Chapter 7

The room was too bright for Robin to be awake, and even though he could tolerate the sun better than most of his kind, it didn't mean he wanted to witness it this early as he had an important night ahead. He hadn't slept well, he'd been too excited at the prospect of Simon's reaction to the letter he'd sent and it had taken him ages to fall asleep. He wasn't sure how it might manifest, but he'd thought it most likely that he'd try to intercept Robin when he arrived in the fae realm and he would enjoy teasing him until he revealed the truth.

Perhaps he should get up. He could spend a few hours dealing with business matters before he had to get ready. There was always something that could hold his attention, and since he was seeing Simon he was going to look his best and he would take his time over his preparations. He realised he'd need to be extra vigilant with his thoughts to ensure he didn't call or think of Simon as Yerial because that had been the name in his head for the last fifty years, but seeing as Yerial was probably the name of Simon's bodyguard, he'd make a concerted effort to do so or it could lead to an awkward pause in the heat of the moment.

A strange prickle washed across him. The sensation was like nothing he'd felt before. His body tingled in pleasure and he couldn't identify where it was coming from. He sat up in bed—there didn't seem to be anything out of place in the room he'd occupied on and off for over a century. A gold swirl materialised, the larger it got the more intensive the tingle and he recognised it for what it was—a fae portal. James had opened a similar one, and he'd not encountered anything pleasant or unpleasant from it.

As he became accustomed to the glare, Simon stepped out of the portal. Robin's mouth went dry, Simon wasn't dressed how he'd seen him before and he blinked several times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. The first time, Simon had worn human clothes of the period, the second a soldier's uniform, but now he was a vision of temptation wrapped in a delicious deep red suit and draped in gold jewellery. The jacket was fastened with a single button, no shirt underneath, making the deep V tantalising. He was already beautiful as far as Robin was concerned but now was stunning beyond belief, his dark hair and golden headdress coupled with his pale skin made him look like someone from Hollywood's golden age.

"I hope you don't mind me disturbing you."

Robin threw back his bedclothes and got out of bed, thinking it was a good job he was wearing pyjamas, but then the silk fabric didn't hide just how undisturbed he was at the sight of Simon in his bedroom.

"Of course not. I am overjoyed to see you."

The portal closed behind Simon. He was nervous, and Robin wondered if he was used to being dressed in such a way. "I need to speak to you, about what you wrote in your letter."

He'd thought Simon would approach him, but not that he'd find a way to come to his realm, and he knew Simon must be here without permission. "About approaching Queen Hylei? I thought it best to go to her rather than King James as he does not strike me as a man of a romantic bent."

"His Majesty has his moments." Simon took a step towards him. "But, yes, I am here about your letter, although I have something to admit to and I also must apologise for. I hope you will forgive me and will still wish to keep the contract."

At this moment, there was nothing Simon could say that would make him walk away. Even if Simon professed to having a lover, which he didn't think the case, Robin would see to it that the usurper would not be a problem for long. "Unless you are here to stake me through the heart I can't think of anything that would make me not want you."

Simon smiled and Robin wanted to kiss him. "You are a clever man, you must realise how I am dressed is not that of a bodyguard. I would not have kept the ruse much longer, but I am Prince Simon, not Yerial."

Did Simon think he'd be upset that the man he'd wanted for so long was the man he would now get to call his own? "Then it appears we do not have to add an addendum to our contract."

Simon cocked his head to one side and narrowed his eyes, and the effect was to make Robin harder than ever. "You already knew who I was? Didn't you? When did you realise?"

He laughed at Simon's indignation, and took hold of his hand, resisting every instinct to pull him into his arms. "Yesterday, once I returned. But it wasn't me who figured it out but Sebastian."

"Sebastian Hewel? Oh, fuck, was he angry? Will he stop the marriage?" Simon's eyes were wide with fear, terrified of what he might have unleashed. "I will need to tell my father. And he'll tell Liam Cartwright—fuck they might pull my wings off!"

He had questions about Simon's wings, he'd seen them on his visit but they didn't appear visible outside the fae realm, although now was not the time as he could understand why Simon was worried. Simon might not have as deep an understanding of vampire society given he'd spent his life up until now in the fae realm, but he would've heard of Sebastian, and Sebastian was not known for having a sweet and gentle disposition. He was not someone to be crossed.

"Shush, shush, no, no. I didn't mean for you to think that there was an issue. Sebastian figured it out that you'd swapped places as I was talking to him about the beautiful dark-haired guard I couldn't forsake even though I was supposed to be marrying a fae prince. He was impressed, laughed like a drain, and said you were perfect for me because I would need someone to keep me on my toes."

"I didn't mean to deceive you for long, I just wanted to see what I was getting myself into. Stupid really, because there's no backing out. Not that I'd want to." Simon reached up and cupped Robin's cheek, the touch made Robin long for more. "But after all these years, with everything you have, I couldn't help but think there would be little room for me, and even less after we are married and you had done your duty."

Maybe it was the bond influencing them being drawn together, but Robin had known since that night in Atlas, that no one else could ever hold his affection for long, and if he ever found Yerial—Simon—again he wouldn't want anyone else. There was only Simon.

"Holding you, having you in my arms, there is nothing better. I've been gifted something magical and while we do not know each other yet, I can't bear the thought of not having you at my side."

