Page 105 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
"Linc?" I can barely say his name as the pleasure subsides, leaving me with a satisfied feeling in my whole body.
"Give me a moment," he murmurs.
"But you didn't..."
"I know. We have to go back in there and dance, I didn't think it was a good idea," he mumbles.
"Ah." I hadn't thought of that, I was too caught up in how good it feels to be with him. "Well, maybe there's something I can do about that." I reach out and put a hand on his shoulder, turning him back to me. I bite my lip, drawing his attention there and leaving no questions about what I'm thinking.
"You don't have to," he says quickly.
"And if I want to?" I'm already sinking to my knees as he nods.
I look up at him, seeing the darkness of desire pooling in his eyes as he watches me take him in my mouth. It takes a moment for me to focus on what I'm doing when I taste myself on him, an echo of the pleasure I felt echoing within me. But I've done this enough times to know what he likes and use my tongue to tease him, before moving forward so I can take more of him.
He groans, his hand hovering over my head as if he wants to urge me on, but doesn't dare to.
"Bea," he warns, and I know what's coming next, and I swallow in anticipation, waiting until he's reached completion before I rock back on my heels.
He tucks himself away and offers me a hand to help me to my feet.
"I'm definitely distracted," he murmurs as he pulls me closer.
"Good." I lean in to kiss him. "Though I hate to point out that we should probably go back to the ball at some point."
"It'll be much more entertaining now," he responds.
I laugh. "Because you couldn't imagine any of that without acting it out?"
"Doing both is the fun part." He grins at me, and I can see some of his usual mischief returning to him, and chasing away the shadow of the part of him that feels he needs to drink.
FOURTEEN
I'm glad that weeks like this one are a rarity and not the norm. I'm exhausted from all the events we've had to be at the front and centre of. At least now Linc and I will be able to sink back into the general royal family, and likely not as the most central figures, given that we're not the ruling royals or the next in line.
But despite that, there's no respite from people as I make my way into my receiving room. I'm sure I'll get used to it at some point, but right now, I just don't fully understand what the point of it all is. I know that I'm making connections with some of the other nobility, which could prove useful when I have need of allies, but it's hard work when I know very few of them.
To my surprise, Bella is speaking with Lady Wentworth, seemingly having warmed to the other woman following our first lesson together.
I don't suppose it would be a bad thing for anyone to be friends with a former assassin, and I am intrigued to find out what else she might be able to teach us.
I smile at several of the women, not wanting to engage any of them in conversation, but wanting to seem open in case they have something to discuss with me.
My skirts flare around me as I take a seat, and I smooth them out, hoping that I also look the part I'm playing, without seeming like I'm trying too hard. As much as I never particularly wanted to be a princess, I also don't want to waste the opportunity I've been given. There are plenty of things that I think could be changed about the society I'm now living in, and I want to make those things better.
Emilia approaches me and dips into a curtsy. I know I can't change the way people greet me, but it is something that is already becoming somewhat tedious.
"I have news for you," Emilia says, stepping closer and lowering her voice. "About Lord Vermouten."
A horrible feeling settles in my stomach as I wonder what she might have heard, and from who.
"I overheard some of the grooms talking last when I went for a ride. They say that Lord Vermouten has died and his body has just been returned to court."
Genuine surprise must show on my face.
"It might not be true," she says hastily. "That's just what they said, but they might have been mistaken, or I might have misheard..."
"It’s fine, Emilia," I assure her. "I know you're just telling me what you've heard. It's as useful to know what people believe as it is to know the truth. I'm sure we'll learn the truth about Lord Vermouten soon enough." Though I don't dare try to uncover the reality behind how Lord Fallmartin managed to get it so that Thomas' body left the castle in order to return it without anyone noticing. I suspect it's only been possible with Thomas being the lord of a lesser House. There are fewer people to notice what's happening to him in that situation.
