Page 305 of Split or Swallow

A sad smile twisted his lips.

“We both know you did.”

There was a pause, and Tem didn’t know how to fill it.

Leo’s next words were a whisper:

“I’ve been in love with you ever since I saw you in that green dress, Tem.”

The dress Caspen had given her.

Tem thought back to that night—how they had agreed not to lie to each other—how she’d forced Leo to admit that he wanted her. How far they had come.

Before she could reply, Leo dropped his hands. A shadow of his former self returned as he asked:

“What can be done?”

At his words, Tem felt immense relief. If Leo was asking that, it meant he wanted to help. It meant he was on their side.

“We need to try to make peace,” Tem said. “We must change the future of your kingdom.”

“How?”

Tem didn’t know the answer to that question. But she knew who would.

“I’m…not the person to ask.”

“Then who is?”

Now she avoided his eyes.

Leo sighed.

“Ah. Of course. Him.”

Tem didn’t reply.

They stood in silence, and she prayed she hadn’t just made a grave mistake. Then Leo said:

“Can you…arrange a meeting?”

He spoke slowly, his tone cautious and controlled. Tem knew this was the last thing he wanted to do, and it would be the last thing Caspen wanted to do too. But with Leo on their side, the future between the royals and the basilisks could be different than the one Bastian had planned. There was hope. And as long as there was hope, they had a chance.

“Yes,” Tem said. “I can.”

Neither of them spoke on the way back from the dungeon.

When they reached the top of the stairs, the prince turned to his room.

“Leo, wait,” Tem said.

He paused, his hand on the door. An eternity passed.

“Tem?” he prompted.

Her heart slammed in her throat. It took all her courage to say:

“Can I stay?”