Chapter 10

"Your mother told me Robin was upset over something. She said she wasn't aware of all of the details but you should know she sent a message to Claude." James took a seat next to him. Simon was trying to go through the list of items for the ceremony that he had a say in, but he wasn't in the mood. "We need to make sure this marriage is a success, Simon. You need his blood."

"I know. I was going to give him some space but I think he might have had long enough."

"What's going on?"

It had been three days since Robin had returned to Fairbanks. He was confused over so many things about Robin, but his reaction to Isaac had been the most puzzling. Robin hadn't contacted him yet but then Simon had said he would give him the space to think.

"A couple of things were revealed during the negotiations with Robin and I think those, and the bond, are causing him to be a bit out of kilter."

"Your mother said he'd learnt that he was always destined to be your bonded mate. Was it that? I think we may have not been as transparent as we could have been there."

Simon thought that had been the main reason and then the bond and his admission that he'd kissed and fooled around with a couple of people had affected Robin disproportionally. The trouble was, he wasn't sure he wanted to have that conversation with his father or how much he already knew as he'd received regular lectures on not messing with pretty boys or girls.

"He's also being a bit odd over learning that while I'm still a virgin I'm not completely… untouched."

James laughed. "That's a bit rich coming from him. Did you tell him about Isaac?"

"You knew about that?"

"Perhaps you should have been a bit more discreet. MacLove Castle has some nosey and gossipy ghosts."

He would worry about being mortified later now he could do with some advice about dealing with Robin.

"I knew he was a player, I've no illusions about his past, and I honestly don't have a problem with it but I was asking if there was anyone special I should know about because he'd mentioned Ben Redbourn in such a way that it was obvious they'd messed about, and then he admitted he'd slept with Isaac. I think Robin thought I was annoyed because Isaac is the future Dark Duke of my House, so I told him I'd had a particular experience with him myself and joked that if he'd shagged Caroline as well, he'd have had a full set."

James snorted. "Simon, you may need to work on your tact."

"I even said that I have nothing to bring to the marital bed and would benefit from his experience but that didn't help."

"He knows he will need to be patient and guide you. If he does not take great pains to assure your pleasure, you are within your rights to find someone who will. There's a line of fae who would be willing, and he will be more than aware you would have alternatives."

"Do you think it's that?" He hadn't come at it from that angle. "I don't want anyone else, and he shouldn't assume I would."

"To be honest, half the Vampire Council have been bed-hopping so it's not like vampires are known for being faithful. I'm far too devoted to your mother for those games, but I've been invited… the Countess of Exbury tried to put her hand up my kilt once."

"What?"

James laughed. "It's true."

"Even so, I wouldn't expect Robin would want to work through the Vampire Council once he becomes Dark Viscount Whetford, so why assume I would?"

"You've made a bit of a leap there, lad. Just because something is on offer doesn't mean either of you have to take it up. If the bond is all-consuming, and doesn't wane, then there won't be anything that will tempt either of you. But if it isn't, then it's sensible to make sure both of you agree on an arrangement to be open to others."

His father's pragmatic approach made him think. "Is that why Mother was insistent we left in the option to renegotiate?"

"Yes. All you need from Robin is his blood once your fangs descend. You may also have the gift of a loving partner, if not, then you're done with him and you're free to act as you wish."

"Robin thinks I'm his Eternal."

"Maybe you are. Look, Simon, I'm guessing he's upset because he's fucked about so much he doesn't even remember most of them, but your fun has been limited and no doubt you can name them all."

He'd come to a similar conclusion. "Yeah, but they don't mean more because of it."

"To be honest, he's had long enough to brood. You're not the sort to sit back and let things work them out by themselves, you may need to take the bull by the horns. In the future, Isaac will be the Dark Duke of Denmouth and you will have to work with him for the benefit of our House. Robin needs to deal with it. You don't have a problem with Ben."

"I think I'll send him a spark and tell him we have a wedding to organise and I expect him to get his head out of his arse."

James raised an eyebrow. "Maybe phrase it more diplomatically. I think making him see Isaac is not a threat is the priority and you will not be ignoring him either for the sake of your House."

"I should speak to Isaac as well. It's been years since anything happened. I don't want to drop him in a load of shit."

"I think you're right. And as soon as possible as your wedding is in a few days." James stood. "I'll be back. Keep going through your ceremony lists."

