Chapter 8

They stepped out of the portal into a nicer room than Simon had used for Robin's last visit. Simon laughed at Robin's response to his magic from passing through the portal, he was clearly aroused. Robin was going to be a panting mess once Simon cast his full protection charms on him.

"Your wings appeared," Robin said, sounding enthralled. He trailed a finger down the edge.

Simon shivered and smacked Robin's hand away. "They are quite sensitive and people don't tend to touch other people's wings in public."

Robin grinned. "I will enjoy?—"

Yerial cleared his throat and only then did Simon realise he was there. "You might want to do something about your clothes. Her Majesty is waiting, said she wanted to be there for the negotiations. There's a warlock with her as well."

"Shit." If his mother saw him like this, she be apoplectic. He sent a wave of magic across himself and his deep red suit transfigured into a much more respectable dark grey version with a purple shirt. "Thanks for the warning."

Robin grinned as he approached Yerial. "Nice to meet the real Yerial. You look a lot more comfortable in your uniform."

"Mr Flint," Yerial said, and Simon knew he was gritting his teeth. "I will serve His Highness as he deems fit, even if he doesn't know what's good for him. I am here to protect him."

"That threat wasn't even veiled," Robin said amused. "I'll save you the trouble of warning me not to hurt him, I'm sure you'll be first in line to mount my head on a pike."

"As long as we understand each other, sir."

Yerial had always been dutiful in his role as protector, and he'd morphed into a friend over the years, but it didn't mean he could say things like that to other people. "Yerial! Mind your place."

Robin shook his head. "I've no issue, Simon. I'll hand him the blade myself if I hurt you so badly that you can't forgive me."

"I…" He wasn't sure how to answer that. "Maybe you don't then."

"That's the plan." Robin slipped his hand into his. "Shall we go and face your mother? I'm pretty sure it's Jack Webb in there. He's the legal whizz who oversaw the initial contract."

Simon had expected this to be a meeting between the two of them, even shooing Yerial away, and although his parents knew Robin was visiting this evening, he would be several hours earlier than scheduled.

"Were you expecting him?" Robin asked.

"No, I thought we would agree terms and send the paperwork away."

Yerial cleared his throat. "I think it's probably safe to say that your attempts of masking where you went have failed."

"But if that were the case, she'd have stormed into a portal and dragged me out in case we got a bit carried away."

"If I were a betting fae I'd wager your mother has other ways rather than running screaming into a room to ensure your virtue."

Simon did not like the sound of that, but Yerial was probably right and he'd be researching chastity spells at the first opportunity. He'd had a few encounters over the years, kisses, a bit of groping and grinding, but nothing over the line, which he'd gathered to be anything penetrative. "You might have a point."

"What does he mean by that?" Robin asked.

"My mother has a high level of magical competency. I've inherited many of her talents as well as ones from my father so I am grateful, but there are ways to ensure compliance to certain things and she may have cast a spell to ensure I don't step out of line."

Robin scowled. "I wouldn't have thought you'd have had the chance."

Yerial laughed. "You're joking, right? Half the realm wants to shag him."

"I am a prince, and reasonably attractive."

"But have you… er… done anything?" asked Robin.

"Are you, the man who has fucked half of Hollywood, seriously asking me that?" Simon was annoyed at Robin's insinuations. "I know my duty, if I want to carry on the vampire-fae line I have to accept certain things."

"I didn't mean to be an arsehole."

"Then try harder not to act like one. For your information, you were my first kiss, but I have kissed others, and had some dalliances but nothing that would have caused an issue with the bond or the contract."

Robin's expression was hard to interpret. "You are an attractive man, I'm not surprised others would want you."

He wouldn't continue this conversation in front of Yerial, who was beginning to look uncomfortable. Robin would need to learn that Simon wasn't someone who would capitulate without a fight. His mother had often called him more stubborn than a hog in heat. "We can talk later. In the gardens when we are alone."

Yerial raced to open the door as Simon started walking, Robin fell into step alongside him. Their physical relationship wasn't going to be an issue but they couldn't spend every moment fucking, and while they needed to get to know each other, it would mostly happen after they were married.

His mother stood as they entered a small sitting room. "If it isn't the happy couple."

She headed straight for them. With her long blonde hair and ethereal grace, she was the epitome of royal fae. Robin stiffened as she kissed him on both cheeks before doing the same to Simon.

"I should be angry that you went ahead and fetched Robin, but I think I might have been more worried if you hadn't. Your bond is strong, I can sense it already." She linked her arm with Simon's and led him over to a sitting area where a man who didn't look much older than himself stood waiting. "Mr Webb, this is Prince Simon, and you already know Mr Flint."

