Page 33 of Searching for the Prince
“What’s going on?” he demanded.
“Prince Hyax, I’m Senior Warlock Ashley Niven.” He held his hand out to shake, which Hyax did, Ashley’s magic making his own prickle. Ashley’s eyes widened and he cleared his throat. “Well, that explains why you were asked.”
“I haven’t been asked anything yet. I said I would help where I could with Prince Simon, but up until now there’s not been much said other than the vampires were likely to rush in like a bunch of idiots.”
Alex spluttered. “I don’t think we put it quite in those terms.”
Ashley laughed. “Although accurate. I’m Lord Crofton’s partner, I’m more than aware of how idiotic a vampire can be, but thankfully this isn’t Ben’s mess. The supreme pointy tooth, Sebastian Hewel, has made demands, and since most of us don’t want to suffer horribly at the hands of a creative amateur torturer, we’re pulling together.”
He’d met Sebastian at the wedding, nothing more than a courtesy greeting but Hyax knew enough not to want to get on his bad side, a few discreet enquiries had told him all he’d needed to know. “I guess I’m here to add a bit of fae magic into the proceedings. I’ve never tried to blend fae, elf and warlock energies—it might not be the outcome you were looking for.”
“Actually, I think it’ll be perfect. Our signatures will effectively block each other out and the potion will work better for the additional flavours.”
Hyax thought he was still missing the basics. “A potion for what?”
“Sebastian is convinced that there’s no way we can get into a facility guarded by a lich and extract Simon from the outside. He thinks we will need to infiltrate and that will require who we’re sending to have a little facial reconstruction so as not to be recognised.”
The plan was more sensible than he’d expected, liches lived long lives by being able to avoid being found in places they didn’t want to be. “Most transfiguration potions are short-lived. By adding our magic to the mix it would prolong the effects as well as mask them.”
“Exactly. And the familial connection won’t hurt either.”
Hyax didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean?”
“Well, Ben’s brewing the potion and Robin is one of his closest friends and House member. Jack, who will be going undercover as a porter, is my ex, and you’re banging Gwil.”
“Gwil? He’s not going anywhere near a lich deranged enough to think kidnapping a fae prince who’s also a dark viscount is a good idea.”
The door swung open, and Robin arrived, Gwil with him. “Ah, excellent, His Highness is here.”
“I’m about to leave and take my fiancé with me.” Hyax scowled. “I’ve just heard of a ridiculous scheme where you think Gwil is going to take an untested potion and swan into a lich’s lair.”
Gwil hurried over. “I’m more than happy to be part of this, Hyax. You said yourself we should help if we can.”
“I did not mean putting you in danger. How on earth do you think you’ll even get in?”
Robin stepped forward. “We’re in the process of concocting a backstory. The lich goes by the name of Dr Ralph Mettle. We believe he accepts patients on the basis of them having something useful, so in our case, we’re working on us being a couple, with some sort of sexually transmitted disease.”
Ashley bounced on his toes. “Oh, I’ve a good one for that. A nasty dose of a spectral infection contracted through a spell while shagging. There’s a version of the Nosferatu virus that’d be perfect.”
Hyax blinked several times as he processed the information. “Robin is going to give my boyfriend the ghost pox? You have to be shitting me? Absolutely not!”
“Of course I’m not going to give Gwil anything, I have a husband, and you know yourself about our bond.” Robin looked as angry as Hyax felt. “This will be part of the cover.”
Hyax bristled, he didn’t have an issue with Gwil pretending to be Robin’s boyfriend—it was the danger they were willing to put Gwil into without due consideration for Gwil’s safety. “It should have been pre-discussed.”
“Surely it’s Gwil’s decision if he wants to be involved,” Robin insisted.
“Don’t give me that,” Hyax snarled. “He’s a vampire, he can’t say no to his sire or family members of the Houses.”
Gwil placed a hand on his arm. “I’m grateful you care, and you’re right. So, I have to do it.”
Gwil’s expression asked him not to push this further so Hyax would drop his argument for now, then once they were alone, he’d be having words. “Then it’s a good job I’ll be involved so I can make sure my magic can protect you.”
He knew part of his reaction was not about the way the vampires treated each other, but the guilt he was carrying over Metra. He’d thought his parents would back off eventually, but they hadn’t and now there were more potential issues, and he had a duty to undertake, much like how Gwil must be perceiving his situation in recovering Simon.
“The potion is in preparation,” Alex said. “Lord Crofton is the principal brewer, and Ashley and myself are assisting.”
“When will it be ready?” Hyax asked.
