Chapter 12

MacLove Castle was a brooding fifteenth-century granite beauty rising from the banks of a loch, deep in the highlands in peaceful seclusion. Simon had had many visits to the castle over the years. His father keen he remembered his ancestry was not born solely of fae but as much vampire, and he thought there would be future ones between the House of Hewel and Cartwright. Powerful wards kept anyone not invited away.

"I've never seen the castle so busy."

"They are all coming out of respect for you, my darling," his mother said, as she helped him get ready for the ceremony. "The House of Cartwright wants everyone of importance to see their joining to the House of Hewel."

"Are they here yet?" He hadn't seen Robin arrive but he had spent a long time in the bath.

"The members of the House of Hewel you aren't that bothered by are here, but Robin and Claude are supposed to arrive for the ceremony, not before. Like a human bride arriving at the church."

"I don't think he'd like that analogy. I'm sure he considers it him storming the castle and carrying away its prince."

Hylei laughed. "More than likely knowing the Flints."

A clock chimed. He was supposed to be downstairs for a pre-ceremony reception and while he didn't want to play nice and mingle, he knew his father would be less than impressed if he didn't show up. "If you help me with my cloak, I should be good to go."

"Enjoy your wedding, Simon. You'll have plenty of obligations in your future, let everyone fawn over you."

He debated whether he could get away with not wearing the MacLove tartan, but he knew James would be disappointed if he didn't and he did cut a fine figure in a kilt. Fully dressed, he offered his arm to his mother and they left his rooms, next time he'd be in here he'd be married and he would have an excited Robin with him who he hoped would take full advantage of the easy access the kilt would afford.

They didn't portal, instead his mother insisted they walked the halls of the castle, past the paintings and the tapestries and down a sweeping staircase. As they approached the reception area the fae bagpipes began to play, a more melodic version of their Celtic brothers and with a magic enhancement that made the music travel farther but with less echo.

Simon recognised most of the faces because he'd been provided with cheat cards with photos of his guests. He would be expected to know who people were even if this was his first extended formal social event outside the fae realm and his House—visiting Robin's clubs did not count. Several people raised their glasses as he passed, and he would mingle in a while, but first he was to meet the members of his own House and that of the House of Hewel. He was somewhat taken aback to see Liam Cartwright in attendance—he'd only met him a few times, and he knew he was involved in their contract and had been invited but Simon didn't think his wedding would warrant an appearance. The shock doubled when he realised that standing next to him was Sebastian Hewel, Robin's Head of House, both kitted out in three-piece suits and yellow roses in their buttonholes.

Liam smiled as they approached, a huge man, with a kind face that didn't reflect what he was capable of, including what he'd done to the vampire who had originally been marked as the next Dark Duchess before her treachery had seen her removed and Isaac put in place.

"Simon, my young princeling." He found himself gathered into a hug before being held at arm's length by his shoulders. "Oh, yes, you're as powerful as your father. The earldom will be safe with you."

"I hope to do my House proud, Mr Cartwright." He might be a prince, and a powerful fae, but he knew to be respectful.

"You can call me Liam. The young Flint is fortunate to have made such a wonderful match." He released him. "What say you, Sebastian?"

"The House of Hewel is honoured to welcome the union with the House of Cartwright." Sebastian nodded, a small sign of deference Simon wasn't expecting. "I believe Simon is the perfect foil to Robin, they will make quite the alliance."

Liam's laugh rumbled from him. "I doubt Robin realises how lucky he is."

Sebastian's answering smirk was rueful. "I think Robin can't believe his good fortune. I know his sisters are very keen to meet you."

From nowhere two blonde women appeared on either side of Liam. "Are you him?" asked the shorter of the two, her grey eyes sparkled.

"Florence," Sebastian chided. "You should wait to be introduced."

"But we are curious," said the other woman. "Robin spent the last two days moony-eyed. I didn't think it was even possible for him to care for another, let alone be so taken. But then Simon is very pretty."

