Chapter 9

Breakfast with the Prince

“Eat.”

Juniper’s stomach twisted in knots, but the vampire prince had given him a command. It left no room for negotiation. Juniper tentatively felt towards the table. His hands slowly brushed the edges of a smooth porcelain plate, then to the polished utensils placed atop a neatly folded linen napkin. Further up, he felt a drinking glass, cold and wet with condensation.

Then Juniper began to touch the food on his plate. Being careful of temperatures and mess, he only slightly let his fingertips inspect what was offered.

He discovered fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, and toasted bread slathered with melty butter. Next to the plate was a small bowl of plump grapes. The normalcy of it all struck Juniper—like breakfast from home.

He wiped his fingers on the napkin and picked up a fork. With well-practiced movements, he began eating small and tidy bites of the eggs. Only when the flavors hit his tongue did he realize how hungry he truly was. The nauseousness of his stomach eased as it filled with sustenance.

He noticed that Prince Isaac had joined him at the dining table. The clinking of utensils alerted Jun. The vampire was eating too? Curiosity overruled his better judgment.

“Vampires can eat regular food—more than just blood?”

Jun cringed at himself for speaking out of turn again. He braced for a harsh smack against his cheek to undo the recent healing. Nothing came. Maybe he was going to get away with a firm scolding.

Instead, he heard a quiet, amused laugh. “You don’t know much, do you?”

The vampire’s question stung, though not as bad as a slap. He always wished he’d been able to learn more about the world.

“No, Your Highness. I didn’t get to go to school…”

“Hmm, I see.” Then under his breath, he added, “Perhaps I’ll arrange for a tutor…”

Juniper wasn’t sure if the prince had intended for him to hear that, but he did, and it left him with all sorts of questions whirling around in his mind. Before he could think about it too deeply, the prince decided to answer the initial question.

“Yes, we eat regular food. It isn’t required to survive, but it’s pleasurable. It also helps to keep the time between blood feedings more comfortable.”

“Oh!” Surprised that the prince indulged his inquiry, Jun’s mood lightened a bit. His stomach was pleasantly full, and he reached for the cold drink provided for him.

Sweet tea—his very favorite! Juniper couldn’t stop the delight from showing on his face in the form of a beaming smile. Sometimes, in the darkest moments, it’s the little things that can make one feel like themselves again.

“I see you enjoy the beverage.”

“Yes! I love sweet tea. Thank you, Your Highness.” Jun’s voice was bright and melodic, even when he wasn’t singing.

The vampire cleared his throat. “Yes, you’re welcome.”

The rest of the meal finished in silence—not too uncomfortable. Since they still sat together at the table, Juniper gathered his courage and asked about his family.

“Umm… my family. What’s going to h-happen to them? Please, Your Highness.”

Juniper couldn’t see Prince Isaac’s amber eyes darken at his sweet, timid “please.” Jun held his breath, hoping the vampire would mercifully answer. Once again, he was indulged.

“They have each received lashings, and their earnings have been suspended for the time being. They were sent back to the farm early this morning.”

Juniper let out the shaky breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He was relieved. They were already back home. He hoped they hadn’t suffered too many lashings, especially his little sister. Jun found that he could carry on now that he knew they would be alright.

It was incredibly painful to be separated from them, permanently, but they would all be alive. He would carry their memories together on the farm and think of them often. He hoped those memories would bring him comfort if his situation became unbearable.

“Do they know… that I won’t be… executed?”

“Yes, they have been informed.”

Another relief for Juniper. They would mourn his absence, but at least they wouldn’t mourn his death. The vampire was being very tolerant of Juniper’s questions. He decided to be bolder yet still.

“And my blood test… did the results come back?”

“Yes, they did.” The wooden chair creaked as the vampire prince rose and slowly paced. “The results were… surprising.”

Juniper was beginning to dislike the man’s unhurried way of speaking.

