Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

" A re you really sure they want me there?" Gwil asked.

Hyax could understand his reticence, but if they were going to convince his parents Gwil was a suitable spouse and not just worthy for a harem, he was going to have to deal with his future in-laws. "They want to thank you for your help. We need to capitalize on anything like that because, as much as I love you, we'll have to face facts that it's going to be a bit of a struggle for them to accept you."

"That's not what you said to begin with."

Hyax wrapped his arms around Gwil's neck, if a vampire could be called adorable then Gwil was it. "I know, I really didn't expect them to react the way they did. I'm sorry, and I'll understand if it's too much for you."

He wouldn't, and he'd make Gwil's undead existence unbearable since he loved the fucker too much to let him walk away, but he knew he had to at least act like he was being reasonable.

"No, I love you and I'm not going to let them come between us. I was miserable when I thought you couldn't want me, so I can deal with your parents. I'll wear them down eventually, it's not like I don't have the time."

He kissed the end of Gwil's nose. "Ready to be a pain in a royal's arse?"

"On recent evidence, it's more you being a pain in my arse—not that I'm complaining."

"Idiot. But my idiot."

"Coming from you I'm taking that as a compliment."

"Along with you looking as sexy as fuck in that suit and me on full royal smugness, we're going to turn every head and be the hottest couple there."

It had taken a while to convince Gwil to put on his new suit. It was one that meant Hyax had trouble controlling his hands when he wore it. To complement him, Hyax had selected one of his favourite pieces from his Gucci collection, also to annoy his mother because he wasn't dressed in traditional fae attire.

He'd checked earlier that Gwil was still protected by his last incantation to travel the portals to the fae world so he dragged him through into the castle's grounds without waiting any longer. His parents had mentioned a garden party, and since Gwil could be exposed to daylight in the fae realm, Hyax had reckoned he'd get a kick out of it, even if it was only because he didn't turn crispy.

Guards were waiting for them as they arrived. "Don't tell me, my mother wants to see us before we are let loose on the guests?" Hyax drawled.

"Yes, sire, although Her Majesty didn't use those exact words. But she asked for you and your guest to wait in her private sitting room and she would join you shortly."

Hyax grabbed Gwil's hand. "Come on, darling, let's go and raid the vintage ambrosia in the decanters while we wait for my mother to grace us with her presence."

A private audience was better than the last time Gwil had been here, meeting in Queen Talia's sitting room was a good sign too, in fact he'd only just got the stopper out of the thirty- year-old cask-aged ambrosia when she arrived. "You can keep your hands off that, Hyax. I've not forgiven you for finishing the last barrel without telling me you had and leaving me nothing to offer the Duke of Fiton.

"Fiton wouldn't recognise a decent drink if you held his nose and poured it down his throat."

"That is neither here nor there. Now, back off." She brushed a kiss across his cheek and came to stand in front of Gwil. "Well, Gwil, it appears you're quite the hero."

"I like to think I help where I can."

"I'm sure you'll forgive me for corroborating Hyax's version of events, he did somewhat exaggerate your previous accomplishments."

Hyax scowled but if he'd been in his mother's position he'd have done the same. "As long as you used a neutral source, I can hardly complain."

"Goya is not Gwil's biggest fan but he's honest and gives credit where credit's due. And without your assistance, we'd still be missing the stone. So, my heartfelt appreciation, thank you."

"Will that appreciation extend to you treating Gwil as my betrothed and future spouse?" Hyax took Gwil's hand and it occurred to him that this would be the first time Gwil would get to touch his wings during sex. He hoped they'd be staying tonight and Gwil wouldn't demand to go home in a huff.

"It is a matter of suitability. You are a prince, and you should use your status accordingly."

Hyax took that to mean no, but it wasn't a completely closed door, and he was sure he could find a loophole to get him out of any of her machinations.

"There are all sorts of ways Hyax can do that outside of the fae realm," Gwil said, and Hyax wondered where he was going with this. "Have you considered that Hyax being involved with me could be seen as a willingness to embrace a wider sphere of influence?"

"Are all vampires gifted with a silver tongue?" Talia asked, amused.

"Yeah, comes with the fangs."

Hyax snorted and Talia laughed, which was a good sign. "I will say one thing, you are well-suited to one another. I have no issue with you and Hyax being together, as a beloved concubine or even a harem of one, but as an official spouse… I am far from convinced."

"That suggests that we may still yet be able to convince you," Gwil said and smiled. "Honestly, I'm not a bad prospect."

"Hyax has many options and better prospects. This is not a personal slight, but royal protocol and, as a prince of the realm, Hyax has certain responsibilities and duties."

It was funny they'd only become a thing when he'd announced his involvement with Gwil. Then it was still a sham, but now they were romantically together, it felt a lot worse that his family couldn't accept his wishes and he knew Gwil would be just as disappointed.

"By rights, given my sister's status, he's supposed to ask her to bless our union, and he hasn't done that yet. As a Dark Countess, my sister has expectations of her own."

They hadn't discussed this angle, and Hyax didn't think any of Penelope's expectations included the workings of his and Gwil's relationship, but his mother didn't need to know that and Hyax thought he'd done a great job of hiding his surprise when Gwil mentioned his sister.

"As you see, Mother, the vampires don't automatically consider me suitable because of my title. While I did enhance Gwil's status previously, he still had a solid reputation with the Vampire Council for his work, and of course there is the family connection and his sire."

Talia did not look impressed by this new information. "The vampires are known for their own traditions. But apart from one notable exception, there aren't many vampire and fae unions."

"Since there are so few, maybe it is time for there to be one for our tribe," Hyax said. He squeezed Gwil's hand and he hoped Gwil took that as a hint to be quiet for now and not mention the Dark Earl of MacLove who had already been alluded to. "There was a spell I used with a potion that was enhanced by Gwil, so I think I will do further research. To see if we are missing something."

Talia grimaced. "If you are doing magic through Gwil it will be akin to necromancy."

Hyax decided now was not the time to mention that he was fucking a member of the undead and to a lot of people that would be as repulsive.

"We'll see what I come up with. Mr Flume is liaising with the Vampire Council about allowing me access to some of their archives and reserved collections. Who knows what will come to the surface."

Up until now he wasn't sure if his mother had an inkling of the possible opportunities combining his magic and working through Gwil that might arise, but if she had, he was sure she would have reacted, not even she was that good an actor. "You've always liked a project," she said. "But now we should all join the garden party."

Talia left the room, expecting them to follow.

"Could have gone a lot worse," Gwil said. "No one has tried to stake me yet."

"The night is young."