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CHAPTER TWO

A s weddings went, Prince Simon’s was pretty classy, and Hyax had enjoyed the mix of vampire and fae traditions, several of which he thought might be applicable to his own future nuptials. He couldn’t help but fantasise about marrying Gwil. While there wouldn’t be a brooding Scottish castle on the banks of a loch, he was sure they’d find another stunning venue. Although he was probably getting a bit ahead of himself because while Gwil might have accepted his proposal, they were nowhere near setting a date and they’d only been shagging a few months.

His mother had informed him he was required to return home, and he assumed that was because he needed to report back on the wedding, and any important intel he’d picked up about the Calanti tribe. He arrived at the palace and made his way to her office.

“Ah, Hyax,” she said as he entered. “I appreciate you coming directly. We’ve important matters to discuss.”

“I would have thought you’d have wanted a written report on the wedding rather than a verbal debrief.”

She flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder and then banished the document that had been in front of her on the desk.

“Obviously a full account will be required, but this is not about that. Well, not in the way you’re thinking.” She seemed agitated.

He took a seat opposite her. “I assumed by the summons that it was important, but if it’s not the wedding I can’t think of anything else that would warrant me racing home.”

“It’s not Prince Simon’s wedding that’s the pressing matter, but yours.”

He bristled at her interference. He’d kept her out of his love life for centuries and, if he could, he’d keep her out for several more. “Gwil and I haven’t set a date yet. As interested as I’m sure you are, we’ll inform you in due course when we’re ready. We don’t want to rush matters for something important that takes careful planning.”

“You and Gwil won’t be setting a date. I’ve given you enough warning, Hyax.” Her eyes blazed gold for a second, a sign of annoyance, and a trait he’d inherited. “I am talking about you marrying one of the approved suitors, and since you have been so bloody-minded and refused to name one, I will be doing so myself.”

The suitors’ lists had been an ongoing battle. He’d played along, pretended to meet and greet the eligible bachelors his parents had deemed acceptable, like a good little prince, but she was aware of his stance. Even if he didn’t have Gwil, none of the fuckers on the approved list would have been suitable for him. Picking a husband from a collection of creeps, mummy’s boys and political climbers was the last thing he wanted.

“No.” Hyax stared in disbelief at his mother. “I’m engaged to be married to Gwil, we have a love match. You know that.”

“And you know we have not sanctioned your engagement, nor have I made a public statement consenting to the union.”

His parents might not have made an announcement, but he’d made sure the news had got out and gossip about the calibre of a vamp of Gwil’s stature bagging a fae prince had spread like wildfire. “But you should. I want to marry for love, not because you’ve dragged out an archaic rite to fit your own narrative because you don’t like Gwil.”

“It’s not a matter of liking Gwil.” She raised her chin, defiant, eyes back to their normal colour. “You cannot be na?ve enough to think you can ignore the politics at play. Given the current situation with the Calanti, and you attending the wedding of their prince, some of the other tribes are seeking reassurance that we’re not going to also break the wider alliance.”

His mother’s diatribe made him think he’d been prudent to heed Gwil’s advice to hold off saying anything about the future reconciliation of the Calanti until he’d been able to ascertain which direction it was coming from. His mother didn’t appear keen to rekindle relations, but he wouldn’t put it past her using this as an excuse to pressure him into dumping Gwil. Ultimately, she would always do what was best for their people.

“I attended on your behalf,” he said through gritted teeth. “With your blessing, I might add. I would also note that I wasn’t the only senior fae representative from the tribes there either, so if there’s chatter about my pro-vampire sentiment then it’s ridiculous and hypocritical.”

She clicked her tongue, one of her more annoying verbal tics. “It is a matter of perception, Hyax. You took Gwil as your guest, a clear message of your attachment to a vampire and therefore your sympathies towards the Calanti.”

His mother was grasping at straws and there were other political sentiments to be balanced, and she bloody well knew it.

