Page 60 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1
I laugh. "Will they actually?"
"Maybe. I'm not sure. But I did bring this for you. I went to get the spare when I realised I was going to be late and you'd just be standing around." He fishes in his pocket and pulls out a key on a satin ribbon.
"Are you sure?" I ask, reaching out for it.
"Of course."
"But it's your private reading room."
"It's a much brighter place with you in it." He lays the key in my palm and closes my hand around it. "You can use it any time you want some peace and quiet."
"Linc..." My voice cracks as I say his name, and I realise how much the gesture means to me. I know that this is a big deal. He didn't even show it to me until last week, and now he's sharing it with me as a place I can use as freely as he does.
"Come on, you should use your key for the first time."
"Is it really that big of a deal?" I ask.
He shrugs. "It's kind of fun."
I smile and let him pull me along to the door, feeling all kinds of pleased that he's given me a key to this place when I know what it means to him, and hoping that I can prove that his trust in me is well-placed.
TWELVE
The moon shines brightly, illuminating the clearing in the woods ringed with stones. Members of the court mill around, most of them seeming at ease with their surroundings. Some of them are chatting happily, while others look at the stones with what seems to be nostalgia.
"Is this where all weddings are held?" I ask Bella.
She nods. "Always under the light of the moon. What the moon makes can't be broken."
"Right, because of the magic in it," I say, remembering what Linc told me about the common belief being that vampires come from a deal with the moon.
Bella snorts. "You don't believe in all of that, do you?"
"Someone once told me that it's just as helpful to know what people believe as to know what's actually true."
"Hmm, never thought about it that way." She seems as if she's genuinely giving it some thought. "I think that's the theory. The moon is sacred, so ceremonies performed under its light are seen as more important. You'll be married here soon enough, as will your brother."
"Something I can't imagine he's thrilled about," I mutter.
Bella snorts and looks over to where Bastian is standing next to Lady Ermentrude looking as if he wants to be anywhere else in the world. "I didn't give you nearly enough credit for your intellect when you arrived."
"Careful, I might start thinking you actually like me if you keep complimenting me."
Bella laughs. "We can't have that, can we?"
I share a smile with my cousin, glad we seem to be on civil terms, even if that's all it is. She's told me more about the world I've ended up in than anyone other than Linc, and I appreciate that.
A hush falls over the assembled guests as Lord Tyberan strides towards the altar at the front of the clearing. He's got an easy grace about him that seems common with vampires, with dark skin and neatly cropped hair.
I guess he's handsome, but other than that, I don't really understand why Eliza is so excited to marry him. Though maybe that's something I'll understand more when I've been here another hundred years. A shiver runs through me at the concept. That feels like such a long time stretched out in front of me, especially if it's going to be the way that Bella and the others have been describing for me. I can't imagine going that long without falling in love.
My gaze catches on a familiar face in the crowd. Linc leans in to say something to Marcus, both of them seeming fairly at ease. I didn't realise they knew each other that well, but it seems as if Linc is good friends with the prince. I suppose that makes sense, from conversations I've had with them both, they have a similar outlook when it comes to the way things are run at court. They'd be good allies even if they aren't friends.
Linc catches me watching and raises his hand to wave at me.
A wide smile spreads over my face and I wave back at him.
"I see my advice was wasted," Bella mutters.
