Lynn ruffled through the closet as Juniper sat on his new bed—admittedly, the most comfortable bed he had ever felt.

“We have some basic clothes for you, but the tailor will be summoned soon to give you a proper wardrobe,” she bellowed out from inside the closet.

Jun currently wore a light robe from the baths. The attendants had made sure to dry him, but he still felt so cold; it seemed the unnatural chilled air was standard. He shivered, but that also could have been from the thoughts of his recent exchange with the boy called Phoenix.

He had given off an aura of superiority and pride, but Jun also felt an emotion that no one had ever directed at him before—jealousy.

“Was that boy Prince Isaac’s other thrall?”

“Yes, Phoenix has been His Highness’s thrall for two years.” 

Lynn emerged from the closet and joined Juniper on the bed. She had a bundle of clothes in her arms.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything when he touched you like that. He has a higher status than I do… so do you, for that matter.”

“I do?” 

Lynn chuckled, the sound easing his tension a little. Then, she patted his head. The boy wondered what was so compelling about his hair. Though he didn’t mind, they were the kind of touches he craved. 

“Yes, you do. Thralls have the highest status of any slave… next to potentials.”

“Potentials?”

“They are humans who may be turned into vampires. I think certain markers need to show up in their blood, and they need to have the right physical attributes. Most vampires want to sire the big and strong types.” Lynn got up and moved to another area of the room.

“I think that’s why most vampires are male—doesn’t seem fair to me…” She muttered that last part under her breath.

“Come, Juniper. Let’s get you properly dressed.”

“You can call me Jun, if you want… I would like that…” he said as he walked over to where the sound of Lynn’s voice was. He missed being called Jun, and if someone kind, like Lynn, used the name his family always called him—it would be nice.

“Alright, Jun. It’s cute. It certainly fits you.” He could detect the smile in her voice.

At Lynn’s instruction, the boy took off his thin bathrobe. She first gave him light gray pants to slip into. They fit snug against his legs, but the material was pliable and soft. She then draped a new robe over his shoulders, though it differed from the bathrobe.  

It was oversized with flowing sleeves and dyed in gradient blues, going from dark navy to light aqua. The fabric was luxurious, breathable but still warm. It wrapped around his torso and tied at the side.

“His Highness requested these colors on you, probably to match your gorgeous eyes.” Lynn gave a light-hearted chuckle as the boy blushed.

Jun had wondered about what he would wear in the palace, and he found he quite liked these clothes. They were comfortable as they covered him, and they kept the chill out. The material felt smooth against his newly hairless skin.

After his soak in the baths, the attendants had applied all kinds of lotions and oils over his body, making his skin feel velvety. Now, Lynn began to fuss with his hair. She untangled it but left it how it usually was—a bit unkempt.  

“Does it hurt? When they bite.” Jun ventured to ask while Lynn worked at making him presentable.

“I have never been bitten, but I’ve heard the thralls and pets say it’s actually very pleasurable.”

Jun’s face began to heat up again while Lynn placed his feet in a pair of soft slippers.

“There. I think you are ready.”

* * *

Juniper sat on the edge of the crown prince’s bed. Waiting.

It wasn’t far to Isaac’s bedroom. Lynn explained that a whole block of rooms belonged to the prince as his personal living quarters. The close proximity unnerved the boy a bit—he felt convenient.

Lynn left Jun alone, after a brief walk around to give him a basic idea of the layout. He quickly sat on the bed once she departed, his legs too shaky to hold him up.

He had made it to Prince Isaac’s home—to his room, to his bed. Conflicting feelings warred within him. He was frightened and anxious for sure, but Jun had difficulty admitting to himself the other feelings: Curiosity. Anticipation. Desire.

The memory of the vampire prince’s earlier touches stirred a deep longing within the boy. Touch was meaningful to Juniper, and Isaac’s touch felt so good. He crept up to the top of the bed and laid his head on the heavenly pillows. They smelled clean, but he detected the faintest scent of trees and dewy grass at dawn—Isaac’s scent. Jun wondered how a prince in a posh palace could smell of such things. 

As he lay there, Juniper let himself imagine the realities of what Prince Isaac offered him. Here, he would have purpose. He would be useful, but could he handle this life, without his loving family by his side?

His racing thoughts began to slow as the coziness of the bed and the quietness of the room relaxed him. It had been another long day, and despite his nervousness, fatigue overcame him as he drifted into sleep.

* * *

The meeting was dragging on longer than he liked…

Prince Isaac sat at the head of a large, rectangular table. On either side of him sat Ian, Lord Alexei, General Benjamin, and Prince Cormac (who was to be the next general).

“Luther is out of line! His imposed tariffs were enough, but now our humans, near the border, are starting to go missing!”

It was Alexei speaking, the diplomat from Timber Ridge Territory. Though in his human form, he still looked every bit the hulking wolf shifter that he was—with silvery gray hair, not from age, but from his beast. He was a man that could hold his own against the vampires.  

