To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(13)

“What’s that?”

“The sultan gave you a gift. It’s customary in Qumaref for you to give him a gift in return.”

Interesting that Rolland hadn’t sent word about that, but Eli would consider his advisor’s lapse more later. “Slavery is illegal in Tamryn. I can’t return the gift.”

“He’d consider giving him the same thing he gave you unimaginative, though the gift itself is less important than the gesture.”

“I’ll send someone to the marketplace. Any ideas?”

Auburn stared down at her slippered feet. “The sultan could have anything in the marketplace. He gave you something unique, something Qumarefi. If you had something you could give him from Tamryn...”

“I doubt he’d like the books I brought for the sea voyage.”

“Probably not, but magic thrills the sultan. Should you have a magical trinket or bobble you could give him, he’d hold the gift in high regard. It doesn’t have to do anything special. It’s the magic itself he likes.”

“Anything magical?”

“There is little magic in Qumaref and only a few wizards. It’s rare, so it’s valuable.”

Eli raised a brow.

“Some say it’s the heat, but I suspect the lack of wizards perpetuates itself,” Auburn said. “There must be one to teach another, and slaves cannot be apprentices. It’s considered unwise to allow us to learn magic.”

Eli nodded and walked over to the bedside table. Opening the drawer, he withdrew an elegant dagger whose sheath was emblazoned with the gold dragon crest of Tamryn.

“The dagger’s enchanted.” He showed it to Auburn. “Helps the wearer resist poison.”

“It’s perfect. It’s yours, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Her bright cornflower-blue eyes stared up at him. “I’d rather you have the resistance than the sultan.”

Her genuine concern spread through him like liquid heat. “It’s a spare of a spare.” He tapped the dagger at his belt.

Auburn reached a tentative finger out and stroked the dragon crest. A smile curved her lips.

“That smile tells me the dagger will do.”

“Does it look magical?”

“You tell me.” Eli handed her the dagger.

Auburn stepped back and hid her hands behind her back. “It’s forbidden for a slave to hold weapons.”

“You’re not a slave. You’re part of my retinue.” There was more anger in his words than he’d intended, but he wouldn’t allow anyone to call Auburn a slave. Not even her.

She closed her eyes and lowered her head as if she was preparing for him to strike her, but she wouldn’t take the dagger.

Eli studied her for several moments, but she didn’t budge. Strength to do what she thought she must even if it meant facing a beating. There was more to his newest attaché than she first let you see.

The prince offered her his hand.

Auburn glanced at it, then up at him. “I don’t want to disobey you.”

He stood there, hand outstretched, until she took it. His strong fingers wrapped around hers. “I know.”

Pulling her to him, he eased her against his chest as he tried to comfort her. The attempt was as awkward as it was unusual for him.

“You forgive me?”

“Nothing to forgive. I’m not angry with you for following Qumarefi law even if I don’t agree with the law.”

Setting the dagger aside, he wrapped both arms around her. She settled into his protective embrace, laying her head against him as she circled her arms around him. Eli stroked her hair, and as she relaxed, he wondered what she’d endured as a slave.

He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Not because he shied away from unpleasantness, but because he worried what he’d do the people that had hurt her.

Time slipped away as he held her, enjoying the feel of her, the warmth of her in the cool morning air, and the scent of jasmine and vanilla in her hair.

By the gods, what was wrong with him? He needed to clear his mind and focus on something other than her.

“Now, about the gift. It has to look magical?” Eli asked.

“It will impress the sultan more if there’s showmanship to it.”

Eli stepped away from her, picked up the dagger, and found Sligo in his dressing room. “Make it glow,” Eli said.

“Your Highness?”

“Have someone make it look magical. It helps the wearer resist poison, so maybe a green or purple glow. I’ll be gifting it to the sultan once meetings resume.”

Sligo frowned but nodded.

Eli came back and ran his hand over his chin stubble. “I need to get ready for those meetings. Where is the shaving basin?”

Auburn kept her eyes averted. “You may not wish to shave while you’re in Qumaref.”

Eli raised a brow.

“Only women and boys don’t wear beards here. The sultan and Qumarefi court will judge you accordingly.”

The prince stopped searching for the shaving basin and narrowed his eyes. Another interesting fact Rolland hadn’t mentioned or Eli would’ve had his entire entourage stop shaving during the sea voyage. Rolland was withholding information, and the prince needed to find out why. But now was not the time.