Page 50 of Between Two Kings

“The other royals. There were certainly plenty at our wedding.”

Another jab. Tem was truly out of control now, but she couldn’t help it. This conversation was making her furious, and she was dangerously close to losing her temper.

“The other royals are feeling the loss too. Our economy affects theirs.”

“That’s too bad.”

Enough, Tem. Caspen’s voice was tight. His anger matched hers.

I hate her.

She is not important enough to hate. Now that is enough.

Tem slumped in her seat. She felt suddenly exhausted, as if she’d just run a mile at full speed. Across from her, Leo seemed paler than usual. He really wasn’t looking well, she realized. The more she and Evelyn argued, the more it hurt Leo. Caspen was right. It was enough.

Thankfully, at that moment, the butler appeared with dessert. The final course was consumed in silence, all four of them staring down at their plates as they ate. Caspen barely touched his. Tem couldn’t blame him. This dinner had been, all things considered, an utter disaster. All she wanted was to leave the castle as quickly as possible.

But just as they were rising from their seats, Evelyn said, “Tem? Can we talk alone?”

Chapter Eight

Tem glanced immediately at Caspen, who stared blankly back at her.

“Uh. Why?”

Evelyn gave her that sugary sweet smile again. “I thought it would be nice to get to know each other.”

“Why?” Tem said again. After the dinner they’d just had, she knew plenty about Evelyn already. And none of it was remotely good.

Evelyn’s smile widened. There was no joy in it. “Because you and Leo were…close.”

Tem knew she’d purposefully chosen not to say the word “married.” Always diminishing. Always deflecting. “I see,” said Tem, even though she didn’t. She couldn’t think of a single rational reason why she and Evelyn should get to know each other. She’d rather hoped they would never have to speak again after tonight.

Tem looked at Leo, who was watching the two of them with his brow furrowed. Had he suggested this? Surely not. He couldn’t possibly want his former wife and his future wife to get to know each other. It defied logic.

“Perfect. Then it’s settled,” Evelyn said. “We’ll have some girl talk. Boys, will you excuse us?”

She didn’t wait for an answer. Tem didn’t have time to wonder what the men were supposed to do while left alone in the dining room before Evelyn turned on her heel and walked into the library. With one last desperate glance at Caspen, Tem followed, feeling as if she were walking toward her grave. The moment she entered the library, memories crashed over her like a wave. Leo sprawled in the leather armchair with lipstick on his neck, his hair mussed. The taste of whiskey when he’d kissed her. The hourglass was still sitting on the desk, the delicate flakes of gold piled in a mountain at the bottom. Did Evelyn have any idea what had happened in this room? So many lines had been crossed here—so many things had been said. This was where Tem had allowed herself to kiss Leo without thought of the consequences, where she’d indulged in him for the first time on her own terms. How things had changed.

“So,” said Evelyn as she sat in one of the leather chairs. “How are you feeling, Tem?”

Tem remained standing. And silent.

“Please.” Evelyn gestured. “Sit.”

It was the last thing Tem wanted to do. But she also didn’t want to prolong the evening, and she had a feeling Evelyn wouldn’t let her out of this room until she’d gotten what she wanted out of this conversation.

So Tem sat.

Evelyn leaned in. “I imagine you’re feeling quite overwhelmed.”

That was certainly one way to put it.

“I know I’m feeling overwhelmed. There’s just so much happening with the wedding.”

The stupid wedding again. Tem resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was beginning to get whiplash from the way Evelyn changed her personality. One moment she was cold and dismissive, the next she was fostering a false sense of intimacy with her “girl talk.” Tem hated it.

“Besides,” Evelyn continued. “I’m dying to know more about you. Leo’s so secretive. I thought I’d go right to the source.”