Page 66 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1

"You don't have to do it alone," I promise. "And I'm determined to survive at court."

He chuckles. "I've noticed," he responds. "You've picked up a lot remarkably quickly."

"I'm lucky," I respond, slipping my hand into his so we can keep walking. "I've had an excellent tutor when it comes to the basics of court life, and one of my cousins is forthcoming in explaining things. I wasn't sure she was going to be at first, but she seems to have warmed to me. Or maybe she just hates my brother enough that it makes us reluctant allies."

"Is your brother really that bad?"

I sigh. "He's changed. Or maybe I've changed and I'm just seeing him clearly."

Pip barks and I watch her run after something she sees in the dark.

"He didn't want me to bring Pip with me on the night of the Golden Moon." My voice cracks as I admit it. I've not told anyone, I've barely been able to think of it myself because it's a hint that Bastian's personality has always been this way.

"I'm sorry," Linc says.

I give him a weak smile. "Not your fault."

"How did you change his mind?"

"I think he was worried about me refusing to come up to the castle. For all his faults, he just wanted to keep me alive. So he said yes to Pip coming." I take a deep breath. "I'm glad he did. Having her here has made the transition a little bit easier, especially when I can tell she's having a good time."

"I can understand that."

"You make it easier too," I say. "Having a...I don't know what to call you."

"Usually, you call me Linc," he points out.

"Well, yes. But you're not my friend, you're more than my friend. But I don't really have a word for what you are."

"Mmm, I'll have to think about that one," he admits. "I've never really thought about it before."

"Well, knowing you has made things easier to adjust to. And my cousins, they've all been helpful." I let out a sigh. "The only thing that's not so good is the fact my father wants me to be betrothed by the end of the month."

"That's in a few days."

"I know." I take a deep breath. "I wish I knew how to get out of it."

"I can't help you there," Linc responds. "If I knew how to get out of it, I'd have managed to help Agnes without her having to resort to running away."

"Do you ever get to see her?" I ask.

Pip runs back to us with a large stick in her mouth and drops it on the ground.

"We should sit over there," Linc says, gesturing to a low stone wall.

"These are everywhere around here." I straighten out my skirt, hoping the stone won't ruin the fine fabric. I don't want to get the House Rothorne servants into trouble, or cause them more work than need be. I unclip Pip's lead, certain she's not about to run off, only after the stick.

Linc picks up the stick and throws it for Pip. She races after it, going so fast I can barely see her.

"I think the stones are from the castle that was here before this one," he says. "It used to be the palace of a human king, but that didn't work when vampires took it over."

"Couldn't they have found somewhere else?"

"I don't know," he says. "Maybe they wanted the mountain so that most of the palace could be inside."

"Huh, I didn't think of that."

"As for my sister, I see her sometimes, but not as often as I'd like. She lives a full night's travel from the castle, so it's a few days trip."