He bowed to Simon. "You can call me Jack, I'm not one to be too formal if it can be avoided."

Robin held out his hand. "Good to see you again."

"No doubt we'll be seeing even more of each other given the situation."

Simon wasn't sure what he meant by that, whether it was that Jack would be providing legal guidance or there was something else. "Are you planning to visit again?" he asked. "I would hope we could finish any contract changes today and move swiftly to the ceremony preparation."

Robin laughed. "No, Jack is the best friend of the Dark Earl of Crofton's new… partner. I'm not sure Ashley would like to be referred to as Ben's boyfriend. He's several hundred years old."

Crofton was another member of the House of Hewel, but Simon hadn't realised he and Robin were good friends. His own father did make the time for other members of the House of Cartwright and ensured Simon had the opportunity to know them, and some he knew far better than others, so it wouldn't be strange to think Robin was similar. "Are the members of the House of Hewel close?"

Robin's left eye twitched. "Ben's one of my oldest friends, so you could say that we are closer than most."

He knew what that meant, and he would need to speak to Robin about it. Robin had assured him he wasn't interested in anyone, but they would need a talk about boundaries, and Robin would probably have some of his own.

Hylei sat and patted the seat next to her. "You know the history of the vampire families, Simon, but I'm sure Robin can introduce you to the key players outside of the House of Cartwright. You'll both have seats at the Vampire Council when the time comes."

"One of the many things I'm going to have to deal with. But probably a good start to some of the discussions we need to have."

She glanced between them. "Yes, and I caution you both to think carefully about this, you are experiencing a strong pull to each other, unlike anything you'll have felt before. It's getting stronger, correct?"

Robin nodded. "No mistaking that."

"So I want to caution you, there is a possibility you may find, once Simon has fed from you, it will wane."

Simon hadn't thought that to be the case, he'd expected it to intensify and level off but not lessen. "Is that what happened between you and Father?"

As far as he'd seen his parents were sickeningly in love. Neither of them had eyes for anyone else, but then he could have been witnessing a public image and what did he know about his parents' private relationship?

"No, I feel for your father what I did when we were married, but that doesn't mean it will be the case for you. We were prepared for our attraction to ebb after he fed from me when we drew up our agreement."

"But you're not a vampire," Robin said, confused. "I thought vampire-fae needed to feed from a bonded vampire in order for their fangs to descend."

Simon had never heard of that stipulation. "Not a vampire just bonded."

"No, I was definitely told vampire."

Jack cleared his throat. "I don't think it was done to mislead you. Liam Cartwright and Sebastian Hewel wanted their houses joined and therefore the one chosen was going to be a vampire."

Robin's eyes narrowed. "I do not like to be lied to."

"I don't believe you were," Jack said. "You were chosen because Simon would bond to you, and that would have been the case whether you were a vampire or not."

Robin pursed his lips. "I get the feeling I have not been party to all the relevant information. And before we go any further, I'd like to know."

Simon wondered if he too was missing something. He looked to his mother. "What's going on?"

"Did you not wonder why we took so long to have children, Simon?" she said with a smile. "It took all these years for the one who would be yours to be born?"

"I can't say I've thought about it… I assumed it was because you wanted to wait." He shrugged. "But I'm not sure what's going on here."

"Not long after we were married we discussed having children, but to ensure your father's vampire-fae heritage, we had to make sure that you would have your bonded mate so you could have the option to explore that aspect. Between us, we created a spell orb tuned to both of us that constantly searched for your future bond mate." She muttered something he didn't catch and a bell jar containing a glowing yellow rose appeared. "When Robin Tewin was born, the orb changed colour and on his twenty-first birthday, it shifted into this and we knew."

Simon was lost for words, he'd not realised what had gone on or that there had been a chosen one, beyond Robin being willing and the bond forming because of his agreement.

"Into a yellow rose?" Robin asked.

Hylei smiled. "Yes."

"But it is the Flint family crest that has a yellow rose, not my birth family. I only took the Flint name after I was turned and confirmed as the future Dark Viscount Whetford. I wasn't a vampire at that time."

"That is a conversation for you to have within your House," Hylei said. "All I can tell you is that you were destined to be Simon's bonded mate. Your human lifespan would not have been sufficient, perhaps you were destined to be turned. Your vampire nature is not an absolute requirement for Simon to trigger his vampire-fae side, but I do believe it a better option than a mere human."

