To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(17)

A man hid in the shadows of the room, his face contorted into an angry sneer as he glared at her. Tall and broad-shouldered, his rust-colored vest strained against his barrel chest as he fisted his hands at his sides.

But it was the curved scimitar at his belt that quickened her breathing and tightened her throat.

Auburn scurried off the bed. “You’re not supposed to be in here.”

“Neither are you.” Ajeem’s words were little more than a growl. “You’ve displeased Master Premal.”

“The sultan gave me to Prince Eli. I am his now. I belong here.”

Ajeem’s smile held no mirth. “I don’t know how you managed this. We warned Priyanka that you were craftier than a cobra. She was too soft. She should’ve beaten you more.”

Auburn said nothing as she edged away from him. She considered bolting for the door, but Ajeem stood between her and escape. She could scream for help, but she wasn’t sure who’d hear her. And screaming would fuel Ajeem’s anger.

“What does your master want from me?” Auburn said.

He stalked toward her, but Auburn danced out of his reach.

“Surely he doesn’t wish to cause an incident with the Tamryn diplomatic team.”

Ajeem’s smile widened and grew colder.

Auburn’s thoughts reeled. Why would Premal want to destroy any hope of diplomatic relations with Tamryn? Destroy any hope of trade? Did he want people to go hungry?

“I’ll save us all from this foreign meddler.” Ajeem stalked towards her and lunged.

Auburn slipped under his arm and dodged away from him. He crashed into the table behind her, shattering the vase against the wall as he sprawled across the floor.

Picking himself up, Ajeem stared at the large bed. “The foreigner defiled you.”

“I’m his slave,” Auburn said, forcing her voice to stay steady. “I’m here to serve his will.”

“Interesting change. You were never obedient. Master Premal should’ve bedded you a long time ago.”

Auburn swallowed but refused to let Ajeem bait her. She had to focus and find a way to escape.

“Will you serve Lord Premal so faithfully?”

“I belong to Prince Eli.”

“A weak foreigner whose mind you’ve poisoned. You belong tied to a Qumarefi’s bed.”

“Premal doesn’t scare the Prince of Tamryn.”

“Maybe not, but Master Premal should scare you. I should scare you.” Ajeem grinned, the expression colder than a desert night as he drew a wicked-looking blade. “You belong to Master Premal, little witch, always have.”

Fear rounded her eyes, and Auburn scanned the room for a way out.

“Not this time, cobra. You’re cunning has left you all alone. There’s no one to hear you scream.”

Her heart slammed against her chest as she edged further away from Ajeem. Undeterred, he followed her, the cold smile never wavering. The barrel-chested man grabbed for her, and Auburn ducked away, her dancer’s feet helping her escape him as she dodged around a chaise.

Ajeem snarled and threw the chair aside, but a dagger at his throat and a sword at his back halted him.

“What are you doing in my rooms?” Eli whispered.

The unuttered threat hung in the air as a trickle of blood oozed down Ajeem’s neck. Ajeem said nothing, but the bobbing of his Adam’s apple made the blood run thicker.

“Don’t kill him,” Auburn said. “He’s not worth risking the trade deal over.”

“He’s not, but you are.” Eli’s gaze never left the Qumarefi man.

Ajeem’s lips curled into a sneer. “She’s a slave. Less than nothing.”

“You owe your life to that slave.”

Ajeem only glared.

“Your presence in my rooms is an insult. If I find anyone in here again without my permission, not even Auburn can save them.” Eli pressed the blade against Ajeem’s throat, and the trail of blood thickened.

“Please, Prince Eli. If you kill him...”

Fear flickered over Ajeem’s face as Eli’s dagger bit deeper. “Master Premal will destroy you.”

“He won’t be the first to try. Now go. Before I change my mind and send your body to Premal as a warning.” Eli stepped to the side, removing the dagger from Ajeem’s throat.

The man stared back at Eli, fear and hatred mirrored in his dark eyes, then fled.

The prince turned to her. “Are you all right?”

Auburn nodded, but she was shaking.





Chapter 11





Eli sheathed his weapons and wrapped his arms around Auburn. She buried her face against his chest and choked back her tears. She didn’t want to disappoint him with her weakness.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” Eli tightened his arms around her.

“I am now.”

As he held her, Auburn realized he’d done as she’d asked. Prince Eli hadn’t killed Ajeem because a slave had explained why he needed to spare the Qumarefi.

No one had ever listened to her before, had ever cared what she had to say. That anyone, much less a prince, paid attention to her words made her a little light-headed.

A whisper of a smile curved her lips as she lay her head against Prince Eli.