Page 25 of Bleeding for the Prince
“I heard their library was something special, but I thought for most, the Jyndarin Society was more of a place to network and connect.”
“That’s the main reason, and to be honest, Hyax, you’re why Gwil qualified as a member. It’s through you he gets to tick the magical ability status, which is really used as a means to keep people out as far as I’ve heard.”
“Then you’re a member?”
“Yes, but not much more recent than Gwil. I’d spent very little time in this realm before I was married, and I’m beginning to explore the world a bit more.”
“Is that what you call this?”
Hyax’s head shot up to see Robin standing in front of them, his expression annoyed, bordering on angry.
“I thought you were busy tonight,” Simon said. “You told me you weren’t available for dinner, so when Prince Hyax contacted me about a fae matter, I accepted his invitation to try this new venue.”
They were glowering at each other, and Hyax didn’t want to get in the middle of a matrimonial spat.
“You didn’t tell me you were going out, as yourhusband,I would have thought you’d have had the courtesy to let me know you would be out with another man.”
Hyax didn’t like the direction this was going, and he wasn’t about to be tarred with the brush of being a cheating bastard. “We are friends, Robin, nothing more. I’ve my own Beloved. I’ve no need of yours.”
“Yet you’re married to a different man,” Robin said, sneering. “How do I know you’re not looking to add a third?”
“Robin, you’re being an arse,” Simon said. “Hyax is my friend, a political ally, and has done us both a great service. Swallow whatever nonsense is making you spit false fire, and you owe him and myself an apology.”
Robin winced, and his demeanour softened. “I apologise, Hyax. But I stand by my displeasure that Simon had not told me where he was going and is dressed to be seen.”
Jealousy was a dangerous creature, although not as dangerous as the vampire-fae Robin was trying to agitate.
“Who were you having dinner with?” Simon countered.
“That is neither here nor there.”
Simon laughed humourlessly. “Then it is who I thought. If you can find it acceptable to go to dinner with an ex-lover, then I can spend an evening with a friend. Now fuck off back to your scaly whore and come back on bended knee when you a ready to apologise.”
Robin sat next to Simon and grabbed his hands. “He’s my client. Simon. Nothing is going on between us. I would not risk your love for him.”
“He is overstepping. Rein him in or I will.” Simon’s tone was terse, but he was a lot more polite than Hyax would have been if their situations had been reversed. “Note, I have not gone charging into your dinners and meetings with him, yet you have the nerve to do so to me.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not used to caring so much.”
Simon kissed Robin’s hands. “I won’t be out long. When I return, we will talk properly.”
Robin had a reputation for not being cowed by anything, but as Hyax watched, it was clear there was one thing he was scared of and that was losing Simon. He’d seen his reaction when Simon had been kidnapped, but this argument appeared to be of his own making and Robin was many things, but stupid wasn’t one of them.
“I will be waiting, alone.”
Robin kissed Simon’s knuckles and stood. “Apologies for disturbing your evening. Rest assured, I will make right by this.”
Hyax cleared his throat and finished his glass of ambrosia. Simon knocked back his and refilled both glasses.
“Sorry about that. We’ve been arguing about one of his clients.”
“The scaly whore?”
Simon scowled. “Dorian Marsten, fucking dragon and Hollywood heartthrob. He’s showing up all the time. I even tried tracking the fucker, but there must be something about dragons that won’t let me lock on a trace.”
“You don’t think Robin’s interested, do you?”
“I have told him I don’t care about his past, and I don’t, but as his husband, I must come first. Dorian is using his business and past relationship with Robin to try to get Robin back.”
