Page 71 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

Linc lets out a frustrated sigh. "True." He drinks his juice and holds out his arm to me. "Shall we?"

I nod and take his arm. I'm positive I'm not going to be able to remember most of the people we're going to be introduced to tonight, but hopefully, it will be a start.

SEVENTEEN

I'm exhausted by the time we enter the royal apartments, but I know it's still going to be a while before we go to sleep. Linc lets us into his rooms. No, our rooms. It's strange to think that as of tonight, I now live here too. I've had some say in what my bed-chamber looks like, but even so, it doesn't feel real.

Or it doesn't until Pip races up to us, her tail wagging and an expectant expression on her face. "Hello," I say to her, scratching behind her ears. "Have you been exploring your new home?"

Linc laughs. "I hope you like it, Pip."

She wags her tail more at the sound of his voice, which I have to assume means yes.

"Your Highness."

I look up to find Jemima waiting. She dips into a curtsy.

"I can help you with your dress, if you'd like."

I want to tell her no, but this is the most complicated gown I've ever worn, and might be a bit much for Linc. "All right." I turn to my new husband. "I'll be back."

He nods and watches as I follow Jemima into my new room. Everything is pristine and it doesn't look as if I've just moved in. I'm impressed by how quickly and easily the servants have managed to get me unpacked.

"If you would turn, My-Your Highness. I'm sorry, I'm still getting used to it."

"As am I," I assure her, doing as she asks.

She has my dress off far faster than I would have managed on my own. "Would you like to change into your nightdress?" she asks. "The seamstresses from House Rothorne sent this one for tonight." She holds it out to me.

I nod a little nervously. "Yes, that will do."

Within a few more minutes, I'm standing wearing nothing more than the thin nightgown and a robe over the top. I don't think either leave much to the imagination, but that's probably the intention behind the garments.

"If you need anything else from me, you can call me," Jemima says, pointing to the bell cord.

"I think that will be all for tonight," I respond. "Thank you. And for taking care of Pip while we were at the wedding."

"It's no problem, Your Highness." She dips into a curtsy which feels a little ridiculous considering I'm only wearing a nightgown, and slips out through the servant's door.

I swallow down a hint of nerves and make my way through the door that adjoins my bed-chamber to Linc's.

He turns and pauses as he takes me in, his eyes darkening a little. He clears his throat. "We should sleep."

"I don't want to sleep, Linc," I murmur, stepping closer to him and putting my hand on his chest. His heart beat quickly under my touch, and I know he's thinking about some of the same things I am.

"Mmm? And what do you want to do?"

"Well, from a pragmatic standpoint, we need to make sure no one can undo this marriage," I say.

He raises an eyebrow. "A pragmatic standpoint?"

"Mmhmm. It's purely practical," I tease. "And nothing at all to do with my curiosity."

He swallows hard. "Are you sure?"

I meet his gaze. "Are you?"

"Yes." The word is barely above a whisper. "Did you drink the tea?"