Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

T hey were in what he thought was a walled garden of a castle. Gwil jumped as Hyax took his hand and he received a pointed look to play along. "Guard, you may take my guest's luggage to his room."

Reluctantly, Gwil handed over his bags, and the guard flew on ahead. "For some reason I wasn't expecting a castle."

"No? Fairy princes have to live somewhere." Hyax grinned. "You'll be expected to stay in the palace and its grounds, at least for this visit. You're not fae and freedom of movement will be limited."

"No surprise there, and my vampire status won't help." He'd have been more surprised if he'd been given the run of the place. "Let's see what your parents have to say, surely as your future husband there may be leeway."

"Not on your first visit, and maybe not until we're married."

Since they weren't ever going to get married that would be never. They'd still not had the conversation about how he planned to dissolve their relationship yet allow them to be able to continue working together without his parents knowing they'd lied to them. Hyax had been worried about being married off and Gwil hadn't pushed it for now.

Hyax led them around the side of the grey stone building to an entrance he doubted would be used for state events or dignitaries or even standard deliveries. "I don't mean to cast shade here, Hyax, but I can't help but notice we're not exactly going in by the front door. Are you ashamed of me or something?"

"Yes, of course I am. I've selected a bloodsucker for a mate. What did you expect, a cavalcade?"

He wasn't sure if Hyax was joking or not. Although Gwil doubted he'd be anyone's choice for a son-in-law, including other vampires, there was an air of truth in what he'd thought was a silly comment. "I'm surprised you didn't smuggle me in under a blanket."

"Maybe next time I'll use a glamour… give you pointy ears and sparkly wings."

"I thought you said your parents were, not exactly happy, but accepting of the match, that I was a known entity."

"We can talk about this later. I assure you, they understand I have chosen who I wish to marry. While the initial conversations were a little negative, and you might not have been their first choice, they did relent. But we should be prepared for them to not be too welcoming."

He couldn't say he was surprised. "What does that mean?"

Hyax nodded in the direction of a passing servant and then shook his head. "Later."

"You do know the key to all successful relationships is good communication?"

Hyax ignored him and sped up, taking a hallway to the right through a wooden door. At the end of the corridor was a spiral staircase and they emerged into what Gwil thought was the main part of the castle, where guests were usually allowed. "My parents are waiting in one of the reception rooms on this floor."

He didn't answer. Hyax was getting agitated, and he thought it best not to poke the bear as he guessed he'd have been worried if he were bringing home a boyfriend for the first time, and he was a member of the undead.

For some reason he thought it would be just the two of them and his parents, but as he entered the Tithur room he realised why Hyax was acting as he was. In front of him Queen Talia and King Ryol were seated on high-backed wooden chairs which, while not thrones, were doing a good impression and they were accompanied by eight extravagantly dressed fae and at least double that number of soldiers.

Hyax bowed to his parents, and Gwil copied him.

"Mother, Father. Is there any reason half the Ruling Council are here? I rather hoped you meeting Gwilym would be a bit more informal. It is, after all, a personal matter."

Queen Talia was a beautiful woman, and Hyax got his colourings from her, King Ryol was as stunning and had gifted his youngest son his build, but neither of them seemed happy to see them.

"I'm not sure why you would have thought that, given you're bringing a non-fae to meet us. There are security protocols in place for a reason," Talia said. "And we were informed of some additional information that might be pertinent to the discussion."

"The discussion about my new partner or the stone of Ljin?"

"The former." She turned to Gwil. "Mr Hilt, tell me how you met my son?"

He glanced sideways at Hyax who looked as if he were chewing a wasp. This was not going to plan and it was beginning to feel like an ambush. "We're business partners. A friend of Hyax introduced us when I was in need of a spellcaster to remove an incantation."

"Oh, so you weren't part of the Vampire Council escort to the fae?"

"Er… no. I'm not what you'd call that well-connected."

"I see."

Hyax now had his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

"Therefore I assume you're not part of the Jyndarin Society."

"Not yet, but potentially one day I could be. I do have the right sire to qualify." The fact he didn't have the money or political clout meant he'd have no chance to gain access to one of the most elite groups in vampire society was left unsaid. Even Penelope hadn't managed it yet, although her husband was. "But my sister is a Dark Countess."

"But you're not a Dark Earl."

"No."

Hyax crossed his arms over his chest. "I might have bolstered Gwil's credentials, but only because I knew you'd act like this."

Ryol gave Gwil a considered look. "Is Solivatus even your sire?"

"Yes." One thing he could say, that his sire hadn't meant to turn him was neither here nor there.

