Page 49 of Bleeding for the Prince
Gwil had suggested the Jyndarin Society’s library as somewhere to support their research into dragons, and Hyax had contacted Simon about their dinner reservation. Robin and Simon had confirmed with startling speed. But now Gwil’s previous self-doubt had crept back in, and he was back to being concerned about whether he would be accepted.
Hyax squeezed his hand. “No need to be nervous, Gwil. You belong here.”
“It’s still a bit surreal. Not just the Jyndarin Society membership, but that we’re having dinner with a couple who wouldn’t have known or cared I existed not that long ago.”
Gwil needed reassurance, and Hyax thought tonight would be a perfect opportunity for him to see how far he’d come.“Change is the only constant we have. As far as I’m concerned, your improvement in status has been long overdue. Now, let’s enjoy ourselves. Simon said they’d meet us inside.”
They were a little early, but Hyax had thought it for the best to arrive ahead of the reservation so Gwil could have some time to adjust and settle. Hyax didn’t want him overwhelmed, and as laid-back as Gwil pretended to be, there were times when his anxiety would boil over without warning.
Gwil took a moment, and Hyax waited. Now was not the time to push too hard. “Okay. I’m good. Let’s do this.”
The reason for no door staff became clear as a ripple of magic washed over him. It was subtle and almost apologetic, which was not a common algorithm for security spells. From Gwil’s lack of reaction, Hyax didn’t think he’d felt anything, and as they approached the doors, they swung open. There was still no sign of a staff member. The magic hadn’t given him pause for concern, but he saw Gwil was uncertain.
“Surely we can’t just wander in,” Gwil said, stopping on the threshold.
“I think there’s something in place to allow the members access. I doubt the doors would have opened if you hadn’t passed the test.”
Gwil’s eyes narrowed. “Did you sense something?”
One of the reasons he loved the fucker so much was because he wasn’t as dumb as a bag of spanners, but he was using delaying tactics and Hyax wasn’t going to let Gwil get away with doing so. “Yes, but it was pretty subtle.”
“No worries?”
“None. Stop procrastinating… get in there. I think you will need to go first, you being the member and all.”
Gwil walked forwards and a voice from nowhere announced: “Welcome, Mr Hilt. Please enter with your guest, Prince Hyax.”
“I guess that’s a good sign,” Gwil said, sounding a little more relaxed.
Standing before a grand marble staircase was a man dressed in a black suit, his hair slicked back and his skin as pale as moonlight. “Welcome. My name is Pierre Montague. As this is your first time at our establishment, let me offer you both a brief tour. I understand you have dinner reservations with Lord MacLove and Mr Flint.”
Hyax noted they’d used Simon’s vampire rank rather than his fae title.
“Yeah,” Gwil croaked out. “And a tour would be great.”
Pierre glided up the stairs, literally, and Hyax wondered what he was, as he’d thought he was a common-or-garden vampire, but he was levitating a few inches off the floor, so he had to have some sort of add-on. They stopped at the top of the stairs.
“The society building is divided into two areas. To the left is the academic area. Through those doors, you will find the library, reading rooms and collections. You have full access, but please do ask the librarians for any help you need. Do you wish to see the area now?”
Hyax wanted to, but they didn’t have that long before dinner, and he was likely to disappear into a dragon research rabbit hole and not reappear in time. He suspected Gwil would have ended up having to drag him out.
“After dinner,” Gwil said. “Once His Highness disappears between the stacks, we might not see him again for several hours.”
Pierre smiled. “Such devotion to learning is an admirable trait. Then let me show you the dining area, private rooms and bar, and you can relax before you meet your dinner companions.”
Hyax had been to a lot of nice places, but there was a charm about the Jyndarin Society that was unique. The lounge hada calming aura, which might be due to low-level incantations, or maybe the atmosphere, which was filled with hushed voices and no music, was the reason. A couple were playing chess in a corner, and there were several groups, but no one was obnoxious or overly loud. They passed the door to the dining area, which Pierre pointed out, but continued into a beautiful art deco room that Hyax would love to recreate at the palace.
“Would you like to take a seat at the bar or perhaps in the window alcove?”
“The alcove,” Hyax answered. “This room is very special.”
“Yes, Charles Rennie Mackintosh was involved in the design as a special favour to the owner. Now, may I be as bold as to recommend a martini as a pre-dinner drink?”
“I was told they were the thing to have by my sire,” Gwil said.
“Solivatus is very generous with his praise. Let me get those for you, and I will inform you when your companions arrive.”
They settled on the loveseat, which was framed by a stunning stained glass window, made up of hundreds of pieces of blue and green glass in various shades, reminding Hyax of the sea, which had been spelled to make it look like there was daylight shining behind it. “This is quite lovely,” he said to Gwil. “I’d heard good things about the library, but no one speaks about the social areas beyond them being the right place to be seen, rather than the charm of the place.”
