Page 100 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

"So you think he did it on purpose?"

My eyes widen as I take in the implication of what she's saying and what she thinks I think. "I don't know, Bella. I know that isn't what you want to hear, but it's true. All I know about what happened is what I told you. Bastian claims it was an accident, and Lord Fallmartin hasn't told me anything he's found out about that night."

"But you think he knows more?" From the expression on her face, I know what she thinks. And it isn't like I don't think it too. I have every reason to think that Lord Fallmartin knows more than he's saying, even if he's keeping it to himself.

"I assume he does," I say. "But I have no way of proving that and I doubt he'll tell me what he knows any more than he'll tell you."

She sighs. "I'm sorry, I know that. I just want answers. It's hard knowing that Bastian did it, and having no explanation as to why. Thomas wasn't an assasin." Her voice cracks as she says the words, revealing the true pain behind all of her questions.

I give her a sad smile and reach out to put my hand on her arm, hoping it offers her some comfort. I can only imagine how much she's hurting.

The door opens again, and Lady Wentworth strides in with the assurance that I can only assume comes from knowing how to kill people and get away with it. Perhaps I should have asked Marcus more about her before I suggested this so I knew precisely who was teaching us.

"Your Highness, Lady Vermouten," she says, dipping into a curtsy.

"I invited my cousin to join us," I say, realising that I should have checked as much wasn't an issue before I did it. But it's too late to consider that now.

"That may actually be helpful," Lady Wentworth responds. "Sometimes it is good for me to spar with you, but other times it would be more beneficial for me to watch the two of you together."

I nod. "Very well. Where should we begin?"

"Do you have a weapon you often carry with you?" she asks.

I nod and unsheath the dagger from my waist, holding it to her.

She takes it, inspecting the blade, though I don't know what for. "Its well made," she says. "And old."

"My father said it's been in the family for centuries."

"Interesting." She holds it back out to me. "But your first lesson is that you shouldn't hand your blade to someone."

"Oh." A furious blush crosses my face. "That should have been obvious.”

Lady Wentworth offers me a reassuring smile. "My sister did the same for me when I first arrived at court. I think it took me a full week of her asking to inspect my blades before I said no. Lady Vermouten?”

"I have a dagger too," she responds, pulling it out, but not handing it to the other woman. "My husband made it for me." Her voice wavers a little bit, but I doubt it's enough for Lady Wentworth to notice.

"Excellent. We'll start with some dagger work, but I would recommend that you also train with some hidden weapons."

"Hidden?" I echo.

"Everyone can see you're carrying that dagger. And as an heirloom from your House, or a present from your husband, people have likely talked about the fact you have them."

Bella snorts. "Bea-Her Highness' dagger, perhaps, but I doubt anyone has noticed that I was gifted anything by my husband."

"I would never underestimate the gossip of the court, Lady Vermouten. And if I had been charged with your assasination, then I would have already discovered that fact. I would also have watched you and easily noticed that you wear a dagger on your left hip."

Surprise fits over Bella's face.

"I'm not ashamed of my past, Lady Vermouten, only of the fact I wasn't able to leave it behind me sooner," Lady Wentworth says.

"What would you do?" I ask. "If you were attacking someone you knew had a dagger?"

She smiles and gestures to the floor beside her. "Care for a demonstration?"

I swallow hard, but nod anyway and take my place.

"When I attack, try to draw your dagger," she says.