,” they said at the same time.

As if they had spoken him into existence, a man appeared suddenly at Lilly’s side. His cold eyes latched immediately onto Tem’s before slipping briefly down her body. Not for the first time, she wished Leo had chosen a less revealing dress. It hardly seemed appropriate to meet the king with this much cleavage. Leo spoke before Tem could:

“Father, this is Temperance.”

The king’s large hand engulfed hers.

“Temperance,” he said slowly, and she had the distinct feeling he was looking straight into her soul. “The chicken farmer’s daughter.”

Chicken shit girl.

Maximus’s eyes slid to Leo’s. “You said she was beautiful.”

His words hung in the air. They sounded like an accusation.

“She is,” Leo said, his voice hard.

“If you insist.”

Tem could feel tears rising and fought to suppress them. Beside her, Leo’s entire body was tense. The silence grew slowly contentious as father and son stared at each other, neither of them willing to break it. Tem glanced between them, completely bewildered by the stalemate. There was clearly a deep history here, but Tem had no idea where it originated. Even Lilly was uncharacteristically silent, hovering nervously next to Tem and biting her lip.

Just when the moment became precarious, Maximus dropped Tem’s hand.

Before she had a chance to process the interaction, someone else grabbed her. The next few minutes passed in a whirlwind as Tem met person after person, shaking hand after hand. She tried to memorize their names and ranks while keeping everyone’s lineage straight but eventually they blended together. It was like meeting an assortment of sunflowers—all equally beautiful, all with nothing of substance to offer. At some point, Leo was pulled away by the Lord Chamberlain and Tem found herself in a corner alone. She took the opportunity to survey the crowd.

Leo’s family was extensive, and tall, and… royal. They carried themselves with unmistakeable grace, so unlike the hunched weariness of the people in the village. Everyone in this room was a stranger to manual labor—their palms were smooth; their fingers dripped with gold. Tem touched the tiny golden claw around her neck. She still wasn’t used to wearing something so valuable. She wondered what it had cost Caspen to acquire it. A voice suddenly shattered her thoughts:

“Temperance.”

It was the king.

Tem shifted uncomfortably, distinctly aware of his disparaging gaze.

“Your Highness,” she gave an awkward curtsy. It was difficult to move in the dress without exposing an unceremonious amount of thigh.

“Thelonius has taken a liking to you.”

I wish he hadn’t , Tem thought violently. Out loud, she said:

“It appears that way.”

“Are his feelings reciprocated?”

She fought the urge to make a face.

“That’s really none of your business,” she muttered.

Maximus leaned in. He had the same gold incisors as Leo.

“Who my son loves is invariably my business.”

“ Loves? ”

“He can’t take his eyes off of you.”

“Maybe he needs his eyes checked,” Tem said tartly.

“Do not make light of this. Even now, he watches.”

Tem scanned the parlor for Leo. He was leaning against the fireplace, whiskey in hand, staring at her with a slight smile on his lips. When their eyes met, he raised his glass in her direction.

Maximus’s fingers wrapped around Tem’s arm, digging painfully into her skin.

“Everyone has their place, Temperance. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I mean,” his fingers tightened. “There is a natural order to things. A hierarchy, if you will.”

Tem scrunched her nose. She didn’t like where this conversation was going.

“We must honor that hierarchy,” the king continued. “Otherwise, things may become…unbalanced.”

“Unbalanced?”

“Yes. Unbalanced.”

He was still holding her arm.

“Take the basilisks, for example. They provide a service. Their place is beneath us.”

Tem hated the way he was speaking to her—as if he were explaining a simple concept to a small child.

“Should the snakes ever question their place, the balance may falter. So tell me, Temperance. Do you know your place?”

Tem didn’t answer. She was afraid if she did, she might say something rather rude.

“It is my son’s duty to choose a suitable wife,” Maximus’s sharp eyes met hers. “Are you worthy of that privilege?”

Tem held his gaze.

“Your son will be the judge of that.”

“Apparently my son’s judgement is questionable.”

A thorn of resentment pricked Tem’s side.

