Page 65 of Searching for the Prince
“That is something of a sore point. He had been playing a long game, as he heard about my father’s nature centuries before and had made it his business to listen out for him to have a child. Somehow, he heard not just about my birth but also the contract to Robin and surmised correctly what I was, and had even managed to get himself installed as my tutor at one time.”
“Fuck.” He’d had tutors, they were as close to him as some of his friends, and the thought of such a betrayal made him feel upset on Simon’s behalf.
“Yes, it is a pity I couldn’t kill him twice without risking his escape. But I would have hated even more not knowing how he was able to find me. My marriage to Robin was the trigger for him to act, as he had been able to deduce there would be atime then when I would be vulnerable. I will never be vulnerable again.”
Hyax didn’t doubt it. Simon was a powerful magic practitioner before his vampire side had come in, now he would be sublime. “You know if there is ever anything I can support you with, I am more than happy to do so.”
“Actually, given all your help, I think that is something I should be saying to you. You did not have to help me as you did, we are from different tribes, and even with your vampire boyfriend, your actions could’ve caused you real trouble. I cannot thank you enough.”
The request had come from the vampires, and while he could have refused, he knew Gwil would have been punished, albeit subtly. He had wanted to help, and if he had heard about it from other sources, would have offered anyway as he believed the fae would only be stronger with the Calanti back in the fold.
“I accept your thanks, but you do not need to repay me.”
Simon wrinkled his nose—it was a rather cute gesture for someone who could disintegrate him with a flick of his finger. “I have heard commiserations are in order, due to your upcoming nuptials.”
“Yes, well, there is nothing to be done on that front. It is a political match and not a love one, I will not be giving up Gwil.”
“I would think a lot less of you if you did. What you have with him is quite lovely. I have been blessed with my feelings for Robin, I see you are as attached to Gwil.”
Hyax had wondered if the bond would fade once Simon had fully turned, or if it would have changed the affection between him and Robin, but it didn’t appear to be the case. Simon loved Robin, and he had witnessed Robin’s devotion to Simon. Destiny, for once, hadn’t been a cruel and heartless bitch.
“We are in a difficult situation, but we will weather it together.”
“I was wondering if I would receive an invite to the wedding,” Simon said, and there was something about his tone Hyax couldn’t place.
“Each tribe will be invited to send a representative, I didn’t think the Calanti would attend.”
“Then how about I represent my tribe, I was thinking Gwil could be my plus-one.”
Hyax would have thought if Simon were to attend he would prefer to bring Robin. “Wouldn’t your husband have an objection?”
“Somehow, I think I would be doing him a favour by not asking him to come. Besides, for the next couple of weeks, he needs to be in LA, there’s several events that I might have gone to if I didn’t have an alternative.”
He wasn’t sure if that were true or not, but he’d welcome Simon supporting Gwil. Having Simon, important in both the fae and vampire societies, with Gwil would be an excellent message. “I think it a marvellous idea. I’ll need to speak to Gwil, we’ve not spoken yet about the ceremony itself. We used the investigation into your kidnapping to defer the announcement, but I didn’t realise the payoff would be the ceremony would happen so fast.”
“If you could let me know in the next day or so and I’ll make sure I’m available.”
“What’s the best way to contact you?”
“This way. Place your fingers on the glass of the mirror—you’ll see how to do it yourself, and you can then use any reflective surface to contact me. Or leave a message—I don’t intend to be available on demand.”
Hyax laughed and pressed his fingertips to the mirror. He could taste the way the spell worked, see in his mind how to recreate it, and sensed also a slight shift in the flavour of hisown magic, a tinge darker and he wondered if that was Gwil’s influence. “Got it. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks again, Hyax. Don’t be a stranger.” The surface of the mirror flickered, and Simon disappeared.
Hyax needed to talk to Gwil—they had so much to discuss and so little time to do so. He opened a portal and stepped into the lounge of his home. It was dark and there was no sign of Gwil.
The doorbell rang and he hurried downstairs, not sure what to expect and was greeted by a man dressed all in black, wearing sunglasses who wouldn’t have looked out of place minding the door at an exclusive nightclub. Without saying a word, he thrust a shoebox into Hyax’s hand and stomped away.
On the box were the words:Fairy Tales, an alternative ending for those who upset people’s big brothers. Px
He was in two minds about whether to chuck the box without opening it as thePhad to be Penelope and the big brother, Gwil. He closed the front door and pulled off the lid. Lying on a bed of scrunched-up tissue paper was a doll, the sort human kids played dress-up with but this one had no face and two sparkly wings balanced on top as if they’d been removed. Hyax knew he would now have to tread carefully, some threats were literal, and Penelope had never been the type to mince her words. She couldn’t have been clearer,upset my brother and I’ll pull off your wings.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Gwil had succumbed to Penelope’s fine whisky collection and more of the amazing blood so had decided to spend the day. They’d talked, rambling conversations that were long overdue, some from before they were turned, others from during the time they were estranged. He’d been honest about how he’d pretty much put up with a whole raft of interfering parents if he got to keep Hyax. He’d woken up to a dead phone with a cracked screen that he couldn’t charge, and the need to do something useful, so he’d called in on a client on the way back to Spitalfields.
One pineapple-loving poltergeist ferret dealt with, he headed home, wondering if Hyax was back or if he was still playing wedding prep back in the fae realm. Somehow, he didn’t think he was going to see much of him for the next week or two.
