Page 32 of Bleeding for the Prince
“Yes, and you go through the list of topics I sent you and read at your leisure.”
“And while I’m in here?”
“I thought you might like a fae history lesson or two, or even more up-to-date knowledge. The sort of topics Hyax’s partner would know if they were a fae, I think that’ll be more usual and interesting.”
Hyax would have explained anything if he had asked, but that was different from being generally aware, and not having a shared culture or upbringing meant there were lots of areas where he couldn’t hope to understand. Then there were the relationships of the important players; he didn’t know what titles meant or if something was bubbling away underneath because the families had been in a spat for two hundred years.
“Where do you suggest we start?”
“The current royal family has some interesting dynamics, of which I’m sure Prince Hyax has shared, but it might be useful if you do have gaps.”
Hyax spoke about his family in a way anyone spoke about their siblings; he thought his oldest brother, and future king, was a bit of a bore, but steerable in the right direction. His favourite brother, Wava, was his closest in age, and he was fond of his sisters, but Gwil wouldn’t say he knew much about them and apart from formal meetings, Hyax hadn’t made any attempt for him to get to know them.
“I know the basics, nephews and nieces, general line of succession. I think Hyax is fifteenth in line.”
Opali smiled. “Prince Hyax is somewhat of a golden child, the youngest and most magically gifted; he’s undoubtedly his parents and the Populus’s favourite. There was even talk at onepoint on whether the constitution should be adapted and the choice of the next ruler should not fall to an accident of who was the firstborn.”
“I don’t think Hyax wants to be king.”
“I imagine that might have changed if he’d been able to marry his original consort.”
Gwil didn’t know where Opali was going with this. Hyax was several centuries older than Gwil, and while they had talked about past lovers, Hyax hadn’t mentioned anyone of significant importance. There were a couple he had referred to as being fond of, but no consort had ever come up, and certainly not in the sense of someone who Hyax would have considered as the one who got away.
“Not the impression I’ve been given.”
Opali’s eyes widened. “Apologies, I may have misunderstood the significance, because I am expected to ensure those connected to the royal family are aware of the history. The current direct descendants of Queen Talia were under the previous rules of matrimony, meaning they were earmarked for marriage from a very young age. Prince Hyax was engaged to Princess Getil of the Hellanix on his tenth birthday, but she died before she was old enough for them to be wed.”
He would have to speak to Hyax about this. Although the engagement occurred four hundred years ago, he should have told Gwil, as it appeared to have left a lasting impact. “I’m not sure I approve of marrying kids off.”
“And we do not do so in these more enlightened times. But if they had married, Princess Getil would have been Queen and Prince Hyax the King of the Hellanix by now. Although, given Prince Hyax’s personal preferences in partners, I daresay you would still have been the Prince’s Beloved.”
“Well, I guess that explains why I wasn’t considered worthy.” He tried to laugh the comment off, but Hyax must be seen to bescraping the barrel if he’d gone from betrothed to a future queen to a nobody vampire.
“Oh no, Gwil. Prince Hyax is happy, and that is what his people want. I did not mean to allude to anything more. I hear that your relationship is a positive thing, that the tribe leaders can point to what you have done to allay the recent concerns from the vampires.”
Hyax had told him about some fae pissing off Sebastian Hewel, and he’d heard rumblings of something along those lines. His thoughts had been that they might appease the vampires but piss off the other tribes, until he’d heard about the potential thawing of relations with the Calanti.
“I shouldn’t worry about being Hyax’s side piece, got it.”
“You are not a side piece.” Opali’s tone was sharp. “You are the Prince’s Beloved. It is a rich and historical title. I only mentioned Prince Hyax’s past situation because I thought you would have known. But you can see how well he is thought of, and it is something important to keep in mind when you see the dynamics with the siblings. Prince Pawl, for example, is the firstborn and the future king, but he projects a sense of being in Prince Hyax’s shadow, due to Hyax’s popularity and magical gifts.”
Gwil knew he was his own worst enemy when it came to his self-worth and he needed to stop defaulting to believing he was wasting Hyax’s time. “It just takes some getting used to. For vampires, we have a spouse, but unless they’re your Eternal, there’s little monogamy to go around. But the spouse is considered the most important. With Hyax having married Metra, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
“Perhaps I can tell all about how the title came into being? I think that will make you understand its importance.”
Hyax hadn’t offered any history on his new title, but had said it was important, and Gwil had seen the way he’d been includedat the garden party that it did seem to come with more gravitas than merely being Hyax’s fuck toy. “I’d like that.”
“It goes back to King Trollio, one of the first kings of the Tasharick tribe and his daughter. He had several children, and his firstborn was a girl named Drewi, who had been promised to Anga of the Bellindine tribe. By all accounts, all parties were pleased with the match. Then, after having her second child, she met Tol, a charming younger man, and she was drawn to him. Her newborn son also became fond of him. Anga wasn’t happy even though he had accepted his marriage was arranged, because he had come to love Drewi.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but this story is definitely giving out the side piece vibes.”
Opali laughed. “Give it time, I’m getting there. The story goes that the baby was kidnapped, and Tol and Anga set their differences aside to rescue the boy. After many days, they came across the bandit and the child. The fight was bloody, but the boy was rescued, and Anga was gravely hurt. For several days, Tol nursed Anga back to health and a bond between them formed. Anga and Tol became close, and on their return, they became a closed triad with Drewi. Tol was given a new title, the Beloved, and no one doubted his importance.”
“Does sound a cut above the average harem member.”
“I should think so. The title has only been used four times, and the previous three were all fae who either already held an important political office or went on to do so; you can say you’re in the very best of company. Our tribe is now your tribe, too.”
Opali told him a few other stories, and while they were interesting, they lacked the same impact as his own situation. He knew the Tasharick tribe was an ingrained part of Hyax, and knowing he was now considered part of them, even though he wasn’t a fae, meant more than he could process.