"He is more than pretty," Liam said. "Simon, these two ladies are Florence and Delia Flint, Robin's sired sisters."

"Oh, you're wearing a kilt. Robin will love that," said Florence.

Hylei cleared her throat. "It is worn for tradition, that Robin will like it is neither here nor there."

Simon felt his mother's magic crackle—she no doubt expected a certain level of respect from the underlings of a different House. Sebastian was quick to step in. "Absolutely, Your Majesty, I am sure Florence and Delia are just excited to meet their new brother-in-law."

Florence's eyes widened at Sebastian's words. "Apologies, we are indeed excitable. We are grateful to be the witnesses for the House of Hewel."

"I thought that would be Ben," Simon said, sure that Robin had chosen his friend.

"A different role. He is the keeper of the rings."

He hadn't realised they would be exchanging wedding bands. "Is that a Hewel tradition?"

"Vampire, it's similar to how the fae usually have collars," Liam explained. "We thought to do a mix of the traditional aspects."

"I suppose that makes sense, a collar would get in the way of feeding."

"Not to mention that, for the other fae tribes, they tend to use silver," Hylei explained.

It made sense why he'd never seen his parents wear the collars most of the other wedded faes did.

"Who do you have as your witness?" asked Delia.

"My friend Getha and Captain Yerial." He'd had to convince his father but in the end he'd got his way and Yerial, who was standing with James and Getha across the room, did look very dashing in his dress uniform, even if he did also appear to be uncomfortable at not being allowed to blend into the background.

His mother excused them and he spent the next what felt like an eternity being shepherded around and introduced to those in the room, every family from the Vampire Council was represented, and he suspected that it was not just because of his wedding but that they could get to see behind the walls of MacLove Castle.

A gong sounded and it was time, and he'd have married Robin just to get away from the small talk and everyone trying to see if he had pointy ears. The room began to empty, his guests making their way to the banquet hall where the ceremony would take place.

"Are you ready?" James asked.

"I was ready an hour ago."

James laughed and Hylei held his hand. His parents had been his biggest supporters, and now with his marriage to Robin he would have someone new to turn to. For a moment he worried how it would change everything, but then a stirring deep in his belly chased the negative thoughts away and he realised that things would be different, but for the better. He'd been alone for so long, kept virginal and while he had friends, it wasn't the same and the more he thought about it the more he believed that the bond he had with Robin was not going to fade. He would have someone, no—they would have each other.

Yerial and Getha fell in behind them as they walked towards the banqueting hall. The corridor was lit with magic spheres that glowed with increasing intensity as they approached. They stopped outside a set of large wooden doors and James positioned the hood of Simon's cloak over his head. "Blessings be, Simon. Never has there been a man as lucky as Robin Flint, for he will get to call you his."

The doors swung open, and fae bagpipes stirred as his parents walked him down the aisle, past the gathered guests. There were a lot more than those attending the reception, and not limited, he noticed, to just vampires. Such as other leaders from different paranormal communities, the hum of magic from warlocks and witches intermingled with those of the fae. And if he were not mistaken even members of the other fae tribes, not all of the other six were represented but there were at least four.

They came to a stop at the altar, where he would wait for Robin to arrive, and he nodded to Kithal, a priestess of his tribe and the vampire cleric Father Cathedew, a member of the House of Langley, who were presiding over the ceremony, both wearing the traditional purple silk robes of a fae celebrant.

Simon remembered Yerial's wedding day. He'd been invited almost nervously and had been delighted to attend sitting towards the back so he wouldn't take too much attention from the couple. Yerial had been jumpy, in fact, he'd never seen him in such a state before and hadn't understood why a man so happy to be getting married looked as if he was facing an uncertain future. He understood now. Because no matter how much he wanted to marry Robin, he couldn't help feeling apprehensive, although if he cared to listen to the rational part of his brain he'd realise it was nervous excitement and not anxiety.

