The airport teemed with activity, a bustling hub of commotion. Juniper followed behind Prince Isaac, with Ian guiding him by the arm. Attentive guards surrounded them in strategic positions on all sides.

The crown prince’s entourage seamlessly made their way through the congested airport as the masses parted hurriedly to let them pass.

Jun attempted to take in the mayhem around him. Multitudes of people went about their various ways: vampires, humans, and even other supernaturals. Jun was so curious about them. They felt different—powerful, like the vampires, yet not quite the same. He wondered what kinds of creatures they were. Willow’s books hadn’t elaborated on them much.

Jun heard whispers and comments coming from the crowds, the crown prince being the subject of them all. He was back in the Capital—it created quite a stir.

Suddenly, doors opened, and they met a rush of warm air. It wasn’t a refreshing kind of air like Jun was used to. It felt stifling and thick. Once through the doors, more noises inundated the boy: honking, clanking, shuffling, rushing, and voices—oh-so-many voices. Thus far, Topeka was the busiest place he had ever been, and it hadn’t prepared him for Chicago. Juniper’s feet halted involuntarily. It was all too much.

“I know it must be overwhelming, but we have a car waiting for us, Juniper.”

Ian spoke to him, his voice firm; the grip on Jun’s arm tightened slightly in warning—an attempt to get the boy to move along before the prince noticed.

“I’m so s-sorry, sir! I c-can’t. They won’t move.”  

Jun was referring to his legs. They felt unbelievably unsteady. Surely, they would collapse beneath him if he attempted a step. Panic was written on his face—wide uncovered eyes and pallid complexion. A visible tremble swept his body.

The crown prince glanced back. Jun sensed his impatience and annoyance as he walked towards them. The boy braced himself, but Isaac’s irritated feelings changed into something else. He bent close to Jun’s ear.  

“Come, sweet boy.”

It seemed Juniper’s legs released at the words—the influence of his undeniably commanding presence. Jun was unable to disobey his prince. Isaac grasped the boy by the shoulders and guided him forward. His hands were firm but also careful not to bruise, this time.

Jun’s feet fell in step with Isaac’s. He couldn’t focus on anything other than the vampire prince. And so he was oblivious to the chattering crowds, speculating about the fragile-looking slave escorted by their cold prince.

Ian rushed forward to open a car door, and Prince Isaac nudged Juniper inside. He carefully crawled further in and was taken aback. A spacious interior received him, more than just a couple of seats. Jun hesitated, unsure of what to do.

The prince got in behind him and arranged the boy to sit next to him. This time, Isaac allowed them to sit normally, not even touching.

Ian and two guards also entered the vehicle. Jun was amazed that there seemed to be plenty of room. Once they were all settled, the limousine pulled into the throng of city traffic and drove towards their destination.

“We will be at the palace in about an hour. It’s outside the city, to the north.” Ian informed the boy. “Are you hungry at all?"

“Oh, no, sir. There was a lot for breakfast.” 

Abruptly, Prince Isaac’s rumbling voice interjected into the conversation.

“You will be fed when we arrive at the palace. You will eat more often. I need you properly nourished.”

“Y-yes, Your Highness.”

Juniper knew he couldn’t argue with the man. It was just as well. He supposed he would need the extra strength to provide blood… and for the other uses the prince would have for him.  

A tight feeling pooled in the pit of the boy’s stomach when he thought about those “uses.” He was so nervous and afraid, yet he recalled how the prince’s touches had affected him. At the time, he wanted more. What would more feel like?

Prince Isaac resumed working on his pad. It made sense that the future king would always be so busy. Jun couldn’t even comprehend what the prince’s life was like. He wondered how much of that life he would now be a part of.

“You have a meeting with the diplomat from Timber Ridge Territory at 1900. General Benjamin and Prince Cormac will be in attendance as well.”

Juniper recognized the territory name as belonging to shifters in the East. He was curious but did his best to seem uninterested. A nosy slave probably wasn’t appreciated.

“I have sent you documents detailing Lord Alexei’s concerns.”

“Problems with the Bauer borders?”

“Yes, sir. They are having issues similar to us.”

“Hmm.”  

Juniper sensed the prince was wary about something, but he tried not to pay too close attention to their exchange.

He turned his focus to the smooth ride, almost soothing. The roads here seemed much nicer than the dirt roads of Kansas. Between the lulling motions of the car and the deep voices talking of things he didn’t understand, Jun’s consciousness drifted.

