To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(30)

Even as he thought about it, a cold ache settled in Eli’s stomach. He gazed down at the woman in his arms and knew what he’d have to give up when he returned to Tamryn. The quiet comfort, the heat of desire, the warm companionship. He’d lose all of it and the woman he foolishly loved.

He was a prince. He wasn’t supposed to love his wife. Marriage was a business arrangement for royalty and breaking that rule had almost destroyed his father. Lady Daniella was elegant, competent and politically savvy. The lands she brought to the arrangement were the perfect complement to his, and as his wife, he’d see to it she fulfilled the prophecy and became the next queen.

He’d been happy with that arrangement when he’d left Tamryn.

But his life before coming to Qumaref felt cold and alien. Daniella wouldn’t be waiting for him or happy to see him when he returned home. She wouldn’t care what Eli did or what happened to him as long as he met the obligations of their partnership.

He’d need to rule effectively and oversee their lands and the people on them while she managed the houses and staff. She would offer council if he asked for it, but she’d give it as a calculating business partner rather than a concerned lover.

He couldn’t imagine Daniella soft and eager beneath him. She’d do her duty and live up to her end of the arrangement, providing him with an heir and a spare. But that’s all that would ever be between them.

He thought of Auburn willing to risk her life for a son she’d only seen in a vision. Willing to risk him learning about her secret visions to keep him safe. She was the one he wanted to come home to, the one he wanted in his bed, the one he loved.

Could he have Daniella as a wife and Auburn as his mistress?

Assuming he was discreet, Daniella would permit it. Would expect it. Being his mistress was better than being a Qumarefi slave. If anyone so much as thought about lifting a hand to her... Eli sucked in a breath and steadied his temper.

But Auburn deserved more. She deserved to have her son.

As his mistress, the rules of the Dragon Church and royal succession would bind her. Those rules forbid royal bastards. Eli wasn’t sure how the church controlled such things, but they’d continue to do so. There was too much at stake with royal succession for them to do anything else.

Damn dragon blood. Probably as much a farce as the prophecy, but most people believed the monarchs of Tamryn all had a drop of dragon blood in their veins. It was why Dracor would only bless one from their line to ascend the throne.

But the Dragon God hadn’t chosen Eli or Fredrick.

Given what he’d learned from Rolland, it was unlikely the Dragon God would ever bless Fredrick. Dracor was the god of justice and righteousness. Whatever Fredrick was plotting, Eli doubted the Dragon God would approve. As the prince was sure Dracor didn’t approve of his own machinations.

If not him or Rolland, the Dragon God would bestow the crown on one of their children.

Staring down at Auburn snuggled up in his arms, he wanted better for her than that. He wanted her to know joy and happiness without forever questioning the motives of everyone around her.

For a moment, he forgot about royal succession, Premal, and his cousin as he basked in the warmth of her. The heady scents of vanilla and jasmine filled him, and Eli smiled as he listened to her lilting words. He was happier here with her than he’d been since his mother’s death.

If he married Daniella and Auburn agreed to forgo her son to be his mistress, would he be as happy as he was now?

The answer brought a curse to his lips.

Damn the Twins.

Everyone spoke of the power of the Dragon God, but He hadn’t undermined Eli’s plans. Wasn’t making Eli give up everything or suffer an agony so acute that a day in the Qumarefi sun felt pleasant.

“Are you okay?” Auburn’s cornflower blue eyes fixed on him.

“Just thinking.”

“I’m willing to listen.”

“It was about you.”

“You look sad.” She squeezed his hand. “I hope I haven’t upset you.”

“Trying to figure out what I’ll do with you when we get to Tamryn.”

She bit her lower lip. “You said I’d be free.”

“Of course you’ll be free. I’m thinking more about what you’ll do and where you’ll go once we get there.”

“I’ve worried about that.” She focused on her hands. “Probably not a lot of use for a dancer or a musician, but I can read and write a lot of languages.”

Fear pinch her forehead, and he couldn’t halt his words. “I still worry about you being alone in a strange city. Would you want to stay at the palace with me?”

Her fear vanished, and a genuine smile curved her lips. “I’d like that very much.”

He kissed her temple. “Then you’ll stay with me.”

She turned in his arms and gazed up at him, her lips inches from his as her thigh brushed over the evidence he’d been trying to hide. The heat of her breath whisper over his cheek, and he smelled the mint leaves.

“You’re tempting a very bad man.” His mouth hovered over hers.

Auburn’s eyes fluttered closed, and she tipped her lips closer to his.

He leaned down and touched his lips to hers in a soft, tentative kiss.





Chapter 21