Page 243 of Between Two Kings

Unmistakable joy passed over Leo’s face. “Thank Kora.”

His words hung between them. It was entirely inappropriate for him to act so relieved. But there was nothing Tem could do about it. It was not her responsibility to monitor Leo’s emotions. If he wanted to act this way in front of Evelyn, that was his choice. Tem was past the point of caring.

“I will make sure to find Caspen tonight,” Leo continued, “and tell him he has my condolences.”

Tem noticed how he didn’t say “our.”

“You can tell him,” Tem said. “But it won’t make a difference.”

Leo ran a hand through his hair, displacing several strands.

“He’s angry, Leo,” she continued. “And he has every right to be. The villagers are the ones who did this.”

“But why would they do this?”

“It was retaliation,” Tem said. “For Jonathan’s and Christopher’s deaths.”

Leo sighed. “I would never sanction such an attack,” he said quietly. “Surely, Caspen knows that.”

Tem didn’t answer.

Silence fell.

Evelyn stood between them, her arms crossed defensively. Tem couldn’t read her mind, but it was clear she didn’t approve of any of this, that she was upset they were even talking about such things on the eve of her wedding.

“You said that forty-six basilisks died,” Evelyn said.

“Yes. They did.”

“So…” Evelyn said slowly, her eyes flitting first to Leo, then back to Tem. “Are they buried? Or do basilisks practice cremation?”

Tem blinked. Why was Evelyn asking about basilisk funerary customs? It wasn’t like her to care. “They will be burned,” Tem said.

“Oh,” Evelyn said with obvious disappointment. She seemed extremely put-out.

“Is that quite acceptable to you?” Tem asked.

Evelyn sighed. “Of course. I was merely inquiring.”

“Why do you care what we do with our dead?”

She shrugged. “It just seems like a shame.”

Leo went pale.

“How is it a shame?” Tem asked. “They will be properly honored.”

“It’s a waste.”

“A waste?”

Horrific comprehension crashed into Tem. She finally understood why Evelyn was inquiring about the bodies. To her, there was still a use for them.

“You want them for bloodletting?”

“If there are forty-six basilisks available, we should—”

“They’re not available. They’re dead.”