Page 36 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

"Because you like it here, or don't want to go back to the House Rothorne apartments?"

"Both," I admit. "I know it's still early and it's unlikely that anyone but the servants will know that I didn't spend the night there, it feels risky."

"And you don't know how your brother is going to respond," Linc finishes the thought for me.

I sigh and prop myself up on my elbow. The sheet slips away a little, but I don't care. Linc's gaze never strays from my face. "I'm not exactly going to tell him the details of what happened last night."

"I hope not or he might end up committing treason."

"I worry that he's going to come close to doing that at some point," I admit. "Probably accidentally. I'm not sure what it is about this place, but his temper has gotten a little out of control recently."

"It could just be that he's never been able to show it before," Linc says. "Power does strange things to people."

I sigh. "I just want the Bastian back from when we were kids."

"Was he really that different?"

I'm about to insist that he was when I realise that I'm not sure whether I can. Bastian has always had a short temper and let things get the better of him. And last night isn't the first time that he's tried to put himself between me and someone I care about. I used to think he was just being protective, but it seems to be more than that.

"I don't know," I say eventually. "Maybe? Or maybe the problem is me. I've changed since I've come here, and perhaps that's made Bastian uncomfortable."

"How have you changed?" Linc asks.

"I don't know. I feel like I have more of a life of my own, so maybe I'm more independent?"

"Someone who loves you should be happy for you," he says. "I'm happy for you."

My breath catches in my throat.

"I mean..." He closes his eyes and seems to count to himself for a moment. "No, I mean what I said."

"That you're happy for me?" I ask, giving him the easier out.

"No. Well, yes. I'm doing badly at this."

I reach out and brush some of his curly blond hair out of his eyes. "You're not doing so bad."

"I love you, Bea," he whispers. "I didn't know what the feeling was for a while, but that's it. I love you."

"I love you too." I didn't even realise the words were going to come out until they were there. "It's a new feeling."

He chuckles. "It is."

"I really appreciated you standing up for me against Bastian. No one's ever done that. No one's ever been close enough to me to try."

"I'll always stand up for you," he promises. "And it's not like you didn't do the same for me."

"He was out of line."

"So you keep saying."

"I'm sorry, I just don't know how else to put it," I admit. "I don't know what got into him, or why he thought it was appropriate to say any of those things. I think that's one of the reasons I'm dreading going home."

"You can come straight back here if he tries anything," Linc promises, rearranging his pillow so he can see me better.

"I can't leave Pip."

"You can bring her. This is going to be her home too."