To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(34)

“I believe it was a cult of Rashalee.”

Eli stilled. “What would Rashalee want with a small child, and why would her followers bring her to Qumaref where it would be impossible to extract a ransom?”

“Her captors never demanded a ransom, and I believe those who wanted her alive killed those who wanted her dead.”

“Greed, lust, and revenge motivate Rashalee’s followers. What could they get for stealing a child and keeping her?”

“There is only one member of the cult still alive who can answer that question.”

“Premal?”

Jaelin nodded. “Rashalee has rewarded his service with a great deal of wealth and power.”

“Because of Auburn?”

“Impossible to know, Your Highness,” Jaelin.

“If Premal had Auburn, how did she get into the sultan’s harem?”

“On that, the records are clear. The sultan used his position to take her, and there was nothing Premal or the cult could do.”

Eli tapped his fingertips together. “While the sultan had Auburn, she was still within Premal’s reach. Her returning to Tamryn would change that.”

“I believe that’s why he tried to assassinate you. It’s the only way for him to get Auburn.” Jaelin shook her head. “It’s a long game, Your Highness, without an obvious reward. Very unlike a cult of Rashalee.”

“Uncommon among Her followers, but not impossible for the right payment.” Eli glanced over to where Auburn was sleeping. “They’ve proven they’ll kill me to get to her.”

“You’ve made an enemy of their leader.”

“Because I wouldn’t give her to him.”

“If the past is any indication, he’ll only get more aggressive, Your Highness.”

Eli’s jaw tightened. “He’s not getting her. When we return to Tamryn, she will be on the ship with me.”

“Who will protect her in Tamryn?”

Eli considered her question. If he married her, Auburn would be protected by the royal guards. Though that had done little to save his mother. “Any idea who she is?”

Jaelin shook her head. “As I said, her captors never demanded a ransom, so her family most likely isn’t wealthy or influential.”

“When we return to Tamryn, I want you to find her family if you can. She deserves to know and to decide if she wants to reunite with them.”

“The Knights will have records of abducted children, regardless of her parents’ station. Are you sure you want me to find them if they’re street sweepers or sharecroppers, Your Highness?”

Eli understood the unuttered implications, but he nodded. “Find what you can.”

Jaelin bowed and left Eli alone with his thoughts.

Undressing, Eli climbed back into bed beside Auburn. She moved closer to him and slid an arm over his bare chest.

He pulled her to him and held her, his tumultuous thoughts warding off sleep.





Chapter 23





Auburn awoke and snuggled closer to Eli as her fingers explored the contours of his hard chest.

He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. “You slept well.”

“I never knew...” Her cheeks heated as she met his pale gaze. “I didn’t know it was possible to feel so much.”

“That’s why I showed you.”

She stroked his cheek then his shoulders, thrilled at the way he responded to her.

He captured her fingers. “I’ve warned you about teasing very bad men.”

She only smiled as she trailed soft kisses along his jaw. The clean masculine scent of him filled her, and the heat of him bathed her and sunk into her bones.

Prince Eli’s thick muscles tensed beneath her fingers, and her smile deepened when she heard his breathing quicken. She enjoyed the effect she had on him, enjoyed what she could help make him feel.

Her hands slid lower, over his lean sides and across his narrow hips. Her lips followed, and Eli caught her by the shoulders.

“Auburn, we shouldn’t.”

She smiled as her hands drifted lower and stroked the inside of his thighs, taunting and teasing him as he had her. “I want you to feel as amazing as I do.”

“You have no idea what I want to do with you or how hard it is to resist doing it.”

She trailed a finger over the ridges of his flat stomach and traced along the sides of his shaft. “You don’t have to resist.”

Easing her back up, Eli groaned as his manhood slide across her soft curves and cradled into her belly.

A shiver stole through her at the feel of him, and she leaned forward, touching a gentle kiss to his lips.

He responded, his mouth hard and demanding as he molded her against him. Stroking his hands down her back, he teased them over her spine, up her shoulders, and along the nape of her neck.

Auburn tipped her head back, and her hair cascaded across her shoulders and tickled over her bare arms.

Eli tangled his fingers in her copper-colored tresses as his lips claimed hers.

Leaning down, she nuzzled his ear, nibbling and tasting him as she trailed kisses over his throat and across his collarbone.

She teased her body over his as she moved lower, her kisses whispering over the heavy muscles of his chest. Auburn thrilled at the feel of him beneath her, all hard angles and planes against her soft curves. Controlled but not safe.