Chapter 16 #3
She pouted. “That’s debatable. Look at Robin Flint. But is this the problem? You’re worried that you’re only ever going to be the Prince’s Beloved and not his husband? I do know you’re at least making noises about being displeased with Hyax still being married to someone else.”
“He’s no happier than I am about Metra, but it’s not his current husband that’s caused the most recent friction.” He played with his glass. Penelope would be able to tell him if he’d overreacted, like he suspected, or if he was right to be annoyed at not being told Hyax’s history.
“Go on, spill.”
“Due to my position, I’m being given support to learn more about the fae ways.
I was told Hyax was betrothed at birth to the future queen of one of the other tribes, but she died when they were both still kids by fae standards, and so he lost that chance to be king.
I was annoyed at a couple of other things, and I asked him if he was making a big fuss over me to cover for him settling for a vampire when he could have had a queen. ”
Penelope blinked several times, knocked back her wine and stared at him. “For fuck’s sake, Gwil, are you such a self-loathing prick that you actually believe that bollocks?”
He’d wanted her opinion, and he couldn’t complain now he’d got it. “I was being a knob, I accept that. My real issue is he didn’t think to tell me.”
“Right, how long ago was this? You mentioned him being young, so we’re not talking last week.”
“A few centuries back.”
Penelope poked him in the chest. “You are out of order and need to apologise.”
“Yeah, I know. Metra had turned up at a place we were at, and they were fighting, then someone else was the sister of an ex-boyfriend, and we were bickering. He was being pissy, and I threw this whole settling at him in retaliation.”
She shook her head. “Sounds like you’ve got a lot of things that are challenging your belief of what Hyax thinks of you. You’ve never been so happy as you are with him, and you’re seeing a risk to that happiness.”
She hadn’t reached her place in society by not being able to read a situation.
“You’re right, and I need to accept that being the Prince’s Beloved is as good as being his husband, but that’s difficult as it’s not how I was raised or how vampires behave.”
Her stance softened. “You’re still shaking off your Victorian sensibilities at times, and you often don’t think you’re worthy of all the good things that come your way.
I blame our mother for that. But I think if you could get rid of Metra, that would help.
I thought the marriage would be on the temporary side. ”
She had a good point. Gwil found it hard to let go of parts of his upbringing, and even though he knew the deal between Hyax and Metra, he slipped back to his old ways of thinking.
“It will be. Hyax’s mum has already said that she’s annoyed at the situation.
Although she brokered the original marriage, the Elementa don’t appear to have been playing with a straight bat. ”
“Interesting.”
Interesting was a dangerous word to come out of Penelope’s mouth.
As much as he welcomed her perspective, he didn’t want her to be too involved in what he was doing.
He was happy to be spending more time with her; it was nice to have a sibling relationship, but that didn’t mean he wanted her prying.
“Nothing for you to be concerned about.”
“Oh, I’m not concerned, I’m happy. I sense there may be a wedding in the near future. Hyax will get rid of Metra, you’ll stop acting like an arse, and I want to be the one who gives you away.”
“Why would you be the one walking me down the aisle? I didn’t give you away.”
“We weren’t even on speaking terms back then, but we are now. Unless Solivatus wants to do it, but I think Hyax would prefer it to be me.”
He didn’t know how the conversation had been allowed to veer in this direction.
He’d liked the idea of a wedding, and didn’t know if fae bonding ceremonies had the custom of giving away the bride, but he hadn’t thought of including his sister so much in the proceedings.
“I’m not a bride, I don’t need to be given away by you or my sire.
Besides, this is all a bit presumptuous. ”
“Hardly, I can’t wait to have you married off to your pretty fairy. It’s amazing you’re his Beloved, but imagine how much more important you’ll be as his husband.”
A husband didn’t outrank Prince’s Beloved, and if anything, it might even be considered a downgrade if Hyax were to signal he was vacating a role which hadn’t been the intention.
“You might be able to spin it that way in vampire circles, but I’m already top-notch for the fae. I just want rid of Metra.”
“That can be arranged.”
“Without a potential risk to peace between their tribes.”
She pouted. “You never let me have any fun. I could wear this dress… It’s already stained.”
“I’m too busy to let you have fun. I don’t have time to clean up the mess.”
She poured him a glass of blood. “That sounds like it should be your motto. Now, I think you know you need to grovel to your pretty prince, so enough of this oversharing between siblings. I have a potential client if you’re interested. How do you feel about pyromaniac were-shrews?”
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
She smirked. “Oh, you’re no fun. But I might have something for you. I’ll keep my ears open; everyone appears to want an excuse to engage Gwilym Hilt. You should put your prices up.”
He laughed, downed his blood and decided she wasn’t that bad; he could have a lot worse sisters, and she seemed to have his back. As long as he didn’t do something to slight her, otherwise, she’d have his head as well.