Page 31 of Split or Swallow
Tem felt suddenly overwhelmed. There was a tight, twisting pain in her chest that had nothing to do with her nerves. She turned away from the painting, heading toward the first door she could find. By pure happenstance, it was a bathroom. The sink was gold, of course, and Tem splashed her face with water in an effort to cool down. She was just reaching for the towel when the door banged open.
A girl with a head of thick, icy blonde hair bound in. She was clutching a flute of champagne, her cheeks tinged with pink. One of the other contestants.
“Oh—” the girl said when she saw Tem, “—sorry. I didn’t know there was anyone in here.”
“It’s fine,” Tem said quickly. “I was just leaving.”
“No, no,” the girl waved her off, sloshing her champagne in the process. “Don’t leave on my account. I’m only here because I needed a break from the party. It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” answered Tem honestly.
“I’m Lilly,” the girl said, extending the hand that wasn’t holding the champagne. “Well, technically Lilibet.”
“I’m Tem. Well, technically Temperance.”
“Temperance is a pretty name.”
“So is Lilibet.”
The girl rolled her eyes. “Hardly. It sounds like a toilet accessory.”
“Does it?”
“I think so. But that’s what nicknames are for.”
The girl tipped the rest of her champagne into her mouth before asking:
“So, what do you think of the prince?”
Tem shrugged. “I haven’t met him yet.”
“Hm. Well, when you do, tell him he lost a bet.”
“Excuse me?”
“He bet me he wouldn’t find any of the girls pretty,” her eyes flicked over Tem’s dress. “But I have a feeling he won’t be able to resist you.”
Tem was becoming more confused by the moment.
“I’m sorry—I thought you were—”
“In the running to marry my own brother? That would be the scandal of the century.”
Tem’s mouth fell open. She was talking to the prince’s older sister. She should’ve known by the name Lilibet. Everyone had to memorize the royal family tree in school, but Tem hadn’t thought about it in years.
Lilly laughed at the expression on Tem’s face. “So? Aren’t you going to ask me how to win his heart?”
Tem didn’t know how to answer that. The only heart she really wanted to win was Caspen’s.
At her silence, Lilly’s face split into a grin.
“Ah, so you’re not here to grovel at his feet. Interesting. Come to think of it, that might be exactly what wins you his heart. He always wants what he can’t have.”
A sudden cheer echoed outside the bathroom. Lilly glanced at the door.
“I’d better go. It was nice to meet you, Tem. And good luck! Not that you’ll need it.”
With that, the princess was gone.
