Page 41 of House of Blood and Roses: Vol. 1
She seems to be placated by that, bringing a smile to my face. Another advantage of being at the castle is definitely how well cared for Pip is. I can take her on multiple walks a day, she gets good food prepared for her by the House Rothorne cooks, and she gets to sleep on my incredibly comfortable bed. Not to mention that if I have to be somewhere, one of the servants can take her out. It's definitely preferable to how things used to be.
I climb up the stone stairs, looking over my shoulder one last time to look at the forest. I'd love to spend all day there, but I know I can't.
Pip's claws scratch against the hard floor of the entrance hall, drawing the attention of the lone person making their way through.
I prepare an apology for disturbing them before I recognise them. "Linc!" There's no helping the smile that spreads over my face. I'm glad to see him, even if it's unexpected.
He looks up, a smile of his own appearing as he sees me. He pushes his light blond hair out of his eyes. "Early morning stroll?"
I nod.
"And you're not alone." He crouches down and holds out a hand. "You must be Pip," he says to my dog.
Pip sniffs him a couple of times before heading closer and letting him fuss her properly.
"Your mistress has told me a lot about you. Don't worry, it's all good."
I let out a small laugh. "She wouldn't expect any different."
Her tail beats against my leg as he finds a particularly good spot to scratch behind her ears.
"She likes you," I say.
He looks up and grins. "I'm glad."
"She's a good judge of character." Though I didn't need Pip to tell me that Linc is a good person, I know that from the amount of time he's spent teaching me to read and talking about very basic politics with me.
Linc gets to his feet. "I'm glad you think so. Even if I did make a terrible first impression on you."
I laugh without meaning to. "I hardly made a good one on you either. I was in your spot."
"Hopefully, I'll find you there the next time there's a Feast."
"Or we could just beat them all to it and sneak off to the library before it even starts," I suggest, thrilled by the idea he wants to spend time with me, especially time when he feels vulnerable. Or I'm guessing he does based on how drunk he was during our first encounter.
"That sounds much more pleasant," he responds. "I've not done that before, my father wouldn't approve."
"I doubt mine would either." Though Lord Fallmartin hasn't made any comments about the fact I keep going to the library. He might not have noticed, but if he's going to let me do what I want, then I suppose it isn't the end of the world.
Pip whines, demanding attention with a paw at my dress.
"Yes, I'm sorry." I crouch down and fuss her. "She's not used to not being able to go outside all the time."
"Ah, she came with you?"
I nod, knowing he isn't asking about this particular walk. "I didn't realise that she'd..." I trail off, not wanting to say the words.
"That she'd become a vampire too," he finishes for me.
"Well, considering I had no idea I was going to become a vampire, it's impossible for me to have guessed that she was going to end up a vampire by being brought here."
"Mmm, it is frowned upon to not have told you."
I shrug. "What's done is done."
"You're dealing with it much better than I did," Linc responds.
"Maybe because I have a friend." I look up and meet his gaze, a new feeling spreading through me. Being around him is easy, more so than any other friend I've ever had.
