To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(42)

“I look forward to it.” A tear slid over her cheek and dampened the silk of her bodice.

“Leopold will be kind to you, and if he can’t, he’ll assign another Knight to guard you who can.”

“Don’t think she’s too worried about me, but you always were one for deflection.” Leopold shook his head. “How long before we set sail, Ndrek?”

“Tomorrow, if you are ready.”

“Guess we enjoy the food before we’re back to sea rations.”

Auburn refilled his wine glass then settled beside Eli. The prince’s arms tightened around her, and she let the rich masculine scent of him chase away the pain around her heart. By the gods, she would miss this, miss him, but she had to be strong. She may not have a future with Eli, but her visions had shown her a future in Tamryn that included her son.

“What shall we do about sleeping arrangements?” Ndrek asked.

“I’ll put you with the rest of my attachés,” Eli said.

Ndrek raised his brows. “And it is okay for them to learn Sir Leopold is here?”

“They won’t say a word.”

“What about Rolland?” Ndrek said.

“If he talks, I’ll know Rolland betrayed me, and the sultan will command Leopold to meet with him.”

Leopold snorted. “Neither you or I want that.”

“True, but you won’t risk a deal that could help the people of Qumaref and bring the light of your god to the desert,” Eli said.

Leopold harrumphed and mumbled something into his glass of water.

“The sultan will learn about our arrival,” Ndrek said. “He will ask.”

“Of course he will, and I’ll tell him my father was concerned so he sent you.”

“Knights don’t lie,” Leopold said.

“You won’t be, and neither will I. That is why you came, isn’t it?”

“I’ve had enough of your tomfoolery. Show me where I’m sleeping. We need to get an early start tomorrow.” Leopold drained his glass. “You wanna come stay with us, Auburn? Be safer than here with Eli.”

Auburn stilled as she stared into Eli’s pale blue eyes. She knew what her heart wanted, but it was a rebellious thing that ignored the truth of her circumstances.

Eli stroked a thumb over her cheek. “I’d like you to stay, but it’s your choice.”

A smile curved her lips, and her heart soared. “It’s our last night together. I would like to spend it with you.”

“Our last night in Qumaref,” Eli said. “Sligo.”

Sligo stepped from the shadows.

“Show Sir Leopold and Ndrek to their accommodations.”





Chapter 27





After Leopold and Ndrek left, Eli studied the woman beside him. By the gods, she was amazing, and she’d chosen to stay. Not because he’d commanded it, and not so she could get to Tamryn.

She’d chosen him.

It was a heady feeling, and his inner conqueror roared.

He wrapped his arms around her and breathed in the sweet scent of vanilla. “I don’t want you to go. I wish I could guarantee your safety here.”

“There was once a cobra in the sultan’s inner gardens. No place is completely safe.”

Eli thought of his mother, and truth of her words shook him to his core. “Not even in Tamryn. You’ll have a Knight bodyguard, but it might not be enough.”

“I doubt Premal will come across the sea for me.”

“I’m less sure of that, and I’ll need to hide you from my enemies.”

Auburn closed her eyes and laid her head against him. “I understand.”

“I’m not ashamed of you.” He stroked her hair. “You know me better than that.”

She smiled. “Shame doesn’t suit you.”

“But I do have many enemies. Some like Sir Leopold will abide by the law, but others would hurt or use you.”

“Sir Leopold isn’t your enemy. Perhaps not an ally, but not an enemy.”

“Not yet, but he will be.”

A frown pinched her brow. “Making an unnecessary enemy isn’t like you. You’re too practical for that.”

Eli sucked in a breath. “The game isn’t always mine to choose. I do what I must for Tamryn and all that my mother gave for it.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I suppose not. Royal succession has weighed on me for as long as I can remember, but few in Tamryn think of it.”

Auburn laid her head against him. “You can tell me. I want to know.”

Eli paused and stroked her hair. After several long moments, he closed his eyes and drew in a breath. “My father is ill, and Dracor has yet to give his blessing and choose the next king of Tamryn.”

“Aren’t there rules about the current king selecting his successor or birth order?”

Eli shook his head. “Dracor has always given a member of the Dracasan family His blessing to rule. Some say we’re gifted with a drop of His blood, and most believe as long as a member of the Dracasan family is on the throne, Tamryn will stand strong.”

“But the Dragon God hasn’t chosen one of you.”

“And until He does, the Dragon Church will not coronate a new king. I’ll have to take the throne by force when my father dies.”