To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(46)

Eli teased her flesh, tracing his fingers in almost reverent circles as he explored her. Palming her breasts, he thumbed over their sensitive peaks as he kissed the back of her neck.

Sensation shot through her, and molten heat stirred at her core, amplified by the fullness of him inside her. She gasped and pushed back against him, taking him deeper into her as he filled his hands with her breasts.

Desire swirled through her as his calloused fingers pressed against her soft mounds and his rigid length tapped her core. The clean rich scent of him intoxicated her, and she reveled in his hard masculinity surrounding her, filling her, completing her.

Eli lavished attention on her bare flesh as he moved inside her.

Heat bloomed inside her, sensitizing her skin and snaking through her limbs. Desire intensified the feel of his touch, making each kiss, each caress add to the rising need inside her. As he continued to taunt and tease her, his other hand moved lower, parting her womanly folds and finding her hidden pearl.

A gasp escaped her at the sizzling contact, and thought disappeared as she gave herself over to sensation. Reaching her arms back, she clung to him as he rubbed her tiny bud in time to his rhythmic thrusts.

The heat built faster, filling her, swirling through her senses as she moved her hips in time to his ministrations. She met his thrusts then arched forward to press more firmly against his hands.

“Eli,” she said, his name fading into a whimper of aching need.

He smiled against the smooth column of her neck and propelled her upward and onward, closer and closer to the golden glow of pleasure.

Desire, passion, and molten heat coalesced then crested, carrying Auburn with it into the brilliant waves of fulfilled passion.

With a final thrust, Eli held her against him as he joined her in golden bliss.



The sun tickled the thick curtains before they climbed out of bed and enjoyed breakfast together. The warm glow of fulfilled pleasure still enveloped Auburn as she leaned against Eli, happy and protected in his arms.

A single knock sounded on the door before Leopold flung it open and tromped into the room.

Eli sheathed his blade and sat back beside Auburn.

“Here I thought you were an early riser,” Leopold said. “Time to get moving.”

Color tinged Auburn’s cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry about.” Eli tightened his arm around her. “You already eat, Sir Leopold?”

The Knight glanced from Eli to Auburn and back again. “Whatever you two may have gotten up to, nothing changed last night. She’s still safest in Tamryn.”

Auburn’s blush deepened.

“If Eli really wants what’s best for you, he’s gonna send you back with me. No chance of Premal or one of his goons accosting you there.”

“You’ve been talking to Sligo,” Eli said.

“Tried, but he wouldn’t tell me anything. Your other attachés, well, some of them are chatty.”

Auburn glanced up into Eli’s pale blue eyes, and a lump balled in her throat. “I want to be with you.”

Eli took her hands in his and brought each to his lips then met Sir Leopold’s gaze. “If you and Nderk stayed in Qumaref, you could supervise my activities. Make sure I’m upholding Tamryn’s honor while overseeing security after the assassination attempt.”

“Must mean a lot for you to swallow your pride and ask that.”

Eli’s face was impassive.

“I’d agree to it if I didn’t know for a fact she’s still safer in Tamryn. No Premal. No assassins.”

Eli raised a brow.

“No known assassins. The gods willing, you’ll see her again in a couple months.”

“I have little faith in gods.”

“That’s part of your problem. Now let the lass get her stuff so we can go.”

Auburn stared down at their joined hands. She knew how much it had cost her prince to ask anything of Sir Leopold, and her heart soared as she tightened her fingers over Eli’s. “I’m willing to accept the risk of staying in Qumaref with you.”

Leopold turned away. “Sounds like another lass I once knew.”

Auburn heard Eli’s breath catch, and the prince closed his eyes. “Tamryn is safer, and as much as I want you with me, I can’t risk you.”

“But-”

“Go pack,” Leopold said. “It’s more important than ever that I get you to Tamryn safe.”

Auburn swallowed back her objections and forced herself to pack for the trip to Tamryn. As she watched her vision come true, a vision she’d prayed for her whole life, her throat constricted and her heart ached.

She should be overjoyed that she was on her way to the home of the Dragon God. The land where her son would be born. But she fought back her tears as she touched the signet ring around her neck. Whispering a prayer, she begged the Twins to see her through this.

Leopold watched her finish packing then picked up her bags for her. He glanced at the prince. “You don’t deserve her, that’s for damn sure.”

“I know.”

Leopold opened his mouth to say something, then snapped it shut and nodded once.

Eli cracked the door and motioned to Sligo. “I’m going to the docks this morning with Leopold and Ndrek. Make arrangements-”

“No, you’re not,” Leopold said. “You’re gonna stay right here and make Sligo’s job easy. You’re still a prince of Tamryn, and your death still means war.”