She didn’t want Leo. Couldn’t want him less. But Maximus was insulting her—saying she wasn’t good enough for his weasel of a son. And why shouldn’t she be? She was just as good as Vera—or any of the other girls—despite the fact that the world had told her otherwise. Tem tried to quell the anger inside her but it wouldn’t be stopped. She turned to face Maximus.

“If I wanted your son, I’d have him,” she said coldly.

Then she wrenched her arm from his grasp and walked straight toward Leo.

He raised his eyebrows.

“Let me guess,” he said as she approached. “My father told you you’re not worthy of me.”

“How’d you know?”

To Tem’s surprise, a harsh darkness flashed across Leo’s face.

“That’s his specialty, I’m afraid.”

Tem frowned. There was no mistaking the change in his mood. Without thinking, Tem reached for Leo’s arm. The moment she touched him, he relaxed, his expression sliding into one of practiced indifference. He downed the rest of his whiskey.

“Shall we?” he asked.

“Shall we what?”

“Get on with our date. Unless you’d prefer we stay here and mingle with my family all evening.”

Tem would not prefer that.

At the expression on her face, Leo laughed. Then he crooked his elbow, cl?e?a?r?l?y indicating he wanted Tem to take it. So she did. Without another word, Leo steered her from the parlor and out to the back patio, where a small, candlelit table was overlooking the maze. He pulled out one of the chairs, gesturing elegantly for her to sit.

“After you,” he said.

Tem sat slowly, watching Leo the entire time. He seemed calm, but there was a glimmer of rage just beneath the surface that Tem had no idea how to address. She decided to break the ice:

“This is…lovely,” she waved her hand at the table.

“You’re lovely,” Leo said without missing a beat.

Tem scoffed. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Compliment me. You’re terrible at it.”

“I can’t be that bad. You’re still here, aren’t you?”

“I’m still here because I’m hungry. And it seems like there might be food.”

Leo smiled. “There will most certainly be food.”

“Great.”

“Is that the key, then?”

“To what?”

“To you. If I feed you, will I earn your favor?”

“I’m not a horse, Leo.”

Leo let out a deep laugh.

“Clearly not.”

Tem rolled her eyes and promptly changed the subject.

“You father seems…intense.”

Leo’s laugh turned bitter.

“That’s the kindest way I’ve ever heard him described.”

“How would you describe him?”

True, unfiltered pain flashed across Leo’s face. He leaned back in his chair, arching his neck to look at the stars. Tem let the silence sit, studying the tight angles of his jaw. Finally, he whispered:

“Heartless.”

He dropped the word with such aching bitterness that a chill shot down Tem’s spine.

“Leo.”

She said his name softly, in a way she’d never said it before.

Leo met her eye, and for a moment, Tem saw his facade drop. She saw that the cocky prince was only a boy—a boy with a strained relationship with his father. She wondered what had happened between them, and if he would ever tell her. Tem wanted to ask more. But Leo gave a dismissive flick of his fingers and said:

“I don’t want to talk about my father.”

His face slid back into a smirk. It was clear the moment was over.

Tem sighed.

“Then what do you want to talk about?”

“You, of course.”

“What about me?”

“What do you like to do for fun?”

Tem blinked.

She hadn’t expected such a casual question from the prince. She didn’t really have hobbies, at least not like normal people did. The farm took up most of her time, and when she wasn’t helping her mother, she was at the Horseman with Gabriel. She decided to simply state the truth:

“Drink.”

Leo smiled.

“Charming.”

She shrugged.

“You asked.”

“So I did.”

He was still looking at her, and she was still looking at him.

“What’s your poison?” he continued.

“Whatever’s cheapest. Yours?”

“Whatever’s strongest.”

“Charming.”

“You asked.”

A butler appeared out of nowhere to place a salad in front of Tem. He placed the same salad in front of Leo, filled their wine glasses, then vanished.

“We’ve established that you’re not a horse,” Leo continued as if there were no interruption. “But do you like spending time outside?”

Tem considered the question. They were outside right now, and she liked that fine. But she didn’t inherently prefer it.

“Not particularly.”

Leo cocked his head. “Why not?”

“Time spent outside is usually time spent working on the farm.”

“Ah,” he said. “Of course. The farm.”

