Page 31 of Pining for the Prince
“Depends on the level of commitment we were to make.”
“You’ve already said there’s a difference for a love match.”
That wasn’t what he meant but he didn’t want to explain the difference between being bonded and getting married. The topic had the potential to get complicated and, if they were really together, he’d have been more than happy to pore over all the little extra bits they could do. But there was no point discussing flower circles and sipping nectar at sunset to broker true love as it wasn’t going to happen. “Fae customs are fluid. My mother called on a specific rite because she wanted to not because she had to. Most of them are like that, or to do with the ceremony, so would only be an issue if we actually got married, and we can hold off setting a date for years.”
“Years! How long are you thinking of stringing this out?”
“I hadn’t thought of an end date. What’s the harm of letting it run for a while?” He took a drink. “Unless you’re thinking of dating someone.”
“Yeah right,” he snorted. “Come on, Hyax, we need to have an out.”
“Look, please, Gwil. Once I’m officially single again I’m fair game for a political marriage. And I don’t want that.”
Gwil downed the contents of his wine glass and then topped it up again. Hyax waited for him to speak, not sure what was going through his head.
“All right. But after the stone business is done we’ll need to come up with a proper plan, I can’t keep pretending you’re mine when you’re not.”
“I…” He wanted to ask what Gwil meant, the way he spoke made him wonder if he was missing something important but he couldn’t find the right words to ask.
Gwil cleared his throat. “We should order dinner. I spotted a Korean place around the corner and I know you like it.”
The moment passed and Hyax felt strangely bereft, as if he’d missed an opportunity. “You know I’m a sucker for bibimbap.” He grinned. “Whereas you’re just a sucker.”
Gwil lobbed a cushion at his head. “Cheeky bastard.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
His phone beeped and he checked the message. “Oh, I’ve had my reservation moved up. I thought it would have taken longer with the waiting list.”
“You off out then?”
Hyax smiled. “Weare off out tomorrow. We need to start planting the public seeds that we’re hopelessly in love. I had thought to put it off for a while but this is better.”
“What?”
“I’ve booked us a table for dinner and seats for after at Lathicha. Usually, even for me, I have to book weeks in advance but they have a cancellation for tomorrow.” Pure luck but not to be sniffed at. “You up for it?”
“Lathicha? I’ve never even tried to get in there before.”
Hyax saluted him with his glass. “Nothing but the best for my fake fang fiancé.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
One of Gwil’s many fantasies around Hyax was that he’d be taken out, wined and dined and treated as the most important being on the planet. Lathicha was one of the most exclusive restaurants and clubs for the paranormal in Europe. He’d never been here, there wouldn’t have been a chance in Hell he’d have been let in on his own, but being Hyax’s plus-one opened doors he didn’t even know were closed.
They’d been seated for dinner at a table that had been placed for people to be seen and Hyax was dressed to thrill in a close-fitting navy suit with a burgundy shirt, and his long hair pinned back in a waterfall of blond braids. People were staring at how beautiful Hyax was but also incredulously when they spotted him.
“Is there something wrong with your food?” Hyax asked.
The food was excellent, and the blood a vintage and region he’d never had the opportunity to try. “No, it’s great. I’m not used to the scrutiny. And to be honest, I didn’t realise the circles you moved in.”
Hyax leant forwards. “You knew my status.”
They’d discussed how the evening would play out, they’d indulge in a bit of flirting, be seen and act like an obvious couple, but he hadn’t expected the reaction.
“Yes, but to me you’ve always been Hyax, whenever we’ve been out as friends it’s never been anywhere like this.” He glanced around and saw several people avert their eyes. “There’s a lot of people wondering if you’ve lost your mind being here with me.”
Hyax took his hand and laced their fingers together. “Ignore them.”
