Page 51 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

"What do you think he's doing?" I ask Pip.

She opens a single eye in response and lets out an annoyed huff.

I smile at my dog. She's a lot more relaxed since we came here, and I like seeing that, even if she is less likely to respond to me at times now.

The door swings open and Linc steps back inside with a leatherbound book in his arms. "Try this."

I take the book from him, a little worried that it's going to be like some of the first books he gave me and be difficult to read because of it. My skills have vastly improved in the few months I've been at court, but I'm not sure I trust them that much.

Slowly, I open the book, letting out a sigh of relief when I find the script to be legible, and that someone has thought to illustrate passages of the text.

"That should be more interesting," he promises as he sits back down. "I don't know who wrote the one your history tutor gave you, but drivel is the right word for it."

I laugh and lean into him. "I'm lucky to have you. I want to understand all of this, but it's hard when the material isn't engaging."

"Well, maybe you could read that book instead, and we can talk about it. I'll even read the drivel to make sure you're not missing anything that your tutor thinks you should know."

"Linc..." My voice cracks as I say his name.

"What?"

"You can't do that. You've got much more important things to do."

"Not really," he responds. "And making sure you know everything you need to about court is a good use of my time. How are we supposed to be a team if we're not working off the same knowledge?"

My heart aches with how much affection I hold for him. I never really imagined what my future husband would be like. I think because I spent so much time focused on Bastian and his needs, but Linc is everything I think I ever wanted, and then more on top of that.

I lean in to kiss his cheek but he moves at the last moment and my lips brush against his. He reaches out to thread his fingers through my hair and deepens the kiss. I lose all of my rational thoughts, and it doesn't matter how much history I'm supposed to be learning, the only thing on my mind is Linc.

The moment ends when the creak of the door opening breaks through our kiss.

My eyebrows raise as soon as I see Marcus stepping inside the room. I don't think I've ever seen him here before.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," he says.

"You are," Linc murmurs. "You should knock."

"I did," Marcus responds. "But I see you were distracted. It's good to see you, Beatrice."

"Marcus," I respond.

"I actually came to give you this." He holds up what looks like a small package.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Not sure. It's addressed to Linc in Agnes' handwriting."

My eyes widen and I look at my betrothed, trying not to feel too hopeful about what it might contain.

Marcus throws it to his brother. "I hope you're going to open it, because I'm curious."

Linc looks at me, and I can see the panic in his eyes. He doesn't want to open it in front of his brother and start the conversation he knows it will.

"Maybe we should call for some tea," I say, getting to my feet so that I can go ask Eric to get some. With Marcus' bodyguard presumably nearby, there'll be no need for two of them.

Marcus looks between the two of us with a curious expression on his face. "Why do I feel like the two of you are hiding something? What did you ask Agnes for that you can't tell me...ah." He laughs. "Of course."

"It's nothing," Linc mutters.