Chapter 10

Worlds Away

Juniper was currently miles in the air, flying through the sky in an airplane. More precisely, the crown prince’s private jet.

He thought the car had been unsettling enough, but he had to admit, the aircraft was more comfortable and spacious. Once in the air, the ride was smooth, not jarring like the car over the dirt roads of Kansas. Jun had been placed in an oversized leather seat. He sank in and allowed himself to relish the comfort.

They had boarded the jet in Topeka and were now en route to the capital city of the Black Clan Territory—Chicago. Ian told him the trip wouldn’t be long. The distance was too abstract for Juniper, but the large and glamorous city that he’d always heard about seemed worlds away from his quiet farm.

Willow’s school books had at least taught Jun the very basics of geography. After the takeover in the early twentieth century, countries were divided into supernatural-controlled territories.

The former United States of America split into three territories: the East, both north and south, became Timber Ridge Territory and belonged to a tribe of shifters; the Southwest became Bauer Territory, controlled by the vampires of Clan Bauer; and Clan Black owned the rest—the Midwest all the way to the West.

States and cities kept their names, but the human population had been drastically reduced. Many villages, towns, and cities lay empty. Ghost towns dotted the landscape—slowly crumbling remnants of a past long forgotten by humans.

Each territory was its own sovereignty. The various supernaturals set up their governing systems, and many chose some form of monarchy—like the Black Territory. The royal family ruled absolutely, and Isaac Black was to be the next king.

Juniper shuddered as his mind wandered to that man. The crown prince, who thankfully sat away from him, was immersed in work. Jun didn’t want to think about him and the intense kiss he experienced only hours ago. A flush tinged his face.

“Are you alright? Is it too hot in here? Shall I adjust the temperature?”

Ian was seated beside him.

“No! No… I’m fine. Thank you, though.”

Ian was attentive to Juniper. Of course, he now belonged to the prince. It was reasonable that his secretary would take special care of the prince’s belongings.

Juniper dwelled on that notion: the prince’s belonging…

After breakfast, and the other thing that had happened, they efficiently packed up and traveled by car to Topeka to board the private jet. Jun had plenty of time to mull over being the prince’s “thrall,” but there was no opportunity to ask and confirm what a thrall really was. Prince Isaac had been busy working on his pad or phone, and Jun had already asked him so many questions. He didn’t want to press his luck.

As if Ian had read his mind—Jun didn’t think vampires actually had that power—he spoke.

“Prince Isaac has said you haven’t had the opportunity to learn as much as other slaves. You may ask me questions if you’d like. He doesn’t intend for you to remain ignorant.”

With not even a second’s worth of hesitancy, Jun’s question burst out.

“What is a thrall?”

He could hear Ian chuckle next to him.

“Well, first things first, a slave should at least know the basics of proper etiquette.”

Jun’s face went white. He messed up. It was easy to forget that Ian was also a powerful, superior being, even if Jun had sensed a gentleness in him.

“You will refer to most vampires as ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am.’ Royalty is different. The princes are ‘Your Highness,’ which you seem to know, and the king is ‘Your Majesty.’ It becomes more complicated when addressing the different noble ranks, but you will learn with time.”

Jun did his best to take in the instruction. He didn’t want to be a glaring display of cluelessness in the capital. For the first time in his life, it would seem he was finally going to be useful, and he wanted to do a good job.

“When a vampire directly owns a slave, they are usually referred to as ‘Master,’ unless that vampire has different preferences.”

Juniper wondered if the prince would want to be called “Master” or remain as “Your Highness.”

Master.  

The word conjured an array of thoughts and emotions that battled inside his head. Inescapably owned. Used. Kept. Belonging. Purpose…

He knew he should have recoiled at such thoughts.

Ian brought him back to the present as he continued. “You tend to do this already, but remember, when in the presence of a supernatural, always keep your head lowered—unless otherwise directed.”

After it seemed that Ian had finished his lesson, and Juniper was sure he wouldn’t interrupt the secretary, he spoke, his voice already naturally meek and soft.

