Page 64 of Pining for the Prince
“They do that?” Gwil said.
“I don’t know, but I wouldn’t put it past it.
“Gives us Christmas Day to wait. Do you think you’ll be able to stay or do your parents want you home for something?”
If he wasn’t mistaken, Gwil was hoping Hyax might be available. Some humans had such an affection for this holiday and it was something Gwil hadn’t left behind when he’d been turned. “I tell you what, you go see Goya, and I’ll go and pick up a few things and we can spend tomorrow together.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Goya looked at him as if he were crazy, which was an improvement compared to his usual expression when he talked to Gwil. “Hidden in the British Museum?”
“Hyax consulted the oracle and it came up with an image of the frontage.”
“Right, so if His Highness is so convinced why hasn’t he gone storming in there already?” He raised an eyebrow. “Or is he in there now on Christmas Eve helping himself?”
“I’m pretty sure a fae prince would take exception to being tarred with that sort of brush, inspector. He would want permission to access the special antiquities of the museum.”
“Don’t play games with me, Hilt. I know what you pair did the other week.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. And even if I did, if you had any evidence that I’d committed a crime, you’d have me in custody and I’d not be here looking to you for help in recovering a stolen fae crown jewel.”
“Ha, fucking, ha. So I assume you’re asking for permission to do a magic sweep in a popular London building that houses artefacts known to bite?”
“Pretty much. Hyax said he can work in segments but he can’t narrow it down further until he’s in there and allowed to use the full range of his magic—so the shield would need to be lifted. Since it should be closed for the holiday, it would be the perfect opportunity.”
Goya glanced at the clock in his office. Gwil could tell Goya wasn’t best impressed he was in his office at nearly five o’clock on Christmas Eve and, although in theory the paranormal branch of the Met wouldn’t close, it was still a tight deadline if they wanted to make the most of the human holidays. “This will need clearance from the top. I’ll see what I can do and get back to you in the morning.”
Gwil was happy to wait until tomorrow, he’d enjoy the evening and most of Christmas Day with Hyax. “We can’t wait too long, it’s only closed for a couple of days.”
“And here was me thinking that a lost fae crown jewel that’s being used to mass-produce tainted illegal drugs could sit a while.”
Gwil thought he did well not to react. “I will await your correspondence.”
Goya growled under his breath and Gwil took that as his cue to leave. He checked his phone.
Hyax:Will be home in a couple of hours. Don’t forget Midnight needs kibble.
Hardly a romantic sentiment but he was happy he was going to get Hyax for Christmas, and he’d be lying if he wasn’t pleased Hyax seemed to like his cat as much as he did. Gwil had spent the last couple of years on his own at Christmas, and hated it. There was something about the holiday season that pulled at his emotions, a link back to his life before he’d become a vampire. His sister didn’t have the same sensibilities, hadn’t wanted anything to do with a holiday she’d no care for and had thoughthim pathetic for harking back to a time that had never really existed to begin with. But he would make new memories now.
Gwil should have saved the cash, instead he caught a cab home after calling into an express supermarket to pick up a few things in addition to the cat food, although given the day and time, the pickings were slim. He did find a nice box of chocolates and a bottle of prosecco Hyax might drink if he was desperate and couldn’t be arsed to open a portal to fetch something better.
He let himself into the house, filled with a sense of happiness he couldn’t remember feeling for years. Although he was being a bit sentimental, he couldn’t help it—the idea of spending Christmas with the man he loved made him giddy. He might even drop the L-word if he got too carried away by the season’s cheer. Pity he hadn’t been able to get a Christmas pudding.
The staircase glowed softly and Gwil realised there was a trail of shining flowers lighting the way, he pushed open the living room door and saw a Christmas tree decorated with boughs of holly and silver bells. Midnight was eyeing up an ornament made of feathers and Gwil turned to see Hyax holding a sprig of mistletoe. “I didn’t have time to go the full festive shebang but I hope you liked this small offering of yuletide greetings.”
“Oh, Hyax, it’s brilliant.”
He raced over and pulled Hyax into his arms, Hyax holding the mistletoe over their heads. “I have no idea why humans stuck with the idea of kissing under a poisonous parasite, but I thought we could uphold the tradition with our first Christmas together.”
Gwil couldn’t begin to say how much this meant to him, but it was as if Hyax already knew. “Thank you.”
He kissed him, the pleasure of kissing Hyax not something that would wane any time soon. He groaned with delight as the thrill of Hyax’s magic washed over his skin when he held him close.
“We will continue this later, but first ambrosia and champagne, I’ve got you these blood clusters that I was told wasthevampire treat everyone was going mad for at the moment, and some amazing chocolate. And you better feed the cat before she destroys my lovingly crafted tree.”
He laughed and stepped away, Midnight weaving between their legs.
Gwil picked her up. “Come on, you furry menace.”
