Page 42 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

The expression on Linc's face is hard to read, and I'm not sure what to make of it.

I try to get up, but my heel catches on the hem of my dress. I let out a cry as I fall over, making Pip bark.

For a moment, I'm horrified, but then I burst out laughing, realising that there's no other response I can give.

Linc covers his mouth with his hand, but is clearly amused judging by the light shining in his eyes.

"You can laugh," I say.

He gives a hearty chuckle. "It seems ungentlemanly to do that."

"It's not like we can pretend I didn't fall over," I point out.

He smiles and holds out his hand for me.

I take it, everything within me reacting instantly to his touch. He pulls me to my feet but doesn't let go of my hand. If anything, it feels as if he's holding it tighter. And that's what I want him to do.

"My etiquette lessons might leave something to be desired," I murmur.

"I don't think that's etiquette, just clumsiness." He finally lets go of my hand and bends down to pick up the end of Pip's lead, holding it out to me. "She's very well-behaved."

"I think she's just nervous to be here still." I take it from him. "I hope you don't think worse of me for my clumsiness."

"Not at all." He meets my gaze, and I can see all kinds of thoughts in his eyes. I know that isn't actually possible, but it doesn't stop me from thinking it is. Or maybe I just want the thoughts I'm seeing to be lingering there.

The slam of a door finally has us move apart.

"I should let you get on with your day," I say.

Disappointment flits over his face. "Will I see you in the library later?"

"I wouldn't miss it," I promise. "I'll see you after lunch?"

His wide smile warms me from within, and it's all I need in order to get through family breakfast.

"Come on, Pip," I say.

My dog hops along beside me. I turn back to wave to Linc, thrilled to see he's still watching me go.

"Who was that?"

I jump at the sound of my brother's voice. "Bastian, you scared me," I say, turning to face him.

"Who was that?" he asks again, his face all harsh angles. Has it always been like that? Or is it something about him that's changed since we arrived here?

"A friend," I respond, heading in the direction of the Rothorne apartments.

For one second, I think he's going to argue with me and insist I tell him what he wants to know, but he doesn't. Perhaps he's realised that this isn't the place to have the conversation. Not that I intend us to have it anywhere else either. My friendship with Linc is none of his business.

FIVE

By the time we reach the dining room, Bastian is fuming. I can sense it in the way he's walking and the set of his jaw. I've seen this many times before, though in the past, it's not really been aimed at me but at some unseen enemy responsible for our lot in life. Maybe becoming a vampire hasn't changed Bastian as much as I think, maybe I'm just seeing some of his more negative qualities more clearly.

I ignore him and pull out my chair. Pip has already figured out where we are and is sitting nicely waiting for her food to appear. She's certainly gotten used to having more than the scraps available to her.

Bastian storms over to his own seat, glaring at me.

I do my best to ignore him, putting things on my plate and accepting the gold goblet full of blood from one of the servants with a graceful smile. I don't understand what he's so angry about. I wasn't doing anything wrong.