For some reason, it seemed like her answer amused him.

“Something funny?” Tem prompted.

“Certainly not,” he rearranged his expression until it resembled neutrality. “I just can’t picture you on a farm.”

His eyes went to her breasts. They’d been going there all night, but now they lingered.

“Surprising,” Tem shot back, “considering you act like a pig.”

Leo let out another deep laugh. The meaner she was to him, the more he seemed to enjoy himself.

“I can’t help it if I like what I see.”

“You’re only seeing it because you chose this dress.”

“I thought you said you weren’t offended.”

“And I thought you said you’d make it up to me.”

“So I did.”

Leo waved down the butler and whispered something in his ear.

Tem ignored him, instead shoving a mouthful of salad in her mouth. It was a fancy thing, with feathery greens and a sweet dressing. Nothing like the hearty vegetables they grew on the farm. Even the silverware was gold. A single fork from this table would probably feed a family in the village for a month.

The butler reappeared, setting a small velvet box in front of Tem.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“A way to make it up to you,” Leo answered.

“I don’t wear jewelry.”

“You’re wearing a necklace.”

She touched the little gold claw, feeling its warmth.

“This is…special.”

Leo nodded at the box. “That could be special too.”

Tem shook her head.

“I don’t want it.”

“You don’t know what it is.”

“It’s a bribe. And I don’t take bribes.”

Leo leaned forward.

“Perhaps you would if it was the right bribe.”

Tem crossed her arms. “You’re not used to hearing the word ‘no’, are you?”

Leo leaned back. He smiled.

“No.”

They stared at each other, the small velvet box sitting between them. Tem wasn’t going to open it. There was nothing he could say to make her do so. If she opened it, it sent the message that she could be swayed by trinkets and gold. If she opened it, he won. She didn’t need Leo thinking she was shallow, and she certainly didn’t need another necklace.

Leo sighed, raising his wine glass to his lips.

“So difficult to please. What am I going to do with you, Tem?”

Tem returned her attention to her salad.

“That’s for you to figure out.”

There were two more courses after the salad—a butternut soup with crusty bread, and a tender roast. Tem devoured it all. Leo barely ate—he seemed content to drink his wine and watch her. No doubt he was used to the castle food anyway. The meal was a luxury for Tem. For Leo, it was just another dinner.

“Tell me something,” Leo said presently. “Why are you here?”

It felt like an echo of what Caspen had said in the caves. You do not seem desperate to be here. Tem was getting a little tired of people questioning her decisions.

“You told me to be,” she said shortly.

“You make it sound like you didn’t have a choice.”

“I didn’t.”

To Tem’s surprise, Leo frowned.

“You always have a choice, Tem.”

She snorted at that.

“Do you really think I’d stop you from leaving?” he asked.

“No. But I want to stay.”

The words were out before she could stop them. Tem didn’t even know why she’d said them. Leo’s eyebrows shot upward at her admission.

“Do you? You won’t even accept my gift.”

She put her fork down.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to stay,” she said quietly.

It didn’t matter that she didn’t want Leo’s gift. If she left now, she’d be out of the competition. If she left now, she’d have to go home to her mother, to the farm, to Vera’s cruel taunts. She was telling the truth: she wanted to stay. So she might as well make something of it.

Tem shifted in her seat, leaning forward so the dress offered an especially flattering view of her cleavage. Leo’s jaw tightened at the sudden movement, and she took advantage of his surprise to say:

“Do you know what else I want?”

Leo took far too long to answer.

“What’s that, Tem?”

“An apology.”

He blinked.

“For what?”

“For ranking me last during the first elimination.”

His eyes slowly found their way back up to hers.

“I thought we were past that.”

“We aren’t.”

Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry I ranked you last.”

Tem shook her head. “Say it like you meet it.”

He flashed his gold teeth.

“Is that an order?”

She held his gaze.

“Yes.”

The abject hunger in his eyes was undeniable. He trailed a single finger down the stem of his wine glass, taking his time before answering.

“Tem,” he said quietly, “You were the most beautiful girl in the room that night. I never should have ranked you last. It was just another way to lie, and I’m sorry I did it.”

