Page 31

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

G wil had learnt patience over the years. He’d spent days tailing a client or chasing down a lead, but from the increased chatter from the congregation he gathered it wasn’t a fae trait. He’d been stared at and pointed at and Simon had enjoyed waving at anyone who’d been too obvious. The music had been soft and lilting up until now but a fanfare of trumpets indicated things were starting.

He joined the others in standing as two pairs of wooden doors, on opposite sides of the room, opened. Meddi growled in annoyance but instead of dropping to the floor, he curled around Gwil’s shoulders like an angry stole.

Hyax entered the room from the right, dressed in a robe of shimmering gold. He was beautiful, his long blond hair had been plaited into a sea of braids woven with jewels, but his expression was blank. Gwil couldn’t recall Hyax ever looking so cold.

Across the way Metra had entered, wearing similar clothes and jewellery but Gwil wasn’t impartial enough to admit he was as attractive as Hyax, he was a poor second to his stunning boyfriend. Even though Metra was smiling, there was little warmth to his expression.

They walked slowly towards each other and came to a stop in front of a purple-robed celebrant. Hyax had explained what would happen, and how it would differ from normal versions of their ilk. Usually, a choir would have accompanied their walk, and flower petals would have been conjured to rain down upon them but there was nothing save the two of them now standing opposite each other. There should have been songs of celebration and readings from joyous texts—there would be none of that.

The celebrant stepped forwards. Her rigid stance suggested she was no more comfortable to be here than the grooms. “We are gathered to witness the joining of Prince Hyax with Prince Metra, bringing together the tribes of Tasharick and Elementa. I ask the congregation to remain standing as the proclamations are made.”

The vibration of wings and frantic whispering was on the verge of deafening and it took several moments for the audience to quieten. He glanced at Simon who appeared to be finding the whole thing amusing. Gwil supposed if he were watching someone else, he would have felt the same way, but he couldn’t escape that it was the man he loved in front of him with another.

He flinched as Simon took hold of his hand and squeezed and didn’t let go. “It’s all going to be okay,” he said.

Gwil smiled tightly but it was hard to believe.

Now order had been restored, the celebrant pressed on. Gwil thought she should have introduced herself, but maybe everyone else already knew her and he was the only one in the dark.

“Through the marriage of these princes, their tribes are pledging a union to bring forward a new era of collaboration.”

A cushion levitated from a table and on it were two silver bracelets. “Prince Hyax, please take up your offering and gift it to Prince Metra.”

Hyax picked up one of the bangles and Metra held out his hand as Hyax slid the bracelet onto his wrist.

“With this gift, I honour my tribe’s traditions and join our families. From this day hence, until a time it is decreed otherwise, you are my husband.”

Gwil wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly, if Hyax had said those words to him he would have questioned everything about their relationship, and that was the point. Hyax was not making a love match, and he would not pretend otherwise.

Metra was no longer smiling as he copied Hyax and placed the bracelet on Hyax’s wrist. “I accept your gift of union and present you with my own. We shall be husbands and our tribes will be joined.”

Gwil expected to have endured at least a kiss but that didn’t appear to be on the cards either. He heard someone whisper behind him: “I told you, Prince Hyax is loyal, not just to his tribe but to his Beloved.”

He didn’t see who said it, but he agreed with the sentiment.

The celebrant conjured a golden strand. “Please place your fingers together.”

Hyax and Metra grasped hands and the strand weaved around their wrists, it danced and flickered and Gwil found himself mesmerised by its motion as it finally settled in place.

“With the power invested in me, I pronounce you married. Blessings be.”

Hyax all but snatched his hand away and offered Metra his arm to take, which he did without hesitation. Gwil knew it was another sign, there was no way Hyax would give an indication he was in any way submissive to Metra.

He’d never been to a wedding like it. Even vampire marriages where the couple had no intention to remain monogamous pretended for the duration of the ceremony they gave a shit about each other. Gwil had thought he’d be an emotional mess after watching Hyax marry someone else, but he’d been more jealous watching Hyax dance in clubs before they’d got together.

Jovial music accompanied the grooms as they walked down the aisle and out of the great hall. Simon let go of his hand and scratched Meddi under the chin. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No, I…”

“Come on, we should go and mill around the reception. Hyax will need to keep his hands off you.”

They joined the others shuffling out of the hall but before he could enter the stateroom where the feast would be held, Talia appeared at his side. “Mr Hilt, do excuse the interruption, but could I ask you to come with me? I think Hyax would prefer his audience with you to be a private matter.”

Simon sniggered as Gwil let Talia lead him into a portal. He stepped into a bedroom, although that wasn’t a grand enough word for it, more like a boudoir, with a giant four-poster bed with rose petals strewn across the surface of the mattress. There was an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and a platter of delicate canapés and sweet treats. This must be the honeymoon suite.

“Hyax will join you soon.” She winked and disappeared through another portal.

Meddi, who had tagged along, jumped down and settled onto the bed. Today had been fucking weird but at least it looked like the night would make up for it.