6

The water was cool and the bowl large enough for him to stick his entire head in. For some reason, this was so damned refreshing that as he pulled his face out to breathe he was renewed. He wondered how they got the ice in the first place, and then told himself it was not his problem. Stop looking for things to obsess over. He needed to focus on one thing and one thing only. His Bond-mate-to-be.

Ianto dressed and looked in the mirror at himself, mildly amused at how regal he looked, even without his usual royal standard bling dripping off him. He did glance at it all on the bed, the medals, sash and even the crown of his people but he had never enjoyed the weight of it. Here he was just another man. Just another rember of the High Prince's royal house. Right?

Let's see what that feels lie.

.

.

Jack was sitting up in the huge comfortable chair his parents had commissioned and had made for him. It was like a bed but he could sit. Jack hated it. The large red blanket across him was also cloying as it was bloody hot enough.

Ianto entered the room, following Owen. Jack watched him approach and felt something changing the air. His man was cool. The air around him cool. He really was of the Old Blood, wasn't he. Then Jack noticed something in his arms and he was surprised when Ianto reached out and yanked the thick blanket off him, then flicked the fabric across him instead.

The blue fabric was soft, smooth… and cool to the touch. Jack was surprised as he let his hands smooth it over his legs "Wow. It's…. pretty."

"Artesian Blue, yes. It is used to cool the Fire Mounts when they overheat. I brought several with me as I ride one. I think I shall sleep under one these nights" Ianto explained as he settled on a chair next to him, ignoring the rest of the room "When we let earlier you seemed overheated… maybe your spirit animal is a Fire Mount. Tell me… are you flighty? Prone to nipping?"

Jack blinked, and then roared with mirth. This time he did not choke and let the laughter boom around the room. His parents entered to hear the noise they had not heard in many months, taking in the pretty thing sitting next to Jack with one hand on his knee, their faces close as they both laughed at one another.

Then Jack saw them "Mama. Daddy. Look… Owen found me a lively one!"

Ianto rose and turned to greet them, the advisor slinking behind them recognizable as one who had occasionally come to t his lands to liaise between the people. Ianto felt a weird fear in being caught out masquerading at 'normal' but the little worm looked right through him.

He did not recognise him?

"Highness… you look better" the man simpered as he bowed to Jack and Ianto retreated to the far wall, behind others in the room. Jack noticed and watched Ianto's eyes move to the man with distrust. Huh. Clever too.

Ianto left them to it, moving outside to the stables. He had not yet bonded to the man but knew that even if they were, the stables would be safe. He knew that once bonded they could have the space of the castle between them in time, just not when resting. This in mind, he checked on his Fire Mount and found her mildly pissed.

He led her to the turn-out yard for Fire Mounts and was amused to see those in there scatter as one larger than any of them entered and calmly stalked the perimeter checking the fences for any gaps. Bitch. Ianto was sitting on the top of the fencing watching her as she started to dance, her hooves sparking on the stone covering the yard.

"Pretty… she must have cost a pretty penny" someone said.

"I raised her myself from birth" Ianto replied without turning around "Her dam died trying to birth her and her twin brother. He did not make it, neither did the Dam. She was spindly, weedy and we did not think she would make it. I slept with hr each night, feeding her as she woke hungry each time… weeks… months of fear. Then she seemed to rally. Magnificent isn't she?"

"She is. Of Royal Standard. You know… if you are to bond to the High Prince she becomes part of his stables ya know. Just like you."

Ianto's smile faded as he slid from the top trail to land on his feet like a cat. He faced the man whose leer was wide. He recognised him. One of the stable hands from their arrival.

"Are you challenging me?" Ianto asked, amused now.

"That horse… I want that horse. I will fight you for her!"

"Did you not just say it is of the Royal Stables?" Ianto asked, his calm gentle voice not warning in the least bit of his anger. Like his horse… the fire always simmered below the surface and this idiot really had no idea what he was poking.

"You are not bonded yet, she is still yours until then… why I have to take her form you now. Once bonded she will be the Prince's property, like everything else of yours." The man scoffed.

"What's happing over here?"

Ianto turned his hed to find a new man he had not yet met. Handsome, slightly shorter and his cheekbones so sharp you could sharpen your blade on them.

"Keep out of it Hart, this is between me and the Prince's latest fluff." The man snarled at the newcomer, still eyeballing Ianto.

Ianto smiled softly.

"Well now" Hart said gently as he took in the tall glass of whatthefuck "This is a nice addition to the Harem. Wow. "And what is your name Eye Candy?"

Ianto's left eye twitched at the corner, betraying his anger and John Hart blinked as those eyes staring into his changed colour. For a moment the greyish lilac was not stormy grey at all… the flames were there. Obvious. John found himself taking a polite step back at he stared at the Elf whose Old Blood was so…. Oh fuck. John finally twigged, looking at the man who had come to save Jack.

"James… I think you should…."

"I said shut the fuck up Hart. This one is mine."

John looked at the man again, this time seeing that he was not only taller than first thought but the thin body was actually pure muscle. The delicate way he tuned to face his idiot so called attacker also told John that he was a warrior. Amusement was there mixed with the anger. No fear. This man was…OK. Confident. Interesting.

"OK James… he's all yours. Go for it."

This was going to be interesting.