Page 103 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
I don't wait for him to recover and spin on my heels, fully intent on finding my husband and enjoying the rest of my evening.
THIRTEEN
I'm only half surprised to find Linc with Marcus and Luca, though frustratingly, it causes a complex series of greetings with Luca having to bow deeply to me because of his status as heir to a lesser lord, while I have to curtsy deeper to Marcus as the Crown Prince. It truly feels unnecessary when I consider myself to be among some of my closest friends and allies. But there are people watching, and the last thing we need is for them to get the wrong impression about relationships that exist.
Or worse, get the right impression. I know that Marcus and Luca have to keep their relationship quiet until the time is right, if it ever will be. I hope for their sake that it comes. They deserve it more than anyone I know.
"Thank you for making me your champion," Luca says.
I smile in response. "I wish I'd known I needed one earlier so we could have discussed it. And I'm sure I may have to make other choices in the future, but I would be honoured if you could continue to be my champion until such a time."
"It would be an honour." He dips his head. "My father is beyond thrilled."
"I didn't do it for your father," I respond.
Luca looks away, but not before I see the emotions in his eyes. It's a wonder he and Marcus have managed to keep their relationship a secret, because they are both somewhat obvious about their emotions. Not that Linc and I can talk. Most people knew about our betrothal before we did, though that was mostly due to a misunderstanding about Linc's title, and my lack of realisation that he was a prince.
"Perhaps we're no longer needed tonight," Marcus says to Luca.
He nods.
"You can't leave early," Linc says.
Marcus laughs. "This is your night, brother. You and my cousin are the ones who can't leave the ball early."
I wrinkle my nose. "I wish you wouldn't refer to us both like that in the same breath. You make it sound like Linc and I are related." Which we are decidedly not. I've checked both of our family trees multiple times just to be sure about that. Not that it would have stopped our fathers from marrying us to one another, though it would have seriously dented my satisfaction about that.
Marcus merely laughs and says his goodbyes. No doubt he and Luca are planning to spend some time away from prying eyes.
I'd love to follow suit. But long gone are the days that Linc and I can sneak away from balls to spend time at the library.
Unbidden, thoughts of what that will mean for our allies versus Marcus' faction crosses my mind. Lord Fallmartin, and his plotting, has gotten into my head. I doubt Marcus has any intention of going against Linc, especially not in a war, but all things have to be considered.
"We should talk to people," I say to Linc, only realising after I do that it sounds very out of place without the rest of my thoughts.
I turn to him properly to explain, only to find him looking at the table of refreshments with an intense and tortured expression on his face.
"Linc?"
He swallows hard. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"
A servant picks up a tray and Linc's gaze follows his every move.
"It doesn't matter," I say quickly. "Are you all right?"
He shakes his head. "I want a drink, Bea."
"Ah." At least that means I recognised the expression on his face for what it was. There's some reassurance in that, even if there isn't much. "What about a distraction?"
He looks at me with pained eyes.
"Will blood distract you?" I ask, almost reaching for a nearby cup.
"I don't think so," he responds. "Except..." He trails off, but not before I notice his gaze flickering to my wrist.
I reach for his hand and pull him through a nearby door. I'm not sure where it leads, but the room behind it seems blissfully empty.
"You think my blood will distract you?" I murmur.
