Page 47 of Between Two Kings

“Of course,” Evelyn continued, her eyes boring into Tem’s, “now that I’m back”—she threw a meaningful glance at Leo, who was still staring at Tem’s hand—“we can’t wait to get married.”

A knife twisted in Tem’s stomach. Of course. Her marriage to Leo had been annulled for the express purpose of clearing the way for a marriage between Leo and Evelyn. The villagers needed a queen, and Tem was no longer an option. Her human side knew this was for the best. Her human side was almost happy for them. But her basilisk side growled in jealousy, and beside her, Caspen squeezed her leg once more.

He asked the question on the tip of Tem’s tongue: “Are you not already married?”

Leo shook his head, snapping back to reality. “Evelyn wants a wedding.”

“We want a wedding,” Evelyn said, squeezing Leo’s arm. “And we’re going to plan it together. I want it absolutely perfect.”

Tem stared at her blankly. Their kingdoms were on the brink of war, and she cared about planning a wedding? It was a perilous time. The truce was in flux and there had already been bloodshed. The fact that Leo had had two wives in the span of a week would not be received well. The right thing to do would be to marry quietly and get on with the task of ruling the kingdom. The path forward was clear to Tem. How could it not be clear to Evelyn?

The right thing to you and me is not necessarily the right thing for them.

Tem rolled her eyes. Don’t pretend this makes any sense.

I did not say it made sense. Only that it is what they think is right.

It’s what she thinks is right. Leo doesn’t want this. You can tell.

Leo is a man. If he does not agree with his wife, it is up to him to express that to her.

Tem knew Caspen was right. He was painfully, logically, right. As always. This dinner was a terrible idea.

To her surprise, amusement seeped from his mind to hers. I think it is going rather well.

Seriously?

Yes. I had expected you to throw something by this point.

Tem shot him a look, which he returned. Then to her surprise, he smiled, leaned in, and kissed her. For a moment, all was right with the world. The table disappeared, and all Tem knew was Caspen’s lips on hers. The claw pulsed gently, warming her once more.

Evelyn cleared her throat. They pulled apart reluctantly, and Tem looked over to see Leo glaring at her with complete and utter rage. It scared her so much that she nearly recoiled.

Caspen’s mind tightened around hers: He is angry, Tem. Do not hold it against him.

Why are you suddenly playing peacemaker? You’ve been far too reasonable tonight. I don’t like it.

He let out a quiet laugh under his breath. Because it is in my best interest for this dinner to go well.

Well, it’s not going well so far.

It might go better if you focused on something other than your anger.

Tem sighed. He was being insufferable tonight. Then again, so was she. And only one of them was making this dinner more difficult. There’s nothing else to focus on.

Shall I give you something else?

The claw pulsed. The pulse built. Before Tem could react, Caspen turned back to Evelyn.

“When will you be wed?”

Tem knew he couldn’t care less about the answer. But he was the only one making conversation, and they both knew it was safer than her chiming in at this point. Tem had nothing whatsoever to add to a discussion of their wedding. Nothing positive, at least.

“On Mother’s Night.”

Tem frowned. “But that’s—”

“Lovely,” Caspen finished.