Page 37 of Pining for the Prince
Hyax bristled and Gwil was even more confused.
“She must want something in return,” Hyax insisted. “Have you promised to turn her?”
“No, I haven’t. She’s a bloody water nymph. They’re not exactly short-lived to start with. Hyax, are you sure there’s nothing wrong? You’re being a bit odd. Do you want me to get someone else to feed Midnight?”
“Don’t be silly.”
He wasn’t going to argue with him, not when Hyax was going to be casting magic in his direction. Hyax had his moments of irrational grumpiness, although it wasn’t usually directed at his friends.
“Right then, shall we try the casting?”
Hyax rubbed the red stone on the bangle he wore, which sort of acted like a wristwatch for fae time. “Are you all packed for our visit? Because I think we could go straight away, once we’re done.”
He’d expected this. Hyax had been itching to get back to the fae realm to investigate, and he had to admit he was super curious too. “I’ve a bag packed and a cool box with supplies for a couple of days.”
“Supplies?”
“Blood. I do eat food, but you know it’s blood that keeps me… well not alive but you know what I mean.”
“My parents will have thought of that, Gwil. Bring it, but it would be an insult if you weren’t catered for.” Hyax picked up Midnight and shooed her out of the way. “Let’s not get the moggy covered in magic, don’t need cat hair interfering with everything.”
“How do you want me?”
“Stand up and make sure I can move around, I want to make sure you get full coverage. This might feel a little different than the previous time you’ve experienced my magic. The spell is protective and specifically keyed to you.”
“Should I be worried?”
Hyax’s demeanour changed and he gave him one of his genuine smiles that always made Gwil melt a little. “Not worried, it might feel… nice.”
Hyax didn’t give him the chance to ask what he meant by that and then he gasped as Hyax’s magic engulfed him in a cocoon of pure bliss. Nice was too gentle a word to describe the sensation of being immersed in a magical embrace. At first, it was like being held by a lover who wanted to protect him, cherish and keep him safe, but it changed into something more erotic, tasting of heat and desire. He had to bite his tongue to stop the moan from escaping, especially as his cock was as interested as the rest of him. It was somewhere between a whole-body massage and a hug. He’d never experienced anything like it and that included the sexual thrill from the few times he’d slept with his sire.
Hyax moved behind him. “Nearly done.”
The magic dissipated and Gwil was left with a thrumming in his head. He swayed on his feet and Hyax placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him.
“You weren’t wrong about it being nice,” Gwil croaked.
“Sorry, I should have warned you about that. I read it can be a bit intimate, I hope it wasn’t too intrusive. I’ve never had to cast it before.”
He’d have much rather Hyax had made his balls tingle in the traditional sense, but seeing this might be the closest he was ever going to get, he wasn’t about to complain. “No worries, like I said it was nice. I’ve had worse things done to me that were meant tobe for my own good. And it’s not like you didn’t buy me dinner first.”
Hyax punched him in the arm. “Fucker. Go get your stuff and we can go.”
He collected his bags, chuckling as he did, returning to see Hyax had opened a portal and was talking to someone on the other side. “I’ve informed my parents I’m on my way. Ah, here he is.”
“You’re sure this isn’t going to have me on my back.”
Hyax smirked. “No, we’ll save that for later. You’re travelling into fae space with the fae realm being the destination, not passing through, so the energy signals are different. If my research is correct, you’ll be fine.”
Gwil hoped Hyax was right because he didn’t want another episode like after the British Museum. Hyax disappeared into the portal and Gwil followed.
He prepared himself for the journey across the barrier to be similar to the other portals but with a better ending, and, despite the enchantments being in place, he’d expected the experience to hurt or at least sting a bit. But as he stepped through, following close on Hyax’s heels, the transition was nothing more than a pleasant shimmer across his skin.
A bright light blinded him, and for a moment he thought he was about to turn into a pile of ash, and Hyax and Penelope had been wrong about the effect of fae daylight on vampires, but instead his vision returned although the sight before him made him question his own eyes. Hyax was even more beautiful than normal, his skin seemed to shine and his hair reminded Gwil of a copper and gold halo, but he hadn’t been prepared for the iridescent wings, like rainbows, tethered to Hyax’s back. Unthinking, he reached out and ran a finger down the blue ridged edge.
Hyax hissed. “Gwil. What are you doing?”
He snatched back his hand. “Sorry, they’re just so pretty. I haven’t seen them before, and I couldn’t resist.”