Some parts of the wedding ceremony had been kept as a surprise, and one of those was the music Robin had chosen to walk down the aisle. Simon was no expert on the music of this realm, but he would admit that the hairs on the back of his neck stood up as a crescendo of strings accompanied the doors opening to reveal Robin in all his glory. Dressed in a dark suit, with a rich velvet cape draped over his shoulders, Robin walked slowly down the aisle towards Simon, Claude at his side and Ben Redbourn following.

Simon's hood covered his head and Robin wouldn't be aware he was dressed in the MacLove tartan and he would enjoy seeing his face when he realised Simon was wearing a kilt. He imagined it would be in the same magnitude of delight he'd experienced from seeing Robin look so dashing and handsome as he glided towards him. He didn't think he'd be able to get through the dinner reception without trying to persuade Robin they would need to consummate their vows first.

The music stopped as Robin reached him and Simon pulled back his hood and his cape enough that Robin saw what he was wearing, and the response was what he had been hoping for. Robin's eyes widened and he gave Simon a covetous grin.

Robin held out his hands and Simon took hold of them, so they stood facing each other, he couldn't tear his gaze away. He felt his magic dance inside him, seep out of his fingers and curl around Robin, it was every bit as delighted as Simon to have Robin part of his life.

He had never been to a vampire wedding, but he was glad neither his parents nor Robin's sire had wanted to subject them or the congregation to a protracted affair lasting hours. There would be elements from both their cultures but they hadn't discussed a blessing ceremony in the fae realm, and he suspected that his parents would only sanction that option once his and Robin's bond was decided one way or another. A blessing at sunset on midsummer or midwinter was the tradition for a royal couple and he would be disappointed if he didn't get his chance to show Robin that aspect of his culture.

Father Cathedew stepped forward. The vampiric clergy weren't part of his upbringing, but there had been an insistence from Liam that a representative from the Order of Anathema would be part of the ceremony alongside a fae equivalent. His blood-red eyes had been a little off-putting as were his exposed incisors. Robin must have sensed Simon's discomfort and he rubbed his thumb across Simon's knuckles.

"Welcome to all those who have come forth on this blessed night," Father Cathedew said. "It is my honour to stand before you as we gather here within the walls of MacLove Castle to witness the marriage, not just of two individuals but as members of the Houses of Cartwright and Hewel, who have important futures ahead of them."

"And the bringing together of two realms," said Kithal, his mother had told him that she'd been the one to preside over his naming ceremony, and Hylei had been as insistent that it would be Kithal as Liam had been over Father Cathedew. "A family tradition it seems."

Simon heard his father laugh. When Simon was younger some of the elders of the tribe had suggested Simon's hand in marriage might be better used to foster ties back to the other fae communities as they were not aware of the contract between him and Robin. His father had dismissed them but the idea had lingered. The thought of being married off to someone other than Robin filled him with a sense of dread, which must have shown on his face as Robin squeezed his hand and gave him a questioning look. The worry disappeared and he smiled. He couldn't remember being this happy.

"Please be upstanding to give the incoming blessing to Prince Simon, Viscount of MacLove and Mr Robin Flint," said Kithal.

On paper, Robin was the poor relation here. Simon already had two titles, whereas Robin would be several years, decades even, from being Viscount Whetford, but all those in attendance knew of Robin's importance, his wealth, and his influence, and no one would question if he was a worthy husband.

Father Cathedew lit two candles on the altar, blood-red in colour and components. "The lighting of these flames marks the start of the journey of your road together. A simple spark can build into a blazing fire, and you should carry both with you through your time as a couple."

Simon had questioned some of the wording. There was no talk of an eternal commitment in the verses, or a duty to remain as one for as long as they existed, and he'd expected more about being each other's one true companion. His father had laughed at his naivety, saying that not everyone had a bond like his and Robin's and an eternity was a long time to be stuck with an arsehole.

