Bleeding for the Prince (Fang and Fae #3)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

G wil’s client was late. He’d been suspicious that Madame Bovery might not be legit, but giving her name at reception had got him past the hostess of Bled, so he’d ignored his gut and carried on into the bar area as instructed.

He didn’t usually get allowed into this type of place.

Bled was a vampire establishment, but not an old-style gentlemen’s club, where centuries of business had been conducted in leather chairs.

The vampires who came to Bled considered themselves the modern elite and wanted to be seen as such without the lowlifes spoiling the view.

No one here would be discussing the next great financial investment, but different kinds of alliances were made in the dark corners.

And Gwil had only been allowed to enter because a member had invited him.

He was under no illusion that he was considered anything more than a guest of someone who mattered.

He’d been shown to a booth, not the best vantage point to keep watch for who else was here, but he suspected that was deliberate due to the status of the mysterious Madame Bovery.

Privacy was a premium, and the people who could afford Bled’s membership fees could afford to pay to keep the hoi polloi away.

Gwil played with his phone as he waited, wondering if he should have insisted Hyax come with him.

But his partner had a fancy gala to attend, and there was no room for Gwil when it was one of the agreed occasions Hyax needed to be seen with his husband.

Hyax was going to be in a terrible mood when he got home, but Gwil was pretty sure he could find a way to cheer him up.

A waitress placed a glass of blood in front of him.

“Thanks, but I didn’t order that.”

“Compliments of the management, Mr Hilt.”

“Really?” In his experience, most management wanted him to leave, not get comfortable

She smirked. He guessed she wasn’t used to customers questioning their drinks, or maybe most of the clientele didn’t acknowledge her existence. “Yes, sir.”

He sniffed at the blood. It smelled good, and he tried a sip. It was fucking excellent, but he probably shouldn’t have expected anything else.

A chair opposite was dragged out and Robin Flint, the future Dark Viscount Whetford, sat opposite. “Gwil, Simon sends his regards.”

Simon was Robin’s husband, and in a recent case, Gwil had been part of the rescue mission to bring Simon home when he’d been kidnapped. The penny dropped. “I take it you’re Madame Bovery?”

Robin smiled. “Only on special occasions. I’m afraid my drag game isn’t up to much. I can’t walk in heels.”

“You could have just sent me an email if you wanted something. I’m fully embedded in the twenty-first century.

” Gwil hadn’t been sure if he would hear from Robin again; he’d done his job, rescued the prince, and been sent on his way.

Hyax had been thanked by King James, Simon’s father, but Gwil’s personal thank-you card must’ve been lost in the post, or so he’d thought.

Senior-level vampires like Robin didn’t tend to bother with the likes of Gwil.

“I wanted to speak to you. I apologise for the charade, but given my Hollywood client list and line of work, I’ve learnt it’s best not to advertise my presence unless I want to be seen. People have the strangest notions that I will want to make them a star.”

Robin was something of a Svengali when it came to making movie stars. He’d been around since the golden age of Hollywood, and no one in the industry would risk crossing him if they valued their career.

“No fear, on my part. I’m not cut out to be a heartthrob.”

“Good to know.” Robin smirked. He was an attractive man and, until he got married, had been known for being a bit of a lothario.

“I debated whether meeting you here was a sensible idea given there’s no reason why our social circles should collide, but I figured you deserved more than a templated email offering my thanks. ”

“Right.” He’d realised he wouldn’t get public recognition for his role in saving Prince Simon, aka Dark Viscount of MacLove, but some small gesture would’ve been nice. “I guess it would be hard to explain you showering me with riches for a kidnapping that never happened.”

Robin laughed. “You’re the partner of Prince Hyax. You don’t need my money.”

Robin wasn’t wrong in that Hyax was a rich bastard, although it wasn’t Gwil’s money, and he might have liked the opportunity to have respectfully turned down a six-figure thank-you gesture.

“True, but it begs the question of why I’m here. Can’t say I’ve been let through the door before. I’m not what you’d call their preferred demographic.”

“That sort of nicely demonstrates my point. While my money isn’t useful to you, my influence is.

” Robin reached into the pocket of what was no doubt an expensive tailor-made suit and removed his wallet.

“There are parts of our society that are only reachable if you have the right connections. A bit like this place. Even with Solivatus as your sire, some doors will remain closed unless someone opens them for you.”

