Page 34 of Searching for the Prince
“Tomorrow. Which means we’ve that long to perfect the magical blend and be ready to cast.”
They had barely any time. “That’s an aggressive timeline.”
Ashley huffed. “Tell me about it. We don’t have longer, I’ve just received word the meeting Gwil and Robin need to be at is in two days.”
“I’m not sure it can be done.”
“We’ve no choice. Sebastian is not someone you disappoint. Add in Liam Cartwright and you’ve the perfect storm on a homicidal power trip.”
He’d not had much to do with Liam, but he was James’s sire and while in theory it was the fae angle through James that had meant Hyax was helping, by the sound of it, Liam was another vampire he didn’t want to upset.
“Then the sooner we start the better,” Hyax said, admitting defeat.
“I’ve had a room made up for yourself and Mr Hilt,” Karl said. “I can collect any items from your abode if you should wish so.”
No way he was letting a demon rifle through his things. “I’ll go myself, a little later, there may be some other items that only I’ll be able to access depending on the discussions.”
“I’ve set up a workroom, I would suggest a light meal and then we get down to business,” Alex said.
“Gwil and I would like to freshen up, we can eat together and then I’ll join you.” He wanted some time alone with Gwil before the chaos started.
“Perfect,” Ashley said. “I’m going to discuss a few things with Jack and start the wheels rolling on a backstory, the sooner we have that, the sooner Gwil and Robin can make sure they know who they’re supposed to be.”
Robin excused himself. Hyax could see how losing Simon was affecting him. Most vampires were pale and drawn, but there was a bone-deep weariness about Robin that wasn’t due to being physically tired.
Karl escorted them to a lovely room overlooking the lawn, and he realised the sun was up. “Are the windows treated?” he asked Karl.
“Yes, the household is in the main nocturnal, but Lord Crofton has been known to keep odd hours when he’s experimenting.”
Karl disappeared in a cloud of black smoke and Hyax took the opportunity to pull Gwil into his arms. “I don’t want you getting hurt,” he said, brushing his cheek against Gwil’s hair.
“I’ll do my best not to. I know you worry, but I can make my own decisions.”
Karl reappeared and they stepped apart as he laid out a table. “I’ll leave you to it, if you need anything click your fingers and say my name and I’ll be here directly.”
Gwil picked up the bottle he’d been left and let loose a low whistle. “Danish, 27. Not had one of those before.”
“Does the age and country make that big a difference?” Hyax said, sitting at the table and spotting a selection of delightful-looking breads and a bottle of ambrosia.
“Massive variety. Oliver realised that he could blend the poor quality ones for a mass-produced product but then make a fortune on single vintages, and he mapped out the geographies and age profiles—he loved that side of it.”
Oliver Hoffman was Gwil’s ex-boyfriend and, although Hyax had never met him, he didn’t like him on principle. “And the Danish is good?”
“Supposed to be. Can’t imagine the Dark Earl of Crofton settling for shit blood.”
“You tend to get packs, not bottles.”
Gwil poured himself a glass. “Those are the blends. You might have missed the memo, but I’m not one of those posh types. I keep the nice blood for special occasions. Besides, I thought you’d be more grossed out by the idea, so I don’t exactly put them on display.”
“You have to eat, Gwil. I’ve always known you were a vampire. You don’t need to worry about the money, I can cover our expenditure.”
Gwil shrugged. “I could switch over. I don’t pay a mortgage any more since Flume signed over our place, but I spent so long being frugal that it’s a hard habit to break.”
He would need to spend some effort adapting Gwil to the finer side of life. As the Prince’s Beloved he should expect to receive the best, and Hyax would make sure of it. “Once we’re done finding the fairy prince, we’ll put some things in place.”
“I’m not going to stop working,” Gwil said, defiant. “I’m not with you to be a kept fucktoy.”
The conversation was not going in a direction he’d expected. “I don’t see you like that, and I enjoy working cases with you. That’ll never change.”
