Prince James
1457 Words
Elvis's words lingered in Ivanna's mind.
“His strength is unlike anything you've ever seen, my lady.”
Ivanna stared at him for a moment, trying to make sense of everything he had just told her.
She had already known that Giveon was unusually strong, but hearing Elvis describe the extent of his abilities made her realize just how little she actually knew about her husband.
There was something about Giveon that everyone seemed to know except her.
Something people feared.
Something no one wanted to speak about openly.
Ivanna lowered her gaze to the empty plate before her.
“Are there books about the history of this kingdom?” she suddenly asked.
Elvis looked at her.
“There are many.”
“Then I'd like to read some.”
He nodded.
“The library is in the eastern wing. I can take you there.”
Ivanna smiled softly.
“Thank you.”
A few minutes later, they left the garden.
Elvis walked beside her as they made their way through the palace corridors. Ivanna looked around curiously, still fascinated by how enormous the palace was.
As they approached the eastern wing, Elvis turned down a corridor.
That was when someone suddenly collided with Ivanna.
She stumbled backward with a startled gasp.
Elvis immediately caught her before she could fall.
“My lady!”
“I'm fine,” Ivanna said quickly, steadying herself.
But Elvis was no longer looking at her.
His eyes had hardened as he looked at the man standing before them.
He immediately bowed.
“Your Highness.”
Prince James.
Giveon's elder brother.
The heir to the throne.
James did not even acknowledge Elvis.
His eyes were fixed on Ivanna.
Ivanna felt uncomfortable beneath his gaze.
There was something about him that was difficult to explain.
A dark presence seemed to surround him.
It wasn't merely intimidating.
It felt hateful.
Cold.
Almost suffocating.
A shiver traveled down Ivanna's spine.
James noticed.
“So you are Ivanna.”
She swallowed before answering.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
His lips curved into a faint smile.
“My brother's wife.”
“Yes.”
James stepped closer.
Then, without asking, he took her hand and lifted it to his lips.
He kissed her palm.
Ivanna stiffened.
“I am James,” he said smoothly. “Giveon's elder brother.”
His eyes remained fixed on hers.
“And the heir to the throne.”
Ivanna's heart beat faster.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.”
James smiled.
“Is it?”
She didn't know what to say.
His presence made her uneasy in a way she couldn't understand.
James glanced briefly at Elvis before returning his attention to her.
“So my brother has finally taken a wife.”
Ivanna nodded.
“Yes.”
“I wonder what he saw in you.”
Elvis's expression darkened.
“Your Highness,” he said firmly.
James slowly turned his head toward him.
The two men exchanged a cold stare.
Elvis didn't lower his gaze.
“My lady was on her way to the library.”
James's eyes narrowed slightly.
“I wasn't speaking to you.”
Elvis remained silent.
Ivanna could feel the tension growing between them.
She quickly decided she wanted no part in it.
“I should go,” she said softly.
James looked at her again.
“Of course.”
He stepped aside.
“Enjoy the library, my brother's wife.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Ivanna quickly walked away with Elvis.
They had barely reached the next corner when Elvis looked back.
James was still standing in the corridor.
Watching them.
Elvis's expression hardened.
He gave the prince one final warning look before turning away and continuing with Ivanna.
When they reached the library, Elvis opened the large wooden doors and allowed Ivanna to enter first.
She stepped inside and immediately looked around in amazement.
The library was enormous.
Books covered almost every wall, stretching from the floor to the high ceiling. Tall wooden shelves stood in neat rows, while several large windows allowed the morning sunlight to spill across the polished floor.
Ivanna's eyes brightened.
“This is beautiful.”
Elvis smiled.
“I thought you might like it.”
She walked toward the nearest shelf.
“Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You're welcome, my lady.”
Ivanna reached for a book.
But even as she opened it, the memory of Prince James remained in the back of her mind.
There was something about him she didn't like.
Something that told her to stay away.
---
Far from the palace, the sound of swords striking against one another echoed across the training grounds.
Giveon stood among his soldiers, his sword moving with frightening precision.
One soldier attacked.
Giveon blocked.
Another struck from the side.
He turned instantly and disarmed him.
The soldier stumbled backward, breathing heavily.
Giveon barely seemed affected.
His soldiers had grown accustomed to his strength, but that did not mean they understood it.
Giveon was different.
His blood was different.
His abilities were different.
Many believed he belonged to a species entirely separate from both humans and ordinary vampires.
That belief had followed him throughout his life.
And it was one of the reasons people feared him.
“Enough.”
Giveon's voice rang across the training grounds.
The soldiers immediately stopped.
A familiar voice came from behind him.
“You're going to exhaust every soldier we have before the war even begins.”
Giveon turned.
Roland stood nearby, arms crossed over his chest.
His closest friend.
His commander.
And one of the very few people who could speak to him without fear.
Giveon gave a small chuckle.
“They need to be prepared.”
“They are prepared.”
Roland walked toward him.
“You've been training them since dawn.”
“They can handle it.”
Roland studied him for a moment.
Then a teasing smile appeared on his face.
“Or perhaps you're simply taking out your frustration on them because you're worried about your human wife.”
Giveon looked at him.
“Roland.”
Roland laughed.
“There he is. The terrifying Prince Giveon, feared by kingdoms, worried about one little human woman.”
A faint chuckle escaped Giveon.
But his expression soon became serious.
Roland noticed immediately.
“What happened?”
Giveon sheathed his sword.
“The council brought up the matter of an heir.”
Roland's smile disappeared.
“An heir?”
“They believe I should produce one.”
“And what did you tell them?”
“That there are more important matters to concern themselves with.”
“The war.”
Giveon nodded.
“The war.”
Roland was quiet for a moment.
“But they won't let the matter go.”
“I know.”
Giveon looked toward the distant horizon.
“They believe the kingdom needs an heir. They fear what will happen if something happens to me during the war.”
Roland sighed.
“And what about Ivanna?”
Giveon's expression changed.
“She doesn't trust me.”
Roland said nothing.
Giveon continued.
“She still fears me.”
His voice lowered.
“I can see it every time she looks at me.”
Roland studied him.
“She has only just arrived here, Giveon.”
“I know.”
“She was taken from everything she knew and brought into a kingdom filled with people she doesn't understand.”
“I know.”
“And you're not exactly the easiest man to approach.”
Giveon gave him a look.
Roland shrugged.
“I'm only telling the truth.”
A faint smile touched Giveon's lips before disappearing.
“I want her to trust me.”
Roland's expression softened.
“She will.”
“I don't know.”
“You need to give her time.”
Giveon looked down at his hands.
“I have never had to convince anyone to trust me before.”
Roland laughed quietly.
“Perhaps that's because everyone else is too frightened to question you.”
Giveon shook his head.
But the seriousness returned to his face.
“I don't want Ivanna to fear me.”
Roland nodded.
“Then show her that she has nothing to fear.”
Giveon looked toward the distant palace.
“I will.”
His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.
“But if my brothers truly intend to go to war against me…”
His eyes darkened.
“I will destroy anyone who tries to reach her.”
Roland's expression became grim.
“Then we'd better make sure they're stopped before they get anywhere near the palace.”
Giveon mounted his horse.
“That's exactly what I intend to do.”
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