Chapter 23
Dorian stretched out; he’d found a wonderful spot in the middle of the lawn and was enjoying the sun’s rays on his scales.
Since the owner of the hall was nocturnal, he could relish lying around on his grass without being told off about being too much in the open.
He rolled onto his back, exposing his belly to the warmth.
“I thought you looked like a giant cat the other day, but now you look like a bloody great tabby.”
He grinned and opened an eye at Alex’s jibe. “I also like being scratched behind the ears.”
An unfamiliar laugh made him realise it wasn’t just the two of them. He rolled over and sat up to see Chris, plus another blond-haired beauty, but this time he was a fae. “Who are you?”
Alex cleared his throat. “Dorian, this is Prince Hyax of the Tasharick tribe. Since we believe the potion was further adapted by a fae, Chris thought we should see if we could get one to help. His Highness has been very gracious to agree.”
Hyax smiled. “You won’t be my first dragon problem. Although at least this time you’re awake and not the size of a house.”
Dorian had no clue what he was on about. “Did I miss the reference somewhere?”
“No, my partner is a private detective, and I have been known to help him with some of his cases. A recent one had us trying to move a hibernating Rex from underneath a department store in London. We needed to get him somewhere safe.”
“A Rex? I thought they all left years ago.” Dorian hadn’t heard of any of the senior pure dragons remaining in this realm. “They must have been left behind.”
Most people assumed the dragons that didn’t shift had become extinct. It was a species-wide secret that they hadn’t died out but had merely relocated to somewhere beyond the eyes of anyone who might want to bother them.
“Indeed. So, because of that experience, I had no qualms in agreeing to see how I can help you.”
Fae princes were supposed to be stuck-up and pretty, and while Hyax was certainly the second, he didn’t seem to be as obnoxious as the average royal. “I’m very grateful to anyone who would help. I doubt there’s much I can offer in return.”
“I don’t expect payment. But I usually keep favours for when I might need them, I might come asking one day.”
That was more like a fae prince, and he didn’t mind and knew where he stood. “If there’s a way I can help, I will repay my debt.”
Chris walked around him and prodded him in the side. “Oi,” Dorian snapped, looking back as he did it again. “Stop it.”
“I’m just checking your fat levels. Your density needs to be taken into account for the next potion.”
“Fucking cheek. Those are muscles, not fat. I can’t use fat to fly.”
Chris rolled his eyes. “No need to be so sensitive. Dragons are meant to have a layer of blubber under their scales.”
Alex coughed to cover his laugh. “Chris, I think you need to work on your bedside manner.”
“Would you mind if I touched you?” Hyax asked. “I was given a couple of scales, but it’s not the same as being in contact with the whole person.”
“Yeah, but no poking.”
Hyax was far more respectful than Chris and laid his hand gently on Dorian’s shoulder. “Interesting, I’m looking for traces of fae magic.”
“We already did that,” Chris said.
“You’re not a fae. I daresay there are elf things that I wouldn’t pick up.”
Dorian wouldn’t verbalise it, but he didn’t think there was much difference between the elves and fae, as the pointy-eared folk tended to get a bit annoyed being compared to each other.
“What have you found?” Alex asked, beating Dorian to it.
“I believe it’s a spell lock. Well-hidden and unique.
It’s like a tack that will prevent the magic from being reversed.
Based on what you’ve told me, the fae who did this was able to turn what should have been a simple enough lust-inducing spell into an interception charm.
They’ve also encoded a locking device to prevent it from being switched off.
It’s very complex, borderline illegal magic. ”
“Nothing borderline about it,” Alex said.
“Depends on the intent. In this sense, illegal, but in other places, they do have their uses. Often in the medical field, to prevent certain healing spells from reversing on themselves,” Hyax explained.
“I guess this is a problem, or even more of a problem?” Dorian asked, worried just how much more shit he was in.
“It will complicate matters. But there’s another angle here, because only someone very powerful would be able to cast that sort of magic. The one whose name I was given isn’t that.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “We didn’t think the name was real. Gagilix is not a usual name for a fae.”
“No, it isn’t. He admitted to doing some work for Trevir, but he wouldn’t have been able to do this. He was called back to the fae realm because his mother was ill a few weeks ago, so I suspect whoever did this was masquerading as Gagilix for a while.”
Dorian had hope that once they found the fucker he’d be closer to being back to normal. “I take it you’ve no idea who it really was?”
“We’ve feelers out, and I can use the energy signal from the lock to help. I fear you’ve been caught up in something much bigger. There are delicate discussions ongoing in the fae realm, and your dilemma at the hands of a fae could be used as a political weapon.”
Dorian didn’t understand. “In what way? I’m a dragon.”
“You’re also a movie star who was known to date Robin Flint on and off.
Robin is now married to a fae. Fingers could be pointed at Prince Simon as the instigator, citing a jealous spat as you were still being seen out with your ex-lover after their marriage, and those sorts of accusations could stir up anti-Calanti sentiments. ”
Dorian didn’t want to be a political tool. “I didn’t realise that would happen. I was just worried Robin might be under undue influence.”
“That doesn’t change that Simon is in a vulnerable position.
He could be scapegoated by factions that want to stop the negotiations between the Calanti and the other tribes.
We can’t let those be derailed. The fae are stronger together, and the seven tribes should be fully reunited.
Simon has been involved in the discussion alongside his father as the future king of his tribe, and so needs to be seen as trustworthy. ”
Dorian wasn’t a politician. He was an actor and an idiot who’d once fancied himself in love with the wrong bloke.
Alex placed his hand on Dorian’s front leg, a gesture Dorian appreciated more than he could say.
“It’s all right, Dorian. The important thing here is that we don’t let someone use you this way. ”
“The good thing is, Prince Simon is aware. He’s calmed down. Has forgiven Robin and, at some point, would like to talk to you to explain a few things about him and Robin, which might let you understand their relationship better.”
He didn’t expect that of Simon. “He doesn’t owe me an explanation.”
“I think he wants you to understand, and then Robin is to assess whether you should remain his client. That’s if we can solve the being a dragon all the time issue.”
Dorian knew keeping Robin as his manager would be the best thing for his career.
Simon wouldn’t have to worry about him being interested in Robin.
He glanced at Alex. He had other people in his life who were nicer and much better for him.
“If he can spare the time, then I’ll listen.
Hopefully, after we’ve fixed my shifting issue. ”
“Good,” declared Chris. “The three of us are going to put our heads together and come up with another option.”
Chris sounded more optimistic than Hyax or Alex looked as he herded them away. The sun was still shining, and Dorian decided to make the most of the warmth and sprawled out on the lawn. For now, he was going to enjoy some peace and quiet and try not to overthink.