Page 35 of Split or Swallow

“How’s what going so far?”

“You know. The training, or whatever it is they’re calling it.”

Blush rose on her cheeks. Was he really asking her about her sessions with Caspen? The process was hardly a secret—everyone in the village knew this was the proper way for a prince to choose a wife. But it was a sensitive subject for Tem. She was already embarrassed by her inexperience—she had no desire to discuss it with the very person she might be sleeping with in a matter of weeks.

“I don’t believe that’s any of your concern,” she said quietly.

His mouth twitched.

“On the contrary. I believe I’m the only person it concerns.”

Her blush deepened, and she hated it. Tem didn’t like the way the prince was making her feel. It was as if he enjoyed her discomfort, and she felt the power shifting back to him as he said:

“Sex is best with someone who knows what they’re doing. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Tem didn’t answer. She hadn’t had sex yet, with someone who knew what they were doing or otherwise.

At her silence, Leo’s smirk widened.

“Then again, experiencing something for the first time can be…rewarding. If that’s your situation.”

Tem felt the whiskey burning in her stomach, and with it, her anger. She hat⁠ed the way Leo was speaking to her. But even more, she hated the way Caspen had abandoned her. The claw was cold, his presence entirely absent from her mind. She was on her own. So she took a deep breath and said:

“You don’t know my situation.”

Leo leaned in.

“I’d like to.”

He was far too close for comfort.

“Am I to take that as a compliment?” she asked.

“Certainly not. That dress looks beautiful on you. That’s a compliment.”

“I hardly consider it one.”

Leo’s mouth twisted in a condescending smile. “What could possibly be wrong with it?”

“You complimented the dress. Not me.”

Tem didn’t know where her courage came from. She shouldn’t be talking like this, especially not to the prince. But she was angry. At Leo, at the situation she was in, and perhaps at herself for letting her insecurities impact her so greatly. Whatever she was feeling, it lit a fire in her that was stronger than any whiskey, and she was in no mood for banter.

Leo considered her answer.

“Perhaps. But the implication is that the dress is only beautiful because you’re the one wearing it.”

“Implications aren’t compliments.”

Leo frowned. She doubted he was used to being defied.

He stepped closer. Despite downing two whiskeys in the span of a minute, he didn’t seem to be affected by the alcohol at all. His eyes narrowed. “You already know you’re beautiful, don’t you?”

Tem had only been called beautiful once, by Caspen. And yet his word had made her believe it, so she answered honestly:

“Yes.”

“In that case, would you even care to hear it from me?”