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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

H yax should have expected the invite, but he was still surprised by the gall of Metra to ask for a meeting to speak and move things forward as adults. The insinuation that Hyax might act up for no reason was unspoken but clear, and he would not let Metra get the upper hand. He couldn’t refuse, as that would prove Metra right, however, he would pick the time and place and ensure this was as swift and non-combative as he could make it.

He wouldn’t trouble Gwil over this—he was deep undercover and the last thing Hyax wanted was to make him lose concentration. He could deal with Metra, especially with a tenement stone sitting in the inside pocket of his jacket ready for use. Which was why he’d chosen an Indian restaurant in human Old Street, London—somewhere Metra wouldn’t want to linger, and where no one would believe two fae princes would meet to talk. He was sipping on a mango lassi when Metra arrived. He’d been here early, booking the table and telling Metra a later time so he could sit where he wanted, order and show Metra he was in charge.

“Charming place,” Metra said, without a hint of a sneer. “I love Indian food.”

“I’ve ordered a selection. You’ve the time I take to eat my fill to talk, I suggest you use it wisely.”

“You’ve great taste, I’m sure you’ve selected the best they have to offer, and I’m willing to try anything once.”

A plate of appetisers was delivered alongside several main dishes and rice.

Hyax speared a chicken pakora. “You contacted me, Metra. What is it you want?”

“We’re going to be married, I know you don’t want to, and I thought if we could spend some time together it would make things easier. I didn’t push for this either, but my parents were adamant, and I am in no position to refuse.”

Metra wouldn’t go against his parents—that much was true. “So, we have a couple of nice chats, I forget what you’re really like and we skip hand-in-hand to the celebrant and proclaim our unending devotion?”

“I was hoping you could at least move to indifference from outright contempt.”

“I’m here, I’ve not thrown my drink in your face, and I’m willing to listen, I think you’re getting more than you deserve. You know I have Gwil, you knew I wanted to marry him, and yet here we are about to be declared betrothed.”

Metra was arrogant, self-serving and in reality, if he hadn’t been so good in bed, they wouldn’t have lasted past the first assignation.

“It is our duty, I am doing so because my parents insisted, they have made it clear that our tribe’s future is brighter if we make stronger links, and fully leave behind the shadows of the past. We should do the same.”

“We have not been at war for over a decade, we are at peace, so I don’t see the need to suddenly cement a deeper relationship.”

Metra pulled apart an onion bhaji and Hyax helped himself to portions of lamb balti, aloo chat and rice. “My family are looking to the future, we want to ensure there is no chance of another war and a marriage between our peoples is an age-old way of doing so. We aren’t a love match, and I know our past situation means this is difficult for you, but it isn’t coming from a place of retribution or hate.”

“But why the Tasharick tribe? You can make alliances with the other tribes.”

“We have those already—it is only your tribe we have yet to forge a partnership with. And I am the only unmarried child of my parents.”

“You do not have to marry me, though.”

Metra sighed. “Don’t be so na?ve, you know why your mother agreed to offer your hand in marriage. No matter how much you love him, Gwil is not husband material for a prince in the eyes of most people.”

“I don’t give a fuck, I will not give him up.” He would stop this before Metra tried to suggest otherwise.

“He is the Prince’s Beloved, I accept that, and so do our parents. All I ask of you is extend me some common courtesy in public, and we can put on a good show.”

“I will be doing what I have to. That does not include being nice to you. I merely have to tolerate you, and nothing more.”

Metra stiffened. “Have you forgotten the wedding night?”

“No, I haven’t.” Something else he wouldn’t discuss. “Have you forgotten your inability not to be an arsehole?”

Metra, for his credit, didn’t react, which was a pity because Hyax was looking for a reason to punch him. “Hyax, what do I need to do to move us past this place of animosity so we can make our arrangement work?”

Hyax wiped his mouth on the napkin and threw it onto the table. If Metra truly wanted to set things straight, then there was something he could do. “You can start with coming clean. Stop pretending Sitial was just a friend, and that he’s still just a friend. We were never going to be more to each other than we were, and I got caught up in the idea of a love match that wasn’t real. Now I have Gwil, I understand what love is. If you can do that, perhaps, we can get to a point where I can be cordial, but it’ll never be more.”

If Metra could stop lying, and admit what he did was wrong, then Hyax could see himself not loathing the fucker, but he would never trust him. It was unlikely, and even if he did admit wrongdoing, it didn’t help explain the reasons the Elementa had pushed for the marriage.

Metra pushed back his chair and stood. “I need to go.”

“I’m sure I’ll be hearing from you soon. Remember, Metra, if you want me to trust you, then you have to give me a reason to.”

Metra left, and Hyax congratulated himself on getting through the meal without lobbing anything at Metra’s head. He wasn’t sure if Metra would come clean, but if he did, Hyax could pretend to be magnanimous and call a truce, and a more civil relationship might have Metra letting his guard down.

