Page 76 of Bleeding for the Prince
“No, but I reckon we can take it further. My mother could invite King James for a visit, and he could bring his son with him.”
“Would she agree to that?” Gwil asked. He didn’t realise things were moving so quickly in terms of the Calanti.
“I believe so. She’s one of the most forward-looking leaders. She’ll want to capitalise on any opportunity to best position our tribe.”
He hadn’t expected Hyax’s mother to agree, but then Queen Talia had surprised him more and more of late. Her talk of changing up the succession had been blindsiding, and he didn’t think Hyax had fully processed what it might mean if she were to swap him for his older brother. “If she were to host them, it would send a message. I’m not sure about the reception, but you’d know better than me.”
“Let me talk to her. She insinuated there was already more going on than she could say openly. But I’ll speak to Simon first,as I would bet my wings his father will be including him in his thought process.”
“He’s next in line, and only child, so I suppose it makes sense. None of this helps you with Metra, though.” They’d diverged away from the suggestion, and he wasn’t sure if it was deliberate or not. “Unless we could ask King James to pass on a message of vampires and their Eternals.”
“I need to think about that sort of messaging. It’s one thing to actively seek closer ties to a fae tribe who happen to have a vampire-fae as king, and another for a fae prince to dissolve a political marriage because the vampires are miffed over a perceived snub.”
Gwil wanted to push a bit more before he left the idea alone for a while. “But are you opposed to trying the excuse? I get it might not be what you had in mind originally, but I do think it’s a credible option.”
“As I said, I’ll consider anything that gets me separated from Metra, vampire interference included.” He smiled. “Doesn’t help with this evening’s request, though.”
“We don’t have plans, and you were just going to talk to Simon, so how about keeping the peace and going?” Gwil suggested. “The better terms you’re on, the less difficult he’ll make the divorce.”
“I wouldn’t have thought you’d have liked me spending an evening with him.”
“If you’re saying I should have a reason to be worried, then I would be fucking livid, but then that would mean we’ve not got the relationship I believe we have.” He grinned. “You can be civil without shagging someone.”
“Arsehole.”
“Yeah, but your arsehole.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
The happy couple had chosen to hold their engagement party in a high-end bar where Hyax had been several times, although not yet with Gwil. Flitter had been one of the best places to get laid before he’d fallen for Gwil. The clientele were rich, beautiful and well-connected, and he could see why Metra had wanted him here in terms of being seen together and playing nice.
“Thank you for this evening,” Metra said, handing him a glass of ambrosia. “I didn’t expect you to accept.”
“You can thank Gwil. He said he didn’t think it would hurt. And after we exchanged words at Cassie’s show, I think a bit of polite social interaction wouldn’t go amiss. Formal receptions are a given, but an occasional event like this is acceptable as long as it doesn’t become a regular thing.”
Metra smiled. He was an attractive man, and he’d matured a lot since they’d been together. He’d always be a cheating shitbag, but Gwil had been right that Hyax’s anger was a gift Metra wasn’t worthy of. “I also wanted to talk to you about something.”
“I did wonder when the ulterior motive would show up,” Hyax drawled.
“Believe it or not, this is for your benefit as much as mine.”
Metra guided him away from the busy part of the bar to a quiet table. Hyax had the horrible feeling the way they were sitting would make it look as if they were trying to build their relationship and have a romantic moment. “I do hope you aren’t going to perpetuate any rumours of us getting closer.”
Metra scoffed. “No, I’m no more interested in you than you are in me. We both had obligations, and we’ve done our duty, so we should discuss disentangling.”
Hyax took a long drink of his ambrosia. Metra had been the one who had said they should be circumspect and not rush to divorce, that there were protocols and expectations from a royal marriage. “If I had my way, we’d be already divorced, but you’ve wanted to cling on, and now you’re singing a different tune. Why?”
“You’re so suspicious.”
“Cut the bullshit.”
“I want to be able to marry again, this time for love.” He held his head a little higher. “Sitial’s wife has petitioned for divorce and is pregnant with another fae’s child.”
Sitial had been the one Metra had cheated with when they’d dated, despite denying he had done so for a long time, and Hyax didn’t care if they wanted a happy ever after. But Hyax wouldn’t risk his own happiness to spite Metra. “I don’t actually care what you do or why, but this must mean your family’s contract is done, correct?”
“Yes, or near enough. I want to end our marriage, but we both need a reason, beyond not wanting to be married.”
Gwil’s proposal now seemed like the perfect opportunity. “I might have a palatable excuse, or at least a way to get it. But I will need to discuss the possibility with my mother. It will include the involvement of a third party. Not that you would object to an external influence, given why we ended up in this mess to begin with.”
