Chapter 25
Dorian had kissed a lot of people in his time, fucked nearly as many, but having Alex in his arms was up there with one of the best things to have ever happened to him.
He’d thought himself in love with Robin at one point, although it was probably closer to being in lust and grateful for his guidance.
But Alex was different. Alex made him feel worthy, not because he was a movie star but because he was Dorian.
He’d been out to stretch his wings and had popped into the workshop where Chris was working to be given a quick update on progress and the hope that the next attempt would be in a couple of days. Alex was busy doing things for his boss, and Dorian decided to return inside and have a nap.
He didn’t expect Prince Simon to be there waiting, and he almost backed out of the room when he saw him sitting in a chair. “Don’t worry, Dorian. I’ve no ill will towards you at the moment.”
“Prince Hyax said you might visit,” he said, not knowing which way this was going to go.
“I’ve been informed of your situation, and while you are in part to blame for putting yourself in this position to start with, I don’t believe you deserve what happened to you.”
“I am sorry. I’ll admit at first I thought you’d taken Robin from me, but then I was worried that Robin had changed so quickly, with no explanation, and I believed he was being coerced,” Dorian said.
He needed Simon to understand that he wasn’t some malicious idiot, and that he had been genuinely worried and not just jealous.
“I can understand that Robin changing his ways might have been strange to some. But you have to realise he was never yours. He may have been your lover at one point, although Robin tells me it was neither serious nor permanent.”
Dorian had known deep down that Robin’s affection had never been more than convenient sex and being a great manager, but he’d not wanted to admit it. “I accept that now. I was in denial for a long time, and at one point I really did think him in danger.”
Simon smiled. “The thing is, Robin was never in danger from me, because Robin has always been mine, even before I was born.”
“What do you mean?” He’d heard of people being promised to each other. “Did your family arrange your marriage by promising their firstborn to the House of Hewel?”
“No, far more than that. You cannot fight destiny.” Simon cocked his head to one side. “Tell me, did Robin ever promise you his devotion? Did he ever tell you that he loved you?”
“No, he promised a lot to do with my career, and I took that to mean more than it did. But then he was never the sort to settle down.”
“Because he couldn’t. I know from the outside our marriage looks no different to any other arrangement, but it is, and we have a bond that runs deeper than a few wedding vows.” Dorian knew of magical bonds and pacts, but Simon seemed to be alluding to theirs being something special.
“I never asked Robin for more because I didn’t think he was capable of commitment, but he has shown with you that he could be.
There was a point when I thought, if you could get that from Robin, why couldn’t I have the same?
I thought you must have done something to have him act that way, and if I were to free him, then he might be mine… eventually.”
Simon seemed to hesitate. “I think it would be wise if I told you a bit of the history, and then you might see why you and Robin were never going to be more than you actually were.”
“You don’t need to explain anything to me. I get it. I’m over it, I really am.”
“You are for now, while you’re stuck as a dragon. But what happens when everything goes back to normal? You’ll start working with Robin again, and those feelings might come back to the surface. You need to know there is zero chance of you and Robin having a romantic relationship.”
He wasn’t interested in Robin in that way, but he was intrigued by why Simon was being so adamant. “Okay, is this when you tell me you’ll kill me if it were to happen. Which I am stating again, I no longer want.”
Simon laughed. “No, it’s because we were destined to be together.
Literally, which is not a fairy tale or hyperbole.
I’m a vampire-fae. I was born with more fae-like characteristics, but to reach my full potential and my vampire side, I needed to be kept chaste until after I had fed from my vampire Eternal.
My Eternal is Robin. When I was placed in his arms as a baby, it was confirmed, and then we had to wait for me to grow up.
Seventy-five years later, we met again, and let’s say the devotion is not one-sided. ”
He’d heard of Eternals; they were a bit like supercharged nestmates, and this seemed a more extreme version. “Robin did say that there was no one other than you for him.”
“We are bonded, but weren’t certain if the intensity would remain after I had fed. It did, and it’s unlikely to change if I look at my parents.”
If he’d still been interested in Robin, he’d have had a different response, but he found himself happy for them.
He’d been trying to interfere with something he had no chance of breaking; they were each other’s happy ever after.
“You’ll have no issue from me. I know Robin’s not going to be my nestmate. He’s your problem.”
Simon seemed amused, and Dorian could see what Robin saw in him even without a magic bond. He was a lovely-looking guy, fae with that certain dark brooding that vampires had.
“Unfortunately, I do think your predicament was made worse by my involvement. There’s a possibility the interception charm was supercharged by my magic.
Hyax seems confident he can help, and I’m rather tied up at the moment with a bigger issue, but I’ve told Chris he can call on me if he runs out of ideas. ”
There’d been several mentions of stuff going on in the fae realm.
He didn’t have much interest in politics, but reckoned that Simon coming here was a big deal, and he should be grateful.
“Thank you. I know I don’t deserve the help I’ve been getting.
You’re right that I put myself in the path of this, and you could have all left me to rot. ”
“I think there would be far too many awkward questions asked if that had happened.” Simon stood. “I will request that I be kept up-to-date with your progress, and I hope the next time we meet will be when my husband escorts me on the red carpet for your next release.”
Simon opened a portal and left. Dorian still wasn’t sure what to make of Simon.
He didn’t totally understand the situation with Robin, but there was more to Simon than being the husband of Robin Flint.
If anything, Robin would be in the shadow of his more important and powerful spouse.
He snorted to himself, wondering how Robin’s ego would cope.
He settled down into his nest to have a nap and wait for Alex. Maybe if he hadn’t met Alex, he might still be carrying a torch for Robin, but Alex had shown him that there were far better people out there for him. One with pretty green eyes, long blond hair, and pointy ears.