Page 72 of Bleeding for the Prince
“I imagine it’ll be quite something to watch, but at the same time, I don’t think I’d want to be close enough to be eaten by a dragon who’s pissed off because he’d been woken up.”
“We can’t leave it where it is. Besides, I’ve had to inform Goya, and he’ll use any reason to fuck me over. He’s even insisting on being present—fuckwit.”
“You two are ridiculous.” Solivatus tutted. “Are you sure you shouldn’t just fuck and get it out of your systems?”
“Fuck off. Why would I touch Dog Face when I literally have one of the most beautiful men in the city as a partner?” He held up his hand. “Do not suggest a threesome.”
Solivatus smirked. “You’re so easy to wind up. But I have heard a few things in the last couple of days that I think will make you happy.”
Solivatus’s ability to collect information was only superseded by Copperpipe’s, and so Gwil was intrigued to hear what he had to say. And he was glad for a change in the topic of conversation. “Go on.”
“Hoffman has filed a new patent for a stabilising excipient. It’s a man-made version of golashe.”
“The chalk shit he was buying off the Elementa?”
“Yes.”
Hyax had told him his mother had heard the mining had stopped, but their thoughts had been that it was either a temporary cessation or the activities had relocated to a new location. If Hoffman had perfected the additive he’d been working on, it would make sense that he would no longer need the golashe from the fae. “Then we could infer that his contract with the Elementa would have come to an end.”
“I’d say so. Which means the reasoning behind Hyax’s marriage had been made moot. Time to consult with a decent divorce lawyer.”
He didn’t think it would be that straightforward. “We need to factor in face-saving and fae politics. There’s no way Hyax would be able to unleash the great strop he’d love to do and flounce off.”
“From my limited knowledge, I understand that the divorce proceedings for the fae aren’t particularly complex.”
If Hyax were an average fae and not a royal prince, Solivatus would have a decent argument. “Nothing about royal fae is simple. I’m not saying he can’t divorce, but he’d need to find the right excuse that was fit for public consumption.”
“I’m sure you can come up with something. I reckon a bit of outside interference might be welcome for once. Now you’re a favourite of several current and future Vampire Council members, it could be made known that Hyax’s marriage might be an insult since Hyax is your Eternal.”
“We’ve not used that term to describe our relationship.”
“Then I suggest you start. Tongues will wag, and a gentle pressure could be exerted.”
This wasn’t something he could agree to without speaking to Hyax, but Solivatus’s idea had merit and could offer an alternative option. “Let me discuss the premise with Hyax. There might be more concern about vampire interference than a massive public blow-up.”
“I’ve offered a suggestion. Let me know if you’d like me to action anything. Just say the word and your boyfriend could be a step closer to being your husband.”
He wanted to marry Hyax. Being the Prince’s Beloved was important to the fae, but as a vampire, it didn’t have the same gravitas. “I’ll get back to you.”
“I’m assuming you’ve discussed making him a widower.”
They’d not said it directly, at least not without joking. “Best not to cause a war between the tribes. They frown on murdering each other.”
“Thought I’d check.”
Gwil’s phone pinged before he could reply.
Hyax: Get your arse back here. Time for you to bleed.
“I’ve been called.”
Solivatus raised his glass. “Good luck. It’s not every day a vampire bleeds.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Hyax had texted Gwil to get back to the lab. The potion was progressing nicely. It was beginning to thicken and had a purple sheen that needed to darken a little and then it would be ready for Gwil’s blood.
The door opened, and Gwil let himself in. “How’s it going?”