Right before sleep took him, he heard Ian speaking—his mind unable to register the words in its hazy state.

“He’s an adorable human, sir. Too innocent, though. I fear the palace will eat him alive…”

***

Jun woke when he felt the car slowing down. Sleep addled, he slowly realized his cheek was pressed against a muscled arm—the crown prince’s muscled arm. With no subtlety, the boy quickly sat up straight.

Prince Isaac didn’t say anything, but Ian chuckled at him.

“You have good timing. We have just arrived. You’ll find it much quieter here than in the city,” spoke Ian.

The guards were the first to exit the vehicle, then Ian, who pulled Juniper along with him, and lastly, the crown prince.

“Welcome home, Your Highness.”

A man respectfully greeted the prince. Jun could tell he was another vampire.

A small crowd of people had gathered outside the palace to welcome the crown prince. In addition to the vampire guards, humans lined a pathway in perfect formation—all household slaves.

“Thank you, Charles.” The prince replied to the vampire while moving towards the entrance of his home. Ian, with Juniper in tow, followed behind him.

The palace was a grand and sprawling structure. Light gray stone was used in its construction, and it rose many stories high with spires appearing to prick the sky. An ornate archway, held up by marble columns, led to the main entrance, and there was a multitude of glittering windows, allowing a view of neat and tidy gardens below.  

The back of the palace overlooked a sparkling blue lake that seemed to go on endlessly.

Juniper couldn’t see for himself the grandeur of it all, but he guessed at how lavish the palace of the royal family must be—nothing like his old farmhouse in Kansas.

Ian guided Juniper under the archway, bringing him closer to his new home. They walked through the enormous main doors that opened into the grand entryway. The boy could tell the space was cavernous. It didn’t feel like they had stepped inside a building at all.

Polished marble floors led up to a wide staircase in the center of the room. A beautiful crystal chandelier hung above them, and countless hallways and doors led off into a myriad of directions.

“The meeting room is prepared, Your Highness. There is still some time before it is scheduled to begin.”

“Thank you, Charles. I trust Lynn has been briefed?”

“Yes, she should be on her way now.”

“Good. I’ll freshen up in my quarters before the meeting.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

With that, Juniper could sense Prince Isaac leaving. A few guards and slaves trailed behind him up the staircase.  

The vampire named Charles walked to where Ian and Juniper stood, still just inside the entrance.

“I trust you served His Highness well while on tour?”

“Yes, sir,” replied Ian.

Juniper felt the exchange was odd. There was tension, and the vampire, Charles, exuded strong emotions. They seemed negative but also complex. He couldn’t make sense of them, nor could he tell if they were directed at himself or Ian.

“And yet, you watched as His Highness disregarded procedure to bring this…untrained slave into the palace.”

Jun flinched.

“With all due respect, sir, Prince Isaac wanted him. Nothing could have been done.”

“I see. Make sure the human learns his place—quickly. I will not allow anything to bring embarrassment to the royal family or this palace.”

“Juniper is obedient. He will learn.”

“We will see. When the girl gets here, go attend to Lord Alexei.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that, Charles left. Ian turned to the confused boy.

“Charles is the head of the household. He is in charge of the slaves and lower-ranked vampires. He and I actually belong to the same bloodline. And our clan has served the royal family for a very long time.”

The conversation left Juniper even more nervous than before, and Ian’s explanation hadn’t helped.

“Don’t worry, Juniper. We will make sure you are properly educated on palace life and decorum.”

It wasn’t the words that reassured him but the genuine warmth he had found in Ian.

Just then, a woman came walking towards them. She bowed her head.

“I’m here, sir.” Words spoken with a soft and soothing voice.

“Lynn. Show Juniper to his room, and have him eat. Then get him prepared. He should be in Prince Isaac’s room by 2100.”

Lynn came forward to stand in front of Jun. She was maybe a couple of inches taller than him.

“Hello, Juniper. My name is Lynn. I’m the attendant to His Highness’ thralls. I’m going to take your hand now.”

Her kind aura immediately disarmed him. He wasn’t expecting to meet anyone like this at the palace. Maybe she spoke to him like one would a child, but the boy would take any tenderness he could get. He almost began to cry again.

She gently took his hand into her own. Her hand felt dainty and soft. Jun felt a spark of hope unfurl in his chest. Perhaps he could bear this life with the support of people like Lynn and Ian. She started to lead him towards the staircase when the secretary’s voice made them pause.

“Oh, and answer his questions, Lynn. He may have quite a few of them.”