"Is that weird?"
"I don't know, I've never met your sister," I point out. "Do you normally share this kind of thing with each other?"
"I mean, not in detail," he murmurs. "But we're close. We write all the time. Father wishes we didn't, naturally. But he'll get over it."
"Because your sister ran away with her bodyguard?"
"Mmm. He was on the verge of securing a betrothal for her when it happened." He picks up his tea and takes a drink.
"Which is why you helped her escape," I say.
He almost chokes on his tea. "I never said that."
"I read between the lines," I respond. "I think it's a good thing you did. I can't say I'm thrilled about the fact my father wants me to get betrothed." I pick up my tea and go to make myself comfortable on the pile of cushions.
"I should watch out for you, you're going to be running circles around everyone by the end of the year."
"Depends on the husband my father saddles me with," I point out. "If I'm to listen to my cousins, I should hope for someone who is nice enough, but who I don't care for."
"Seems like a bleak outlook on life." He sets his teacup down on the table on the other side from me and sits down. "If you had a choice, what would you look for in a husband?"
"For one, I would be looking for a much longer courtship. I don't want to be betrothed to someone I've never met, or married to someone I've only known for a month. That doesn't seem like a good enough basis for a marriage, even one that's only for political gain."
"A sensible approach."
"Alas, one I'm not allowed to take. I'm to do as my father bids." I take a sip of my tea and try to ignore the bitter feeling inside, made even worse by knowing how good it feels to be kissed by Linc, someone I actually like. I suppose it wouldn't be too bad if he's the one I end up married to, but considering he's said he's a second son, I doubt Lord Fallmartin would even consider him.
"As am I," Linc responds. "My father is talking about my own betrothal at the moment. He's been mentioning it on and off for years, but since Agnes left, it's become a more frequent topic of conversation. I think he's been waiting for the Golden Moon to see which of the lords have eligible daughters."
"I'm sorry."
He gives me a weak smile. "Same."
"My brother's betrothal was announced over lunch too, he didn't have a clue it was going to happen. At least our situations are slightly better than that."
Linc laughs. "Oh yes, it won't be a complete surprise when it happens."
"Are we fools?" I ask, looking down into my almost empty teacup.
"Why would we be fools?"
I look up, meeting his gaze. "We kissed, Linc. Twice. And I'm not going to pretend it meant nothing. But if we're going to be betrothed to different people before too long, then aren't we being foolish?"
He reaches out and takes the cup from me, putting it down so he can take my hands in his. "Maybe."
I let out a surprised laugh. "That's not what I expected you to say."
He shrugs. "Maybe we'll end up hurt, maybe we won't. But with the way vampire politics goes, there's always a chance for us to be something in the future."
"Or run away like your sister," I murmur.
"She knew her husband long before we all came here," Linc says. "I knew him too. He's a good man."
"Ah." I'm not really disappointed, I never thought the two of us would or should run away together. We've barely known one another for three weeks, and even if the way he kisses me makes my whole body spring into life, it's not enough.
"But I would say there's no reason we can't enjoy each other's company while we can, even if it's only for a limited time."
I bite my bottom lip and nod. I have a feeling we're going to end up in a complicated situation we could have avoided, but I can't bring myself to say that I think this is a bad idea. If anything, it only makes me want to kiss him again.