He kissed him, pulling Simon flush against him. His body thrummed and his mind raced. He toppled Simon onto the bed and rolled him onto his back. Simon felt so good, and he trailed kisses across his jaw and nuzzled into his neck.

"As much as I want you, and I really really want you," Simon said, gasping, "we have to wait for our wedding night."

Robin didn't know where he found the willpower but he moved away, his cock aching, and desperate to make Simon his. He stared across to Simon whose cheeks were tinged a delightful pink shade.

"Then we should insist the ceremony happens as quickly as possible."

Simon laughed. "It will take a few days at least. We can spend the time getting to know each other, and it might be best to protect my virtue if we are not left alone together for too long as I fear I won't be able to control myself."

Robin rolled onto his side, it was still difficult to believe Simon was here and he was his. "I have been waiting for fifty years, I can wait a few more days. But I wish you'd come back, that I could have seen you sooner."

Simon sighed. "What good would it have done? I don't begrudge you in the slightest the pleasures you have taken, there was no need for you to have been alone all these years but I wouldn't have wanted to have seen it."

"We could have tried to bring the contract's date forward."

"Robin, we both know that wouldn't have been allowed. I am considered old enough now for marriage, but not before, and I bet you're still thought of as a relative babe-in-arms for a vampire."

Simon wasn't wrong. "We needn't have got married."

"Are you telling me you think we could have kept our hands off each other?" Simon laughed. "I don't think we could have."

He grinned. "We could have tested the limit of how far we could go and you still remain virtuous."

"Yeah, right. I don't think most of the things I have in mind that I want to do to you would count. Sooner or later you'd have got frustrated and wanted relief and would have found it elsewhere and I'd have been devastated."

Robin reached over and stroked Simon's cheek, he wanted to argue and say that wouldn't have been the case but he couldn't. "At least this way we don't have to test your theory. But you should know I've never taken a permanent lover, I've always felt I've been waiting for you."

"Why don't you come back with me now? We can have a negotiation meeting and a stroll in the grounds of the palace." He grabbed Robin's hand and kissed it. "You'll need to get dressed first."

"I don't usually have people ask me to get into clothes."

Simon rolled his eyes. "I don't mind your past, but I don't want reminding of it."

Robin wished he hadn't said anything so crass. "I'm sorry, I will be more mindful of my words."

"We will need to talk about what happens after the wedding, whether you will want to return to your life in LA and continue as before."

He needed to understand what Simon meant by that, he had a horrible feeling he did but Simon needed to be clear about Robin's hopes for the future. "I meant it when I said I've been waiting for you. Yes, I've had lovers but no one who meant anything. So as far as I'm concerned, you're it, and once were married then while I might be back in LA, you would be there with me by my side. No one else."

Simon smiled and it was blinding. "I'm very happy to hear it. I will be honest, I have kept my sanity by hoping you will put your experience to my good use. Besides, my magic might not react well to you playing with others."

"Your magic?"

"Along with the rest of me."

"No, I meant your magic would react by itself?"

Simon chuckled and sat up. "Tell me what you felt when the portal opened in your bedroom?"

"A lovely tingle… more than pleasant."

Simon pressed his hand over Robin's cock and he moaned at the contact. "Like that but maybe a little less intense?"

"Yes," he hissed. "You fucking tease."

"Not teasing when in a few days or so I'm going to expect you to fuck me senseless." He moved before Robin could grab him. "But seriously, the tingling is my magic liking you, I hope you didn't get a response like that when James cast the protection spell."

"Absolutely not!"

Simon laughed, and stepped away, putting some needed distance between them. "Get dressed and you'll get to feel it again when I open the portal."

Robin didn't argue and while he was selecting his clothing he heard Simon giving instructions to someone on the other side of the portal. He didn't understand the fae language but from the tone it confirmed this wasn't a sanctioned visit. He grabbed a quick shower and returned to his bedroom wrapped in just a towel.

Simon whimpered. "You called me a tease!"

"You could turn around if you're too tempted."

"No chance."

Robin had no problem being naked in front of someone. He dropped his towel and Simon made a delicious keening noise but then stopped and rubbed his upper jaw, gurning.

"What's wrong?" he asked pulling on his boxers and coming over to Simon.

"A strange feeling in my upper jaw."

Robin suspected he might know what was going on. He gently cradled Simon's chin. "Open up."

He stared into Simon's mouth, pushing back his top lip to examine his gums. "You've not got your fangs yet, but I think they might be getting ready. Do you feed at all?"

Simon licked his teeth. "At the moment my fae anatomy is dominant, although that will change. A couple of decades ago my doctors realised my physiology was adapting and since then I've needed blood to be healthy but I can survive without it. I use bottled blood but I also had what my father harvested."

"Does James live feed? From fae?"

"Yes, he live feeds as often as he can, but he would often rely on bottled varieties when he was busy. But more often than not it's human. Fae blood is magical and so can have a strange effect with his own magic. Something I'll need to be conscious of as well."

"I think it'll be one of my duties as your husband and a vampire to help you to adapt." He was looking forward to being there for Simon, but thought it would be different from when he was turned. Simon was born a vampire and Robin suspected his transition should be gentler. "I will be the first person you'll drink from."

"Put your clothes on before I forget I'm meant to behave myself." Simon trailed a finger down Robin's chest and took a step backwards. "The wait will be worth it."

Robin had no doubt of that, but he wanted to get the wedding out of the way and Simon on his back and until that happened he wanted to push to spend as much time with him as possible.