Page 25 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
Pip scrambles off the chair where Linc left her and comes to press herself against my legs. I reach out to scratch the top of her head, while Linc puts an arm around me, pulling me back close.
"I understand," Linc promises. "Before I came here, I was lonely. I had Agnes, but she was often off with Hector, not that our mother knew it. And there's only so much a sister can be your company anyway."
"Tell that to Bastian," I mutter.
"You know you don't actually want me to do that," he responds.
"Mmm. Fair."
"Then I came here. I still had Agnes, but I also had Marcus. It was rough, especially with avoiding the less savoury aspects of court. But then five years later, you came along."
"Five years is such a long time."
"Not to a vampire it isn't," he points out. "I'm not lonely anymore. And I don't want to give that up either."
"Even with the less savoury parts of court?" I check, repeating his own words back to him.
He grimaces. "I'd rather avoid them."
"Me too. I hate the idea that the lords are leaving their children out there to die just because they don't need a new heir. And the feasts, they're barbaric."
"They are," he agrees.
"But what can we do to stop them?" I ask. "It feels like we're trapped in a system that won't give them up."
"Maybe we are," he responds. "But I have some good news for you on that front."
"Oh?"
"We're near the top of the system. Maybe we can do something about it," he says. "It might not be possible immediately, but we can work towards it. You can do anything you set your mind to." He brushes some hair out of my face.
"I'm not so sure about that."
"I am," he responds. "You came to court a few months ago, barely able to read and write, not knowing anything, and not being able to stand up to your brother. And now look."
"I'm not sure how well I stand up to Bastian," I admit. "It certainly doesn't get through to him."
"Maybe not. But would you have even done as much as you do now a few months ago?" he asks.
"No, probably not."
"You're strong, Bea. And you're determined. If anyone can change the way the entire court is run, it's you."
"That might be aiming a little high," I admit.
"Not if our lives go as planned. We'll have a long time to work it out and to make changes. I know it's scary to think about that now when you're not sure what you want, but I have faith in you."
I sigh and lean my head on his shoulder. "Thank you."
"Always." He kisses my forehead and I let out a small sigh, some of the tension slipping away. I know it's still going to be a complicated situation to manage, and there's lots I don't know or understand, but Linc is right. I have time to work out precisely what I want, and there are already some things I know I want to change. Now all I have to do is make sure I'm in a position where I can make that a reality.
TWELVE
I flip the page of the latest book Linc has given me and try to focus on the words while I scratch Pip absentmindedly. She's taking up most of the bed by sprawling with all of her legs out.
A knock breaks through the silence in my room. "Come in," I call.
The door opens and Jemima steps inside, dipping into a curtsy. "I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady, but His Highness is here asking to see you."
