Page 6 of The Broken Prince

His eyes shifted back to me. “A human princess isn’t nearly as interesting as a vampire prince.”

“I’m a lot more interesting than you give me credit for.”

His eyes came back to me, and that soft smile returned. “How so?”

“I’m a descendant of a long line of kings and healers. As a result, I heal remarkably fast, faster than any normal human. I’m much less likely to die from blood loss than a soldier three times my size.”

His eyes narrowed slightly—like I’d just proved my point. “Is this common among humans?”

“I’ve never heard of it in someone else. It’s something my father and mother both possess.”

“Are they related?”

“Maybe very distantly.”

“There’s a woman in my lands who’s immune to the sickness that’s claimed the lives of so many. We were unable to determine the reason for a very long time, assumed it was part of her makeup, but then discovered the source. Perhaps there’s an explanation for your abilities—but you haven’t uncovered it just yet.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But I suspect we never will.”

“What else?” he asked. “What else is interesting about you?”

“My father has trained me in the sword since I could walk. I think I would be a worthy opponent if we sparred.”

He smiled with his eyes. “You’ve only seen a hint of my abilities.”

“Then perhaps you can teach me.”

Now, the smile reached his lips. “I’m certain your father would want me nowhere near you with a sword.”

“Not if you’re making me stronger.”

“The abilities I possess can’t be taught. They’re innate and integral.”

“Because you’re a vampire?”

“Yes.”

“Were you born a vampire?”

He paused as he considered his answer. “Vampires can only be sired with the blood of humans and the venom of snakes. I was turned at the age I am now—and have remained preserved as if I were frozen in ice.”

It took me a while to digest all of that. “And you wanted to be a vampire to have these abilities?”

“Yes. But what I truly desired was immortality.”

Again, I had to digest that. “That means…you live forever?”

He gave a slight nod.

“Then—then how old are you?”

“Very old.”

“Like…? A hundred?”

His eyes laughed. “Times that by fifteen.”

I did the math in my head. “You’re fifteen hundred years old?”