"Well, that's something I suppose."

"Please, don't do this. You agreed I should be allowed to marry who I choose."

"Up to a point." Ryol rolled his eyes. "You marry for status, producing an heir, and for connections. You can choose who you like for your concubines or a harem."

"Gwil's people don't have that practise. If I want him, then I don't get to have the harem, and as far as I'm concerned that's an acceptable trade-off."

Talia was horrified. "There are traditions to be upheld."

"You've several other sons and daughters who will do that. I am so far down the succession it does not matter. As I have said several times, I wish to marry for love."

Talia and Ryol whispered something he couldn't understand but Hyax's expression told him it wasn't good. Several minutes passed, including Hyax hissing back like a cat who'd had its tail stood on. The councillors were muttering among themselves as well, and Gwil thought he might be about to be escorted from the realm. If he was lucky they wouldn't stake him first and chop off his head.

"Enough." Talia leant forwards in her seat and Gwil fought hard not to cower. "Seeing as you are here, and there is no mistaking that your involvement could at least be helpful for the location of the missing jewel, we will monitor the situation regarding your betrothal. But I have one question, if I may, Mr Hilt?"

"Of course, Your Majesty."

"When Hyax cast the protection spells on you, how did it feel?"

If he could blush his cheeks would be like red apples. "Erm… very… nice."

" Nice ?" She sat back in her chair and exchanged raised eyebrows with Ryol. "How nice ?"

Hyax buried his face in his hands. "Mother!"

"What? It's important."

"Suffice to say, I'd be more than happy to have him do it again." He hoped that was enough as he didn't want to explain that he'd been left with an erection that had taken several minutes of thinking unpleasant things to get rid of.

She raised an eyebrow. "Well, that clears up part of it."

Hyax grabbed his elbow. "Now, if you've quite finished. I'm going to take Gwil to his room."

"He'll be in with you."

"Hang on, do you mean you're allowing us to share a room, but you've a problem with us getting married? Isn't that a bit odd?" Gwil asked.

Ryol laughed. "Hardly. Hyax can fuck who he wants, that's never been the issue. It's your suitability for an extended attachment that's been called into question."

Gwil's well-buried Victorian sensibilities made him splutter, but Hyax was pulling him away.

Talia called after him. "We have other visitors tonight. Have your guest remain in the room this evening, dinner will be sent up."

The message was clear, keep your sex toy out of the way. Whatever Hyax had been thinking had not been the reality he'd witnessed. Gwil didn't say anything as Hyax marched him away from his parents and up two flights of stairs and into a room that had an enormous four-poster bed.

"I think you better explain what's going on," he demanded as Hyax sank onto the end of the bed. "I get the feeling they'd prefer me in the dungeon rather than their son's bedroom."

"It wasn't that bad."

"It was from where I was standing." He sat next to Hyax. "What's going on?"

"I would've thought it pretty obvious. I tried to make you a better-connected vampire than you are. I didn't lie exactly but inferred several things, and they took it upon themselves to confirm them."

He let himself fall back on the bed and stared up at the canopy that had been bewitched to mimic the night sky. "They've got a point though. Princes tend to marry people of their own social level. I'm surprised you weren't promised to someone else already at birth, or at least optioned."

"Arranged marriages in that way are a very old-fashioned idea, we ditched that tradition centuries ago. There's the suitor's list, but it's still my decision, which is supposed to give an element of choice." He laughed bitterly. "Besides, that's part of the problem. Metra's parents have sent through a formal petition that I should be made to uphold the custom and take a partner from the list. Apparently, it wasn't the first one."

"Oh, Hyax. I'm sorry. At least you know now that he did try to do something." A thought hit him like a brick and he felt a bit queasy. "Perhaps you should talk to him about what happened with his friend—if he wasn't lying maybe you could have what you wanted."

"We were good together. Part of it was knowing it wasn't allowed, the risk of being caught was exciting. Even if I were to believe he wasn't a cheating bastard, which I doubt, I can't help but think there'd be something missing if we tried again."

"Whatever happens, we should probably have our exit plan in place that doesn't hand you to one of those fuckers on the list. But also, I don't want to have to pretend to hate you when we split up."

Hyax prodded him in the side. "I'm far too useful to you for that, eh?"

"You know it's more than that. You're my friend. My best friend, I don't know what I'd do if I had to act otherwise." His feelings for Hyax were complicated. He loved him on several levels, and he would do anything to make sure he kept him in his life.

Hyax lay down next to him. He wanted to give him a hug but he held back. "We'll figure it out. We always do."