Page 60 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2
Bastian doesn't even look at her. I have to admit, I'm surprised. He's not normally so subdued, especially when it comes to Bella.
"He did," I respond.
"He was drinking your blood," Bastian mutters.
Bella barely manages to restrain a laugh, no doubt because she's thinking about when she caught us in a very similar position.
"Maybe it should have crossed your mind that I asked him to do that," I say.
"You shouldn't let him," Bastian protests.
"Why? It feels good."
He looks at me with something akin to horror on his face. "What?"
"Being bitten." I frown. "Have you not..."
"What? No, of course not. I'm not going to let anyone bite me."
"Poor Lady Ermentrude," Bella mutters under her breath.
I give my brother a strange look. I guess I assumed he had the experience of doing something similar with his wife, and that's why he was so angry. But maybe it's more than that. He might not like it because it's a reminder of the things he isn't doing. Not that I particularly want to think about that kind of situation, I'd rather go back to knowing nothing about my brother's intimate life. Even better would be if he went back to knowing nothing about mine. I don't intend on sharing what happens behind closed doors with anyone else.
"I'll apologise to Prince Lincoln," Bastian mumbles.
"Thank you." I can't help but be a little surprised by the offer. It makes me wonder what Lord Fallmartin said to him after he left my room last night because it's quite a different reaction to the other times he's been caught out like this.
I just have to hope that the more reasonable version of Bastian becomes the one who is around most of the time.
ELEVEN
After the way things went in my room a couple of nights ago, I'm even more nervous than usual to be sitting in Lord Fallmartin's office. It would be better if I'd had a chance to properly talk to Linc about all of this, but we've barely been able to see one another. My father isn't the only one requesting meetings, and Linc has spent most of the last couple of days performing royal duties that don't have anything to do with me.
One of the servants sets down a loaded tray of tea and cake between me and Lord Fallmartin. It's a strange juxtaposition for the stern man on the other side of the desk to enjoy fluffy cakes covered in some kind of sweet cream, but he does.
"Help yourself," he says to me with a wave of his hand.
"Thank you." I pour myself a cup of tea, adding a dash of milk but ignoring the honey and sugar that are also on offer. I do enjoy some of the sweet things the castle has to offer, particularly the cakes, but I'm still not used to the sweetness and don't want them all the time.
"There's less than a week until your wedding, which means that we need to do everything to make sure things run smoothly," Lord Fallmartin says, getting straight to the point of why he's brought me here. And it doesn't seem to be about what he discovered the other night.
I nod and lean back in my seat. I haven't had much to do with the preparations other than to turn up for my dress fitting and listen to people tell me that I'm supposed to sleep with Linc at the first opportunity I get after the wedding ceremony is over.
"We have dinner with the royal family tomorrow night," he says.
I swallow hard. "Is that wise?"
For a moment, I think he's going to pretend not to know what I'm talking about. "I'm certain your brother will be on his best behaviour. Do you have any reason to think Prince Lincoln will make it difficult for us in light of Bastian's actions?"
"No." But only because I know Linc doesn't want to do anything that could endanger the wedding going forward. It's still a little quick for my liking, and for him too, from what he's said, but I'm aware that if this betrothal falls through, then we will both end up marrying strangers. I suppose there's a chance I could grow to be happy with someone else, but given my feelings for Linc, I don't want to do anything to stop this from becoming my reality.
"Good. The situation the other night was most unfortunate. I spoke with Bastian to ensure that it doesn't happen again," he says firmly.
I nod, resisting the urge to say thank you.
"I am to take it from the circumstances you were found in that I have nothing to worry about regarding your relations with the Prince?" He gives me a shrewd look that suggests he already knows the answer. I try not to feel too uncomfortable about that. There's no changing what happened the other night, which means there's no way for anyone to unknow what they learned.
I almost choke. "There won't be any problems," I murmur.
