Chapter 7
Alex was pleased with the progress they were making with the big event, but he’d been given strict orders not to send out invitations until Ben had proposed.
Thankfully, his boss was planning to do the deed tonight, and Ben had a few close friends at Crofton Hall for dinner, including his sire and his sired siblings.
Karl materialised in his signature plume of black smoke. “Alex, I think we’re nearly ready. Robin and Simon have arrived, and the guests are having drinks.”
As Ben’s secretary, Alex could claim that his boss’s private life wasn’t his concern, but the reality was Ben had come to rely on him for a lot more than keeping his diary and making sure he didn’t miss Council meetings.
He liked that he was in a position to be able to repay Ben’s kindness and trust, and for all his grumblings, his job had far more upsides than downs.
“Has Ben decided when he’ll pop the question? He was still dithering a few hours ago between the starter and after the dessert,” Alex asked.
“I don’t know. He’s acting a bit out of character.” Karl didn’t like things being unclear—most demons had a preference for order. They might cause chaos, but their planning tended to be meticulous.
Seeing a Dark Earl uncertain over something which, while important to Ben, was inconsequential in the big scheme was a bit of a surprise.
Ben’s sexual encounters before Ashley made Alex think he wouldn’t be cowed by anything.
Although he understood the concept of vampires and their Eternals, he still thought it was a lot of fuss over finding someone they liked enough not to fuck other people.
“I know warlocks can be capricious arseholes, but the chance Ashley might say no is so unlikely that I’ve put a non-refundable deposit down for the live feeding service for the celebration.”
Karl snorted. “I don’t get it either. Vampires and their Eternals are strange things. I didn’t think I’d ever see Robin Flint act like a love-struck puppy either, but he’s been besotted over Simon.”
Vampires weren’t the strangest species, but they did seem to have a varied take on sex, love and marriage.
Most blood-suckers went down the casual sex path, some married but weren’t monogamous, and there were the ones who found their Eternal and suddenly there could be no one else.
“I’m still a bit on the fence about the one true love thing.
There’s a lot to be said for having a partner on hand for sex, making tea and keeping your feet warm.
A slew of bodies gets boring after a while. ”
Karl side-eyed him. “Talking from experience?”
“I had a couple of longer-term partners, but was in the main pretty indiscriminate before I met my husband. We took a while before we agreed we only wanted each other, and then after that, no one else appealed.”
“I know you’re a widower, but I’ve not even seen a hint of you looking to date.”
“I’m not interested in dating. Sex is different, and I’ve scratched an itch on occasion, but I’ve not met someone who I’d be interested in more than friendship.”
He’d been at Crofton Hall for several years now.
Ben had given him sanctuary when he’d appeared in this realm.
He was bloody, beaten, and Kagin was dead, torn to pieces in front of him.
There were some nights when his dreams were haunted by images from his past, but mostly he was fine.
The Redbourns’ hospitality had surprised him, still did, but he would repay them with his loyalty.
“I can understand that,” Karl said with a smile. Alex knew little about the sexual habits of demons, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to. “Besides, most humans, elves and fae are too fragile. I might break them, unintentionally.”
Karl waggled his eyebrows and made curls of black smoke steam out of his ears.
“Duly noted,” Alex said with a laugh. “Let’s go and make sure His Lordship doesn’t fuck up proposing.”
Alex felt a tingle across his skin, and he saw Karl react. “That was Jack arriving,” Karl said. “He wasn’t sure he’d be able to get back this evening.”
“I wonder if Ben had a word. I imagine Ashley would like to have his friend there for this.”
Crofton Hall seemed to collect individuals. As well as himself and Karl, Jack, a warlock with siren heritage, was in residence, convalescing and living with his light elf partner, Chris, whose level of magic would have made Alex uneasy if he wasn’t akin to a fluffy bunny rabbit.
“Chris was the one to secure Jack’s presence. Another sickeningly in-love couple. I’ll see you in the dining hall.” Karl dematerialised.
Alex didn’t have a problem with other people falling in love, although he drew the line at listening to pet names. He wasn’t bitter, but didn’t believe he’d find love a second time. Kagin had been a surprise; the chance someone else could put up with him was asking the universe for a bit much.
He opened a portal and settled into a dark corner of the dining hall, ready to step in as required.