Robin retrieved a black plastic card from his wallet and slid it across the table to Gwil. He picked it up, the letter J embossed on its front and written underneath the words Member: G Hilt.

Gwil’s jaw dropped, and he snapped it shut. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Yes. You’re now a full member of the Jyndarin Society.”

The Jyndarin Society was one of the most select groups in the paranormal world.

He’d never come close to being able to apply, and didn’t think he ever would, even with Hyax being his boyfriend.

This couldn’t be right. “But, I don’t qualify.

I’ve not the money, the supernatural capability or the political clout. ”

“The money is not an issue. I’ve paid your fees and will continue to do so for as long as you wish to remain a member.

As for supernatural abilities, I’d say what you and Hyax can do together with his magic working through you more than meets the criteria.

And no one will say no when an individual is personally endorsed by two of the Heads of House.

Sebastian and Liam are also very grateful for your assistance. ”

Sebastian Hewel and Liam Cartwright were two scary motherfuckers, and Gwil was glad to have their endorsement, as he wouldn’t want them to know of his existence for the wrong reasons. “Please don’t be taking the piss.”

“Trust me, this is a mere token of how grateful I am to have Simon home.”

“I didn’t expect your gratitude to reach such a level.”

Robin laughed. “You probably didn’t expect anything.

Senior vampires aren’t exactly known for recognising those not in our immediate circles.

But I would warn you, now you’re on the radar of some very important people both within vampire society and beyond, your afterlife might get more complicated. ”

“Considering my current situation, I’m not sure that’s possible.”

“Oh, I think I heard someone tempt fate.” Robin stood.

“I have to get going, but I’ve also signed you up for this place.

You’re on my tab—whenever you visit, so stay as long as you like and come frequently.

It’s important to be seen. At some point, you must bring Hyax.

I’m sure you’re used to being dragged around as his plus-one, so it’ll be a nice change for it to be the other way around. ”

Robin left. Gwil felt a bit like he’d been hit by a truck.

He sipped his blood and relaxed a fraction.

He could get used to this, and now he’d been given the chance to do so.

Having said that, most of the people who frequented this place did so from a position of privilege he would never attain; at least he was now through the door and that was a huge step up and one he was not going to squander.

For now, he’d see if the reception staff would let him in the next time he visited, when he wasn’t with Robin Flint, because he knew well enough that doors could be shut as fast as they were opened.

If he were here with Hyax, he’d have a better chance of fitting in as royal fae tended to get treated well wherever, and despite Bled being a vampire club, it was no exception.

The bar was beginning to get busy, or as busy as super-exclusive members’ clubs got, and Gwil decided it was a good time to leave.

He put his Jyndarin Society card into his wallet, another thing that would need some time to sink in.

They had premises on Bedford Square Gardens in Bloomsbury, but he didn’t know if he could turn up or if he had to be invited to visit.

He was excited and couldn’t wait to tell Hyax since neither of them had him getting membership to the Jyndarin Society on their bingo card for the decade. Maybe even the century.

He slipped out of Bled, glad he’d put on one of his better suits as he’d have looked out of place amongst the Gucci, Armani, and Boss labels adorning his fellow members if he’d rocked up wearing something off the High Street.

For once, he treated himself to a black cab.

Hyax’s ways were rubbing off on him, and he was slowly learning that he no longer had to be so frugal, but after nearly two centuries of watching the pennies, old habits died hard.

Since it was a weekend evening, the traffic wasn’t too bad, and he arrived back at their Spitalfields home, surprised to see the lights on, which meant Hyax was back. Perhaps escaping the gala would’ve put him in a good mood. Then again, maybe not.

He opened the front door and let himself in, pausing to listen to see if he could determine if Hyax were raging or not.

He did a good job cursing at inanimate objects when he was pissed off, but there was nothing other than the sound of the shower running.

That was promising. Hyax loved a long shower and didn’t usually try to drown himself.

Never one to miss the opportunity to ogle the gorgeous sight of his naked, wet boyfriend, Gwil slipped into the bathroom to enjoy the view. Hyax was tall, built like a supermodel, and his long blond hair hung down his back like a curtain of gold.

“I know you’re there, you old pervert.”

