Page 63 of Split or Swallow

“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.