Chapter Twelve

"Could I speak to you in private for a few moments?" Orion leaned over his sister to speak to Jaxon. It was about two hours into the reception and nearly every one of Orion's fears about his husband had been realized. Yes, Vincent introduced him to the myriad of people who seemed to consider themselves his husband's friends, if the effusive way they greeted him was any indication. But Orion didn't need to be a seer to know all those people had written him off as unimportant from the moment the "nice to meet you" had been said.

Now, after watching Vincent laughing and dancing with first one partner and then the other for more than an hour, Orion's sadness had blossomed into quiet resignation. It didn't take him long to decide that if Vincent could treat him as so unimportant in their first social outing together – their wedding reception truly didn't count – then Orion needed to focus on more important things.

Vincent would be fine. Clearly he always was. His attention to Orion during the three days they were traveling was likely because no one else of Vincent's status had been around. The moment he was among friends, Orion was forgotten. The mine project on the other hand, required Orion's input and dealing with that was better for him mentally than watching Vincent make a mockery of their wedding vows.

"It will only take a moment," Orion added.

Jaxon took a quick look at the dance floor. Vincent cut a very distinguished figure among the dancers, holding his partner close and laughing at something she'd said. "We can go to my office," he said, dropping a kiss on Olivia's head as he got up. "I'll be back soon, my sweet. Try not to cause a riot while I'm gone."

"It was one time, and it wasn't a riot." Olivia was grinning at her husband though, as she looked between him and Orion.

"I just need to ask your husband a favor," Orion said, giving her a quick hug as he stood up, too. "Please let the king and queen know how much I appreciated their hospitality."

"Don't be a stranger, all right?" Olivia pleaded, but she glanced at the dance floor as well. "The man's an idiot."

"He's a crown prince," Orion said, "And while he might think the whole world revolves around him, I think differently. Have fun."

He quickly followed Jaxon through the castle into his brother-in-law's office. Jaxon offered him a seat, and when they both had drinks in hand, he said, "I don't know the name of a good divorce lawyer, in case you were wondering. But I can check over your marriage contract and give advice on your options if it helps."

Orion shook his head and managed to smile. "Considering I'm sure my marriage contract was drafted by two drunks, because it certainly reads that way, there are no loopholes that can be used to my advantage. The crown prince is being the crown prince he's always been, although if any of his flirtations go further than a public space, I might have the cause for a case with the World Council. He did agree to be faithful. However," he added as Jaxon's mouth dropped open in shock, "I didn't want to talk about Vincent. You are aware I received some messages from Tyrion. They were waiting for me when I arrived."

"Is everything all right at home?" Jaxon leaned forward. That was something Orion appreciated about his brother-in-law. The man paid attention.

"Onyx is holding his own at the castle for now, but he and I have been working on a project which could result in considerable benefits to the people of Tyrion."

Deciding he had no choice but to trust his brother-in-law, Orion quickly outlined the finding of the crystal samples, the possibility of the mine and what the geological surveys had shown. "We can't get any investors in, obviously. Onyx and I are funding this ourselves, because as you likely know from your own experiences, if the king's advisers get wind of this, they will throw up one barrier after another, stalling the project. Speed is of the essence here."

Jaxon whistled. "This could be huge for Tyrion and for surrounding countries as well. King Mintyn is fair in his pricing of the crystals he mines, but because we all live so much farther away than the countries to the south, the transport hubs increase their prices every year, it seems. If this project becomes a viable mine…"

"Exactly." Orion nodded. "But that's not guaranteed at the moment which is another reason Onyx and I can't seek outside investment. I have no doubt society families would happily put up the funds, but what if the project is a flop? Then, when Onyx becomes king, he could be put in the unenviable position of having to deal with investors that believed the crown owed them favors because of the money they'd lost. We can't do that."

"If it's a question of money…" Jaxon started to say but Orion quickly shook his head.

"No, Jaxon, although thank you. Onyx would have my head if I approached you for something like that and genuinely we have the financial situation well in hand. Admittedly, we're on a tight budget and that does hamper our progress somewhat. But I have sold off a few of my other business ventures, ones I started back when I was a young adult, and Onyx and I have our allowance from the treasury. This gives us enough money to pay for Ryan's salary as the mine overseer, some basic equipment, and four laborers. The geologists were friends of Onyx's who agreed to do the surveys as part of their research for a thesis they plan to publish in three years' time."

"Ah, that's a good idea, using those geologists. That would give you two time to get the mine up and running, if it proves viable." Jaxon took a swig from his glass and said, "What do you need from me?"

"Two horses and provisions for two people for a week?" Orion sighed. "You know I had messages from the mine project waiting for me when I arrived. Ryan has found the possibility that another seam might have formed, but it runs counter to where we believe the existing one is. He's a good man, and he fully understands the constraints with what we're doing, in both finances and resources, but he refuses point blank to make a decision on whether or not we should be exploring the second option without me seeing the area for myself."

"Consider it done. I'll send my man down to the stables to organize the horses for you and provisions from the kitchen. When do you want to leave?"

"Tonight." Orion registered his brother-in-law's unasked question. "You saw the same thing I did tonight. I cannot live with the shame of appearing at breakfast tomorrow with half the castle knowing my husband broke his wedding vows in the first week."

"You don't know that he's actually going to be unfaithful," Jaxon said slowly. "I admit his behavior tonight looks bad…"

"He was unfaithful to me at the receiving line," Orion said bluntly. "He allowed a kiss, two kisses if you want to be specific about it, from a person he is not married to but who he has clearly been intimate with. The same person who claimed a dance from him the moment your parents retired for the night. A first dance that should've been mine as protocol dictates."

"Lady Violet can be very forward at times," Jaxon said, but Orion knew that argument was weak.

"A woman's forward actions does not excuse Vincent's behavior. He was looking so far down that woman's chest, he almost fell into her cleavage. He humiliated me, Jaxon, again. I won't stay and allow him to continue to do that. I have more pride, and right now, I have more important matters to attend to than trying to straighten out a husband who can't see anything wrong with the way he behaves as a married man."

"I'm sorry." Jaxon stood up. "Vincent and I have been friends a long time, but I totally agree with your assessment of the situation. I'll get your horses organized now. Safe travels and remember to send word to your sister when you can. She worries about you and Onyx both."

"You do an incredible job of keeping Olivia happy, something both Onyx and I are grateful for. It's a shame Vincent didn't learn anything useful from you about married behavior."

"I believe Vincent will hear about that over breakfast." Jaxon grinned. "Some of the things I love about your sister is her vibrant personality and her ability to speak up for those she cares about."

I would pay to hear what she has to say about my husband, Orion thought as he left the room. But the time for mooning over his husband was over. He had people who were counting on him, and he wasn't about to let them down. In time, he hoped, his wedding to Vincent would be nothing more than an annoying blip in his memory, because as far as he was concerned their marriage was over.