Chapter 21
Dorian hadn’t thought he’d get many visitors, but he wasn’t surprised that no one apart from Alex and Karl came to see him unless they wanted to talk about the solution to the dragon problem.
Then Ben waltzed into his rooms, as dashing as ever.
“I thought I should come and see how you were getting along.”
“Thank you for letting me stay here. I know you’re in a difficult position because of Robin.
” He’d had a couple of memorable evenings with Ben and Robin, but he’d never wanted more with Ben.
He’d always been clear their encounters were fun and nothing deeper than three men enjoying a night together.
Ben took a chair and dragged it over to where Dorian had been sitting. “You’re not a terrible individual, Dorian, misguided maybe, and Robin has taken advantage of his influence over the years.”
He hadn’t heard from Robin and probably shouldn’t expect to. A few days ago, that would have been a problem, but as Robin had been so easy to reject him, he’d had an epiphany that Robin was never going to be the nestmate he wanted.
“I should’ve listened when he said he wasn’t interested in continuing our physical relationship, and accepted his marriage. My own ego didn’t like that I could be discarded for someone Robin barely knew, but I’ve had plenty of time to reflect, and well, Simon’s welcome to him.”
Ben chuckled. “Robin’s not completely blameless either. Simon has allowed him to grovel and ensure Simon of his devotion. He’ll not risk his marriage.”
He still thought the speed of Robin’s marriage fucking odd, but he wouldn’t argue with Ben. “I daresay being married to a prince has its advantages.”
“True. Now, enough of Robin, I wanted to check you didn’t need anything else. I’ve seen you out flying and swimming in the lake, you must be feeling cooped up in here.”
Dorian shook his head. “It could be far worse. I’m grateful I can get out.”
“But I do ask you to be cautious about being seen too much. The longer it takes to fix you, the chances increase that questions will start to be asked about where A-lister Dorian Marsten has disappeared to. As you were last seen here, I don’t want rumours to start circulating… especially back to Simon’s father.”
He didn’t understand where Ben was going with this, but his chance to ask vanished with the arrival of his favourite person in the hall, Alex. “Oh, apologies, I didn’t know Dorian had a guest.”
Dorian didn’t care about Ben; he wanted to hear about Alex’s visit to his house in LA. “What did Trevir say?”
“It’s probably for the best His Lordship is here, as he might be able to let Mr Flint know about the developments.”
Ben raised an eyebrow. “Are you being deliberately intriguing, because you’re doing a very good job of it?”
“I’m afraid not. What I have to say might not be something Dorian or anyone would have expected.
The thing is, Trevir wasn’t working alone.
We had our suspicions, but thought it was more underhanded than the truth.
It turns out Trevir subcontracts out much of his business, and this was no different. ”
Dorian sat up. An indignant stream of smoke escaped his nostrils. “He didn’t tell me that. It was my private business, I wouldn’t have agreed to work with him if I’d known.”
Alex smiled tightly. “I suggested as much to Trevir. He wasn’t particularly contrite. But he did offer up the details of who did the real work of creating the potion and the dust. Truth be told, I don’t think Trevir’s that good a mage, but he’s an excellent businessman.”
Dorian didn’t give a flying fuck about Trevir’s business credentials. “I’m gonna eat him.”
Ben laughed. “I’m sure you’d get in plenty of trouble for that. Besides, by the sounds of it, he’ll cooperate to help us solve your issues. So maybe lay off the munching for now.”
“He has given us the name of the fae that he worked with,” Alex said. “Trouble is, we’re not convinced he was who he said he was.”
Dorian did not like the sound of that. “Why not?”
“His name isn’t right. And he had an address in LA.
Very few fae keep an address in this realm.
Also, he tricked Trevir about what he was handing over to you.
He was able to add a charm to the potion bottle that converted the contents into something else.
Trevir has samples of what it should have been. ”
“So how does this help me?” From what Dorian could tell, he was in an even worse position than before.
“We can try to track the fae. We’ve a signature, and on the off-chance the name is correct, then someone will have heard of him. But what this does show is someone has deliberately manipulated you, and that someone was a fae. I think Prince Simon might look kindlier on you due to that.”
“I don’t care what he thinks of me. Even Robin can fuck himself, having left me here to deal with this.” He was sore and wanted to get back in his nest for a good sulk.
“What I think Alex is alluding to,” began Ben, “is that if Prince Simon is less pissed off, he might be willing to help. He has a surprising amount of fairness for a vampire or a fae.”
Alex chuckled. “Yes, pretty much my thinking. Look, Dorian, we will try our best to help you. But having someone of Prince Simon’s talent involved can only improve the outcome.”
“I’m not sure he’ll want to help. And I don’t blame him.
I still don’t get the insta-love between him and Robin, but I had no right to try and get between them.
” He’d been an arsehole, and while he would insist he was worried about Robin, his initial thoughts had not come from an altruistic place.
“If at some point he’d be willing, I’d like to apologise, but I don’t expect his help. ”
“I still think informing Robin of this new information is important,” Alex said. “We were also thinking of contacting Prince Hyax about our rogue fae, and I would suggest informing Prince Simon of our intent.”
Ben nodded and stood. “Send me all the details you have, Alex. I’ll contact Robin and let you know how the conversation goes.”
Dorian saw Alex wriggle his fingers. “All on your desk, my lord. Karl was also there if you’d like his opinion.”
Ben left them, and Dorian was happy to be alone with Alex. “Trevir is a shit bag.”
“I think he’s found a clever way to make a lot of money in LA,” Alex said. “That automatically makes him a shit bag.”
He rubbed a patch of scales behind his right horn; it had been annoying him all day, but he had to be careful as his talons could do real damage if he forgot himself and gave it a good scratch.
“Is something bothering you?” Alex asked.
He could pretend it wasn’t an issue, but there was no point in being proud. He bowed his head to show Alex. “Itchy patch. Can you see anything?”
Alex’s touch was surprisingly gentle. “You’ve a clump of scales that look a bit dry. Do you want me to use the lotion I brought back on them?”
“Please,” he said, thrilled Alex had proposed the idea rather than him having to ask.
Alex grabbed the bottle from the side and popped the lid, giving it a sniff. “Oh, this smells nice. A camomile and lavender base, if I’m not mistaken.”
“It’s a family recipe. I have an apothecary make it up. Although that’s my last bottle.”
“I’m a decent brewer. If you are willing to trust me with the secret formula, I can make you a batch.”
He nuzzled Alex’s hand. “That would be great.”
Alex squeezed a dollop of the lotion onto his finger and began to work it into the scales. The smell had always been a favourite of Dorian’s, but coupled with Alex’s ministrations, he thought nothing could be better. The relief was near instantaneous, and he let out a soft moan.
“That good, eh?” Alex chuckled.
Dorian grabbed him and pulled him into a hug, ignoring Alex’s squawk of surprise. He’d always been a tactile creature, and he wanted to show Alex how much he appreciated him. “Thank you so much.”
Alex didn’t struggle, and Dorian enjoyed holding him.
He really liked Alex, way more than he probably should, but somehow he couldn’t bring himself to stop.
Most people were after something from him, but he didn’t get that sense from Alex, and Dorian would continue to give out his hugs until Alex told him not to.