Page 21 of Pining for the Prince
He should have left this stupid fucker with the orcs. “I need a drink.”
His choice of blood options wasn’t great, recovering from the portals had taken more than he usually used, and with the excitement of the new place and upcoming move, he’d not got around to restocking his favourites and wanted comfort not sustenance from generic blood packs he kept for emergencies. Instead he reached for the half bottle of whisky, it still gave him a buzz, and maybe all he needed was the fire as it burned on the way down. He didn’t bother with a glass and took a swig straight from the bottle.
Chase yawned. “I need to sleep.”
“The couch is all yours.”
“Sure I couldn’t persuade you to let me share your bed. The QCs don’t have the reputation for being the best in the realm for nothing.”
Chase was a pretty fae, but then all of them were, still if he was tangled up in the mess with a stolen crown jewel, missing relics and orcs, it would be best for Gwil to avoid the inevitable shitstorm of shagging someone at the centre of it all.
“Not this time.” He shooed him away. “The bathroom’s on the right. Knock yourself out. I’ll grab you a spare pillow and blanket.”
He’d need to speak to Hyax about this. Hyax had said he thought something was going on, and if that was the reason, which sounded like it probably was, then that would mean his parents hadn’t told him.
He’d be apoplectic.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Gwil cracked open an eye, something wasn’t how it should be. It took a moment to figure out what the issue was and realised he was not alone in his bed. Curled into him was Chase. He lifted the bedclothes, a stark bollock-naked Chase.
He pushed him away, resulting in a growl and an attempt to reattach. “Get off me.”
Chase blinked rapidly, glowered at him and then sat up. “Most people would be happy to wake up and have me in their bed.”
“I’m not one for non-consensual cuddling. I told you last night I wasn’t interested.”
“Well, I was cold, and your bed looked warm and much comfier than that lumpy sofa.”
Gwil huffed and got out of bed, thankful he had the habit of sleeping in his underwear. He collected a clean set of clothes and slunk off to take a shower. Feeling a lot less annoyed, he left the bathroom to find Hyax sitting on the sofa. A bag from a nearby bakery was on the table.
“I wasn’t expecting you this morning.” Hyax in his living room with a traitorous fae in his bedroom was not going to result in a pleasant situation. “Thought you were busy.”
“Only in the evening. I had a hankering for an almond croissant so while I was there I picked up some of the chocolate-filled doughnuts you like. How’d it go with Dr Gilgil?”
Gwil was not one to refuse gifts presenting as deep-fried confectionary. “Sounds easy enough. I think his sister is just having a free spirit moment after her divorce. I’ve a lead on a pixie motorcycle club to follow up on.”
“I didn’t know they existed. Do you want me to set up a tracking spell? Easy enough to do.”
“Yeah, I had Gilgil give me something of hers I’ll grab it for you before you head off. Are you going soon?”
Hyax scowled. “You sound like you want me to.”
“No, of course not.” He realised he’d said it too quickly. “Anyway, how was the banquet thing you went to?”
“Oh, dull as usual. Pawl and Vo are expecting another baby.”
“Another one? What’s that? Number four?”
“He is the oldest child, it’s sort of his responsibility to make sure the line continues. But my sister, the one who is a healer, was also there and she asked me to look into some rumours of a contaminated drug that she’d heard about from a colleague.”
Gwil had thought it would only be a matter of time before the issue got back to the fae realm, and he still had to dig into it for his sister. He selected a doughnut and was coating himself with sugar when his bedroom door opened. “Gwil, can I borrow a shirt?”
Gwil winced.
“What the fuck ishedoing coming out of your bedroom?” Hyax sneered.
“Oh shit!” Chase cried and ducked back inside Gwil’s bedroom, slamming the door.
