Page 284 of Between Two Kings

Leo

Tem,

The villagers are angry. Evelyn announced our wedding, and it did not go over well. You warned me, and I didn’t listen. I thought they would accept her, but they haven’t. She’s even more convinced that we must bring back the bloodletting now. She thinks it will turn their opinions in her favor. She is probably right.

Yours,

Leo

Tem,

I swear Evelyn doesn’t know what she’s saying. She’s just…complicated. Not unlike you. But that’s where the comparison stops. She’s nothing like you. She’s not even close. I will not let her do this. I promise.

Yours,

Leo

Tem,

Are you ever going to read these letters? What is the point of me addressing them to you if I’m only writing them for myself? What happens if Evelyn finds them? Sometimes I hope she will.

Yours,

Leo

Tem,

It’s not enough for me. I can’t write to you and pretend it’s enough for me. I need to touch you. I need to hear you say my name. Don’t you need that too?

Yours,

Leo

Tem,

I think Evelyn is lying to me. It eats at me like a disease. You and I agreed not to lie to each other, and all Evelyn does is lie. I’m beginning to think I hate her for it. I am beginning to think I hate you too.

Yours,

Leo

Tem,

I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. I think you know that, so I’m not going to bother apologizing. You won’t read these fucking letters, so what does it matter anyway? I love you. I always will.

Yours,

Leo

Tem,

Why is it that every time we look at each other, it feels like stars colliding? What did you do on our wedding—what bond now exists between us? Your brute of a husband was the one who suggested you draw power from me that day. Does he know we’re connected like this? He can’t possibly. Because if he did—if he knew how I feel when I look at you—he’d kill me on the spot.

Yours,

Leo

Tem,