Page 53 of Pining for the Prince
Hyax would let it drop but there was something in the way it was said that made him think this was not a bad angle to explore. “Gwil has a powerful sire and his sister is a Dark Countess. He’s hardly a common bloodsucker I grabbed off the street.”
“What you’re saying is he knows important people, but he’s not important himself.”
“He’s important to me and that’s all that should matter.”
Pawl huffed. “Then you can have him in your harem. A favourite you spoil, not a husband.”
Hyax had already had this bullshit from his parents. Pawl might be the future king but to Hyax he was being an overbearing big brother. “It’s none of your business. You should be happy I was blessed with a love match and not forced to hope for the best with whoever might be the least objectionable.”
“You have a duty to the realm.”
“My choice of partner will not change that, quite the opposite. It could lead to positive ties.” He wouldn’t force this but he would continue to plant the seed.
Wavel intervened. “Let’s not argue. We have enough problems with the elves. Infighting won’t get us anywhere.”
He’d bite his tongue for now, but once they’d got the stone back he would deal with the issue over the suitors. He wouldn’t be forced into a loveless marriage. Not when he was in love with his best friend.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Iheard you were leaving early, what a shame.” Metra was leaning against the door to Hyax’s bedroom. Gwil had been escorted to the end of the corridor but his guard had disappeared the minute he’d spotted Metra. “Need any help with your packing?”
“I’m more than capable, thanks very much. So why don’t you fuck off and annoy someone else.”
He carried on past him and into the room, Metra following. “I notice it’s only you leaving. Hyax finally come to his senses?”
“I believe he did that a while back, since he’s no longer dating you.”
Gwil started collecting his things and he hoped he’d get a chance to see Hyax again before he left rather than being shoved through a portal and sent on his way.
“You should know there’s no way his family will let him keep you. If you’re lucky you might be allowed to join his harem but they’ll make sure you’ll be the least attractive of the group.”
If he were Hyax’s boyfriend it might have stung, but he could hardly get upset over something that wasn’t real, and it meant he didn’t react to Metra’s jibe. “Yeah, well, shows how little you know him.”
Metra smirked. “I think I know him better than most.”
“No, you used to date—and you can’t even call it that since no one of consequence knew.”
“There were extenuating circumstances.”
“I don’t give a fuck. He told his parents about me, a vampire. Even a rival fae would be higher up the pecking order if I listened to you lot. Yet, he didn’t say a word. So you didn’t know him then, and you certainly don’t know him now.”
“That can change.”
He wasn’t standing for this. “He told me you were a smarmy twat last night. Be grateful I’m not the sort to fight my partner’s battles or I’d break all your fingers.”
“As if.”
“Listen to me, you sparkly-winged cock, I’m not some fluffy fairy you think you can run off.” He bared his fangs and Metra took a step away. “I prefer human blood, but I could drain you dry in a heartbeat.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
He licked his front incisor. “Not here I wouldn’t, but you come near me or Hyax in my realm and I’ll break your neck and feed you to the local werewolf pack.”
“You’re not going to win this.”
“Hyax is not a prize to be won. The reason he doesn’t want you back is you never wanted him, or you would never have cheated. Now you want the prestige for you and your kin marrying into another royal family.
“Not true on either count.”
