[Content Warning: nudity]

Lynn took Juniper through a labyrinth of hallways, staircases, and rooms. It seemed they would walk endlessly, going every which way. Even if he had the aid of sight, Jun didn’t think he could get his bearings in the massive palace.

They were quiet as they walked. The pair didn’t exchange words, but Lynn’s hand felt comforting to Jun. His mind couldn’t come up with questions even though he knew he had a lot of them. Perhaps Lynn understood. She didn’t try to coax anything out of the boy. She simply offered him a gentle and soothing touch.

Finally, they stopped at a door, behind which was Juniper’s new room. He knew it would be nothing like the small, chill, dark cellar he had occupied his whole life. Lynn opened the door.

“This will be your room,” she said while tugging Juniper inside. “It is part of His Highness’s living quarters.”

She slowly guided him around the room, showing him the arrangement of furniture. He touched things, allowing his mind to map out and catalog his new surroundings.

Juniper noted the spaciousness of the room as he ventured around. A rather sizeable bed took up a good portion of the far wall. Four wooden posts rose high, supporting a frame from which sheer drapes could enclose the bed. On either side of the ornate headboard, delicate glass lamps rested atop matching side tables. The comforter felt thick and cozy when Jun smoothed his hands over it. He came to the head of the bed and noticed the plethora of poofy pillows. Juniper smiled—he liked having lots of pillows at home too.

One corner of the room had two oversized armchairs next to a tall bookcase. Jun brushed his fingers along the spines of the books. He wondered if someone would be willing to read to him here, like Willow used to…

In another part of the room was a small, round dining table with two chairs, dinner already waiting there for him. 

“There is a balcony out this way… a closet through this door… and over here is an ensuite. Though, most of your cleansing routines will be done in the thralls’ baths. Come,” she said, grabbing his hand. “Let’s get some food in you.”

She sat down with Juniper at the table and dished food onto a plate for him. There were tender bites of meats, warm bread, and fresh vegetables. Juniper appreciated the simpleness, and it was quite good. As he ate, a question finally struck him. 

“Do vampires have more than one thrall?”

“Many do. Some only have one,” Lynn replied matter-of-factly.

“Does Prince Isaac have other thralls?” Jun asked, a bit timidly.

“He currently has one other. There have been more in the past, but he has since released them.”  

Prince Isaac already had a thrall? When he thought about it, it made sense. The prince had probably been alive for quite a while—of course, Jun wouldn’t be his first.

It was the other thing she said that caught him off-guard.

“What… what does it mean, t-to be released?”

“Well, I’m not exactly sure how it works… there is some sort of anti-venom, but a vampire can make a thrall into a regular human again, aging and all. I do know that it’s quite painful…”

Lynn’s voice faded away at the end of her explanation.

Juniper’s thoughts reeled, flashing chaotically across his mind. Why were they released? Would Prince Isaac eventually release him too? Does he feel bad about the possibility… or is that a good thing? Does he want to live for hundreds of years with the vampire, but if he is released… does that mean he wasn’t good enough? Would he be useless, again? 

He felt a slight, hesitant touch on his hand. Lynn seemed to notice the fragile state of the boy. Much of his food remained untouched on his plate, but the woman didn’t press him.

“I’m sorry, this must be a lot for you.”

“Yes.” Jun’s voice had turned so quiet, barely detectable.

Lynn possessed such an understanding nature, but in that moment, Juniper missed his family more than anything.

He missed the steadfast rock that was his father. He missed the soothing arms of his mother. He missed how reliable and responsible his big brother always was. He missed the lighted-heartedness of his younger brother, who could always coax a smile. And he missed his doting little sister, even the nagging. 

His whole life, he had depended on them and their abundant love. They’d eased his mind when he felt like a burden. If he’d felt especially useless, they would show how much he was valued. He had been able to stay positive because of their constant presence. What was he going to do now?  

He had hoped that thoughts of his family would be a comfort. That was naive. He only felt heartache.

Warm arms enveloped him. A head nestled atop his own. Calmness saturated the air, and he sensed sympathy. Too caught up in his own despair, he hadn’t noticed Lynn moving out of her seat.

“I hope this is okay. You looked like you needed a hug.”

At that moment, something broke within the boy. He began to sob. Giant tears escaped his eyes, his body shook, and he clutched desperately to the arms wrapped around him. Everything he had been holding within his heart let loose. 

He cried for himself, for his family, for his uncertain future. 

Lynn, who was practically a stranger, held him through it all. She gave him this chance to grieve, and he took advantage.  

