Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
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 mean 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 wineglass, 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 was 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 accustomed to constantly hearing-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.”