To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(68)

“Everything I want is here.”

“Me, too.” Eli rolled her beneath him and made love to her.



The rumble of her stomach woke her late that morning, and Eli was still with her. She snuggled into him.

He set aside the book he’d been reading and nibbled the back of her neck. “How are you feeling?”

“Queasy,” she said.

“It’ll take a few days for you to get used to the motion.”

She didn’t tell him she’d been sick most mornings for some time. “How long until we get to Tamryn?”

“Depends on the winds and the weather, but at least six weeks.”

She smiled up at him and stroked a hand over his hard chest. “Six weeks of waking up beside you every morning with nowhere to go and nothing to do?”

“The journey back to Tamryn promises to be far more enjoyable than the trip to Qumaref was.” Eli teased his fingertips over her the swell of her breast. “But you need to eat.”

He helped her slip into a silk robe and lead her over to the table. She selected a few bland things then picked at them as her stomach rumbled in protest.

Eli squeezed her shoulders. “It’ll get better. Perhaps a walk on deck would help. I’ve heard sailors say focusing on the horizon reduces the nausea.”

Auburn finished her breakfast, dressed, and followed Eli out to the ship’s deck. Her eyes widened as excitement and fear tingled through her.

Water stretched in every direction as far as she could see. Large waves rolled along beside the ship, and the scent of the ocean filled her nose as the brisk wind snatched at her hair.

Auburn swayed as the ship rolled beneath her feet, and Eli wrapped his arms around her and drew her against him. Pausing a moment, she reveled in the bright blue sky, the fresh saltiness of the gray ocean, and the ship rocking beneath her.

She’d done it. She’d escaped Qumaref and was another step closer to seeing the vision of her son made real. Auburn couldn’t suppress the smile that stole across her lips.

Leaning back against Eli, happiness filled her. Her strong hard prince wrapped her in his arms and leaned his cheek against her hair. Heat warmed her belly, followed by something deeper, stronger and more dangerous. Her breath tangled in her throat.

She loved him. And she’d admitted it to him, though she wasn’t sure he believed her. Auburn could only imagine how many times someone had said that to him to get what they wanted. And he knew she wanted to go to Tamryn.

Once they reached Tamryn, he would marry Lady Daniella.

Sadness balled in Auburn’s stomach. She hadn’t counted on falling in love with him, hadn’t planned it, but such was the gift of the Twins. A blessing and a curse.

She would have to find her own path forward in a new and foreign country. As much as she loved him, she wanted, needed a home of her own. A family.

And she would have it even if the man she loved couldn’t give it to her. She’d come this far for her son. She wouldn’t give him up now.

Eli teased a kiss along the curve of her ear. “What’s troubling you? I thought you’d be happy to leave Qumaref.”

“I am.” Her arms tightened over his.

Leopold appeared on deck and strode over to them.

Eli pulled Auburn closer.

“Glad to see you two up and about.” Leopold nodded toward Auburn. “How’re you feeling?”

“Tired and seasick.”

Leopold frowned. “Was gonna invite you to the captain’s table for dinner. Might not be a good idea if you’re sick.”

“I take my meals in my room,” Eli said.

“You might, but Auburn is a lot nicer than you. People like her. Want to see her at dinner.”

Eli scowled. “I’m sure your metamorphosis into a social director will thrill Lady Highland. She’ll be ecstatic to have you in attendance at all of her balls.”

Leopold growled a curse.

Auburn smiled and stroked the prince’s arm. “Whatever you wish. I want to enjoy this time together.”

“Good thing Ndrek’s not here,” Leopold said. “You’d make him gag.”

Auburn laughed. “How’s he doing?”

“Likes sailing even less than you do,” Leopold said. “Threatened to throw him overboard a couple of times on the way here if he threw up on my boots.”

A grin stole across her lips. “Poor Ndrek. I imagine it was even worse on a smaller ship.”

Leopold nodded and regarded Eli. “Giving her the tour?”

“She already knows the ship.”

“Been cooped up here too long already.” Leopold squinted at the horizon. “Even on a big ship like this, boredom sets in fast.”

“Perhaps Prince Eli could loan you one of his books.”

“I’ll take you up on that,” Leopold said. “Just not one with all those swirls instead of letters. And I still expect you to practice with me once you get your sea legs.”

“I look forward to it.”

“No you don’t.”

Auburn smiled. “I’ll get you a book.”

Choosing each step with care, she returned to Eli’s cabin. As she walked inside, the ship rolled beneath her feet, and she caught the edge of the table to keep from falling. She waited out another bout of nausea, and Auburn hoped she wouldn’t be sick the entire time they were at sea. She wanted to enjoy her last weeks with Eli.