“Your blood rated at a 93.”

The silence following Prince Isaac’s statement suggested he expected a particular reaction. Juniper didn’t fully understand the intricacies of the blood-rating system. He knew his parents and Cypress numbered in the 70s and they were called fairbloods, which was considered average. So then, this must be a good rating?

“Is… is that good?”

The crown prince laughed, and not just a soft chuckle. Jun sat there, mouth agape. The laugh didn’t suit the vampire at all. He suspected he was witnessing something rare.

When the prince’s amusement wore off, he clarified the full meaning of the blood rating to the poor, naive boy.

“It has been nearly three decades since the last human with blood like yours was found—in this territory, at least.”

Prince Isaac continued to circle the spacious room. The wooden floorboards occasionally groaned under his steps, allowing Juniper to know where he was. He sat in the chair, letting the words sink in.

“A woman with a rating of 94. It is indeed rare to find a blood rating above 90. From my experience, the blood is intoxicatingly good—rich, smooth, heady.”

The vampire made his way closer to Juniper while he spoke of the taste of rare blood until he stopped at Juniper’s back. Sure fingers untied the silken sash that Ian had secured over his eyes. It fell to the floor, fluttering over Jun’s skin as it went.

“The sweetness of the blood depends on the human…” Prince Isaac gently caressed Jun’s face, warm hands smoothing over his reddening cheeks. The vampire’s fingers were nimble, but his palms felt rough and unyielding. Hands that took what they wanted. “I imagine yours is sweet—like a port wine of the finest quality.”

His fingers trailed lower, settling on Juniper’s neck. He lightly played with the new collar. A shiver ran down Jun’s spine, impossible to suppress. The blend of the prince’s words and touches did treacherous things to Jun’s body. He couldn’t help the heat building in certain areas.

It seemed the prince had finished speaking, or maybe he was waiting for Juniper to respond.

“What’s going to happen to me?” Jun asked breathlessly.

Prince Isaac stopped fingering Jun’s slave collar and moved to tilt the underside of his chin so that he faced upward. The vampire prince bent down, and right at the pulse point of Juniper’s neck, he placed a kiss.

Jun felt the sharp tips of inhuman fangs, and he tensed. They only grazed the flesh of his throat as the vampire was careful not to puncture.

Then Prince Isaac’s lips lightly trailed up to the soft flesh at the base of his ear. The touch was so slight against his skin, but it sent tingling sensations throughout his body.

He moaned, letting out a sound he didn’t know he could make. The vampire’s lips lingered close to his ear, and he whispered, “I’m going to make you my thrall.”

Before Juniper could process what the prince had said, he felt firm lips crushed against his own. A tongue darted out, ordering entrance. Juniper didn’t think before his lips parted. Isaac dominated his mouth in a soul-claiming kiss that demanded everything from him. Jun complied, staying soft and open to whatever his prince commanded.

Jun couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. He just endured, his body swept up in the pace of the stronger man. Soft sounds escaped around the kiss as the vampire’s tongue explored his mouth, placing claim. Fangs brushed against lush lips.

Juniper was hard. He felt himself unraveling with desire. It so felt good.

He wanted to be touched more. He shivered with need, but Prince Isaac’s hands stayed still on his neck and jaw while the kiss continued. Juniper whimpered. He wasn’t sure what he wanted, but he wanted more of it.

The prince chuckled as he broke the kiss. Juniper was panting—all his breaths effectively stolen from him.

“So responsive. Perfect.”

Prince Isaac stood back up, and his hands left Juniper. He felt cold with the lost contact. His body was devastated. It was fortunate he was still sitting, or he would be collapsed upon the floor. What had the vampire done to him?

Then, he felt the prince’s fingers card through his wavy hair. The touch was gentle and chaste and oh-so-frustrating. That frustration must have shown on his face because it had earned him another chuckle from the vampire.

“Not here, sweet boy. I’m going to take you home first.”