“You’re older than me,” he replied, grinning. “And you’d be more annoyed if I didn’t come in for a good leer.”

Hyax switched off the shower, stepped out and grabbed a towel. “I’d have asked you to join me, but I want to hear about your meeting, and I’d get distracted by fucking your brains out.”

“You can do that after I’ve filled you in. But you’re going to need to put some clothes on as I can’t think straight when your arse is on display.”

“Fuck off and make me some mint tea. I’ll be through in a minute. Leave your suit on, I want to peel you out of it as a reward for me not killing anyone today.”

Gwil gave Hyax a one-fingered salute and left him to dry off. He made them both tea, raided the biscuit tin, and claimed his favourite spot on the sofa. The domesticity was not lost on him, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t like the way they fit so easily into each other’s worlds.

Hyax emerged in low-slung pyjama bottoms and a T-shirt too well-fitted for Gwil’s libido to cope with for long. “How was your fancy dinner?” he asked.

“Dull. Metra’s older sister is being confirmed as the successor. I stayed the shortest amount of time I could, and that was too long. But never mind that, who was our mystery new client?”

He was grateful Hyax hadn’t wanted to change their business relationship now things had evolved in their personal lives and was just as eager to work on cases as Gwil. “There isn’t one. Madam Bovery is Robin Flint, and he wanted to say thank you.”

Hyax dropped to sit next to him. “No fucking way. Look at you, getting recognition from one of the big chief pointy fangs.”

“Ha fucking ha. You should show me a modicum of respect now you’re looking at the Jyndarin Society’s newest member.”

Hyax gaped, lost for words for a moment, a feat Gwil didn’t manage often when they weren’t in bed. “No way! Robin swung that for you, how? Why?”

“The how is by him being Robin Flint, and the why is like I said, he was saying thank you for helping bring his hubby home.”

Hyax snorted. “Come off it, Gwil. You’re not that na?ve. There has to be more to this than him playing nice.”

Gwil tried not to snap, but Hyax’s dismissive tone annoyed him. “Or they could be recognising my merits and service to the Houses of Hewel and Cartwright. You don’t have to be an arsehole about everything vampire-related.”

“You know I think you deserve to be up there with the elite in vampire society. I just have a healthy dose of cynicism around those who move in those circles, as they aren’t keen to expand them.”

Hyax might have a point, but Gwil wasn’t going to admit it, and he would fight his corner. “I’m going to bask in my importance—real or not—for an evening. Look, I’ve even got out the good biscuits.”

“Oh, Chocolate Hobnobs! I suppose Robin isn’t the worst of them, and his husband is almost trustworthy.”

Gwil laughed. “Is that because he’s half-fae, so it tempers out the vampire side, or because he’s another fae prince?”

“Well, obviously.” Hyax stole the biscuit from Gwil’s hand. “But you know I have as much contempt for my fellow wing-flappers as you do.”

The fucker shoved the biscuit into his mouth before Gwil could stop him. “Fucking biscuit thief. But you’re in a better mood than I expected, I take the evening wasn’t too shite?”

“The usual tedious swanning about. Queen Vaness is a decent hostess, and the entertainment wasn’t bad.

But since the focus was on the royal siblings, specifically confirming who would be next, I was just a spouse and not even the husband of the chosen one, so I got to stay away from Metra for most of the evening. ”

“Result!”

“Indeed, which reminds me. My mother is having a garden party this weekend, you’re expected, not full consort robes, but a good suit is a must and no tie.”

Gwil pulled off the tie he was wearing and popped his top button to reveal the platinum collar Hyax had given him. “You want everyone to see this?”

“You know it.”

Hyax kissed him and pushed him backwards. He always reaped the benefits when Hyax came home from having to play dutiful husband. He tugged at Hyax’s T-shirt, and then the doorbell rang.

Hyax huffed but sat back. “Expecting anyone?”

“No.”

Gwil tried to get Hyax to kiss him again, but the door knocker clattered several times, and the bell chimed repeatedly. Whoever had interrupted them wasn’t going away.

Hyax conjured up a looking sphere, and Gwil peered into the glass surface to see who was standing outside their door. “Recognise him?” Hyax asked.

Gwil rubbed his eyes; he might be seeing things. He looked again. “That’s Howard Squire. What the fuck is one of London’s richest men doing standing on our doorstep?”