Page 5 of Searching for the Prince
If this had been her just being dramatic, she would have changed tack again, but his mother wasn’t one to make something out of nothing when there could be serious implications for her people. He’d always thought that while she hadn’t been keen on his and Gwil’s relationship, she’d have come around eventually, but now this outside pressure meant he had to reconsider that option. The reality was he might not have a choice and neither did she.
“Please, Mother… there must be another way. I love Gwil, and while I’m positive he’d stand by me, the hurt this would cause is so unnecessary.”
She stood and came around the side of the desk and placed her hand on his cheek. For the first time, he saw her regret. “I wish there was. I know I am asking more than any mother should ask of her son. I am not saying you have to give up Gwil but be realistic about what he can be to you. A prince and a mediocre vampire. If he’d been a Dark Earl or Dark Duke, or member of one of the influential societies, we might have been able to do something, but as it stands, he is nothing special to his people, and you need to do your duty.”
He couldn’t argue about Gwil’s importance to other people, but he wasn’t nothing to him. Hyax loved him and the least he could do was to let him choose if he wanted to take a way out. “I will need to speak to Gwil. Give him the chance to make an informed decision.”
His heart hurt, he didn’t want to lose Gwil, but the politics were not something he could ignore. He could cope with being cast out, but not if his people suffered from his actions, and the risk of fallout with the Elementa was considerable if it were real.
“Hyax, we have time. The negotiations will make sure you get to keep Gwil without argument. From initial discussions with Queen Vaness, there has been no stipulation either way about a harem, as it is part of our tradition, there should be no objection. Even if it is a harem of one or a named favourite.”
If he was going to have to adhere to this bollocks, then he would insist on the most important title he could find for Gwil, to make it clear he wasn’t some fucktoy but the one he cared about. “I want Gwil to have the title of Prince’s Beloved.”
“That carries specific implications, but since you claim Gwil is your love match, it would not be unsurprising for you to ask.”
He’d expected at least a bit of a fight. Although she’d said she wasn’t opposed to Hyax keeping Gwil in some capacity, he’d been dubious about how much she’d meant it. “Metra shouldmake plans for a harem of his own, because I will not be sharing a marital bed with him.”
She winced. “There will be a matter of the consummation.”
As far as Hyax was aware that did not have to happen after the ceremony and a kernel of an idea and hope grew inside of him. He’d keep his previous involvement with Metra quiet for now and ensure the wording of any contract would allow the interpretation of the consummation would work for him and Gwil, and keep Metra at arm’s length.
“I will not discuss that now,” he said, not wanting to risk his plan until he had the details clearer in his mind and had checked he was correct in his assumptions.
“I am sorry, darling. Once you have spoken to Gwil, we can make an official statement about your engagement.”
He would try and put this off for as long as he could, but he knew that wouldn’t be long. “I need to go. Please let me have a few days.”
“As long as we continue discussion with the Elementa, we can negotiate a time to make a public announcement.”
“I suppose I should be grateful for this small mercy. I’ll be in touch.”
His mother did look remorseful, but she had got what she wanted and Hyax felt nauseous as he opened a portal and stepped into the hallway of their shared home in Spitalfields. The house was nowhere near as grand as the palace and his rooms in the fae realm but here felt more like home than anywhere he’d ever lived, and he did not want to lose the sense of belonging.
“Gwil?” Part of him hoped Gwil was out, and he could put off talking to him, but a shout from upstairs told him he would have to tackle this head-on. He didn’t have forever, and he couldn’t keep this a secret.
He found Gwil in the living room petting his cat, Midnight, who was enjoying a belly rub. “You all right? How were things at home?” Gwil asked.
“I’ve had better visits.” Understatement of the year.
“Did something about the Flint wedding piss off your mum?”
“It didn’t come up.”
Gwil frowned. “I thought that was why you were going back.”
Hyax sat next to Gwil and took hold of his hand. “My mother had another topic to discuss and there’s no good way to say this but directly. She’s no longer giving me an option when it comes to my marriage.”
“Fuck.” Gwil squeezed his hand. “She’s going to force you to marry someone else, isn’t she?”
Hyax wanted to cry or scream, or both. “There’s a huge political pressure due to the Elementa finding out about the stone, and questions of my loyalty to the tribe because I’ve chosen a vampire and attended a vampire wedding.”
Gwil’s expression was a picture of pain and Hyax wanted to hold him and make everything better, but that wasn’t part of the script.
“Who is it?”
“Metra.”
“How long do we have?” Gwil’s voice croaked and he sounded as miserable as Hyax felt.
