Page 38 of Pining for the Prince
“Right, well, our wings can be sensitive and they tend to be invite-only for touching.”
He winced. “I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
Hyax smiled tightly. “I suppose you are my betrothed, so it would not be unexpected. Though not too often in public. It’s usually more of a private matter.”
He was clearly uncomfortable at the thought of Gwil touching him, or maybe it was the effect of having that part of his anatomy stroked. “I will remember myself. It might be better if I conduct myself as I did when I last courted someone. Victorian ways aren’t so loose as modern standards and I treated Matilda like a proper lady, as she deserved.”
He’d hated the restriction, the desire to touch and the intimacy curtailed by the need to be proper at all times, but he could do that for Hyax. He’d had lovers since those days but nothing like a courtship, even the years he’d dated Hoffman, and not to anyone of royal blood—of any species.
“We’ll talk about it later. Protocol and etiquette was something else I probably should have mentioned.”
“Your Highness,” greeted one of a pair of guards. He flew up to them, hovering a few inches off the ground. “Her Majesty asked for you to address her immediately on your arrival. She is waiting in the Tithur room, sire. Along with the king.”
“I did tell the other guard we were coming imminently.” Hyax huffed. “Go on ahead, and we will follow, but on foot as my future consort does not have wings.”
One of the guards saluted and flew off.
Hyax cocked his head to one side, and grinned at Gwil. “You can’t turn into a bat, can you?”
“Not a gift I received from my sire. You’d have known by now if I could have turned into a little fluffy mouse with wings. My cat would have probably eaten me, and I’m not that cute.”
Hyax stroked his cheek and bopped him on the end of his nose. “Of course you are. Now come and meet my parents.”
He wished that touch wasn’t for show in front of the guard. The idea of being thought of as cute should have rankled, but he knew if it were Hyax calling him it for real, he wouldn’t have minded one little bit.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
They were in what he thought was a walled garden of a castle. Gwil jumped as Hyax took his hand and he received a pointed look to play along. “Guard, you may take my guest’s luggage to his room.”
Reluctantly, Gwil handed over his bags, and the guard flew on ahead. “For some reason I wasn’t expecting a castle.”
“No? Fairy princes have to live somewhere.” Hyax grinned. “You’ll be expected to stay in the palace and its grounds, at least for this visit. You’re not fae and freedom of movement will be limited.”
“No surprise there, and my vampire status won’t help.” He’d have been more surprised if he’d been given the run of the place. “Let’s see what your parents have to say, surely as your future husband there may be leeway.”
“Not on your first visit, and maybe not until we’re married.”
Since they weren’t ever going to get married that would be never. They’d still not had the conversation about how he planned to dissolve their relationship yet allow them to be able to continue working together without his parents knowing they’d lied to them. Hyax had been worried about being married off and Gwil hadn’t pushed it for now.
Hyax led them around the side of the grey stone building to an entrance he doubted would be used for state events or dignitaries or even standard deliveries. “I don’t mean to cast shade here, Hyax, but I can’t help but notice we’re not exactly going in by the front door. Are you ashamed of me or something?”
“Yes, of course I am. I’ve selected a bloodsucker for a mate. What did you expect, a cavalcade?”
He wasn’t sure if Hyax was joking or not. Although Gwil doubted he’d be anyone’s choice for a son-in-law, including other vampires, there was an air of truth in what he’d thought was a silly comment. “I’m surprised you didn’t smuggle me in under a blanket.”
“Maybe next time I’ll use a glamour… give you pointy ears and sparkly wings.”
“I thought you said your parents were, not exactly happy, but accepting of the match, that I was a known entity.”
“We can talk about this later. I assure you, they understand I have chosen who I wish to marry. While the initial conversations were a little negative, and you might not have been their first choice, they did relent. But we should be prepared for them to not be too welcoming.”
He couldn’t say he was surprised. “What does that mean?”
Hyax nodded in the direction of a passing servant and then shook his head. “Later.”
“You do know the key to all successful relationships is good communication?”
Hyax ignored him and sped up, taking a hallway to the right through a wooden door. At the end of the corridor was a spiral staircase and they emerged into what Gwil thought was the main part of the castle, where guests were usually allowed. “My parents are waiting in one of the reception rooms on this floor.”
