Page 44 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
"You say that as if you're not marrying me off within a few months," I mutter.
"There are always exceptions."
I want to point out that almost all of the young dhampirs at court are in talks about their future marriages, but I refrain from saying as much and quietly add it to the inner list of things I want to change when I have a chance.
I don't dare actually write it down, especially as my handwriting is recognisably bad, but I'll remember it. There's a lot I want to do, but as Lord Fallmartin has just reminded me, I have a long time to do it, and I'm going to make the most of that time.
THREE
I straighten out my dress and touch the slightly over-the-top ruby necklace around my neck. It's more extravagant than anything I've ever owned, and I feel a little out of place wearing it. Or I do until I remember that Linc is the one who gave it to me for my birthday. Even if this gift was about showing people that he's capable of giving me valuable gifts, he still chose it for me.
And it does help me feel the part as I make my way towards the castle's ballroom. Bastian and his wife are ahead of me, with Lady Ermentrude leaning in and touching Bastian in an almost possessive way. It's strange to see someone else be so important to my twin, especially when it was the two of us for as long as it was, and I'm not entirely sure I like his wife for other reasons, but I really don't mind as much as I thought I would. Perhaps it's because I have Linc, so I understand how it feels to have my affections elsewhere.
Or maybe it's just because her existence means that Bastian is less focused on me, and that gives me freedom I haven't experienced before. It's strange to think that in this world of traditions, etiquette, and rules, I'm freer than I was in the village we used to live in.
Before I found out I was a vampire.
I touch my tongue to my teeth even though I know my fangs are safely retracted. It's all still so surreal, and yet I also feel as if I'm used to a lot of things in my new reality.
A servant nods to Lord Fallmartin as he passes, and a torch is lit under our family crest, announcing that we've arrived in the room. I search the others, my gaze landing on the quartered background of House Soveguine with the crown on the foreground. A torch flickers beneath it, and a small smile passes over my face. It seems that I'm not going to be alone at the ball for very long.
We come to a stop, and I wait for instructions from Lord Fallmartin, but they don't come. I suppose there's a chance that he thinks I don't need them.
"Lady Beatrice," a familiar voice says from behind me.
I turn around and smile. "Your Highness." I dip into a deep curtsy that I know isn't entirely necessary considering Linc has seen me in much more intimate settings than this and we never use titles. But people are watching, and as far as I know, most of the court is still oblivious to the fact I've spent most of the past week sleeping in Linc's bed.
"May I have this dance?" he asks, holding out his hand.
"Of course."
Bastian glares at the two of us as Linc leads me onto the floor.
"I'm never going to get your brother's approval," he murmurs as he pulls me into hold.
I laugh. "Not much does. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Lord Fallmartin isn't going to let anything get in the way of our marriage."
"That doesn't surprise me."
"He told me that he wants us to appoint him as our advisor."
"Interesting, but not unexpected," he responds. "Lord Fallmartin is known for two things."
"Let's guess, his self-preservation and his ambition."
"I was going to say his family loyalty, but self-preservation also works," he says as the music begins to play and he starts moving the two of us around the dance floor.
After a few months of lessons, I'm finally at the point where I feel like the dancing can come naturally to me, and I have to admit to liking that. It makes me feel elegant and refined in a way I've never felt before.
"So, what do you think?" Linc asks.
"About Lord Fallmartin being our advisor?" I check. "Well, your advisor. I guess he wouldn't be mine." There's a slight bitterness in my tone that I don't expect from myself.
"I don't know what the official title is," Linc says. "But we can change it to whatever we want."
"Do you really think your father will allow that?" I look over to where the King is seated on his throne.
"I think my father is going to be pleased that I'm taking an interest in the way things work at court, and want to take an active role in politics. He'll give us whatever we want to make sure that continues to be the case."
