Chapter 11
The party was in full swing, and Dorian had to say that vampires really knew how to treat their guests right.
He’d spotted the cute elf with lovely green eyes from earlier, dashing about, keeping everything running and dressed to impress in his suit.
Dorian had thought Alex might have appreciated what he’d seen when they’d chatted earlier, but the trouble with elves was that a look of lust could switch to the desire to gut something in the blink of an eye.
Elves had a bad rep, like dragons, although he would rather trust his scales to an elf than a fae any day.
Especially considering what Robin was being subjected to.
Thinking of Robin, he knocked back the rest of his drink, deciding it was time to search him out.
Trevir had sent him off to the party after casting something called a multi-layer weave protection spell and told him to try to spend some time alone with Robin before he met with Simon.
The weave would stop anyone from sensing Dorian’s cologne, but would also make the cologne more potent, and if he could imprint on Robin, it would help build a barrier to Simon’s enchantment.
Trevir had tried to explain the technicalities, but magical theorem wasn’t Dorian’s forte, and he nodded along for most of the spiel.
As far as he could tell, Simon hadn’t arrived yet, and Dorian wondered if he might not bother turning up at all.
He was supposed to be here to meet Simon and play nice.
He couldn’t do that if the fucker didn’t bother; he wouldn’t waste the opportunity to spend time with Robin.
He excused himself from the group he’d been chatting with, another actor and a pop star who were household names who had jumped at the chance to attend Ben’s celebration.
Most stars were inundated with invitations, and there were very few that sparked such excitement.
With the calibre of guests here, it was the event of the season, no amount of money could buy access to.
The last time he’d caught sight of Robin, he was heading in the direction of the live feeding, and that was long enough ago for him to have sated his bloodlust, and Dorian hoped he could trigger a different carnal response.
Vampires were a strange breed. Apart from Robin, he limited his interactions with them to an occasional hookup but nothing more long-term.
Robin was different, though; he’d been embedded in Hollywood, where the politics and influence had a different flavour, and that gave him an alternative perspective to his blood-sucking peers.
He spotted Robin with his phone to his ear, heading towards the back of the property, probably trying to find a quiet spot to take his call, which would be perfect for Dorian to get some private time with him.
No one paid him much attention as he slipped out of the great hall; he was just one of many important people here, which might have given his ego a ding if he allowed himself to dwell on the perceivable slight.
He grabbed two glasses of champagne as he went, his intention to suggest a drink away from the chaos, flirt a bit and see how far he could push things.
Ideally, he could do with getting close, making sure Robin was exposed to the cologne he’d applied.
Trevir insisted that no one else should be affected, as it had been developed for Robin, which was a good job, as things could get awkward fast otherwise.
Robin hadn’t closed the door of the small reception room he’d commandeered, and Dorian waited outside for him to finish his call.
It sounded like he was in contract negotiations, not for one of his projects, but Robin juggled many things; he had a substantial client list, and there was always something he had to fix or oil the way for.
The call ended after a terse exchange, and Robin making a veiled threat about how the longevity of some people’s careers could be cut short.
Dorian sauntered into the room. He smiled and held out the glass. “Hey, I thought you could do with a drink.”
“Thanks, I wouldn’t say no,” Robin said, accepting the champagne. “I’ve an arsehole of a producer who isn’t going to be in work for much longer if he continues to piss me off.”
“Some people need to learn the hard way.” And many had who’d crossed Robin. He didn’t want to be added to the list, and while he was taking a risk, it was for Robin’s long-term happiness that he was doing so.
“Yeah. I don’t like repeating myself. I’ll give someone the benefit of the doubt once, but not a second time.”
“It’s not like people don’t know of your reputation. You’ve earned people’s respect.”
They clinked glasses. “I don’t pretend to play nice. But I can make someone a star.”
He wanted to aim for casual conversation, but also thought it best to mention the reason he was here. “I couldn’t help but notice that your Simon hasn’t arrived yet.”
“I was going to come and find you to explain. Simon is delayed, but he should be here soon. I can’t go into detail, but there’s a lot going on in the fae realm, and he had gone back to collect a special gift but got sidetracked. He wouldn’t miss Ben and Ashley’s celebration.”
He decided to push a bit, use an excuse to get close, take the opportunity to bring up his other concerns to try to get a sense of whether Robin realised he was being manipulated. He laid his hand on Robin’s arm. “Are you sure? You’ve not had a falling out, and he’s decided not to come.”
Robin shook his head. “No, it’s not that. He said he would be here, and he will.”
There was an unusual edge to Robin’s tone, as if he were uncertain, which wasn’t something Dorian could recall hearing before. “Sounds like there’s more to this, Robin. You don’t have to tell me, but I’m here if you want to talk. If I can be of any help, you know where to find me.”
“You’re not someone I should be talking to about this.” Robin smiled, no hint of malice, and Dorian took that as an invitation.
“If nothing else, you know I can be discreet. I’ve never been the sort to spill the tea.”
Robin looked torn, as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn’t. “I’m grateful for the offer, but this is all a matter of misunderstanding. I’m not even sure Simon realises what’s going on himself.”
Dorian wondered what Robin meant by that, and he wouldn’t drop this now that Robin appeared to be opening up. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“It’s complicated.” Robin played with the stem of his glass.
“When I was here a couple of weeks ago, someone noticed that there was a strange magical signature sitting about me. When I discussed it with an expert, we thought it might be Simon’s magic acting up.
I haven’t talked to him yet, because he’s got other things to worry about. ”
Dorian had thought there might be a risk that Trevir’s charms would be noticed, but not that Robin would reach the conclusion it was his husband. He couldn’t believe his luck. If Robin was suspecting Simon, then he needed to capitalise on the doubt. “Oh, shit. Are you in danger?”