He looked around for a waiter in order to settle his bill, but before he got the chance, someone dropped into the chair opposite. There were many people Hyax didn’t want to talk to and Solivatus was pretty close to the top of the list.

“I thought it was you, but then I said to myself, why is Hyax having dinner with another man when his own Prince’s Beloved is off putting his neck on the line to help mutual friends.”

Gwil had told him Solivatus had talked to him while he’d been playing in the cellar. “I believe you already know.”

“I do indeed, and I must say I ain’t particularly happy.”

“You and me both.” He wouldn’t be bullied by Solivatus. “I don’t have any choice.”

“But Gwil does, and I’m still on the fence on whether I should exert my influence in order for him to extract himself out of this mess.”

This had to be some sort of test and Hyax wasn’t about to give Solivatus the satisfaction of failing it. “Don’t you think I already offered him an out? I love him, I don’t want to see him hurt. But Gwil’s a stubborn bastard and he loves me, he refused to abandon me, and I’m more grateful than I can articulate with words.”

“He’s loyal, I’ll give him that. Despite my reservations, he seems to be thriving, which must be in part due to whatever you kids do for fun.”

“Are you giving us your blessing?” Hyax couldn’t help but be incredulous. “Not that I care either way.”

“You’ve been acting like a dick over me, so I think it would be best if we buried the hatchet. I have no intention of fucking Gwil unless you dump him, and then I’ll console him in my usual way.”

“Gwil isn’t interested in having you fuck him either. Just so we’re clear, I’ve no intention of dumping him.”

Solivatus smirked. “Good, but your connection is far better than you’ll get out of the pretty-boy fae. I bet you’ve enjoyed the taste of the dark side.”

He knew Solivatus was referring to the ways he could use his magic through Gwil, but others would say him dating Gwil was stepping into the shadows. “I enjoy everything I do with Gwil. Which is why there is no reason for you to be concerned about Metra.”

“You will have a wedding night, even arranged marriages need to be consummated.”

“At least in these modern times, no one will insist on watching.”

He saw a flash of fang as Solivatus sneered. “I’m the type who is happy to share my lovers, Gwil isn’t, and we’re heading back to where I came in and being concerned for his happiness.”

He wondered how far Solivatus would take this, he couldn’t do anything at the moment. Hyax still had a role to play in the extraction of Prince Simon, but afterwards was a different matter. “And I told you there is no need to be. I will not need to consummate my relationship with Metra.”

Solivatus gave him a considered look. “Now that is a specific way to put it. Hypothetically speaking, because two good little princes whose families were at war would never do such a thing, but say they had a fling when they were young and were thrown together again, would the pre-marital shagging count?”

“I would imagine so, but then I wouldn’t be able to comment.”

Solivatus laughed. “I do like you, Hyax. It explains a few things I’ve been hearing.”

“Meaning?”

“Don’t be pissed off at Gwil, but I did offer to have a little mooch about.”

Gwil wouldn’t have been able to tell Solivatus no, but he should have mentioned his conversation with his sire. “Do I want to know in what direction your mooching took you?”

“I’m still digging, but you might be surprised to hear that the royal treasury of the Elementa tribe had been running rather low.”

He’d never considered something as base as mere money being behind the move to marry him to Metra. There’d been no talk of either side providing a dowry. “How low are we talking?”

“It’s not the level that’s concerning but rather that there’s no longer a problem. Which suggests to me that whatever deal they struck has now paid out.”

“A deal such as getting one of their princes married off?”

Solivatus shrugged. “If I was a betting man, I would put a large stake on there being an even bigger payment planned for when the nuptials are completed.”

“But why would they be accepting money for Metra to marry me, and who would be able to do so?”

“Your mum’s not exactly a fan of your dating habits, perhaps she set it up?” Solivatus was taking the piss and Hyax knew it. “But that doesn’t fit her style. Besides, it wouldn’t explain why they had no money to start with.”

“It must be recent because it wasn’t that long ago when Queen Vaness was touting the line that I wouldn’t be suitable for her son, given my associations.” If Hyax was to go poking around it might cause more troubles, but the vampires would have a cause to on paper. Hyax was about to upset one of their own by marrying Metra. “If you wouldn’t be averse to the idea, perhaps you could continue to keep an eye open for reasons why.”

“I could do that. For Gwil. As a not-a-wedding present.”

“I guess it’s difficult to get a card that says ‘sorry the man you love is marrying someone else’.”

“Do you think there’s a market? I could start a range.” Solivatus stood, grabbing a leftover poppadom as he did. “Joking aside. I get the political pressure you’re under, but if you hurt Gwil, I will pull off your wings and drain you dry.”

Solivatus left and Hyax was in no doubt that his words weren’t a threat but a promise.