Page 43 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

Bella looks on from her seat opposite, an intrigued expression on her face, as if she can tell that there's some tension between us. Then again, it isn't as if Bastian is doing anything to hide it. His mood is being broadcast to everyone in the room.

I pick up my goblet and drink the blood, letting the sweet taste quench the thirst within me. I set it down and eat more of my breakfast, doing my best to ignore my brother's glowering.

"Who were you talking to in the entrance hall?" Bastian demands, finally breaking the silence.

"No one," I respond.

"You don't talk to no one like that," he says.

I roll my eyes. "It doesn't matter, Bash."

"You better not have taken liberties," Bastian half-growls.

"He's just a friend. I am allowed to have friends, aren't I?"

"If I find out he's more than that, I'll..."

I turn to him, putting on my most defiant face. "You'll do what? You're not going to tell Lord Fallmartin, you're too scared of what he'll say in response. You can't kill me either, that would be too messy. So exactly what are you going to do about it, brother?"

He balls his hands up into fists, his knuckles turning white in the process. From the set of his features, he isn't happy about my answer.

"You should relax, cousin," Bella says sweetly from her seat. "It's not like chastity is something vampires care about. Her future husband will be more surprised if she is a virgin."

My cheeks heat from her insinuation, but I don't say anything. Who am I to argue if she's decided to defend me.

"And what about fidelity?" Bastian snaps.

"I'm not betrothed yet," I point out.

Bella shrugs as if I haven't spoken up. "Fidelity isn't a requirement. It doesn't matter who Beatrice sleeps with so long as she isn't caught. And no, a conversation in the entrance hall doesn't count as being caught."

Bastian scowls at her. "Whose side are you on?"

Bella meets his gaze, not seeming the slightest bit fazed by my brother. "House Rothorne's."

He lets out a frustrated grunt and scrapes back his chair, the sound making me flinch. He drops his fork to the table and stalks out of the room, a murderous look on his face.

My stomach cramps as I think that, putting an end to breakfast for me. Once upon a time, I'd have believed it would pass, but now I've seen him kill, I'm not so sure.

I put down my cutlery and take a deep breath. "Thank you for standing up for me," I say to Bella, realising that I should acknowledge that she did that.

"I wasn't," she responds. "He's got it into his head that he's the heir to our House, so he knows everything, I'm just enlightening him about how things really work around here."

"Well, whatever the reason, I appreciate it."

She shrugs and puts down her drink. "Just be more careful next time. If they catch you with the wrong person, they'll kill you."

"You almost sound like you care if I live or die."

Bella gave a sharp laugh. "I don't care about you, but I'd rather not go through all of this again in five years, so keep yourself alive for my sake."

"I'll do my best."

"Though I'll admit I'm curious. Who were you talking to that got him so riled up?"

"Just a friend," I say.

"Cryptic," Bella responds. "Just be careful."