Page 10 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
Lady Ermentrude's attention is now firmly on those attending her, and I feel somewhat relieved. I'm not really sure what to make of her. Maybe the feelings are just to do with the fact she's now married to Bastian and I don't know how to properly deal with that. It's not like I want my brother's life to revolve around me, but for a long time it was just the two of us against the world, and now it isn't.
Not that I can really talk. I've spent a lot more time with Linc over the past couple of months than I have with Bastian.
I shake my head and leave the room, trying not to let myself dwell on it too much. Whoever Lady Ermentrude is will become clear in time, and then I'll know what to make of her. Or at least, that's what I'm hoping.
FIVE
Pip seems to know that we're heading outside the castle, at least from the way she's bouncing along as if she's having the time of her life. Though she probably is having the time of her life. She's had good food, gets so much fuss, and has the servants at her beck and call even more than I do. Though I'm not naive enough to think that's for any other reason than because I'm Lord Fallmartin's daughter. Hopefully, the servants at the palace will be as amenable to her presence, even if the Queen might not be.
I try not to dwell on that. Everything that Marcus and Linc have told me about the King's wife has me nervous about meeting her. In theory, she should be my ally as a fellow member of House Rothorne, but I'll also be Linc's wife, and from what he's said, the Queen isn't really a fan of his. Or more accurately, she doesn't like the fact the King kept a human mistress and Linc is a constant reminder of that.
I push the thoughts aside as I arrive in the grand entrance hall, finding Linc already waiting for me.
Pip lets out an excited bark and wags her tail excitedly when she spots him, forgetting all of the training we've done since arriving at court and bouncing right over to him.
Linc smiles and crouches down, fussing her while he waits for me to approach. "Hello, Pip," he says.
My dog lets out a happy bark.
"Soon I'm going to get to see you every day," Linc says.
She doesn't understand a word of what he's saying, but she's definitely happy about the attention she's getting.
"And are you as happy about getting to see me every day?" I ask him.
He looks up and flashes me a warm smile. "You know I am."
"Good."
He gets up and steps closer, reaching out so he can pull me to him.
"What if someone sees?" I murmur.
"That I like my future wife?" he asks. "Let them see."
My breathing catches in my throat even as he leans in and presses his lips against mine. Even though it's just a kiss, I can feel the flutters throughout my body. He's the only person who's ever made me feel this way, though that isn't a surprise considering my lack of romantic history.
He pulls away, leaving me a little breathless. "Shall we?" He gestures towards the front door.
I nod. "Hopefully, the weather is still pleasant."
"I believe it's been snowing," he responds. "Does Pip like that?"
"She chases the snowflakes."
His whole face lights up, giving him a boyish charm that he doesn't normally have. Maybe it's because for most of the time I've known him, he's been somewhat haunted by the realities of life at court.
He slips his hand into mine and we head outside with Pip running along ahead of us, seeming thrilled that we're going on a walk. She snaps at the air a couple of times, trying to catch the falling snow. She looks so happy as she does it, and it fills my heart. Even more so because I get to share the moment with Linc.
"Thank you for coming on a walk with me," I say.
He smiles at me. "You're welcome. But it's purely selfish, I wanted to see you. I know your lessons are important, but I miss spending the afternoons with you."
"I know. I feel the same," I respond. "But I think they're going well. The tutor is tough, but I think it's helping me. Bastian not so much."
Linc chuckles. "But from what you've said, it feels like not much could help Bastian."
"Unfortunately, true."
