To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(14)

“What can you tell me about the people I’ll meet today?”

“I don’t know who from Qumaref will be at the negotiations. Most likely a mixture of the powerful that the sultan needs to appease and others for show. If you can remember their names, I’ll tell you what I know of them and which will be most important to getting the concessions you need.”

“I’ll make a point of it.”

“There is one man who will be there. He’s the sultan’s most favored adviser.”

“Premal, the man that sat next to the sultan last night?”

Auburn nodded.

“He said little other than to agree with the sultan.”

“Not surprising.” Auburn intertwined her fingers and stared at the floor. “He is rich, powerful, shrewd, and ruthless. You should not underestimate him. Ever.”

“And he’s angry because the sultan gifted you to me.”

Auburn stared up at him. “You noticed that?”

“He’s foolish to wear his emotions so openly.”

“Many Qumarefis do.”

Eli twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “But not all.”

“Not all can afford to.”

“Something I understand well.”

Auburn frowned. “But you’re a prince.”

“So I am, and I pay a higher price for any transgression.” Eli paused. “Something Premal should know given his position. He must want you very badly to risk the sultan’s wrath.”

“Premal loves brightly colored things, unusual things, things that flaunt his wealth and status. He hates being denied what he wants. It reminds him that there’s someone more powerful than him.”

“Premal scares you.”

Sucking in a breath, she nodded. “He is harsh with his slaves, especially those that displease him.”

“He’s the reason the guard detained you this morning?”

She studied her feet. “It’s possible he put a bounty on me. He couldn’t take me from the sultan...”

“But a foreign prince is something else.”

Auburn nodded again.

“I’m not a Knight of Valor,” Eli said, forcing his voice to stay even, “but I still won’t tolerate anyone intimidating or harassing a member of my retinue. I’ll make that clear.”

Her cheeks colored. “I don’t want to cause you trouble.”

“You didn’t cause the trouble.”

“I’ve made things more difficult. I wish there was something I could do to help.”

Eli stroked his thumb over her knuckles until she glanced up at him. He smiled and cupped her cheek. “There is something you can do for me.”

“Anything.”

He buried the list of inappropriate requests her offer sparked. “I studied the Qumarefi language before I came, but I didn’t have a lot of time. I could use your help learning it.”

Auburn gave him a genuine smile. “I can do that.”

“While I’d like to speak it, I’m most concerned with understanding what’s said.”

“I’ll say a few common phrases, and you tell me what you think I’m saying. Idioms are the hardest, and you’ll hear them a lot.”

Eli nodded and sprawled back in a chaise. Auburn surprised him when she sat on his lap and curled up against him. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been shocked given her training as a harem girl, the chill of the room, or her fear of Premal.

He should correct her, have her sit on the opposite side of the room from him, but she felt good. And he was tired of denying himself what he wanted.

He slipped an arm around her and concentrated on her lilting words.





Chapter 9





Late that morning, Sligo returned with the dagger.

After examining it, Eli showed the green-glowing blade to Auburn. “Will this do?”

“I think the sultan will be most pleased,” she said.

The prince sheathed it and wrapped the gift in gold silk.

A moment later, there was a knock at the door, and Eli bid them to enter.

Rolland eased the door open and bowed low. “The sultan is on his way, Your Highness.”

The prince narrowed his eyes at his attaché. “I’ll join you shortly.”

Once Rolland retreated, Auburn adjusted the already neat clasp on Eli’s tunic and brushed her hands over the shoulders of his coat. The touch elicited more of a reaction than Eli wanted or expected.

“You’ll get hot in this, especially later in the day. Would you allow me to get you something better suited to the Qumarefi heat?”

“If you wish.” He motioned to her dancing costume. “Get yourself something more Tamarian. I want it clear to Premal and every other Qumarefi that you’re mine.”

The words rolled through him, and his chest swelled. It was wrong, so wrong, but he’d deal with it later.

Auburn dipped her head and walked with him to the door. As she stood in the archway, he felt her gaze on him even as several attachés and a handful of bodyguards fell in around him.

Eli looked back.

Smiling, she curtsied.

His lips curved in response, and he was anxious to conclude the meetings and return to his rooms.