To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(23)

Eli wasn’t a good man, not like the Knights of Valor in the stories she’d read, but he wasn’t evil, either. He was driven, excelled at getting what he wanted, and principled. She listened to the other servants talk about him, and the Prince of Tamryn terrified most of them.

Auburn suspected that’s exactly what he wanted.

Yet, Eli could be kind, and he held to his principles. He was her master, and while he didn’t agree with slavery, that didn’t change her status in Qumaref. A status he’d never used even though his body responded to her.

She wished he would.

The thought surprised her, but for the first time in her life, she wanted a man’s attention. She wanted Eli to hold her, wanted him to share her bed, and wanted him to teach her all that could be between them.

Biting her lip, she remembered the feel of his strong chest. The heat of him. The clean masculine scent of him. Warmth pooled in her belly and radiated out through her limbs. Closing her eyes, she embraced the memories and the desire they built.

A shiver teased along her spine as she imagined him showing her all that could be between a man and a woman. She’d been trained how to please her master, but it had been academic.

Before Prince Eli, she’d never known a man’s touch. Never known the bone-deep pleasure of a kiss. Had never known the heady warmth of waking up beside someone wrapped in their strong arms.

With Eli, she wanted to know all that and more.

Auburn glanced at herself in the mirror. Other than the flowing dress, she appeared the same as she had a few weeks ago. But she held her head higher now, walked more erect. She was part of the Tamarian delegation, part of Prince Eli’s entourage. The hard and determined prince didn’t listen to just anyone, but he listened to her.

He’d promised her freedom. She hadn’t meant to give him her heart in return.

She wanted her feelings for him to fade to distant admiration. Something easier. Something less intense. Something he could reciprocate.

Her heart squeezed, and the heat of desire froze into a lead ball.

Respect, thankfulness for taking her to Tamryn, perhaps even fear were the correct things to feel for Prince Eli. Anything else on her part was foolishness, and she alone would suffer the price of that foolishness.

Besides, she should be glad he wanted nothing more of her.

If Tamryn was anything like Qumaref, it would be much easier to find a husband if she still had her virginity.

She thought again of the boy in her visions and clutched a pillow to her chest as tears slipped down her cheeks.





Chapter 15





Eli returned to his rooms in a dark humor, and seeing Auburn waiting for him worsened his mood. Resisting temptation had never been his strong suit.

Auburn poured him a large glass of water and seasoned it with twist of orange. She selected several of the finest fruits and brought them to him.

“Thank you. The wine was strong tonight.” Eli downed the water, and Auburn poured him a second glass.

“The negotiations are going well?”

“As well I expected. It’d be better if there was a way I could excuse myself early when there are feasts and dancing girls, but I stay as long as the sultan does.”

“It shows him respect.”

“The food is over-spiced, and the girls...” Eli caught himself.

“They make you feel desire.”

“Did the sultan have this type of entertainment before I arrived? Or is this for me?”

“The sultan puts on the show for you and for himself. He’s not as young as he used to be, and many Qumarefis associate virility with power.”

Eli ran a hand through his black hair. “Doesn’t help keep me on the straight and narrow.”

“Someone may know that and is trying to get you to do something they can use against you.”

“I’m not a Knight of Valor. I’m not bound by their code.”

“You have your own code.” Auburn knelt beside him and touched his arm. “Few in Qumaref understand the difference between the Knights and the Tamryn Crown. Most think all Tamarians follow the Knight’s code.”

Eli reached up and took a lock of her hair between his thumb and forefinger. “You don’t understand what it costs me to follow any code.”

She stared up at him, her eyes liquid blue pools. “I’m not beautiful like the harem dancers, but I could help you ease the discomfort of the entertainments. I’m here to serve.”

“You are not just here to serve.” Eli stood and paced the room. “You deserve better than that.”

Auburn sat back on her heels. “Perhaps you could teach me more of that game. Chess, you called it.”

Eli ignored her milk-pale skin and soft curves as he got out the board. Sucking in a breath, he focused on the game, his keen mind quieting his physical needs while he discussed various strategies with her.



Auburn bolted upright in bed, a strangled scream escaping her lips as she scanned the room for intruders. A sliver of moon peeped through the silk drapes, its faint white glow the only light in the cool room. The curtains around the bed rustled with a night breeze, but there was no other movement.

Eli sat up beside her and held her close. “You’re all right. Just a dream.”

She was shaking so hard her teeth chattered, but the familiar warmth of him comforted her. She stared into his deep blue eyes, touched his cheek, then hugged him.