To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(62)

“Or two.”

Eli cursed under his breath. “I’ll wrap up the negotiations, and we’ll leave on the spring tide. Tell the captain to keep our departure quiet. The fewer people that know, the better.”

“You could tell him yourself, Your Highness.”

Eli frowned.

“With your focus on the negotiations, you’ve become predictable in your habits.”

“You think someone will make an attempt?”

“It’s a sizable bounty.”

Eli figured there was more to it, but he exhaled as he thought of Auburn aboard the flagship. A smile stole over his lips. “I’ll tell the captain myself.”

His bodyguard nodded and left the room as Eli packed the handful of things he’d need for a night aboard the flagship. Sligo returned a short time later and handed the prince a nondescript brown cloak. As Eli draped it around himself and stepped from his suite, he noted that one of his guards wore his black cloak with the gold dragon clasp.

A frown knit the prince’s brows. Sligo was more than a little concerned. Eli said nothing as he followed his guards out of the palace and to the carriage. The streets were quiet, and they were soon back down at the docks.

The prince sucked in a breath of warm sea air and shook the sand from the hem of his cloak as his bodyguards fell in around him and escorted him to the flagship. He could count the time in days before they’d be going home. No more unbearable heat, strange food, or half-dressed servants.

Best of all, he’d be with Auburn every night.

Finding the captain, Eli gave him the order to prepare to leave with the spring tide. The captain bowed, and Eli left him, the prince’s long strides devouring the distance to his quarters.

As he silently opened the door, he found Auburn, Ndrek and Leopold sitting around his chessboard.

Jealousy stabbed him at the smile on her face as she laughed at a quip Leopold made. By the gods, she was beautiful. Everything from the soft tumble of her copper hair to the light exotic scent of her entranced him. Only the threat to her life had been enough to keep him from her.

Auburn glanced toward the door, and a radiant smile beamed across her face the moment she recognized him. “Eli!” She jumped up and ran to him.

He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her close as the scent of vanilla and jasmine whispered around him. Her heat soaked him, and her soft sigh intoxicated him as he stroked her hair.

“C’mon, Ndrek,” Leopold said. “He didn’t come here to see us.”

Ndrek bowed to Eli and followed Leopold out of the cabin.

The prince stroked a finger over the dragon necklace Auburn still wore, and a smile curved his lips.

“Have you had dinner yet?” Auburn asked.

He nodded.

She laid her head against his chest, and they stood there for a moment simply enjoying being together.

“How are the negotiations going?”

“Much faster,” Eli said. “We’ll head back to Tamryn soon.”

“I’m so glad you came to the ship. Sligo must’ve decided it was safe.”

Eli stroked her hair and breathed in the soft sweet scent of her. The Qumarefi heat had faded with the sun, and the warmth of her was both comforting and arousing. “I’ve missed you. Sligo figured out how much.”

“He’s an amazing bodyguard,” Auburn said. “Absolutely loyal, intelligent, and fearless when it comes to your safety. I’ve read stories about shadow warriors, but I never thought I’d meet one.”

“You’re one of the few who’s ever noticed what he is.”

“He’s the only guard you trust.”

“One of the few people I trust.” Eli touched his lips to her hair.

“Has he always been in charge of your personal safety?”

“Sligo and I grew up together,” Eli said. “My father assigned him to be my bodyguard when we were boys so we’d learn to trust each other. After my mother was... after she died, I trained with him.”

“It’s why your dagger skills are so good.”

Eli smiled and lifted her fingers to his lips. “It’s made me easier to protect as I know what dangers to look for and how to avoid them. The training also relieves stress and hones the mind.”

“Very useful.”

“I never mastered his ability to disappear, though.”

“Royalty isn’t supposed to disappear. Just the opposite. You radiate a presence for others to follow.”

“I suppose.”

“No one could forget you after meeting you, and that’s as it should be.” Auburn trailed a finger along his jaw and turned her beautiful blue eyes up to him.

Eli held her close. By the gods, he’d missed her. He loved the feel of her in his arms, and the quiet calm of her presence. There was no use denying that the Twins had kissed him. Once they arrived in Tamryn, he’d marry her. Might even use the rule of succession to force the issue should his father object.

The sultan’s generosity made things easier for him politically. Some of the aristocracy clung to class distinctions, and it would be easier to explain his marriage to a Qumarefi princess than a Qumarefi slave.

He still had to tell Duke Calloway and Lady Daniella that their arrangement was off, but that conversation had to wait until he was in Tamryn.