To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(49)

“Harder to take down the flagship and its escort without the Qumarefi navy,” Ndrek said. “Whoever acts does so without official backing.”

Auburn lifted her shoulders. “I don’t know who. If I did, I would tell you.”

Nodding, Ndrek fell silent beside her as they waited.

The sun had climbed a little higher when Leopold clomped down the gangplank toward them.

“What did you find?” Ndrek asked.

“Three powder kegs rigged to blow.” Leopold clipped his words, and his face was tight as his faded blue gaze passed from Ndrek to Auburn. “We’re going aboard the flagship, and this young lady is talking.”

The suppressed anger in Leopold’s voice made Auburn shiver, but she acquiesced and followed him aboard the flagship.

She studied her feet, letting her cloak hide her while Leopold had a few quiet words with the captain. The captain’s eyes widened, and he showed the trio to a room on the ship.

Leopold pulled out a chair and pointed to it. “Sit.”

Auburn did as commanded, folding her hands into her lap and staring down at them. Fear pooled in her stomach and bile burned her throat.

“How did you know?” Leopold asked.

“I didn’t know about the powder kegs.”

“Like hell you didn’t.” Leopold swung around towards her, his anger barely restrained. “Do you know how many men would’ve died because of you? How many kids wouldn’t see their dads come home? I trusted you. Believed you.”

Auburn hung her head, but she said nothing. She didn’t have the words to show him she wasn’t a traitor, to show she was trying to save herself, him, and his crew, so she said nothing.

“Who are you working with?”

She closed her eyes and waited for him to strike her.

Ndrek stepped in front of Auburn. “I do not think she was involved, Sir Leopold.”

“How do you figure that?” Leopold radiated menace as he stood toe-to-toe with the wizard. “She knew the boat would sink.”

“But it will still sink,” Ndrek said. “This time by pirates.”

“What in the seven hells are you talking about?”

“Tell him, Auburn.”

She lifted her shoulders, fear hollowing her voice. “He will believe as he will, but I wouldn’t be aboard that ship tomorrow.”

“And the flagship?” Ndrek asked.

“I have seen nothing to say it won’t make it safely back to Tamryn.”

“Prince Eli would kill us if we took his flagship,” Ndrek said. “But it could get us home.”

“Don’t tempt me.” Leopold studied Auburn. “What aren’t you telling us?”

She said nothing as she continued staring at her hands.

“She is a seer,” Ndrek said. “A very rare and very valuable sorceress.”

“You sure?”

“More logical than her working with men to sabotage the ship she was planning to board.”

“Sorcery, huh?” Leopold asked.

“Most who say they have this ability are charlatans. A few may have visions, but they are unintelligible. Then there are the exceptionally rare seers that See.”

“Can you magic up that spell?” Leopold asked.

Ndrek shook his head. “No wizard has ever created such a spell, or if they have, they have kept it secret. It is the purview of sorcerers. I am very surprised the sultan would have gifted such a talented slave.”

Leopold’s eyes narrowed. “The sultan ever figure out you can do this?”

Auburn shook her head.

“Who knows?” Leopold asked.

“I’ve only told Prince Eli. I didn’t want to, but I was trying to protect him from the assassins.”

“His ‘good’ information,” Leopold said.

Auburn nodded. “But I can’t control it. It comes as it wills, shows what it wishes. Sometimes I see nothing for long stretches.”

Leopold thumbed at Auburn. “You believe her?”

“I know the punishments for not doing as commanded,” Ndrek said. “It was wise of her to hide such a fickle talent.”

Leopold let out his breath. “So we’re stuck waiting and heading home with the flagship?”

“I believe that is the best course of action. At least for the moment.”

Leopold cursed. “I don’t know if I believe in this ‘seeing’ mumbo jumbo, but I didn’t believe in fireballs at first. Was damn glad I had fire resistance on my armor when I learned I was wrong.”

“Have you ‘seen’ anything else while the ship is docked?” Ndrek asked.

Auburn shook her head.

“We’ll stay on the flagship for a couple nights. Learn if there’s anything to these visions before I decide if we go back to Eli and the Qumarefi palace.”

“You are worried he will not let Auburn leave a second time.”

Leopold snorted. “You think he will?”

“Most likely not. Even though we are staying his flagship, I would still ask the crew on both ships to be extra vigilant,” Ndrek said. “We may be pawns in another attempt to kill Prince Eli.”

Leopold let loose a few more expletives as he stormed out of the cabin.

“The visions sound foolish and impossible,” Auburn said. “It took me years to come to terms with them. To learn to listen to them.”