“No, or I don’t think so. I think it’s a manifestation of his jealousy, which is why we thought having him meet you might help.”
He hadn’t expected this twist, but it was brilliant. He was going to milk this for everything he could. “It’s gotta be affecting you somehow. You’re sure there’s nothing wrong?”
“Not really. I’m committed to Simon, but you must have realised, I’ve been a little less standoffish towards you for the last couple of weeks.
You know you’re a sexy fucker, and we have a history.
I don’t want to act on that attraction, and I won’t, but I can’t deny you’ve been a bit of a distraction, and it’s possible Simon’s noticed. ”
Dorian moved closer, shifting enough to uncurl his tail. “I’m worried about you, Robin. You’re more than just my manager, and ex. You’re a good friend, and I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you. Let me give you a hug, you look like you need one.”
Robin hesitated. “Not a good idea.”
“Robin, we’ve known each other for decades. Simon should understand that. If his magic is causing you to do something you wouldn’t, then that’s not healthy. Perhaps you’re rebelling.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“You met this guy and married him out of nowhere. Now his magic is causing you to doubt yourself. The Robin I know has always been self-assured, so you acting any other way is a red flag.”
He didn’t wait for Robin to answer and pulled him into his arms. God, he’d missed holding him.
They could have been Hollywood’s ultimate power couple, but instead Robin had chosen to marry some fairy prince, no doubt due to outside pressure he couldn’t deflect.
Robin had been manipulated into feeling some sort of affection for Simon, but it had to be a forced relationship. Dorian would help him escape.
Robin tried to gently push him away. “Dorian, you need to let me go.”
“Shush, Robin.” He wrapped his tail around his waist, keeping him close. Dorian stroked his cheek. Robin was so beautiful, his eyes a perfect shade of cornflower blue. “I’m here for you. I want to help you. You’re in danger, and I won’t stand by and let something happen if I can prevent it.”
Robin frowned. “You’ve got it wrong. I’m happy with Simon; I’m not in danger.”
“You’re acting out of character. Distancing yourself from your old life and friends. He’s trying to isolate you, and you need to listen to me.”
The door slammed open, and the room shook; a glass chandelier swayed dangerously and several ornaments rattled. Simon stood in the entrance. Dorian had never seen someone so angry before. “Get your scaly claws off my husband!”
Simon charged into the room. Robin pushed Dorian away and stood in front of him. “Nothing happened. I know what you’re thinking, but there’s no need to overreact.”
“How dare you try to defend this! Get away from him.”
Dorian had heard that Simon was a vampire-fae, and he had the good sense to be wary, but he wasn’t scared.
Trevir had warned him to be careful, but he wouldn’t back down from him.
He was a fucking dragon and could eviscerate a whiny-ass bitch of a powered-up pixie.
He pushed Robin behind him. “Robin is not yours to command. You have entranced and entrapped him. I will set him free from your darkness. You do not own him; you cannot keep him as your prisoner. He should be free to be his true self. Allowed to be with someone he chooses to be with and not forced.”
Simon’s eyes blazed. He looked as if he were about to explode. “And you think he will choose you?”
“No!” cried Robin. “Dorian hugged me as a friend, nothing more. I swear.”
Dorian knew that Robin was brainwashed into thinking these things. Once he was safely away from Simon’s influence, he would return to normal.
“Your whore infers something different.” Simon’s words were spat out with venom; he crackled with a type of magic Dorian had never seen before, and he realised he’d underestimated Simon’s capabilities.
Maybe Trevir was right, the vampire-fae were different, and he was suddenly aware he was out of his depth.
If he survived this, he would need to be more careful about how he approached Robin in the future.
Find another way to free him, as Simon was a scary motherfucker, and Robin had to be too afraid to flee.
A discharge of magic blasted out from Simon, and a vase exploded on impact. Simon wasn’t in control of his actions; he was angry, and as Dorian was the cause of the outburst, he was going to be toast.
Simon stalked towards him. Dorian tried to back away but tripped over his own feet, landing on his arse and staring up as Simon, whose eyes glowed and his magic hung around him like a purple mist.
“Simon,” Robin called. “Please. You need to step back.”
Simon didn’t even appear to acknowledge Robin, and Dorian scrambled backwards, but Simon towered over him.
He could feel his magic lick over his skin, spark and sizzle and where he’d expected foulness, the sense was raw and strong but not dark, not like some of the nastiest sorcerers he’d met.
He was hurting, and his magic was crying out.
A blur of bright light flashed in front of them, and the figure that appeared was the Chris guy whose pot he’d looked at and had briefly chatted to earlier.
Robin had called him a light elf after he’d asked what was going on.
He was a pretty bloke, with long blond hair, and akin to a supermodel in build.
Typical of the elves he’d met. The glowing light and immense amount of power less so.
“Simon, you need to calm down,” Chris said. “Whatever has happened is not enough of an excuse for you to lose control.” Chris’s magic seemed to be able to repel Simon’s, but it was a near thing, and Dorian thought they must be equally matched.
But Simon’s magic still raced across his skin; he could feel himself reacting, he was starting to shift, and he had no control over his body. He held up his hands in front of him and watched in horror as his fingers shifted into his claws. His torso elongated, and he shifted into his dragon form.
He would not die sitting, and he would fight. He got to his feet, his tail lashing, and he opened his jaws to send a fiery message, but nothing came. He squeaked, and a small smoke ring escaped. He tried again. Nothing.
Simon laughed, still angry. “Has the little dragon lost his spark?”
Dorian curled into a ball, wrapping his wings around his head. Waiting for the fatal blow.