To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(15)

The prince cursed himself.

He’d never been so distracted by anyone or anything. He caged his thoughts about Auburn and forced himself to focus on the task ahead, organizing all the sultan had said and what he hadn’t the previous evening.

Eli still didn’t have a path forward.

Qumaref was eager to establish trade with Tamryn, and while Auburn had helped him understand why, Eli still had to contend with the Dragon Church. They would object to any diplomatic promises, much less trade agreements, with a nation that permitted slavery. And Qumaref wouldn’t change its slave practices to appease Tamryn’s Dragon Church.

But there had to be a way. He hadn’t spent two months on a ship to leave without an agreement. An agreement he’d make sure offered hope to people like Auburn rather than abandoning them as the Dragon Church had.

Eli quieted his thoughts and kept his face impassive as he entered the negotiation chamber. The room was large with high ceilings and tall windows. Heavy curtains framed the windows, and wooden shutters shielded the room from the desert sun.

In the center of the chamber was a long wooden table polished to a rich luster. Gold chairs circled it, and the seats at the head and foot of the table resembled miniature thrones.

The sultan walked in a moment after Eli.

The prince dipped his head to Pandhuka. “Before we begin, I have something I’d like to give to you.”

Sitting in the chair at the head of the table, the sultan waved for Eli to continue.

The prince removed the silk-wrapped dagger from his coat pocket. “A show of appreciation for your generosity.”

Stepping forward, Eli held his hands out with his palms up and the gift lying across them.

Pandhuka grinned as he took the present and unwrapped it. His eyes widened, and he traced the gold dragon on the scabbard. When the sultan unsheathed it, the green glow captured all of the Qumarefis’ attention.

Transfixed, Pandhuka stared at the dagger. “It’s magic?”

Eli nodded. “It offers its wearer protection against poison. It’s from my personal collection.”

The sultan’s grin widened. “A truly marvelous gift. Given all the food tasters I’ve gone through, a most welcome and useful one!”

Premal glared at Eli.

Eli said nothing as the sultan slid the dagger in and out of the sheath a few times then strapped it to his belt.

Pandhuka grinned at the Prince of Tamryn, then motioned for Eli to sit at the negotiating table.

Auburn had been right, Eli realized, on all counts. She was proving to be a valuable member of his retinue even if she was a distraction.

If Auburn was a spy, she was a good one, but Eli didn’t think she was. She wanted to escape to Tamryn, and she’d help whomever she believed would take her there.

Rolland’s loyalties were less clear.

Prince Eli glanced at his attaché, but Rolland pretended to be busy with his notes.

Bottling his anger behind his expressionless face, Eli studied Rolland. He knew little of the other man, but people Eli trusted had spoken highly of him. Rolland was one of the few men in Tamryn that spoke the Qumarefi language and understood the customs of the desert kingdom.

Or so Eli had thought.

Either Rolland didn’t understand Qumaref’s customs, or gold, potential Tamarian citizenship, and political favor hadn’t been enough to earn Rolland’s loyalty.

Eli might never have guessed Rolland’s duplicity if not for Auburn. She may be a distraction, and taking her back to Tamryn would have a political price, but her help made it worth it. Especially if he could win a trade deal.

The meeting began, and Eli focused on the sultan’s words, but he promised himself he’d learn the truth about Rolland.



It was midday when the discussions paused and servants brought refreshments to the group. Eli avoided the spiced tea and bitter coffee. A young man brought over a tray carrying a single glass of chilled water. Eli took it, and his lips curved. He had a good idea who’d informed the palace staff of his preferences.

The prince sipped the water, and his smile died as Premal sauntered over to him. Eli ignored the usual diplomatic pleasantries and remained silent, allowing the adviser to start the conversation.

Premal licked his lips as Eli fixed his cold blue stare on the Qumarefi. “Long voyage, yes?” the adviser said.

“Very long, though I expect the journey home will be more enjoyable.”

“The ocean will be rougher in the coming months.”

Eli said nothing and sipped his water.

After several more awkward attempts at casual conversation, Premal tightened his hands around his coffee cup. “There are certain arrangements we need to make.”

Eli arched a brow. “There are?”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

The prince held up his glass of water. “Certain things may have been unexpected, but they’ve turned out quite well.”

A droplet of sweat beaded on Premal’s brow, and his coffee sloshed in the delicate porcelain. “I will speak plainly. You cannot return home with a slave, so you will need to sell the gift the sultan gave you before you leave. I will offer you a more-than-fair price.”

“She’s already spent the night in my bed.”

“My offer still stands.”

“You must be desperate to accept a wife who isn’t a virgin,” Eli said, leveraging what Auburn had told him.