Simon was going to encourage Robin to talk to his people once he returned to his realm, but there was still plenty to discuss and he didn't want Robin disappearing in a huff. "So we were destined so surely the bond may continue to be strong?"

"All I am saying is that it is better to be prepared, and that leads us nicely onto the discussions."

His mother had moved the conversation on, but he could see Robin was processing and there was much for him to take in. Robin had been told he would need him to be a vampire to be able to bring out the vampire part of Simon's vampire-fae heritage, now he was finding out that wasn't the case, and the reality was he would've needed the lifespan being a member of the undead could give him without being alive. It wasn't as if it were a total lie but it hadn't been the full story. He tried not to think about Robin turning into a ghoul as an alternative, as having to sew on rotting appendages at regular intervals was not a way to foster romantic tendencies.

"I do have a few thoughts," Simon said, watching Robin carefully. "I want to know about what our arrangements will be after the wedding, well after I have fed."

Robin frowned. "Won't you feed on our wedding night? Why differentiate the two?"

"The consummation will begin the process of my fangs extending but it'll be a few days before I'll be capable of feeding. I'll be sticking close to you, my magic is likely to be quite raw and unpredictable so I'll need distracting."

"I'm sure I can manage that." He squeezed Simon's hand. "In terms of after you've fed, I was hoping you'd live wherever I was, with regular visits home, of course. I split my time between Los Angeles and London. With the fae portals, it would be even easier to travel when and where we want to be."

"You can show me your world and I can show you mine. Do you have a dwelling? I know of Fairbanks but isn't that the Flint family home?"

"I have several places where I stay, but I think it might be best to find somewhere more suited to a married man, as no matter how expensive and well-appointed my apartments I don't think they would come up to the standards of a fae prince."

"I would prefer a home of our own. I have sizable financial reserves to make a purchase." He wouldn't vocalise it, but he would like a home where he didn't have to wonder who Robin had fucked on every surface.

"Money's not an issue," Robin said with a smile. "But a joint purchase would be a nice symbolic start to our married life."

"We can begin looking while I'm waiting for my fangs to come in."

"Your living arrangements are only part of it, and you'll still have your family homes, and Robin will of course be welcome here unless Simon says otherwise," Hylei said.

Simon didn't know why he wouldn't want Robin here. "Why would I keep him away?"

"That is the other thing I was coming to. For those of our standing, many marriages are political, and often aren't monogamous, although the prodigy must be legitimate."

"My line is sired not born," Robin said. "But I realise Simon was born a vampire, and so I assumed a surrogate would be necessary."

Hylei laughed, and Simon realised Robin hadn't made the leap. "No, Robin, you are to be married to one of the most powerful practitioners of fae magic of a generation coupled with the abilities of a vampire. Simon, like his father, will be able to carry his own child, with you as the other father. Unless you are saying you are not willing."

Robin gaped and it took several moments for him to respond. "I hadn't thought that possible. I'm not objecting, but I had no idea we could both be the biological parents of our children."

"Child, singular," Simon said. "Unless I love being pregnant I am only doing it once. It's not something that just happens and takes a lot of power for an extended period of time."

Hylei looked to be counting under her breath and Simon got the feeling they'd missed something. "Maybe I should be more direct," she said. "Your bond might wane, and as such, you should both have options that would not be limited by the terms of a contract that might need renegotiating. Most fae royal families have harems and I know vampires aren't exactly closed doors either."

"I am in no way agreeing to Simon having an army of concubines." Robin bared his fangs then sheathed them, and Simon had to resist crawling into his lap. "He is mine, everything you have said confirms what I had already been thinking. At the moment I am resisting pawing at him in front of his mother, if the bond wanes then I can only imagine it would be back to a level where we can go out in public without risking being arrested for indecency."

"Tell me, Robin, what has it confirmed for you?" Hylei asked.

"Some people think it's a myth, but the vampires have a concept of finding their Eternal. One person who completes them. I only know of examples from my own House, with Sebastian Hewel having found his Eternal and he made him the first Dark Earl of Crofton."

She smiled ruefully. "It's not just your House, James has called me by the same mantle, and he claims that his own Head of House, Liam, found the same with Jacob Galloway."

Simon had never heard of the concept, although come to think of it, Liam had always been with Jacob whenever there were family events. "No one has ever mentioned this term to me before."

"The bond is so overwhelming, my darling, until you transform we won't know if it is that or something else."

"In our case, I think they are one and the same," Robin said. "Look, I understand the intent behind adding freedoms to the contract, I don't like it, but I would be willing to include something about a new discussion a few months after we're married. Then we would know if the bond has waned because Simon will have his fangs and will have fed."

