Filed To Story: Spit or Swallow: Kiss Of The Basilisk
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 wineglasses, 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 wineglass 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.”