"You are the prince of our people. It is the duty of all of us to protect you and your woman from any potential harm." "If need be, you have the ability to lead in my place," Mikhail reminded. "I am no vessel, and you well know it." "But Jacques most likely is." Gregori turned his burning eyes fully on the prince. "There is no point to this discussion, Mikhail. You serve our people as the vessel. I am at your side for a reason, but do not ever forget what I am, or what the others you lead have the potential to become. Our males are of the darkness. Without our women, the other half of ourselves to provide the light, we become truly the vampires of the human legends."