She looked to Jack. "What do you think?"

"A pragmatic approach." Jack waved his hand over the piece of paper he was holding. "I'll add wording to that effect. Also around the intent to cohabit and that a child from the union is expected and to be the biological offspring of both Mr Robin Flint and Prince Simon—but I won't add in any timelines around that, given the family experience."

Hylei read the document and handed it to Robin who nodded and handed it back. "That was nowhere as bad as it could have been," she said.

"I was intending to take a stroll with Robin on the grounds before he returns," Simon said, getting to his feet. "I assume the plans for the ceremony will be taken care of."

"You'll be required to have some input, Simon," she said. "But for now, the pair of you are free. It's a lovely evening."

He tugged on Robin's hand. "Come on, that's our cue to escape."

The palace could be a warren but Simon knew every short cut. He led Robin out into a walled garden. "You shouldn't have an issue with the daylight here, but with the sun setting, it's probably safer."

The rich scent of the evening pansies brought him a sense of joy, he'd always loved this smaller private garden, a quiet nook the rest of the household didn't seem so enamoured with.

"My tolerance to the sun is much higher than the average vampire. Claude is similar, I can withstand a good hour or two, but to know there's no risk here is an unexpected bonus. Especially as this is a charming spot."

"This is one of the places I come to think, and we shouldn't be disturbed. We've a fair bit to discuss."

Even before the meeting with his mother, he'd had a number of things on his mind, now he had more, and he thought Robin would too.

"I'm surprised I'm not angrier at some of the things that I've learnt. I suppose technically I haven't been lied to, but it feels like I was misled. Perhaps it's for the best as I might not have been so willing to go ahead with the marriage and that would have been a lot worse."

"You're more pragmatic than I expected."

He shrugged. "I need to be in my business, but I do have some questions for Claude because I think I was turned because of the bond to you, in order to be around long enough. I was twenty-two when I was turned, and it was another twenty-five years before you were born. I wonder why they waited since your mother said they picked up a signal."

"You wanted to be a vampire, you weren't coerced?"

"Looking back, I was courted, shown a world of pleasure and affluence beyond what I'd known. I'd been orphaned as a child and sent to boarding schools so I had known some of the people who showed me a different side of the world for years. Perhaps deliberately so." He laughed. "I had the choice to say no but I didn't want to."

"I hope you don't come to regret it."

"The things I have done and seen, even without the wonderful chance I have with you, means I wouldn't regret it. I will always be thankful for our bond, as it seems it's the reason I got to do what I did."

"Do you think the bond will wane?" Simon had researched magical contracts. Some were permanent, others had a shelf life but something in his gut told him Robin was meant to be his. Something so long in the making couldn't be fleeting in the interactions they would get to share.

"No." Robin stopped walking and pulled him close. "I think you're my Eternal, the idea has kept me going for fifty years, and now we are together, I am even more convinced."

"We have so much to learn about each other. I had the knowledge of who you are, and all that entails, but that is not the same as knowing you."

Robin stroked his thumb over Simon's lip. "I have not been alone while I waited, it was not a stipulation, but then neither have you."

"I don't think a few kisses and a couple of hand jobs equate to me not being alone."

"You were meant to be chaste. I was surprised that's all."

"I am fucking chaste." He laughed at Robin's startled expression. "You've had your fun, but I was stuck watching my friends enjoy their lives, to take lovers and be young and free. A couple of fumbles now and then are pathetic really. Especially knowing the one I would be married to had his freedom."

"I can't change the past. I've tried to explain that there was no one who meant anything more than friendship, no love, only companionship."

Simon didn't need Robin to keep going on about it, he was fine, it would be the future they had to deal with.

"I know. I do have some questions, to make sure we don't end up triggering arguments. One of the reasons I want a new marital home is because I don't want to live in one of the places you've fucked around in. I don't have a problem that you have experience, but I don't want to think you've shagged someone over the table I'm eating my dinner off."

Robin winced. "I get that, and I completely understand.

"Then there's your friendship with the Dark Earl of Crofton." He wasn't stupid, he knew what Robin's reaction had meant when he'd talked about Crofton. Friendships were important but he wanted to be sure that was all it was.

"Ben is a friend. Yes, we have played a few times, but nothing more. I was asked by my sire to help him adapt after he was turned as I had not long gone through it myself. It gave us a camaraderie that few could emulate, not a romantic love in any sense."

That sounded fine to him, but he wanted to check. "I take it from that you have no wish to continue to play."

