Page 65 of Bleeding for the Prince
“The magic involved in this book involves a fae harnessing magic through a partner, who is a different species. These are for vampire/fae couples,” Simon explained. “As you mentioned earlier, fae tend to stick to their own kind, and it is rare to find a couple willing to consider this approach and who could be capable of doing so.”
“Does your partner regularly feed from you?” Chris asked Hyax.
Hyax frowned. “No, why do you ask?”
Chris pointed to the page. “The language is a bit obtuse, but this means that the vampire blood must come from a vampire who has drunk from the brewer. The potion is then brewed, and the same vampire must spill inside the brewer.”
Hyax snatched back the book. Gwil coming inside him wasn’t an issue, one of the better options given some of the spells, but he’d missed the first part. “Where does it say that?”
“The blood must be mingled with the brewer’s.”
“I thought I’d collect mine and Gwil’s blood in a bowl, mix them together and add them at the same time.”
Simon came over and also studied the spell. “No, because the vampire blood is added directly, and there’s no step where the brewer adds their own blood. Chris is right.”
“I think that’s open to interpretation. I could remove my blood and inject it into Gwil using a hypodermic syringe.”
Chris shook his head. “I don’t think that’ll cut it. I’m pretty sure part of the vampire bite is making the blood flow easier, and whatever causes that would change the blood a little.”
Simon nodded. “As I understand it, that’s why bottled blood took so long to be developed. Hoffman developed a process that mimicked what happens because otherwise the blood in the bottles wouldn’t be palatable.”
Simon was a vampire, although technically a vampire-fae, so he should know what he was talking about. “Gwil’s never fed from me.”
“He wouldn’t turn you, if that’s what you’re worried about. Just drinking blood is different from siring someone.”
Gwil had explained that difference before, but Hyax was still squeamish over the idea. “I’m aware they’re not the same thing, and I’m not totally against the idea. Gwil mentioned that vampires fed from each other on their wedding night, and I hadn’t said no.”
Chris clapped his hands together. “Oh, are you getting married?”
“He’s got to get rid of his husband first,” Simon said with a chuckle.
Chris scowled. “You are cheating on your husband with a vampire?”
Simon put up his hands. “Chris, sometimes you see things far too black or white. Hyax has a political marriage to a prince ofanother tribe. One that we hope will come to an end. Gwil is his Prince’s Beloved, a title given as he’s Hyax’s favourite person.”
“You’re cheating on Gwil with your husband?” Chris looked confused but still disgusted.
“No, the marriage is on paper only. I am fully committed to Gwil, and only married Metra as my duty to my tribe. I have reason to believe I should be able to divorce Metra relatively soon. And then I will marry Gwil.”
“Your vampire didn’t mind?”
“He loved me enough to stay. Although I have to admit, I hadn’t realised how important marriage and spouses were to vampires. As a royal fae, a marriage is often political; most commoners don’t bother and are no less committed.”
Chris sniffed loudly. “Sounds like he’s a keeper. Like my Jack.”
Jack and Gwil could’ve been cut from the same cloth. “We have both been blessed.”
Simon took back the book. “I think the potion will also need to be brewed in this realm. My apparatus is in the fae world. I almost set fire to the west wing of Heartlands Hall and promised Robin I’d experiment away from the house in future.”
“I don’t have the facilities for a potion of this nature either, but Crofton Hall does. Do you think Ben would be amenable?” Hyax asked.
“The potion would need significant containment charms,” Simon said. “There’s a risk of leaking, but I do know that Solivatus has access to dedicated potion facilities that could handle this. And they’re closer to the dragon than here.”
“Who’s he?” Chris asked. “I’d love to see somewhere that can deal with the potion.”
“Gwil’s sire. A bit of an arsehole.”
Simon clicked his tongue. “He’s an important vampire, Hyax. He’s useful and has been a vocal supporter of Gwil. Who do youthink oiled the wheels for Gwil’s membership of the Jyndarin Society?”
