Page 1 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
RITE OF BLOOD AND PATIENCE
WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE
Rite of Blood and Masks
With their betrothals announced, Beatrice and Linc are trying to do their best to stay away from one another, but even in the short time that Beatrice has been at court, the bond they've made is too strong for either of them to actually ignore and they keep finding themselves pulled back together. Despite their desires, Linc promises Beatrice that he'll always be there to help her, and they agree that though it will be difficult, the two of them can be friends with one another and nothing more.
During a wedding dress fitting, Bastian tells Beatrice that she looks beautiful and the two of them briefly talk about why they're at court, including Bastian's ambition. Beatrice admits that she doesn't actually mind being there, and that it is a better life than the one they left, but isn't blinded by Bastian's attempts to tell her that's what he was after too. He offers to organise a dinner where she can meet the mysterious prince she's betrothed to, for which Beatrice is grateful.
Beatrice has a meeting with Lord Fallmartin, which makes her a little on edge especially as they haven't spent any time one-on-one since her arrival at court. Though as she tells Linc, he's never actually been cruel to her and the worst thing he's done is secure her betrothal. While in the meeting, he makes it clear that he'd much rather work with Beatrice than against her, and refers to Prince Lincoln by name, causing Beatrice to realise that she's betrothed to the person she'd actually like to be with. Once she realises, she heads straight to the private room in the library where she asks Linc if he's a prince. He reveals that he is, and that he thought she knew. The two realise that they're betrothed to one another and kiss passionately.
Now knowing they're betrothed, Beatrice enjoys the All Hallow's Ball where the King announces to everyone the betrothal. It quickly becomes clear that everyone was already aware that she and Linc were interested in one another, she's just the last to know.
Linc visits the Rothorne apartments for dinner, where it's clear he has the approval of Lord Fallmartin and the disapproval of Bastian. Lord Fallmartin seems to approve of Beatrice's political acumen and involves her in the decision for her ladies-in-waiting. He also assures her that he has no intention of anything harming Linc as endangering her marriage isn't advantageous to House Rothorne.
Bastian's wedding comes along, where Linc and Beatrice are encouraged to spend time together. Beatrice gets nervous about the blood drinking part of the ceremony for when it's their turn. She confides in Linc once they're alone and he suggests that the easiest way to combat that is for them to make sure that it isn't their first time on their wedding day. Beatrice bites Linc and asks him to bite her in return. The two of them get carried away, and start to go further when they're alone, only to be interrupted by Bella.
Bella reveals more about her first marriage, including the fact that she was deeply in love with her former husband before she came to court. She also reveals that she chose to marry Lord Vermouten instead of reentering a betrothal with another House on the suggestion of Lord Fallmartin, and even if House Vermouten has a low standing at court, she doesn't regret it. Beatrice also learns a little more about Lady Ermentrude and the motivations of House Tufflion entering into a marriage contract with House Rothorne, though she becomes suspicious of Bastian's new wife in the process.
At Bastian's wedding, Linc and Beatrice attempt to leave before the feast, but Lord Fallmartin stops them, suggesting that they return to witness it if they want to play political games. He promises them that they won't be subjected to a feast at their wedding for fear they'll embarrass their respective Houses with their opinions.
If you want to read a recap of books 1 & 2 in the series, you can find it here: https://books.authorlauragreenwood.co.uk/hobar-whb
ONE
I make my way in for breakfast with Pip jumping along beside me, full of excitement to start her day. I lean down and scratch the top of her head, glad that she's having a good time in our new home. It may have taken some getting used to for me, but I'm certainly not as opposed to staying here as I once was.
No one else has arrived in the dining room, so I take my seat and wait for one of the servants to bring me a goblet of blood.
Another servant appears with a bowl of food for Pip. My dog sits down and looks up at me expectantly, her tail thumping wildly against the floor, but after a little bit of training, she knows to wait for my signal before eating.
"Good girl," I tell her.
She pounces on her bowl, eating with a little more sloppiness than I'd like, but I can't win everything. I turn my attention back to my own breakfast. She's not the only one who likes getting better quality food every day. Though I do tend to eat mine with a bit more decorum.
The door opens, and I look up, smiling at my cousin as she makes her way inside. "Good morning."
"You're far too bright for this time in the morning. Can't we go back to when you were moping about your upcoming marriage?" Bella asks.
"I prefer it this way."
"Of course you do." Instead of going around to her side of the table she comes over and sets a book down beside me. "Here."
I frown as I look at the book. I'm used to getting them from Linc, but this is the first time Bella has shown any interest in my reading habits. "What is it?"
"Consider it an early wedding present," she says cryptically.
"Thank you." I go to lift the cover and she puts a hand on it.
"Here isn't the place. Read it somewhere private."
I start to say something but am cut off by the doors opening again, and this time Bastian walks in.
"No wife this morning?" Bella asks him sweetly as she makes her way to the other side of the table.
"She's still abed."
"Probably worn out from all of your attention," Bella says.