For the second time tonight, Tem felt a chill. Leo seemed to sense her moment of weakness, because that infernal smile spread across his face once more.

“Do you accept my apology?”

“Yes,” grumbled Tem.

“Good,” he smirked.

Tem rolled her eyes.

“ Don’t give me that look.”

“And what look is that, Tem?”

“Like you’ve just won something.”

Leo tapped his long fingers nonchalantly on the table, the smirk still twisting his lips.

“Haven’t I?”

“Can’t you just behave yourself for once?”

“Life’s no fun when you behave.”

Tem had nothing to say to that. The royals make their own rules.

She was just about to drown herself in the rest of her wine when she heard it:

Help.

Tem froze. It was the voice—the same one she’d heard the last time she was at the castle. Her eyes slid to Leo, who was still watching her. Against her better judgment, she asked:

“Did you hear that?”

He raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

“Hear what?”

“Nothing.”

It was no use. Of course he hadn’t heard it—the voice was in her head, the same way Caspen’s was. But if that were the case, did that mean the voice belonged to a basilisk? She wished suddenly that she could talk to Caspen. He would know the answer.

Please. Help me.

Tem stood abruptly. Leo looked up in surprise, genuine concern flashing across his face.

“Tem? Is everything all right?”

She shook her head, trying to clear it. “Just…too much wine.”

Leo stood too, offering her his hand.

“Shall we take a turn about the garden?”

Tem wrinkled her nose.

“A turn? ”

Leo grabbed her hand.

“Just follow me.”

She allowed Leo to steer her down the patio stairs, noticing how he laced his fingers through hers so she couldn’t drop his hand. They entered the garden together, but Tem stopped when they reached the edge of the maze. Leo looked down at her.

“Scared we’ll get lost?”

“No,” said Tem automatically. She didn’t doubt Leo knew his way around the maze. She only doubted whether he’d let her out once he got her in there.

“Come on, then,” he gave her a condescending wink.

Tem let him pull her into the maze.

The world went instantly quiet. Even the birds—a sound she’d become constantly accustomed to—were silent within the towering green walls. Leo took the lead, steering them through turn after turn. Tem wondered if he had the maze memorized. Eventually, he broke the silence:

“So, Tem,” he said. “Do I have a chance with you?”

She looked up at him in shock. It was a bizarre question. The entire training process was designed so that she was the one vying for a chance with him .

“I…don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No,” Tem insisted. “I don’t.”

It was the truth. Up until an hour ago, she’d thought there was nothing redeemable about Leo. But he’d revealed his true self when he’d talked about his father. There was a person under his insufferable exterior. And that person had a chance with her.

They were stopped on the path.

Leo leaned in, his eyes narrowing.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Well, you should.”

“Well, I don’t. Your indifference is infuriating.”

“I’m not indifferent.”

“You certainly act like it.”

“That’s your interpretation.”

He snorted.

“You know you’re the only girl who isn’t throwing herself at my feet? All the others had their hands down my trousers the first night they met me. But not you. How should I interpret that, Tem?”

She shrugged stiffly.

“Interpret it however you like.”

He leaned in even more.

“What I would like is for you to tell me how you feel about me.”

He was far too close to her. But despite his proximity, Tem found she didn’t want to lean away. She liked the way he smelled. And she liked the way he was looking at her. Tem wasn’t used to men looking at her that way—like they wanted her—like she was worth something. The feeling was like a drug. Lilly’s words ran through her mind: He always wants what he can’t have.

Was that the reason Leo was pursuing her? Because she was the only girl whose hands weren’t down his trousers? It wasn’t a good enough reason for Tem. She needed him to want her , specifically , and not just because he couldn’t have her. So she said:

“I’m telling you the truth. I don’t know how I feel about you yet.”

“Yet?”

“I’ve known you for two weeks, Leo. And during those two weeks, we’ve only spent a few hours together. Do you really think that’s enough time to form an accurate opinion?”

Finally, he leaned away, considering her.

“Well, when you put it that way, perhaps not.”

Tem rolled her eyes.

“Exactly.”