He didn't have the chance to ask his father what he meant as he disappeared through a portal. The pile of paperwork he had to get through was of no help in distracting him. He couldn't concentrate on what colours the room should be decorated in or what the music would be, and he couldn't give a flying fuck about the food.

A portal opened and his father reappeared, followed by Isaac Galloway. His baby face and soft blond curls meant he was an attractive man, no less so from being dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. "Simon," called Isaac. "James said you were in need of a bit of support from your House."

"You may have heard I'm getting married in a few days."

"Yes, Robin Flint. I can imagine you'll have quite the ceremony." Isaac smiled. "I was introduced to him by Ben Redbourn, and Robin throws amazing parties. I thought mine were good but, man, his are something else."

"Robin said he knew you," Simon said. "He's also aware that we had a moment. He's a bit confused by the way he feels about it."

Isaac seemed surprised by that. "Meaning?"

"He's conflicted because he's bothered by it."

"Strange." Isaac rubbed his chin. "Unless he's worried about the whole you being a prince and him only a future viscount thing, and that he'll have to keep people's wandering hands off you." Isaac waggled his eyebrows. "Unless you want that. Because you'll have plenty of options."

He would need to steer the conversation back on track. "No. And I don't think he will either. I need him to see that you and me are friends, nothing more."

Isaac nodded. "Makes sense. But it would be good to have contact with the younger vampire set as well as Robin. I wasn't turned that long ago and I appreciated having others to talk to, especially as there's been some trouble with my own family."

Simon had been aware of a coup that had seen Isaac be made Marques of Denmouth when his sired older sister had tried to remove the current duke and had promptly been dealt with.

James cleared his throat. "It was a trying time for the House of Cartwright. I think you make a good point of Simon getting to know people, and while Robin Flint is one option, I'm sure you'd be happy to be of assistance without there being anything more than supporting your house."

"I'd love to." Isaac looked so sincere.

"What I need is for Robin to understand that what happened between us didn't mean anything, and is no different from what you and him got up to."

Robin and Isaac had done more than he'd had with Isaac and he was sure Robin just needed a bit of assurance.

"Are you planning some sort of stag do?" Isaac asked.

"Er… a what?"

"Final last night of freedom, out with your friends. You could do a joint one with Robin and I'd help… that'll show him I was rooting for you as a couple."

James coughed. "As interesting the idea is, I don't think that's on the cards. You've only got a few days, and with Robin back in LA he might not like the idea of the two of you out on the town without him."

He hadn't realised Robin had returned to LA. "Robin's not at Fairbanks?"

"I spoke to Claude this morning, Robin got called back for a meeting, some actor having a crisis and as he had completed his side of the ceremony tasks he flew there last night."

"I see." He would have hoped Robin would have sent word he had left his country, the portals meant it didn't matter but he would have liked to have known.

"Hey, I know. Why don't we go to Robin's club in LA?" Isaac said.

"Er… I'm not sure that'll help matters"

"Nonsense. Future Dark Earl and Duke of the House of Cartwright." Isaac sat forwards. "I bet you could arrive in a load of flashy magic… that'd show Robin how lucky he is to get to marry you, and I'm there to show I'm not worth a second look."

"You think Robin's lucky? I would have thought… what with you two having… er… intimate knowledge of each other, that you'd think I was the lucky one."

Isaac rolled his eyes. "Fae prince. Vampire-fae. He's a lucky bastard, and he can use his experience to make sure you're suitably serviced. He's pretty decent in the sack."

"Isaac," James said. "I'm sure Simon appreciates the sentiment, but while he hasn't an issue with Robin's past entanglements, he doesn't need the details."

Isaac slung his arm around Simon's shoulder. "Tomorrow night, you portal us to LA, and I'll make sure the fucker's in his club and we can turn up. You march in there like you own the place since as his future husband you might as well do, and we'll soon see the reaction you get."

The idea had merit, and this way he could put on a good show for Robin, make his point and show the idiot that there was no one he wanted more than Robin and have him desperate to get the ceremony done and dusted so they could fuck each other's lights out.

"Deal."

Robin had been given long enough. He was going to realise that having a royal fae as a husband meant he wouldn't be allowed to mess about, and Robin should be fucking grateful he was destined to be Simon's.