Charles, Ben’s sire, was happily regaling the rest of the guests with stories of his adventures since giving up the earldom; his partner, Timothy, rolled his eyes on several occasions but didn’t spoil his fun.
Ben had seen Alex arrive and cocked his head in the direction of one of the doors.
He headed to the small reception room, wondering what Ben wanted.
“Is everything all right, my lord?” Alex asked.
“Can you present Ashley with this on a platter?” Ben dug out a jewellery box from his suit pocket. It was too big and flat to contain a ring.
“Would you mind sharing what it is?” Alex asked. Thoughts of a cock ring not fully forgotten. But to be fair, Ben had a great sense of style; he turned heads wherever he went, so maybe he wanted a second opinion.
Ben opened the box. On a bed of velvet sat a bangle, nothing overly showy, but Alex could feel the magic. It was woven with protection spells, tuned to Ashley, and there was something familiar about the signature, like Ashley but not quite. “Who helped with the spells?”
“Ashley’s father. I went for the traditional approach and asked for permission to propose.
Nial not only gave his blessing, but he also helped create this.
Crafting a specific piece of jewellery is something their family does for engagements.
I already had a plan to give him a platinum bangle, and since I wouldn’t have the juice to add the protection charms, Nial did the deed. ”
Alex thought Ashley would be delighted. “I think it might be better presented directly by yourself. Do vampires get down on one knee?”
“I was intending to. It’s a hangover from our human roots. And Ashley likes me on my knees.” Ben grinned. Sometimes, he had no sense of decorum.
“Then, how about you propose before dessert. We have his favourite pudding on the menu, which I think would go well after the proposal. I’ll be on standby with champagne and indoor fireworks.”
“I knew I could rely on you to have the best ideas. Ashley’s not one for grand gestures, and I think this evening will be perfect.”
Alex would agree. Ashley and Ben worked well because Ashley didn’t put up with any of Ben’s bullshit, and Ben, in the main, managed to get the stick out of Ashley’s arse. What he’d replaced it with wasn’t any of Alex’s business.
Ben hurried back to the table, and Alex followed at a more sedate pace.
Crofton Hall was seldom without visitors; the house had been designed to advertise the wealth of her owners.
He’d been sceptical that he’d fit in here; he was a military man by training, and while his organisational skills were useful in any situation, he’d been able to use his strategic mindset almost as much.
Maybe not to wage war or kidnap dignitaries for ransom, but he’d had a different kind of adventure, and he was far more content than he’d expected.
He poured the wine as Karl served soup for the first course. He also had a bottle of Finnish 73, which caused some excitement amongst their vampire guests due to the rarity of the blood’s vintage. Tonight was a special occasion; there was no way he was going to skimp on the offerings.
Ashley was a clever man, and Alex could tell he thought something was going on.
He’d not made Senior Warlock and a member of the Warlock Ruling Committee by being unalert to potential threats.
Ben had arranged for both scallops and venison to be on the menu, two of Ashley’s favourites, and Ashley was staring at Ben, clearly expecting something to happen.
The main course dealt with, Ben pushed back from the table and came to stand at Ashley’s side. Alex readied himself with a bottle of chilled champagne.
Ashley’s eyes widened as Ben dropped to one knee, and a glass smashed as Chris let out a high-pitched squeal of excitement when he realised what was going on.
It was hard to believe Chris was once a warlord who’d ravaged a realm when he bounced up and down in his seat, clapping his hands together with glee.
“Ashley,” Ben began, opening the jewellery box and holding it out. “Would you do me the honour of becoming my husband?”
For one horrible moment, Alex thought Ashley might say no. He appeared struck dumb by the question.
Then his brain must’ve restarted as his smile was blinding. He didn’t think warlocks could look that happy. He stood so fast that he nearly knocked his chair over, but Alex cast a quick spell to stop it.
“Yes!” Ashley cried.
Ben got to his feet and slipped the bangle over Ashley’s wrist, then pulled Ashley into the sort of kiss that really wasn’t appropriate for the dinner table.
Alex took that as a cue to set off a cascade of indoor fireworks in a mix of gold, red and purple. He popped the cork on the champagne bottle he was holding, and Karl appeared with a tray of glasses.