“Prince Simon’s marriage unites two of the Vampire Houses, how would it have looked if I’d turned up without Gwil? I’m publicly dating a vampire. If I’d left him at home, it would have been seen as a snub to them.”

Talia’s wings vibrated. “As a prince of the Tasharick tribe, you should be aligned with the fae, not the vampires. You need to make a public declaration of your allegiance to your people.”

They could argue in circles forever, but it wouldn’t address the actual problem. “That does not mean I have to marry a fae to prove my loyalty. By marrying Gwil, I’ll show that we fae are not insular and are able to widen our horizons.”

“That is not how politics work and you know it.”

He wasn’t a na?ve fledgeling, and as this was her second dig at his maturity Hyax didn’t think he could win by continuing this line of defence. “Mother, this is ridiculous. You can’t possibly marry me off when I have a love match. Are you so willing to see me miserable and ignore the precedent set through the generations to appease a few muttering harpies? We abandoned arranged marriages centuries ago if one of those involved had a partner.”

“Precedent has never included a prince marrying a common vampire, or any sort of vampire for that matter.” She took a deep breath. “Hyax, I am not here to destroy your happiness, far from it. You know there are examples of fae being cast out when their loyalty was questioned. I will not see that happen to you if I can prevent it by relatively simple means.”

He’d never thought anyone would denounce him as a traitor, nor would he describe a forced arranged marriage as a simple solution. “I am loyal, but I can be loyal to my people and the man I love.”

“With your marriage to the right fae, you would have a way to show outwardly that you are committed to your realm. I’m not a monster, Hyax, I truly believe who we have chosen for you will be suitable and a good match for political stability.”

“Mother—”

“It’s not like you have to give up Gwil. While he cannot be your husband, he can be a favourite lover, one who you bestow your affection on and that would be accepted without too much issue.”

Gwil wouldn’t stand for that, and he shouldn’t have to. Hyax would need to find a way out of this. “I don’t wish to marry someone who isn’t Gwil. It’s not enough for him to be a side piece when he’s my everything.”

“It is a matter of obligation, Hyax, and you’ve never been one to shirk your duty. Our joining with the Elementa tribe through your marriage will be a perfect message.”

The Elementa tribe could mean only one person, Metra—an old boyfriend his parents hadn’t known about. The truce between their two tribes was too recent to risk on an affair that had been over fifteen years ago, and he hadn’t intended on admitting anything to his mother unless he had to. But that would be a last resort, and given the way Talia was talking, it wouldn’t help, and might make her think they were more suitable for each other and could work past their differences. Fucking ridiculous as Metra was a cheating arsehole, but Hyax’s sensibilities wouldn’t be taken into account.

“You would send me off to be miserable for a message? How could you do that to me?” he asked, hoping it would be the guilt-ridden dagger to the heart he aimed for.

“I am not saying you need to be miserable. Metra will have to accept your right to keep Gwil, you have to accept that you cannot have Gwil in the way you want. Most royalty do not have the option of a love match. Me and your father grew to love each other in our own way.”

Both his parents had a harem, but that didn’t mean he wanted one, even if it was a harem made up solely of Gwil.

“I do not want Metra as a husband.”

Her expression was stony. “Arrangements of this type are not based on want but need, the need for duty and sacrifice to benefit the realm. Gwil will understand, and if he truly loves you as you say, he will support you in what you must do to protect your tribe.”

“You would ask him to stand by and witness me take another as a husband, while he knows full well that I do not wish to?”

“If your love is as strong as you claim, he will not desert you.”

He couldn’t believe she was asking this of him, or Gwil. “I won’t do it. I refuse.”

“You have to. Queen Vaness has made it clear that for the peace we brokered previously to stand, we have to demonstrate that the Tasharick are committed to our relations with the Elementa. It is at her insistence that you marry her son.”

