Chapter 24 #2
“When you told me about the dragon, this spell came to mind.” Simon tapped the page. “It’s for mass transference on a grand scale. But it needs a lot of energy and a potion with some exotic elements.”
“I see we are of a similar mind,” Hyax said. “But the potion’s contents are no worse than some of the others we’ve tried.”
Chris peered over Simon’s shoulder. He didn’t seem to have the same sense of propriety as most, or personal space. He scrunched his nose. “It’s a bit weird. But if you’re into that sort of thing, I’m not one to judge.”
“The magic involved in this book involves a fae harnessing magic through a partner, who is a different species. These are for vampire/fae couples,” Simon explained.
“As you mentioned earlier, fae tend to stick to their own kind, and it is rare to find a couple willing to consider this approach and who could be capable of doing so.”
“Does your partner regularly feed from you?” Chris asked Hyax.
Hyax frowned. “No, why do you ask?”
Chris pointed to the page. “The language is a bit obtuse, but this means that the vampire blood must come from a vampire who has drunk from the brewer. The potion is then brewed, and the same vampire must spill inside the brewer.”
Hyax snatched back the book. Gwil coming inside him wasn’t an issue, one of the better options given some of the spells, but he’d missed the first part. “Where does it say that?”
“The blood must be mingled with the brewer’s.”
“I thought I’d collect mine and Gwil’s blood in a bowl, mix them together and add them at the same time.”
Simon came over and also studied the spell. “No, because the vampire blood is added directly, and there’s no step where the brewer adds their own blood. Chris is right.”
“I think that’s open to interpretation. I could remove my blood and inject it into Gwil using a hypodermic syringe.”
Chris shook his head. “I don’t think that’ll cut it. I’m pretty sure part of the vampire bite is making the blood flow easier, and whatever causes that would change the blood a little.”
Simon nodded. “As I understand it, that’s why bottled blood took so long to be developed. Hoffman developed a process that mimicked what happens because otherwise the blood in the bottles wouldn’t be palatable.”
Simon was a vampire, although technically a vampire-fae, so he should know what he was talking about. “Gwil’s never fed from me.”
“He wouldn’t turn you, if that’s what you’re worried about. Just drinking blood is different from siring someone.”
Gwil had explained that difference before, but Hyax was still squeamish over the idea. “I’m aware they’re not the same thing, and I’m not totally against the idea. Gwil mentioned that vampires fed from each other on their wedding night, and I hadn’t said no.”
Chris clapped his hands together. “Oh, are you getting married?”
“He’s got to get rid of his husband first,” Simon said with a chuckle.
Chris scowled. “You are cheating on your husband with a vampire?”
Simon put up his hands. “Chris, sometimes you see things far too black or white. Hyax has a political marriage to a prince of another tribe. One that we hope will come to an end. Gwil is his Prince’s Beloved, a title given as he’s Hyax’s favourite person.”
“You’re cheating on Gwil with your husband?” Chris looked confused but still disgusted.
“No, the marriage is on paper only. I am fully committed to Gwil, and only married Metra as my duty to my tribe. I have reason to believe I should be able to divorce Metra relatively soon. And then I will marry Gwil.”
“Your vampire didn’t mind?”
“He loved me enough to stay. Although I have to admit, I hadn’t realised how important marriage and spouses were to vampires. As a royal fae, a marriage is often political; most commoners don’t bother and are no less committed.”
Chris sniffed loudly. “Sounds like he’s a keeper. Like my Jack.”
Jack and Gwil could’ve been cut from the same cloth. “We have both been blessed.”
Simon took back the book. “I think the potion will also need to be brewed in this realm. My apparatus is in the fae world. I almost set fire to the west wing of Heartlands Hall and promised Robin I’d experiment away from the house in future.”
“I don’t have the facilities for a potion of this nature either, but Crofton Hall does. Do you think Ben would be amenable?” Hyax asked.
“The potion would need significant containment charms,” Simon said. “There’s a risk of leaking, but I do know that Solivatus has access to dedicated potion facilities that could handle this. And they’re closer to the dragon than here.”
“Who’s he?” Chris asked. “I’d love to see somewhere that can deal with the potion.”
“Gwil’s sire. A bit of an arsehole.”
Simon clicked his tongue. “He’s an important vampire, Hyax. He’s useful and has been a vocal supporter of Gwil. Who do you think oiled the wheels for Gwil’s membership of the Jyndarin Society?”
“I thought the Heads of Hewel and Cartwright Houses were grateful for his service.”
“Of course they were, but saying thank you in such a way wouldn’t have crossed their minds. They wouldn’t have understood the need; they get whatever they want without having to ask.”
Hyax wasn’t about to be pulled into a game of pretending to support Solivatus. He’d accepted Solivatus would always be special to Gwil as his sire, but he didn’t have to like the fucker.
“Is there anything we need to arrange?” Hyax asked. “The potion will take a week or so to brew. It will sit for several days after the vampire blood is added. Then we’ll need to cast within twenty-four hours once it’s ready.”
“We should make sure we’re familiar with the spell.” Simon waved his hand over the book and made a copy of the page. It disintegrated almost immediately. Simon tutted. “Anti-piracy device. Should have known.”
“I don’t think it’s complicated from our side,” Chris said. “Hyax’s part is trickier; we just need to feed in our energy, and I need to do a bit of directional steering.”
Hyax thought the spell was a difficult one for all involved and was surprised to hear Chris be so blasé. “We can’t afford to get this wrong and the dragon wakes up.”
“I know. And I have an idea for some lavender sleep bombs that I reckon I can upscale to dragon strength and add a couple of bits to make them more dragon-potent.”
“What are they?” Simon asked.
“Jack can sometimes have trouble sleeping, so I created a tailored snooze set for him. Part of the set are my lavender bombs that slowly release a calming potion as someone sleeps. I’ve been thinking of selling them as they’ve been a great success with those who’ve tried them, and I reckon I can make non-person-specific batches. ”
Chris must be a competent brewer. “That sounds like a good idea. The dragon appears to be in the early stages of waking from hibernation. Anything we can do to keep it asleep will be welcome.”
“How long will you need to be ready with these bombs?” Simon asked.
“A day or two at most. If I start later today, I’ll be ready long before the main potion is finished.”
“Once you start the brewing, let me know,” Simon said. “I’ll liaise with Chris and we’ll move us a sleeping dragon.”
Hyax had been involved in a lot of bizarre things in his time.
He’d worked on new incantations or potions, but he’d never thought he’d have ended up discussing dragon sleeping aides with an elf and vampire-fae.
If he’d never gotten involved with Gwil, none of this would have happened, which would have been a crying shame, and he was more grateful than ever that he’d fallen for his cute bloodsucker.