Page 2 of Searching for the Prince
“Hoffman.” He had mentioned to Hyax before they arrived that he might be here given his status, and he wanted to warn Hyax because he could be a bit of a jealous arse for no reason at times. Although Hoffman, who he had dated for over twenty years, didn’t seem to trigger Hyax as much as another individual from his past.
Hyax also glancing around, checking out the other guests. “I didn’t think this would be his sort of event.”
“Stranger things have happened, and with his connections and wealth, I’m sure he’d have been invited.
“It’s amazing how profitable blood can be,” Hyax mused then grimaced.
To be fair to Hoffman, he had revolutionised the whole feeding process for vampires by creating a process to bottle blood and stop it from coagulating. “Yeah, people will pay a lot of money for convenience.”
Small talk wasn’t his forte unless it was for a case and he suspected he came across as not the sharpest tool in the box. Hyax was led away by Queen Hylei to speak to her son, and Penelope had swept in making a big show of kissing her brother on the cheek before sodding off. He somehow ended up trying to make conversation with Elaine Vine from the House of Devereaux, who wasn’t a future Council member but important enough to get to use the family name.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch who you were,” Elaine asked. She was the sort of woman who, in normal circumstances, wouldn’t have given Gwil the time of day unless he was carrying her bags and wanted to check he hadn’t stolen something.
“Gwilym Hilt, I’m Prince Hyax’s partner.”
“Oh. And you’re a vampire?”
To be fair it wasn’t an unusual response, most people were surprised he’d bagged Hyax. “Yeah.”
“Which House?”
“I’m not a member of one of the Houses.” He saw her eyebrows rise but he did have a way to salvage this. “My sire is Solivatus.”
Her demeanour changed in a second. “I see. Now heisa remarkable gentleman. Pity I’ve not seen him here. No doubt you’d have liked to have caught up.”
When he’d been turned, his blood lust had outweighed his need to be fucked, but not by much, and once he’d been sated with blood, he’d spent three days being drilled into a mattress by his sire. They’d repeated the activity twice, on the tenth anniversary of his turning, and once after he’d parted company with Hoffman. He’d been surprised when Solivatus had turned up after hearing they’d split as it hadn’t been a bad break-up.
“I’m always honoured when my sire wishes to spend time in my presence. But I don’t think weddings are his thing.”
Elaine chuckled. “You’re right there. Tell me, are the stories true?”
Vampires weren’t known for their subtlety, but neither did they tend to give straight answers. “I’m not sure what you mean?”
“When someone is turned by Solivatus, the normal lust is almost as bad as the need for blood.”
Gwil cleared his throat. “Let’s just say his reputation is well-deserved and leave it at that.”
Hyax appeared at his side. “Whose reputation?”
“Good evening, Your Highness. We were talking about Solivatus,” Elaine said. “I’m not sure how well-versed you are about vampire society.”
Hyax slid his arm around Gwil’s waist. He wasn’t used to Hyax displaying his possessive side, and he saw a dangerous edge to Hyax’s expression. “I’m aware of the individual. Gwil’s past liaisons aren’t something he’ll be drawn on.” Theif he knows what’s good for himwas left unsaid.
Elaine appeared flustered, as important as she thought herself to be, she would know better than to rile a royal fae. “Of course, and I do believe congratulations are in order.”
“Indeed.” Hyax turned to Gwil. “If you’re finished here, I want to discuss something in private.”
Gwil wondered if Hyax was this jealous over nothing or if it were a plausible reason to get away. “Yeah, whenever you’re ready.”
Hyax didn’t exactly excuse them; more manoeuvred Gwil away with a curt nod in Elaine’s direction. “We’ve not discussed your sire in detail, and we will, especially if I have to continue to overhear inappropriate conversations of what you two got up to.”
He didn’t think Hyax was being fair, but they were already halfway back to their room, Hyax marching him away fromthe wedding as if he were in trouble. “There was nothing inappropriate, I have a history. So do you, and you’ve no reason to get annoyed with me.”
Behind their closed door, Hyax stood with his hands on his hips. “I don’t want to get into the whole Solivatus thing now, I’ve bigger things to worry about.”
“Hyax, there’s nothing to be jealous over. You know there’s a bond between a vampire and their sire, but I haven’t seen him in decades, and besides all that I love you.”
He saw Hyax’s posture soften. “I’m sorry. You know I’m dealing with a lot, and I’m waiting to be summoned home at any moment, but it was the conversation I had with Prince Simon that’s going to have a potential long-lasting impact.”