The last thing he had heard from Metra’s mother, she was far from convinced Hyax was a suitable husband for her precious baby boy because of his connection to Gwil. “She wasn’t so insistent last time we talked. She called into question whether I would be fit to marry him.”

“We have had several conversations about your suitability, and she is now convinced you and her son would be a good political match. Metra believes it could be more in time, but I think that is unlikely.”

He snorted. “No fucking way.”

She scowled at his language but didn’t reprimand him. “Hyax, the reality is we cannot afford to be at odds with the Elementa, we do not want another war, or the destruction that comes with it.”

Hyax wasn’t going to buy into her dramatics. “Come off it, me not marrying their smarmy prince wouldn’t result in us going to war.”

“They have also found out about the Stone of Ljin.”

The stone was one of seven on the Coronet of Asphodel, a powerful artefact the Tasharick tribe were entrusted with keeping. The jewel had been stolen by a group of rogue elves who used its power of transmutation for illegal drug manufacture. Now it was back where it was supposed to be. Hyax thought he would need to investigate how the Elementa had found out as they had gone to great pains so the other tribes wouldn’t uncover the issue, especially as the matter had been resolved. If the stone were still missing or had been destroyed, he might understand the implication and why his mother might bow to the Elementa’s request.

“I didn’t think that was common knowledge.”

“We all have our ways of determining information. They aren’t aware of all the details but know enough.”

“What if they do?” He wasn’t going to accept this at face value. “There’s no longer a concern on that front. And Gwil was one of the people we have to thank for ensuring its safe return—that should count for something.”

“I do not contest Gwil’s involvement and have thanked him for his part. But you must realise the position we are in. We need to make a statement of our intent. Your hand in marriage will demonstrate that you are not allied to the vampires even if you keep Gwil as a close companion. Also, it shows we are not shirking our commitments when it comes to the future safety of the coronet or the peace agreement between the tribes.”

If this had been her just being dramatic, she would have changed tack again, but his mother wasn’t one to make something out of nothing when there could be serious implications for her people. He’d always thought that while she hadn’t been keen on his and Gwil’s relationship, she’d have come around eventually, but now this outside pressure meant he had to reconsider that option. The reality was he might not have a choice and neither did she.

“Please, Mother… there must be another way. I love Gwil, and while I’m positive he’d stand by me, the hurt this would cause is so unnecessary.”

She stood and came around the side of the desk and placed her hand on his cheek. For the first time, he saw her regret. “I wish there was. I know I am asking more than any mother should ask of her son. I am not saying you have to give up Gwil but be realistic about what he can be to you. A prince and a mediocre vampire. If he’d been a Dark Earl or Dark Duke, or member of one of the influential societies, we might have been able to do something, but as it stands, he is nothing special to his people, and you need to do your duty.”

He couldn’t argue about Gwil’s importance to other people, but he wasn’t nothing to him. Hyax loved him and the least he could do was to let him choose if he wanted to take a way out. “I will need to speak to Gwil. Give him the chance to make an informed decision.”

His heart hurt, he didn’t want to lose Gwil, but the politics were not something he could ignore. He could cope with being cast out, but not if his people suffered from his actions, and the risk of fallout with the Elementa was considerable if it were real.

“Hyax, we have time. The negotiations will make sure you get to keep Gwil without argument. From initial discussions with Queen Vaness, there has been no stipulation either way about a harem, as it is part of our tradition, there should be no objection. Even if it is a harem of one or a named favourite.”

If he was going to have to adhere to this bollocks, then he would insist on the most important title he could find for Gwil, to make it clear he wasn’t some fucktoy but the one he cared about. “I want Gwil to have the title of Prince’s Beloved.”

“That carries specific implications, but since you claim Gwil is your love match, it would not be unsurprising for you to ask.”

He’d expected at least a bit of a fight. Although she’d said she wasn’t opposed to Hyax keeping Gwil in some capacity, he’d been dubious about how much she’d meant it. “Metra should make plans for a harem of his own, because I will not be sharing a marital bed with him.”

