To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(60)

Leopold turned toward the prince. “Messenger have anything useful to say?”

“The sultan is inviting us back to the palace. Messenger claims loyalists quashed the incident and executed those involved.”

“You believe him?” Leopold asked.

Eli’s eyes narrowed. “Sligo’s contacts already told us the sultan survived. We don’t know who was behind the attack or if Premal is still alive.”

“Premal is very rich,” Auburn said. “He could have afforded to plot the assassination, pay to heal himself, and buy his way out of being captured.”

“I’ve got contacts looking into Premal. I want to know how he got so rich.”

“By the gods, I hate all of this cat-and-mouse stuff,” Leopold said.

Eli raised a brow. “Would you walk back into those negotiating rooms without more information?”

“I wouldn’t have walked into them in the first place.”

“Church and Crown are very different. Tamryn is better for it,” Eli said.

“‘Bout time you realized that.”

“I’m glad Eli came to Qumaref,” Auburn said. “If he hadn’t-”

“You’d have found another way out,” Leopold said.

Auburn was less certain, but she said nothing. As much as she wanted to go to Tamryn, she was no longer sure that was the source of her happiness.

“I’ll wait and see what unfolds,” Eli said. “I have no desire to walk into a trap, but I would also like to successfully conclude these negotiations.”

Leopold frowned at Eli. “You be good to her.”

Eli slipped his arms around Auburn. “That is one promise I can keep.”

Leopold snorted and left the room.

Auburn waited until Leopold had left then turned to Eli. “Are you going back?”

He threaded his fingers through her hair. “Maybe.”

Fear of losing him to Lady Daniella paled beside the cold lump in her chest at the thought of him dying. “I’m scared for you to go back to the palace.”

“I don’t relish the idea either, but I also can’t portray Tamryn as a cowardly nation.”

“You’re not a coward. No one will blame you for leaving.”

“They can and will.”

He said nothing more as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed, cradling her close to him. The heat of his body warmed and comforted her, and she held him, wishing she could keep him safe.



Dawn had yet to paint the sky, and Eli toyed with the rich copper strands of Auburn’s hair. He listened to her even breathing and let her warmth sooth him. But his thoughts kept sleep at bay.

Jaelin confirmed the sultan survived the assassination attempt though she wasn’t sure if the attack had been directed at Eli or the sultan. Many of the perpetrators had escaped or died in the fighting.

Eli thought of Rolland. Of Fredrick’s demands to get the prince home early. Assassination didn’t seem like his cousin, but he didn’t know Fredrick well. Eli regretting not probing to see if there was more to his cousin than philandering, drinking, and gambling.

If Fredrick was playing the role of a fop, he was a superb actor.

Eli slipped out of bed, dressed, and tucked the blankets back around Auburn. She murmured something and snuggled back into the warmth of their bed.

He touched a kiss to her forehead then went in search of Ndrek. The prince found him on deck, the mage’s face drawn and haggard as he leaned over the railing.

“Sailing doesn’t suit you.”

Ndrek turned and bowed low. “I would prefer to face a manticore, but Sir Leopold can be most persuasive.”

“I have something that can get you off the ship.”

“How may I be of service, Your Highness?”

“Leopold trusted you enough to bring you here, and he doesn’t trust easily,” Eli said.

Ndrek dipped his head. “The Knights and I have had our differences.”

“Of course you have. They’re Knights. But Leopold still brought you.” Eli paused. “What do you know of Premal?”

“Little other than he is one of the sultan’s advisers. He became an adviser because of his immense wealth.”

Eli narrowed his eyes. “He wasn’t born half as wealthy.”

“Investigating him makes sense after the assassination attempts, though it may be difficult to discover how he came into such wealth.”

“It’s about more than money.” Eli’s hands fisted at his sides. “Premal wants Auburn alive.”

“Are you certain?”

“He had the opportunity to kill her, and he didn’t.”

Ndrek’s eyes widened. “I would expect Premal to kill her in front of you to get his revenge.”

“He wants her for a reason, and I don’t think it’s just lust.”

“You fear he has not given up?”

Eli paused. “I believe Premal has dedicated himself to Rashalee.”

Ndrek rocked back on his heels. “If that is true, having something denied to him would obsess him.”

“Or possessing Auburn could be in service to his goddess.”

“What would Rashalee want with Auburn?”

“I don’t know, any more than I know why she was abducted and brought to Qumaref as a child. If my information is correct, Premal’s been after her a long time.”