Neither of them spoke as they wound their way back through the maze. Eventually the castle loomed into view. They were nearly on the patio when Leo spoke again:

“Aren’t you curious to know how I feel about you?”

“I think I can guess.”

“Can you?” Leo looked down at her. “Then by all means, Tem,” he splayed his hands open. “Guess.”

Tem looked up into his gray eyes, deciding how much she wanted to say. It was a delicate subject, and if she didn’t tread carefully, she might offend him. Then again, nothing seemed to offend Leo. It was almost as if he enjoyed her insults. Tem wondered if she was the only person in his life who didn’t completely cater to his every want and need. If that was the case, it put her in a position of power, and she savored it.

“I think I confuse you.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

“I think you like me, but you don’t know why. You want me, but you wish you didn’t. You’re used to getting what you want, but part of you likes that you can’t get me.”

His other eyebrow rose.

“Can’t I?”

“No,” Tem said firmly. “Not until you’ve earned me.”

His eyes flicked down her body, then back up again.

“And you think you’re worth earning?”

Tem held his gaze.

“ You think I’m worth earning.”

“Hm,” he said, the corner of his mouth turned up in amusement. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, and Tem wondered if this was how Leo act?ed with the other girls. It felt as if they were connecting on an unexpected level—one Tem could never have anticipated, and one she didn’t fully understand.

It was only when they reentered the castle that Tem realized the date was about to end. When they reached the foyer, Leo turned to face her.

“I’m not going to kiss you,” he said.

Tem was too shocked to react properly.

“Why not?”

He stepped closer.

“Because if I kiss you, I’ll try to take you upstairs. And you’re not going to let me.”

Tem opened her mouth but he kept talking:

“And you were right. I’m not used to hearing the word ‘no’. And I don’t want to hear it from you. Certainly not after I had to see you in this dress—” he brushed his fingertips along her waist so lightly she almost didn’t notice until it was over, “—all fucking evening.”

“You chose it,” she whispered.

“Apparently I’m partial to torture.”

There was a pause, and he stepped even closer.

“I’m not going to kiss you. Instead I’m going to picture everything I want to do to you without that dress on. And I’m going to pretend that someday you’ll let me do it.”

Her throat tightened. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think.

“You were wrong about one thing, though,” Leo continued, his voice eerily calm.

“What’s that?” Tem managed to say.

Leo took her hand in his, turning it over and pressing his lips to the freckles on her palm. He murmured his next words against her skin:

“I know exactly why I like you.”

Then he disappeared into the parlor.

Tem stood alone, her heart thrumming in her chest. There were no words to describe what had just happened. It was as if an invisible thread now connected her to Leo—as if his vulnerability and candor had weakened her defenses against him. She couldn’t have predicted a single second of this evening, and she had no idea how she felt about anything anymore.

Tem was just turning to leave when she heard a voice in the parlor. She froze, her hand on the door. The voice belonged to Maximus. He was speaking in a hushed tone—practically whispering. She paused, listening hard as he said:

“You are enamored with her.”

“How do you know? You’ve barely spent ten minutes with us.”

“I know you, Thelonius. I have seen you like this before.”

A pause. Then Leo said:

“If you have seen me like this before, then you know what I’m going to do.”

“You cannot choose her.”

“And why not?” Leo countered, his voice considerably louder. “If I can’t make my own choice then what’s the point of the elimination process?”

“She’s a chicken farmer.”

“ So? ”

“You are only doing this because you know it will anger me.”

A pause.

“Maybe that’s part of the fun,” Leo said coldly.

Tem heard the clink of a glass, and wondered if whiskey had been poured.

“I will not have you repeat the mistakes of your past,” Maximus continued.

“Evelyn was not a mistake.”

The king let out a dull laugh. “You were a fool then, and you are a fool now.”

Another pause. When Leo spoke, his voice was laced with hate:

“I let you control me once. I won’t let you do it again.”

“We have a reputation to uphold, Thelonius. This is not how things are done . ”

“Things are done the way we say they are. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me? Laws are made to be broken .”

“I won’t have my son wed to a chicken farmer.”

“Then you won’t have a son.”

There were footsteps as one of them walked away.

Before she could be discovered, Tem walked away too.