Page 18 of Searching for the Prince
Gwil had been expecting the summons to help Robin Flint. Solivatus had said it would only be a matter of days and Hyax had told him about James’s unexpected arrival—if he’d known they were going to have a fae king in the living room he might’ve run a vacuum around. Still, despite knowing they would be expected, it didn’t make sitting in a parlour at Crofton Hall any less intimidating. Hyax looked indifferent, although Gwil noticed he’d worn his new Gucci shirt and a pair of jeans that made Gwil whimper when he bent over, plus a selection of fae jewellery that would rival anything in the human world. Whether that was to remind him of how sexy his boyfriend was in front of his sire or to advertise he was as rich and as important as the owners of the house was debatable.
“For fuck’s sake, Gwil, stop pacing,” Hyax snapped. “You weren’t like this at the wedding, why are you acting like a nervous schoolboy on his first date?”
He’d been unable to sit and wait, he wasn’t used to the kind of scrutiny they would get from the attention of such senior vampires. Hyax had never had to worry about his social status, never had to navigate the risk of saying the wrong thing and being ostracized with no chance of escaping mediocrity. Gwilwasn’t quite the bottom rung of vampire society, but he didn’t like the idea of being put under the spotlight of those who could make his existence miserable if he fucked up.
“I need to make a good impression. I’m not exactly important to this lot.”
“You were invited alongside me, so that makes you as important as I am.” Hyax rolled his eyes. “Remember they are asking for our help—not the other way around. And I couldn’t perform any of the spells James has suggested if it wasn’t for you.”
He’d helped other members of the Vampire Council before, and he couldn’t say they’d been particularly grateful, and had taken ages to pay his bill. “I don’t suppose anyone mentioned paying us for this, did they?”
“King James asked for my help, he said he was grateful, that means more than monetary payment.”
Times like this he really missed breathing so he could let loose a massive sigh. “Not sure I can use a fairy king’s thanks to pay the electricity bill.” His water use had gone through the roof as well when Hyax had moved in—the man could shower for hours.
“Are you short of money?”
They’d not discussed financials, he didn’t have a mortgage on the property, but there’d been moving costs and business expenses that had depleted his savings, not to mention paranormal clients weren’t known for their propensity to pay on time. He’d never had a head for money like many of his peers and Gwil didn’t have the spare cash to invest in the sort of projects and products that had made some millionaires. “Not short exactly.”
“We’ll talk when we get home. I have plenty of money. You should have said.”
He wasn’t broke and he didn’t want Hyax thinking he needed bailing out, but there was nothing wrong with having a budget. “I’m not with you for your money.”
“I know that, and you’re not a gold-digger by asking me to pay for the utilities we both use.”
Yet another conversation to be had—they seemed to be stacking up big topics for discussion. Gwil wasn’t exactly avoiding them however, what he wanted was to find a few quiet days to crawl under a duvet and have Hyax fuck his brains out so he wouldn’t need to think. The situation with Metra and now being called into this shit with Robin Flint had left him wanting to retreat and hide, or at least get a bit of reassurance from his boyfriend while he had his meltdown.
A cloud of black smoke appeared in front of them and a man dressed in a three-piece tweed suit materialised, complete with a pair of curly, highly polished horns. “Gentleman, my apologies for not greeting you earlier but I was dealing with our other guests. I am Karl Vinter, Lord Crofton’s valet.”
“You’re a demon,” Hyax said, recoiling.
“Correct, Your Highness. Level three, pushing for four hopefully in a few years.”
Gwil didn’t know a lot about demons, they were not high on the trustworthy scale but then neither did they usually go into service. He seemed to recall Lord Crofton having an elf as a secretary. He’d given his blood for a potion Hyax had made that Gwil had drunk and he remembered a throwaway comment about a demon valet. Hyax had called bullshit, but it seemed Flume had been telling the truth. Flume not lying might be the greatest revelation today.
Hyax had been researching the spells James had suggested but hadn’t yet narrowed down their options and said he’d explain everything once he knew what he needed to do. He got the distinct impression he didn’t want Gwil changing his mindand had said one of them might have blowjobs involved, which was a huge positive in Gwil’s opinion.
“Now, if you wouldn’t mind following me, Mr Flint is waiting.”
“We’re going to see Robin Flint?” Gwil said, having not been sure if he’d get an introduction, as it was Hyax who they wanted to perform magic and Gwil could be described as equipment if someone was being uncharitable.
“Yes, Mr Hilt,” Karl said
He’d survived Robin Flint’s wedding by sticking close to Hyax and being ignored by important people and he’d not spoken to Robin Flint or anyone else from the House of Hewel. Somehow, he hadn’t factored in having to deal with a man who was responsible for most of the biggest names in Hollywood and was the future Dark Viscount Whetford.
Hyax grabbed Gwil’s hand. “Lead the way, Mr Vinter. Gwil will get his shit together as we walk.”
“Just so you’re fully informed, as well as Mr Flint, there’s a gentleman called Solivatus with him.”
Hyax squeezed his hand and Gwil yelped at the pain. “Ow!”
“Sorry, your sire brings out the worst in me.”
“You know how I feel. There’s no need to overreact.”
“I do. And I feel the same.” Hyax’s smile was soft and if they weren’t about to speak to two of the most important vampires in the country, if not the world, he’d have snogged Hyax silly. “I’ll do better. Promise.”
They followed Karl down the hallway. Crofton Hall was a lovely place. Gwil hadn’t expected anything less, since he understood the manor had been Sebastian Hewel’s home at one point, and when it came to important fangs, he beat even Robin Flint and Solivatus. They were shown into a reception room where Robin and Solivatus were waiting. He’d seen Robin at the wedding, but only from afar. He was an attractive bloke, thesort who could have whoever they wanted, and his reputation was that he wasn’t short of company. Gwil had been surprised he’d got married to begin with. Vampire marriages between the Houses weren’t done for love and most people would predict Robin would be back to his normal ways before long. Gwil might be a little sensitive because Hyax had said that Robin and Simon had some special bond, but he didn’t think he was mistaken in the way Robin was more than just appreciative of Hyax as he looked him up and down. Hyax was fucking gorgeous, and it was no surprise he got the attention he received. When Robin saw him there was the ever-present expression of disbelief Gwil had become accustomed to seeing since publicly dating Hyax. He wasn’t exactly prince consort material.
