To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(65)
Auburn remembered what Leopold had taught her about the usefulness of diversions. She grabbed the blankets from the bed and threw them at the assassin closest to Eli. Then she tossed the candle after it, the flames catching the fabric and spreading.
Eli used the distraction, following the flames with his own blade.
The assassin ducked away, the prince’s sword only grazing the man’s arm.
The second assailant stomped out the flames and turned toward Auburn.
Fear lumped in her throat. What Leopold had taught her would do little against a trained assassin, but she wouldn’t die without a fight.
Pounding on the door was followed by a loud curse.
Premal glanced behind him at the heavy door and then over at Auburn. “I will enjoy watching you die.”
As the assassin cornered Auburn, Eli threw his dagger at the man’s back, lodging it between his shoulder blades. The assassin howled a curse as he turned toward Eli, buying Auburn the few seconds she needed to scrabble away.
Sweat beaded Eli’s brow, but his face was impassive as the assassins closed in on him.
The two men circled the prince, and as they flanked Eli, the door exploded, throwing Premal across the room as a shower of splinters rained across them.
The explosion still echoed around them as the assassins launched themselves at Eli.
Leopold rammed his shield into the first assassin before the assailant could reach Eli, batting the man away as if he were a ragdoll. Leopold then pressed his attack.
The assassin dodged and wove, but Leopold waited, biding his time for an opening in the tight quarters of the cabin.
Sligo appeared from the shadows behind the second, his daggers finding their mark before the assassin dodged away.
Sligo and Sir Leopold trapped the remaining assassin between them.
Premal launched himself at Auburn and knocked her to the ground. Pinning her beneath him, he pressed his knee into her chest, forcing the air from her lungs. “I should have been sultan,” he growled. “You were supposed to be mine!”
She struggled beneath him as the world spun and black dots pricked her vision.
“Whore,” he snarled as he ground his weight into her chest and unsheathed his own dagger.
Fear soured her mouth as Auburn fought to push Premal off her, but he was too strong. Too heavy.
He leered at her as he raised his weapon.
As the dagger arced down, Eli plowed into Premal and shoved him off Auburn.
She gasped, the air burning as it raced back into her lungs.
Premal ignored Eli and struck Auburn, burying his dagger into her and twisting.
She screamed, her blood soaking through her dress and coating the floor.
Eli grabbed Premal and slammed his head against the floor. Once. Twice. A third time. Premal went limp in his hands.
Tossing the man aside, Eli turned to Auburn and pulled her into his arms. She heard him whisper a prayer as darkness encroached on her vision.
Chapter 38
The last assassin disengaged with Leopold and ran for the shattered door.
Leopold charged after him.
The assassin dodged Leopold’s blade, but the Knight hit the assassin hard with his shield and sent him sprawling out the door. A fire spell engulfed the assassin. He screamed as he rolled across the deck trying to put out the magical flames.
Sligo’s slit the man’s throat, forever silencing him.
Leopold and Sligo turned back to the cabin, Ndrek behind them as Eli cradled Auburn against him. The scent of blood mixed with her ragged breathing.
Sligo made sure Premal was dead before crouching beside Auburn and examining the dagger wound. “Deep and painful. Life threatening if we don’t stop the bleeding immediately.”
Fear coiled in Eli’s stomach as he held Auburn and tried not to remember a warm summer afternoon twenty years gone. “Leopold, can you help her?”
Auburn touched a blood-stained hand to Eli’s cheek but her eyes never opened. “I love you, Eli.”
“Stay with me.” His voice hitched as panic stole through him. He couldn’t lose her. Not now. Not like this.
Leopold crouched beside them. “Healing’s never been my strong suit.”
“Do what you can.” Eli closed his eyes as he rocked Auburn.
Laying a hand on Auburn’s side, Leopold said a prayer to the Dragon God.
Nothing happened.
Eli swallowed back his growing panic and added his own prayer.
A soft gold glow engulfed Leopold’s hand then transferred down to Auburn. Her breathing steadied, and her eyes fluttered open.
Eli examined the wound. The bleeding had stopped.
Relief flooded him, and he hugged her as a wave of emotion threatened to choke him.
Auburn winced, and Eli eased back but didn’t let her go.
Sitting on his heels, Leopold shook his head. “Like I said, healing’s not my strong suit. Wish there was a temple of Thalia around here. A real one.”
“Will she...” Eli couldn’t get the words out.
“Up to Dracor now.”
Eli lifted her into his arms. “I’m taking her below deck. If there are any healers you trust, send them to her.”
Sligo nodded.
“Have Ndrek take you to our cabin,” Leopold said. “We’ll keep watch. Not everyone will know Premal is too dead to pay the bounty.”