Page 94 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 2

"I think I'll be all right," I promise. "But maybe ask one of the servants to make sure there's blood on hand. I don't know how this is going to affect him."

"Of course. Send for me if anything changes."

"Here, or at House Vermatchi?"

He laughs. "Here. Lord Vermatchi has insisted that Luca do a load of extra duties, I suspect because he was named a royal's champion."

"I'm sorry, I should have run that by you before I did it."

"It's fine, Beatrice. Luca is grateful for it. You've made him more important than being a Vermatchi ever would. No doubt you have several plans in motion to take advantage of that."

"Why does everyone seem to think that?"

Marcus chuckles. "Because I've only known you for a few months and you've already shown you're able to outmanoeuvre people with far more experience of life at court than you have."

"Hardly. I've mostly just spent time with Linc."

"For now," he says. "So, what's your next step for reforming House Vermatchi?"

"You make Luca your secretary," I say.

"I'm thinking about it. I just hate the idea of making him a target."

"He's going to be a target the moment anyone figures out what's going on between the two of you. Both for people who want to hurt you, and those who want to use him in order to get to you."

"See, this is what I mean," Marcus murmurs.

"Giving House Vermatchi a higher status will protect him in a lot of ways," I point out. "And will gain us an ally."

Marcus raises an eyebrow. "For what do you need allies, Beatrice?"

"I don't know yet. But I don't want to wait until then to start amassing them."

"Hmm, fair."

A groan comes from the bed, reminding me that Linc is there, and guilt worms through me for not dealing with whatever is going on there first.

"Are you sure you don't want help?" Marcus asks, looking at his brother with concern.

"I'll be fine," I promise.

He gives me a smile and gestures towards the door. "I should get going. Let me know if you need anything."

"Just the blood, I think."

The door clicks shut, leaving me to tend to Linc.

He's still completely dressed and looks as if he's passed out. Worry worms its way through me, but I do my best to squash it down so I can focus on the situation at hand.

I could call for his valet, but I don't want to bring anyone into this that doesn't have to be here. I lean in and shake his shoulder. "Linc?"

He groans.

"I need you to sit up so I can get you undressed."

"I don't think I can," he murmurs.

"Come on, I'll prop you up against the headboard." I shoo Pip away from his side, though she only moves a foot away. It takes all of my strength to follow through with my statement, but I manage to move him. He tries to help, but he's not much use, even as I start undressing him.