“We are having issues with our border as well, but unfortunately, we can’t prove it’s the Bauer Clan—they blame the rebels.” Prince Cormac spoke in his boisterous voice accompanied by waving hands. 

Alexei frantically continued, “We have information that he is bolstering his fighting forces, there is even talk of him forming an alliance with the witches in the south! We need to do somethi—”

“Those are unconfirmed rumors.” General Benjamin cut off the diplomat. A steadfast ancient Persian warrior he was, though he didn’t look a day older than 30. “We cannot take action that could be construed as aggression. It could lead to war.”

“Timber Ridge believes he is preparing for war. He’s impetuous,” spat Lord Alexei. “…took over the throne too young—especially with how suspicious the death of the previous king was—and the rebels’ supposed hand in it…”

“That’s enough.”  

Prince Isaac finally spoke, and the room went silent. “We have been allies with the Bauer Clan since Heinrich’s reign, and for now. That alliance will be respected, until there is solid evidence that Luther is behind our missing slaves or that he is secretly talking with the Reyes Coven.”

Alexei let out a sigh. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but we need to be preparing now—before it’s too late.”

“I believe there is nothing wrong with extra training for our soldiers,” spoke up Prince Cormac.  

“I agree that it seems Luther is up to something. We can be…discreet about our preparations,” the general added.

“Fine, but we will not act on impulse. We are not human. Let us not forget how they almost initiated a worldwide war before the takeover,” Prince Isaac cautioned.

“Come on, brother. The comparison isn’t fair,” said Prince Cormac.

“Still, we will exercise caution, not recklessness,” the crown prince said with finality.

“Perhaps we should have our intelligence collaborate with Timber Ridge.” General Benjamin was a rational leader, one who looked before he leapt. Cormac still had much to learn from him.

Alexei perked up at that. “We would be willing to do whatever it takes to subvert a possible invasion from the Bauer Clan.”

Prince Isaac was not convinced it would come to that. True, Luther was ambitious compared to his predecessor, Heinrich, but a war with his direct neighbors—who were allies—would be foolish.

“Luther is due to come for a state visit, as I have just been named heir. I will personally confront him on these matters.” Prince Isaac’s tone was as sharp as a knife’s edge. As powerful as the other supernaturals were in that room, they couldn’t help but feel the absolute intimidation.

“Very well. I will report back to Chief Erina. I’m sure she will agree with our collaboration and further communication on the subject.”

When the diplomat finished speaking, Prince Isaac stood—a clear message that the meeting was over. The rest followed suit.

“Thank you for your time, Your Highnesses and General.” With a slight bow, Alexei made to leave but paused at the crown prince.

“By the way, your new human is pretty.” He said it with a hushed tone and light-hearted smile, to show that they had been old friends, despite the tense meeting.

Prince Isaac raised a brow, causing Alexei to chuckle as he left. Ian followed behind to escort him to his rooms.

“I will take my leave as well. It seems we have much to do. Your Highnesses.” General Benjamin gave the two men a bow and exited the meeting room.

Prince Cormac walked towards Isaac, an amused expression plastered on his face.  

The crown prince wasn’t in the mood to deal with his brother at the moment—he was eager to be somewhere else.

“Not even in the capital for five minutes, and you’re already making headlines.”

Cormac had a pad in his hands and showed it to his brother. The screen displayed a photo, taken at the airport, of Isaac escorting a particular slave to a car.

“Reporters, dregs of vampire society,” seethed Prince Isaac.

“They already dug up his file. He’s quite the intriguing slave. Hidden away, blind, and 93 blood—he’s lucky for that rating.”  

Isaac scowled. He knew it wouldn’t take long for the news to travel.

“For you to skip proper protocol, he must be something. The auctioneers aren’t going to be happy with you,” continued Cormac. His old Irish accent seeped through slightly, despite his many years away from his homeland. It often did when bantering with his brother.

“They’ll be compensated. I would have acquired the boy anyway.”

Cormac laughed in his big and booming way. The burley, auburn-haired vampire had a mischievous glint in his gray eyes. Isaac was used to it, having been together for the last 162 years. Their opposing personalities had always been apparent.

“Are you going to share some of that rare blood?”

“Not with you.” Cormac had reduced the crown prince to paltry comebacks.

Cormac laughed again. “It’s not like you to be so possessive. I can’t wait to meet this little human.”

Isaac sighed. “He’s innocent, gentle, and curious about everything—so unlike the other trained slaves. I find it refreshing…alluring,” he confided.

“Wow! Where’s my emotionally void brother?” Cormac gave him a playful smack on the back, annoyance returning to Isaac’s face.

“I’ll have Mateo and Emil look after the little lamb—sounds like he’ll need it!”

Prince Cormac made his way to the door of the meeting room. “Welp, go make him yours, Isaac.” And with that, he left.

The vampire prince’s amber eyes darkened. “I intend to.”