Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
“And you relate to that?”
His mouth twitched. “Somewhat.”
Tem rolled her eyes. “Your life seems pretty good to me, Leo.”
“That’s because you’re looking at it from the outside, Tem.” He said it softly, his eyes on the fire.
“You have everything,” she said and shrugged. “What else could you possibly want?”
He didn’t reply for a long time. When he did, Tem barely heard the word:
“Agency.”
“You have agency.”
“It may seem that way to you. But my hands are tied in every way that matters. I can’t choose what I do, where I go, who I date. Everything is decided for me.”
“You have a roof over your head. You have food and books and a fireplace in your bedroom, for Kora’s sake. And by the way, you are choosing who you date. Right now, actually. Are you really telling me you’re unhappy?”
Leo looked at her, his eyes hooded. “Yes. I’m afraid I am.”
Tem stared at him, trying to understand.
She, of all people, knew what it was like to truly have no agency. Her path had been decided for her the moment she was born in the same year as the prince, the daughter of a single mother with nothing but chicken shit to go home to. Leo had no idea what it was like to have everything decided for him. He was the son of a king, with more power than he knew how to wield, straining against a self-imposed cage.
“Do you not believe me?” Leo asked.
Tem sighed. “If you say you’re unhappy, I believe you. But you have more power than you think you do.”
“And how shall I wield that power?”
“I don’t know, Leo. Do something-anything. Think about someone other than yourself.”
“I think about you.”
She ignored the compliment, leaning in. “Think about your family. Think about what they’ve done.”
Leo frowned. “And what has my family done?”
Tem shouldn’t have said that. Before she could figure out how to answer, there was another knock on the door.
Leo’s eyes lingered on hers for just a moment before he said, “Come in.”
Tem stared at the fire as the same servant from before set a tray of food down and left without a word. Neither of them touched the food.
Leo leaned in. “What has my family done, Tem?”
He said it like a plea. His voice was curious-apprehensive, even. As if he were afraid to hear the answer. Tem decided in that moment that he didn’t know about the bloodletting. He couldn’t. Leo would never condone such cruelty.
But she also couldn’t imagine telling him.
What exactly would she even say? That there were imprisoned basilisks-including her own father-beneath their feet? That everything Leo owned was paid for in blood? Tem thought about the portrait of Leo and Maximus, both wearing matching gold cuffs.
Like father, like son.
Even if he had no knowledge of the bloodletting, Tem had no idea whether she could trust Leo. If the last twenty-four hours were any indication, she couldn’t trust anyone. She knew Leo was angry at Maximus for how he’d treated Evelyn and for how he was already beginning to treat Tem. But was he angry enough to condemn his father’s crimes? There were so many secrets, so many things Leo didn’t know, and none of them would be easy for him to hear. She didn’t want to keep things from him the same way so many things had been kept from her.
All journeys begin with a step.
But it was too soon. Leo may be angry with his father, but Tem very much doubted he was ready to discover the atrocities happening within his own home. Not when he had been raised his entire life to believe that basilisks were the enemy.
The truth would have to wait another day.
“You said it yourself.” Tem shrugged in what she hoped was a nonchalant manner. “Your family controls you. You could stand up to your father if that’s really what you wanted.”
Leo tilted his head, appraising her.
She wondered if he could tell she’d wanted to say something else.
“And how would you suggest I stand up to him?”
“By making your own choices.”
Her suggestion hung in the air. She didn’t elaborate, and Leo didn’t ask her to. He was still staring at her when Caspen entered her mind: Tem. My quiver has made their decision.
Part Two
Tem let the silence sit, forcing Caspen to speak again:
I know you are angry with me. But you should know that the Drakons have given you their blessing.
The news had no impact on Tem. She deserved his quiver’s blessing after everything she’d gone through. She expected nothing less.
Caspen continued. And I know you are with the prince.
Now Tem spoke. It’s none of your business who I’m with.
A testy pause. I am not criticizing you. It is your right to spend time with whomever you choose.
His words were taut.
Is that all? I’m about to eat breakfast.
Caspen’s presence loomed larger, and she knew he wanted to keep her with him.
There is something else. I must attend the council meeting tonight.
You told me that already.
I wish for you to attend with me.
That was a surprise to Tem.
Why?
We are now officially engaged. That means you are the future queen. Your presence is expected.
He was the second person to call Tem the future queen. The first was Leo.
Is it safe for me to attend?