Page 154 of Split or Swallow

“I don’t think so.”

Maximus looked once again at Tem.

“Is this what drew you away? The chicken girl?”

Tem opened her mouth but Leo was already defending her:

“Her name is Temperance. You might want to learn it, considering she’s going to be my wife.”

“I will take away your title before I let you choose her.”

“And crown Lilly king? That’s rather progressive of you. I didn’t realize you’d changed your stance on women in leadership. Mother would be so proud.”

“Enough.”

But Leo wasn’t done.

“I will make my own choice, father. There’s nothing you can—”

“Enough,” the king spat out. “You will return with me now.”

Leo went completely rigid, his fingers twisting tightly in the fabric of Tem’s dress, still holding her behind him. His next words were so quiet—so deadly—that Tem felt a chill go down her spine as he said:

“I will return when I fucking well feel like it.”

Something dangerous glimmered in Maximus’s eyes. He stepped forward—just a single step—to say:

“Ignorant boy. You will face consequences for this.”

Leo stood his ground.

“Then I will face them with my wife.”

Father and son stared at each other.

After an endless moment, Maximus turned, mounted his horse, and was gone.

They stood alone in the street, Leo’s gaze locked on his father’s retreating form. Tem placed her palm tentatively between his shoulder blades, feeling the tension in his body.

On a whim, she said:

“Take me somewhere, Leo.”

He turned slowly to face her.

“Where shall I take you, Tem?”

“I don’t know. Impress me.”

Leo tilted his head, considering her request.

“Very well.”

He held out his hand. Tem took it.

They wound through the streets together, heading toward the church. When they reached it, they didn’t walk up the steps, like Tem figured they would. Instead Leo took her around the back, where a sprawling graveyard stretched to the top of a sloping hill. She nudged his shoulder.

“Are you planning to kill me?”