Eventually, his tears ran dry. The tension left his body, and he sagged against the chair. He had needed a good cry.

“Thank you.” His softly spoken words were so sincere to the woman he had recently met.

She pulled away from him and knelt on the floor beside his chair. She took Jun’s hand into her own.  

“I understand.” Juniper knew she meant it.

“Now, I must get you to the baths. There is a huge soaking pool. The warm water will be relaxing.”

The boy knew that his face must have looked awful, and Lynn had duties to carry out. After his cry, he did feel better, even with the knowledge of what the baths were preparing him for. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Alright.

* * *

The thralls’ baths were exclusively used to pamper and prepare the special slaves for their vampire masters. The room boasted exorbitant luxury and lavish design. White marble columns rose to meet a high ceiling where clear glass let in the twilight glow from outside. Multiple pools were scattered across natural stone floors, each unique, with its own temperatures, depths, and scents.  

The very center of the room featured an ornate fountain that sent gentle streams of water into the surrounding pools.

Crystal sconces lit the room as the daylight dwindled, and marvelous stained-glass windows splayed colorful light reflecting off the pools’ pristine waters. The opaque glass was an array of blues and greens in every shade—it would be spectacular in the daytime. 

Juniper could feel the warm and humid air. He heard the trickling of the fountain. Various fragrances infiltrated his senses—soaps scented with florals and water infused with calming essences. There was so much to take in, even if he couldn’t fully experience the splendor of the room.

Lynn took Jun by the hand and carefully led him to an alcove.

“Please undress.”

She said it gently, and Juniper had suspected he would have to bathe in front of others, but he was still very uncomfortable.

His hands shook as he moved to peel off the clothes he had just been given that morning. He revealed his willowy form and pale skin—evidence of his life hidden away from the sun’s warm rays.

Soon, all that remained was the collar around his delicate neck. He was grateful for the balmy air, but he still shivered. 

Lynn took him to an area with showers. Two other slaves approached them.

“His Highness has a preference for smooth skin. They are going to apply a lotion that will remove your body hair. It will be permanent, so we must keep it away from your head. Can you hold very still, Juniper?”

He nodded, this was all very strange to him, but he did his best not to move as the two other slaves gingerly applied a cool lotion all over his body. He tensed when they reached his intimate areas, but he still remained steady as he let the bath attendants do their job.  

He could feel a subtle tingle, and the lotion went from cool to warm. After a few minutes, they guided him under a steamy shower spray to remove the lotion along with his body hair. His skin felt odd and even more sensitive than usual.

Once again, Lynn took the boy’s hand.

“You’re doing so well, Juniper.” The praise helped uplift the boy.

She led him to the main room and carefully helped him down into a shallow pool, the water only reaching his knees. The two other slaves followed. They moved towards Juniper with cloths and soaps intending to wash him.  

“Can...can I wash myself?”

“No. This is how it is done.” There was a finality in her words, even as she said them gently.

Jun felt exceedingly self-conscious of his body. How many people had seen it in the last couple of days? He didn’t know how his body compared to others. Of his brothers, he was the smallest, and they playfully teased him for it. Though, Prince Isaac must be okay with it.

He had called him pretty. Beauty had never mattered to Jun, but the knowledge that the prince found him aesthetically pleasing produced a warmth in the boy’s chest.  

The bath attendants were efficient in their ministrations. With deft movements, they quickly and expertly washed the boy—everywhere—and soon, he was being led out of that pool and taken to another.

This one was deeper, and the water was warmer. Lynn helped him to sit on a bench that lined the inside of the pool. The water went up to his neck and carried the scent of lavender and vanilla. The warmth and aroma combined with the pleasant sounds from the fountain were enough to relax Jun…

“So, you’re the new boy. The one found in the middle of nowhere.”

A boy with blonde hair and deep blue eyes sauntered through the water towards Juniper.

Jun jolted when a hand gripped his chin and forced his face up.

“Typical. He always goes for the blue eyes.” The new boy continued to gaze at Jun, who was feeling very uncomfortable.

“So you really are blind,” he muttered.

“Please, Phoenix. He’s new to all this,” Lynn pleaded with the boy.

Phoenix finally released Juniper from his grip and scrutinizing stare.

“Whatever. I’ve finished here anyway.”

Jun heard the sounds of disturbed water as Phoenix made to leave the pool. His wet feet slapped on the stone floors as he walked away, but then he paused.

“Welcome to the palace, farm boy.”