“I’m sorry, sir...and thank you for informing me. I’ll do my best to learn, sir.” 

Jun felt a pat on his head.

“Yes, I’m sure you will. We understand that your situation is unique, that you have been quite… sheltered.”

Juniper enjoyed the gentle touches in his hair. They soothed him. He was sure if Ash had seen him, he would have been appalled. The thought brought an uneasy feeling to the pit of his stomach. What would his family think of his easy subservience to the vampires?  

He just didn’t want to be punished. He wanted to do well and please—to be useful. His family knew him best. Would they know this was how it would be for him?

The patting atop his head stopped, pulling Jun from his uncomfortable thoughts.

“Now, to answer your question,” Ian said, and Jun listened eagerly, ready to learn the details of his new duties. “A vampire and their thrall share a bond of blood. A thrall is created when a vampire releases their venom into a human while feeding from them. The thrall remains human, though, as the vampire’s blood isn’t exchanged. But the venom will alter the thrall’s body.  

“Their blood replenishes quickly with minor healing abilities, allowing their master to drink from them more often safely.

“But perhaps the most significant alteration is that a thrall will share their vampire’s lifespan. The venom halts the human’s aging, and their youth is suspended in time for the duration of their vampire’s life.”

Juniper didn’t know what to think. He felt Ian’s explanation had left him with more questions than answers. He was going to be altered? His lifespan would change? Jun knew that vampires lived longer than humans, but how much longer—forever? He hoped Ian was receptive to more questions.

“Do vampires live forever, sir?”

Ian laughed—Juniper seemed to have a gift for amusing the supernatural beings.

“No. Vampires do not live forever. As far as I know, only the fae suffer immortality. We live for about five hundred years, give or take a couple of decades. The vampiric venom in our veins diminishes in our final century. We gradually weaken and then die.

“Ancient human myths used to believe us immortal—dead, yet living. They also used to say we couldn’t withstand sunlight and hated garlic… Though, they were right about the blood drinking. Those myths were more or less based on humans’ fear of the unknown. They felt better giving their nightmares such limitations.”

Juniper was relieved that he wouldn’t live forever, but five hundred years—or however many more years the prince had left—was still a very long time. His family would be long since dead…

Juniper didn’t intend to cry, but recently, tears came easy to him. Before he realized it, the silk sash was damp. Salty droplets spilled from under the cloth and wet his cheeks.

Abruptly, he was pulled up from his seat into an impossibly hard chest. Prince Isaac had, once again, caught him off-guard. An arm encircled Jun’s waist, trapping him against the vampire. The other hand pulled off the damp sash, uncovering glistening eyes.

“Beautiful.”

The prince spoke the word almost reverently. He stroked Jun’s cheek, wiping away a tear as he did so. The touch was so tender. Juniper blushed.

The vampire prince seemed to be a man of contradictions: controlled and stoic, yet able to laugh at Jun in amusement; his touches fervent and claiming, then also soft and gentle. Juniper didn’t think he would ever be able to make sense of him—no matter how much time they had together.

In a whirl, Prince Isaac sat in the seat Juniper had occupied. He had Jun straddled over his lap, facing him—the very same position Jun endured during his first car ride. He steadied himself the same way too, with his palms against a muscled chest.

“Ian, go clean up the documents.”

“Yes, sir.”

Secretary Ian was out of his seat in a flash. Jun could feel the prince’s gaze wash over him. Isaac held him by the hips, not moving his hands anywhere else. Was Jun disappointed?

“A vampire and their thrall form a mutually beneficial relationship. The vampire gets a plentiful source of convenient blood… and a body to enact their cravings. The thrall gets an extended life—one of luxury and privilege.”

Prince Isaac’s drawling voice captivated him. Juniper couldn’t even fathom the life the vampire was presenting to him.

“You will devotedly serve my needs. In return, I will take care of you.”

Was it as simple as that?

“This is the pilot speaking. Please fasten your seatbelts. We are cleared for landing.”

Prince Isaac smoothly deposited Juniper into Ian’s seat. He secured the seatbelt for him, and the aircraft began to descend.