Robin smiled. "Correct. On either side. I even advised him about not losing what he could have with Ashley. For as long as I've known him, Ben had never cared much about who he fucked, and then Ashley Niven arrived and he's besotted."

Crofton wasn't the only member of the hot young vampire club though and Simon didn't like surprises. "What about any of the other vampire families? Anyone else I should know about?"

"Not in my House."

Simon narrowed his eyes, Robin was a sneaky fucker. "That wasn't what I asked."

Robin took a moment to answer. "Not really, I tend to keep to the entertainment business, more from convenience. Although, there was recent a dalliance though, nothing more."

Simon didn't know why Robin didn't come out with the name. "Who?"

"Isaac Galloway."

It took a moment for him to connect the name. "Oh, the Marques of Denmouth? The future Dark Duke of my House?"

Robin's face was a picture of horror as he realised what he had admitted to, messing about with Isaac. "Simon, please. I didn't think of it like that. It was a couple of evenings of fun, nothing more. And I still thought you were Yerial."

He laughed. "What are you on about? I told you I don't mind. We've got similar tastes."

"What?"

He shrugged. "I supposed it could get a bit messy as you did know you were to be married to the future Dark Earl of the House of Cartwright." A thought hit him and he laughed again. "Have you fucked Caroline Mendip, if so, you'd have banged the future Viscountess as well? Then, once you have me, you'd have done the full set."

Robin's jaw dropped. "I'm not interested in women. I'm a bit surprised you're not upset."

"I told you, I'm not worried about your past. Your future is mine, your past is yours. And Isaac's bloody gorgeous, and he sure can kiss." He remembered that evening. "More than kiss."

Robin stiffened. "He's someone you've…?"

"Yes. A few years ago now. There was a House of Cartwright gathering at MacLove Castle and we got a bit drunk and handsy. He gave me my first orgasm that wasn't me wanking off."

"Right." Robin thrust his hands into his pockets.

"Robin, why are you acting like this? If I don't have an issue with your past, I don't see how you can have one over mine." He was quite confused. "I've a pretty big porn collection too, you should be more worried about that than Isaac."

"That's completely different. Look, I had a lot of lovers, to the point most of them are just a blur with no emotion or attachment."

"I don't see how Isaac is any different to you and Ben. In fact, I'd bet I did a lot less with Isaac and we're not best friends or anything." He took hold of Robin's hand. "Are you really this bothered?"

Robin shook his head. "I shouldn't be. Maybe it's the bond playing with my emotions."

He could understand, for Robin his sex life had been awash with a sea of faceless men who hadn't mattered, whereas Simon had only a handful of experience, all of which he would always have a fondness for.

"I made my peace with your past. I knew I would reap the benefit of your experience. But I guess nothing I'll have done will benefit you, and you'll be giving up a lot of great sex."

Robin grabbed him and pulled him close. "It's not that. I want to make you mine, and I know that we'll be amazing together. Don't think your lack of experience is a problem."

"As I said, I do have an extensive porn collection. I'm looking forward to putting the theory into practise."

"I promise I'll look after you."

Robin still looked pained and Simon thought today had opened up a few cans of worms he hadn't been expecting.

"Robin, why don't you head back? I think you've some topics to discuss with Claude, we've both endless things to do to support the wedding, and you let me know when you want to speak."

"I need to get my head straight."

Simon leaned in and kissed him, the heat of their connection spreading through him. "I'll be ready. Don't wait too long, or I'll come and find you."

Simon threw out a hand and opened a portal. "That'll take you back to Fairbanks."

"Thank you. It's fucking stupid that out of the two of us, it's me being an arse."

"I suggest you get it out of your system now. And then try not to do it again."

Robin stepped towards the portal. "How can I get in touch? Do you have a phone?"

"No. We use sparks, which are little spell pods to communicate. Claude has been in contact with my parents, so they must have a channel, do it that way and in the meantime, I'll figure something out."

With a final kiss. Robin stepped through the portal. Simon had waited so long for Robin, had wanted today to be the perfect start to everything they would be to each other but instead Robin had left trying to come to terms with complicated emotions. He should have realised nothing would be easy, Robin just needed a little time to work through the things he'd learnt.

His magic swirled around him, a comforting whirl of familiarity and warmth, but it didn't help. Robin was gone, he'd sent him away, and like every other day of his adult life, he was alone. He took solace that it wouldn't be for much longer, he'd give Robin a couple of days, and then he'd go and confront the bugger and sort it out one way or another. They would marry, he'd transition, and then they would worry about the rest.