Page 13 of Searching for the Prince
Hyax made a keening noise. “Deal. But I want us to be seen here for a bit longer. I’m trying to make a point.”
“Everyone is just seeing the truth. I can’t keep my hands off you, and you’re as equally smitten with your favourite fang.” Gwil nuzzled Hyax. “Since you want to show me off, how about I go inside and strut about? Is there something I can order from the bar that sends a message? I get we’re drinking the best ambrosia but is there something else?”
“Order a Love Drop to share. It’s a cute cocktail, but it’s often drunk at special events like wedding receptions. Just asking for it will show you’ve a decent insight into fae culture.”
Gwil sauntered into the bar. He wasn’t keen on being the centre of attention, but he did like what Hyax was trying to do. The area was busy, and he gathered it was the sort of place you only got in to by knowing the right people. He waited at the counter to be served, the server run off their feet and the clientele, like rich snobby bastards everywhere, were rude and condescending.
A frazzled bartender took his order and asked where he was sitting and told him the drink would be delivered to his table.He was about to leave when a male fae with copper-blond hair spotted him. “You’re here with Prince Hyax.”
“Correct.”
“Give me a moment of your time.”
“Why should I?” He was sure he didn’t know this guy and didn’t like his impertinence.
“My name’s Sitial. I’m a friend of Metra’s. I assume Prince Hyax has brought you here to make a point and I can guarantee Metra will be made aware if you give me a chance to talk to you.”
Gwil was more intrigued about what this bloke wanted if he was willing to run off and play messenger. “Go on then.”
Sitial muttered something. “That’s a privacy spell. I don’t like people knowing my business.”
“Yet you want to tell it to a complete stranger. A little contradictory don’t you think?”
“Possibly. But since I doubt I’ll get the opportunity again, I’ll park that to one side.”
Most fae were grandiose prats and Sitial didn’t appear to want to break the mould. “Get on with it as I want to go back and canoodle with my partner.”
“I know Hyax isn’t happy with the situation with Metra, and Metra isn’t happy that he’s been put in the position he has. He didn’t request they marry but hasn’t a choice either.”
“I’m sure he can tell Hyax that himself.”
“He won’t listen to him. Hyax still believes Metra cheated on him.”
As far as Gwil was aware, Hyax and Metra’s previous involvement wasn’t public knowledge. “How do you know about that?”
“Because I’m the one he thinks Metra cheated with. And we didn’t. It was a shirtless hug, which should have been for the benefit of Metra’s parents as they were expected, and wewere to be caught together in a clinch. Hyax turned up and misinterpreted what happened.”
“How fucking convenient. I don’t believe you either and you can fuck right off.”
“They were getting sloppy and Metra’s parents were asking questions. We weren’t seeing each other then, nor have we ever. Metra’s a friend nothing more.”
“You know how ridiculous that sounds?”
“Yes. But it’s true. I’m married to a woman. Men, even princes, aren’t my thing.”
Gwil snorted, the fucker might be telling the truth, Gwil wasn’t convinced. There had to be more behind Sitial approaching him and he didn’t think it was because Metra wanted to play the good guy. “So what? Does he think that Hyax will suddenly take your word, or his, after all this time? Expecting him to settle down and be a good little husband?”
“The marriage will go ahead. They will at least need to be civil and if they can clear the air, it will be better. I saw the way Hyax looked at you, heard it was you he wanted to marry, and there’s not a word of a lie. But to make your lives easier, Hyax should listen to Metra and put the past behind them.”
Gwil saw a waiter carrying a glass to their viewing suite filled with a frothing red liquid. “Nice story, needs work, so if you’ll excuse me, I’ve had enough of listening to fairy tales.”
He left Sitial scowling and returned to Hyax, who was on his phone. “I’ve just got a message from Hylei. I need to open it through an encrypted channel, so I’ll wait until we’re home.”
“I thought she’d sent a message already.”
“I listened to the spark when I was getting dressed and sent her word that I would be happy to help if I could.”
“Then we should probably leave soon.” Gwil was a bit disappointed, but the case took precedence.