"The candle is a mere fuel for the flame, and as long as there is a spark there will be a light to move forward together by and the dark to embrace as there will be no fear of what lurks within."

He hadn't questioned some of the traditional wording, but he had thought that vampires wouldn't have been the ones to have a fear of the dark. Father Cathedew continued reciting from several texts that were older than the castle and Simon would admit he was more interested in peeling Robin out of his suit and having him explore under his kilt than an archaic bit of dogma he didn't care for.

Robin's sired sisters both did a reading, Florence, a Shakespeare sonnet which, from Sebastian's expression, was clearly a favourite of his, and Delia a passage from Dracula , which had a large portion of vampire contingent crying with laughter, they were part of the ceremony that had been kept a surprise and Simon had loved them equally.

A quartet of nymphs sang a traditional wedding song and Robin leant in to whisper in Simon's ear. "You're simply stunning. Just you wait until I get you alone later."

The song trailed off before Simon could reply, and he had to will away the stirrings of his erection before it had the chance to tent the front of his kilt. At Kithal's request, they both retook their places in front of the celebrants to exchange their vows. Robin was to go first as he was the eldest, and Simon was glad because he needed a moment to think to make sure he got the words out right.

"Robin Flint, I call on you to make your pledge," Kithal said.

Robin turned to face Simon and he held up his hand. "We have been promised to each other for a long time, and I will admit that I did not fully appreciate the gift I was bestowed to be the one who would get to call you my husband. But as I stand before you, I realise there is no one as fortunate as I am. I will devote my existence to ensure your happiness, nothing will be too much or too onerous, I would move the stars if you asked."

He had known Robin's pledge, but he was thrilled with the sentiment.

"Prince Simon," Kithal said, "please make your pledge."

He raised his hand. "It feels like an eternity that I have waited for you, but I would wait an eternity more if it meant that I could stand by your side. I will give you my word that I will do all in my power to return the happiness that you've gifted me. Together we will complete each other and I could not ask for more."

Kithal smiled broadly. "Do you now Robin Flint, swear an oath of the centuries of blood to uphold the sanctity of marriage between you and your chosen for as long as you both so wish?"

"I do," Robin said.

She turned to Simon. "And do you Prince Simon, swear an oath of the centuries of blood to uphold the sanctity of marriage between you and your chosen for as long as you both so wish?"

He gazed into Robin's adoring eyes. "I do."

"Then with the power vested in me by the Calanti tribe and the Vampire Council, I proclaim you married and bound in blood." She beckoned Ben to come closer. "You have the rings?"

"Yes."

Ben appeared delighted to be part of the ceremony. He presented a box, opening the lid to reveal two platinum wedding rings—outward symbols of attachment that were nice to look at, but it would be the sharing of their blood that would be the true link.

Robin picked up one of the bands and Simon took the other.

"By the placement of the rings you pledge your commitment to one another," Father Cathedew said. "If you do not wish to proceed now is the time to declare your decision."

There was none of the forever-hold-your-peace of a Christian wedding, and Simon had remarked at its bluntness but for creatures who had existed as long as vampires there didn't seem to be a need to sugarcoat this part. Robin slid the ring onto his finger, and Simon returned the favour.

"You may kiss your husband," Father Cathedew said, smiling.

Robin took the lead, swooping in to claim the kiss. It was far more chaste than the last kiss they'd shared and promised more once they were alone, but for now, with an audience, it would have to suffice.

After so many years of waiting, Robin was his, and Simon couldn't wait to have Robin show him all the pleasures he'd alluded to. This went beyond the sexual thrill—he wanted to be with Robin, to learn everything there was to know about him, and he could barely wait. An upwelling of emotion hit him hard, he'd never been in love before, but couldn't put another name to this overwhelming feeling he had as he walked down the aisle. They still had the reception to get through but, as soon as he could, Simon was going to spirit Robin back to his room and demand he consummate this relationship in the best possible way.