Page 70 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

He chuckles. "I'll see what can be done about that," he promises.

"I look forward to it." I flash him a smile that I hope he knows means that I'm going to hold him to it.

Thomas is waiting by one of the tables, and smiles when he sees us coming. "Your Highness," he says.

"I don't think that's necessary, Thomas," I say.

"Perhaps not, but it is polite when greeting a princess for the first time," he responds. "Prince Lincoln."

"Lord Vermouten," Linc responds with a dip of his head. "Why don't I go and get us some drinks?" he says to me.

I nod and let him focus on that.

"It shall be quieter at breakfast without you," Thomas says as he watches the dance floor.

I laugh. "I'm sure Bella and Bastian will keep things interesting."

He chuckles in return. "Perhaps you are right there, but I will miss you."

"I will miss breakfasts too," I say. "And only partly because Bastian is so easy to antagonise."

"Mmm, it seems I am achieving that just by talking with you." He nods over to the other side of the room where it appears as if my brother has forgotten to be happy for me and is glaring. Though whether it is truly at Thomas, or actually at Linc, I'm not entirely certain.

"I don't think he likes the idea that I am getting married." Even if he tried to say nice things earlier, I'm aware of his true feelings towards Linc.

"Sometimes it's difficult when things change," Thomas says.

"I know that as well as anyone," I murmur. "I'm sorry that you're going to have to bear the brunt of Bastian's frustrations."

"I can handle your brother," Thomas assures me. "As can Bella."

I smile just thinking about how my cousin can manage against Bastian. "Where is she?"

"I'm not sure, actually. I'm sure she'll be around somewhere. Lord Fallmartin will want all of us to be here for as long as the party is going."

"Unfortunately."

Thomas laughs. "Not a fan of dancing?"

"I love dancing," I respond. "It's just already been a long day." Which isn't a lie, even if it's not the reason I want to get away from the ball. I want to spend time with Linc away from prying eyes, where we can just be us.

"Well, I shall leave you to it. Let me know if you need anything from me." He nods and disappears into the crowd.

Linc holds out a goblet of what I assume is juice to me. I'm impressed that he hasn't reached for the wine, but I know he'll also want to keep a clear head for the rest of what's to come.

"It's strange how many people I've gotten to know since coming here," I muse as I look around the room. It isn't just Bella and Thomas I've struck up a friendship with, but Lady Emilia too. And Eliza, though my other cousin hasn't been around nearly so much since her wedding. Not to mention Marcus, and even Lord Fallmartin to some extent.

"That's because you're a likeable person, Bea," Linc says. "Far more so than me."

"I don't think that's true at all." I turn and put my free hand on his chest. "I think you're incredibly likeable."

"I think you might be biased."

"I am your wife, I'm supposed to be." A thrill goes through me as I say the words. I certainly like them more than I ever thought I would. "But you're likeable to everyone else too, you've just been tortured and hidden away."

"I suppose we'll find out if we're to listen to Lord Fallmartin's instructions. He wants us to socialise."

"He does." I let out a sigh. "I guess now is as good a time to start as ever. Neither of our fathers are going to be pleased if we leave before the final guests."