Page 2 of Bleeding for the Prince
Robin laughed. “You probably didn’t expect anything. Senior vampires aren’t exactly known for recognising those not in our immediate circles. But I would warn you, now you’re on the radar of some very important people both within vampire society and beyond, your afterlife might get more complicated.”
“Considering my current situation, I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“Oh, I think I heard someone tempt fate.” Robin stood. “I have to get going, but I’ve also signed you up for this place. You’re on my tab—whenever you visit, so stay as long as you like and come frequently. It’s important to be seen. At some point, you must bring Hyax. I’m sure you’re used to being dragged around as his plus-one, so it’ll be a nice change for it to be the other way around.”
Robin left. Gwil felt a bit like he’d been hit by a truck. He sipped his blood and relaxed a fraction. He could get used to this, and now he’d been given the chance to do so. Having said that, most of the people who frequented this place did so from a position of privilege he would never attain; at least he was now through the door and that was a huge step up and one he was not going to squander. For now, he’d see if the reception staff would let him in the next time he visited, when he wasn’t with Robin Flint, because he knew well enough that doors could be shut as fast as they were opened. If he were here with Hyax, he’d have a better chance of fitting in as royal fae tended to get treated well wherever, and despite Bled being a vampire club, it was no exception.
The bar was beginning to get busy, or as busy as super-exclusive members’ clubs got, and Gwil decided it was a good time to leave. He put his Jyndarin Society card into his wallet, another thing that would need some time to sink in. They had premises on Bedford Square Gardens in Bloomsbury, but he didn’t know if he could turn up or if he had to be invited to visit.He was excited and couldn’t wait to tell Hyax since neither of them had him getting membership to the Jyndarin Society on their bingo card for the decade. Maybe even the century.
He slipped out of Bled, glad he’d put on one of his better suits as he’d have looked out of place amongst the Gucci, Armani, and Boss labels adorning his fellow members if he’d rocked up wearing something off the High Street. For once, he treated himself to a black cab. Hyax’s ways were rubbing off on him, and he was slowly learning that he no longer had to be so frugal, but after nearly two centuries of watching the pennies, old habits died hard.
Since it was a weekend evening, the traffic wasn’t too bad, and he arrived back at their Spitalfields home, surprised to see the lights on, which meant Hyax was back. Perhaps escaping the gala would’ve put him in a good mood. Then again, maybe not.
He opened the front door and let himself in, pausing to listen to see if he could determine if Hyax were raging or not. He did a good job cursing at inanimate objects when he was pissed off, but there was nothing other than the sound of the shower running. That was promising. Hyax loved a long shower and didn’t usually try to drown himself.
Never one to miss the opportunity to ogle the gorgeous sight of his naked, wet boyfriend, Gwil slipped into the bathroom to enjoy the view. Hyax was tall, built like a supermodel, and his long blond hair hung down his back like a curtain of gold.
“I know you’re there, you old pervert.”
“You’re older than me,” he replied, grinning. “And you’d be more annoyed if I didn’t come in for a good leer.”
Hyax switched off the shower, stepped out and grabbed a towel. “I’d have asked you to join me, but I want to hear about your meeting, and I’d get distracted by fucking your brains out.”
“You can do that after I’ve filled you in. But you’re going to need to put some clothes on as I can’t think straight when your arse is on display.”
“Fuck off and make me some mint tea. I’ll be through in a minute. Leave your suit on, I want to peel you out of it as a reward for me not killing anyone today.”
Gwil gave Hyax a one-fingered salute and left him to dry off. He made them both tea, raided the biscuit tin, and claimed his favourite spot on the sofa. The domesticity was not lost on him, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like the way they fit so easily into each other’s worlds.
Hyax emerged in low-slung pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt too well-fitted for Gwil’s libido to cope with for long. “How was your fancy dinner?” he asked.
“Dull. Metra’s older sister is being confirmed as the successor. I stayed the shortest amount of time I could, and that was too long. But never mind that, who was our mystery new client?”
He was grateful Hyax hadn’t wanted to change their business relationship now things had evolved in their personal lives and was just as eager to work on cases as Gwil. “There isn’t one. Madam Bovery is Robin Flint, and he wanted to say thank you.”
Hyax dropped to sit next to him. “No fucking way. Look at you, getting recognition from one of the big chief pointy fangs.”
“Ha fucking ha. You should show me a modicum of respect now you’re looking at the Jyndarin Society’s newest member.”
Hyax gaped, lost for words for a moment, a feat Gwil didn’t manage often when they weren’t in bed. “No way! Robin swung that for you, how? Why?”
“The how is by him being Robin Flint, and the why is like I said, he was saying thank you for helping bring his hubby home.”
Hyax snorted. “Come off it, Gwil. You’re not that naïve. There has to be more to this than him playing nice.”
Gwil tried not to snap, but Hyax’s dismissive tone annoyed him. “Or they could be recognising my merits and service to the Houses of Hewel and Cartwright. You don’t have to be an arsehole about everything vampire-related.”
“You knowIthink you deserve to be up there with the elite in vampire society. I just have a healthy dose of cynicism around those who move in those circles, as they aren’t keen to expand them.”
Hyax might have a point, but Gwil wasn’t going to admit it, and he would fight his corner. “I’m going to bask in my importance—real or not—for an evening. Look, I’ve even got out the good biscuits.”
“Oh, Chocolate Hobnobs! I suppose Robin isn’t the worst of them, and his husband is almost trustworthy.”
Gwil laughed. “Is that because he’s half-fae, so it tempers out the vampire side, or because he’s another fae prince?”
“Well, obviously.” Hyax stole the biscuit from Gwil’s hand. “But you know I have as much contempt for my fellow wing-flappers as you do.”
The fucker shoved the biscuit into his mouth before Gwil could stop him. “Fucking biscuit thief. But you’re in a better mood than I expected, I take the evening wasn’t too shite?”