She winced. “There will be a matter of the consummation.”

As far as Hyax was aware that did not have to happen after the ceremony and a kernel of an idea and hope grew inside of him. He’d keep his previous involvement with Metra quiet for now and ensure the wording of any contract would allow the interpretation of the consummation would work for him and Gwil, and keep Metra at arm’s length.

“I will not discuss that now,” he said, not wanting to risk his plan until he had the details clearer in his mind and had checked he was correct in his assumptions.

“I am sorry, darling. Once you have spoken to Gwil, we can make an official statement about your engagement.”

He would try and put this off for as long as he could, but he knew that wouldn’t be long. “I need to go. Please let me have a few days.”

“As long as we continue discussion with the Elementa, we can negotiate a time to make a public announcement.”

“I suppose I should be grateful for this small mercy. I’ll be in touch.”

His mother did look remorseful, but she had got what she wanted and Hyax felt nauseous as he opened a portal and stepped into the hallway of their shared home in Spitalfields. The house was nowhere near as grand as the palace and his rooms in the fae realm but here felt more like home than anywhere he’d ever lived, and he did not want to lose the sense of belonging.

“Gwil?” Part of him hoped Gwil was out, and he could put off talking to him, but a shout from upstairs told him he would have to tackle this head-on. He didn’t have forever, and he couldn’t keep this a secret.

He found Gwil in the living room petting his cat, Midnight, who was enjoying a belly rub. “You all right? How were things at home?” Gwil asked.

“I’ve had better visits.” Understatement of the year.

“Did something about the Flint wedding piss off your mum?”

“It didn’t come up.”

Gwil frowned. “I thought that was why you were going back.”

Hyax sat next to Gwil and took hold of his hand. “My mother had another topic to discuss and there’s no good way to say this but directly. She’s no longer giving me an option when it comes to my marriage.”

“Fuck.” Gwil squeezed his hand. “She’s going to force you to marry someone else, isn’t she?”

Hyax wanted to cry or scream, or both. “There’s a huge political pressure due to the Elementa finding out about the stone, and questions of my loyalty to the tribe because I’ve chosen a vampire and attended a vampire wedding.”

Gwil’s expression was a picture of pain and Hyax wanted to hold him and make everything better, but that wasn’t part of the script.

“Who is it?”

“Metra.”

“How long do we have?” Gwil’s voice croaked and he sounded as miserable as Hyax felt.

“No date’s been set. I said I wouldn’t agree to anything until I’d spoken to you.” He pulled Gwil close, pressing their foreheads together. “I don’t want to marry him, but I don’t have a choice.”

Gwil cupped his jaw. “I love you. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I love you too. Gwil. If I could prevent this, I would. I’d renounce my title and give up the fae realm for you, but that would leave my people at risk of war with the Elementa.”

“How? Because you refused a forced marriage?” Gwil seemed horrified.

“No, it’s more than the arrangement, they’ve somehow been made aware of the disappearance of the Stone of Ljin, and my perceived allegiance to the vampires rather than the fae. The marriage will be a sign of solidarity.”

Gwil let out a choked sob. “What will happen to us? I know I’m not considered important by your parents, but will they make you give me up?”

Hyax had thought Gwil might be incensed and angry, and he’d not expected this reaction. “You know the fae customs allow me to have others beside a spouse. They know how important you are to me. I will insist you’re given the title of Prince’s Beloved, so this isn’t whether I give you up, but whether you can stand to stay with me.”

“What? You think I want to leave you? Hyax, I love you, and I’d do anything to be with you. I know you don’t want to marry Metra, and I won’t let you face this alone.”

Hyax crashed their lips together. He loved this man, no one had ever come close to Gwil, and that he was thinking of Hyax rather than himself made his affection even stronger. Whatever happened he would find a way to keep Gwil at his side, and no one would mistake him for anything other than the most important person in Hyax’s world.