To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(63)

“How long will you be able to stay?” Auburn pressed closer to him, her breasts soft against the hard planes of his chest.

“Not as long as I’d like.” Eli lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed. “But at least until morning.”

A smile curved her lips as he laid her down, and she gave herself to him.



After several more weeks, Prince Eli and Sultan Pandhuka concluded the talks. The outcome pleased Eli. He’d gotten the concessions he needed to keep the Dragon Church happy, and the merchant’s guilds could accommodate the Quamerfi demands.

The victory was enough to quiet Eli’s impatience though he still ached to return to his ship and Auburn.

A knock on the door scattered the prince’s thoughts, and his hand flexed over his sword even as he recognized the password. “Come.”

Sligo entered the room and bowed low. “She is doing well, Your Highness, though she misses you.”

Eli smiled. His bodyguard knew him well. “That’s not what brought you.”

“Negotiations permitting, it would be ideal to leave with the spring tide.”

“Still restless down at the docks?”

“More than before. I believe there is a bounty on you and Auburn.”

“Enough to entice a professional?”

“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.”