To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(71)

She followed his eyes to the horizon and swallowed hard. “Never.”

“Don’t work like that. Not with royal blood. Though it shouldn’t ever be like that.”

She swallowed hard and straightened her spine as she turned and met Leopold’s too-knowing gaze. “I will not give up my son, and I won’t suffer a lifetime of Prince Eli’s hatred because I upset his plans.”

“What’re you gonna do? Try to disappear when we get to Tamryn?”

She lifted her shoulders. “I got out of Qumaref. I’ll find a way.”

“Course you would, but I can’t let you.”

Her fists clenched at her sides as she fought the urge to cry. “I thought I could trust you.”

“You can, but the child’s father deserves a chance to do right.”

“Why no royal... why can no children can be born out of wedlock to the royal family?”

“Dracor’s will,” Leopold said. “He trusted the royal family with a drop of His blood. Church’s job to oversee it.”

“After so many generations of men, how can you be sure no children were born out of wedlock?”

Leopold chuckled. “Easier than you’d think. That drop of blood makes it damn hard for them to have children. If they do, it’s only with someone the Dragon God finds worthy.”

She studied the horizon. “What’s the royal family like?”

“Most are serious to a fault. King Garrett’s a good man. Strong. Principled. Always has Tamryn’s best interest at heart. Don’t know if he was a good husband, but he was a crummy father. Especially after Queen Gwendolyn was assassinated.”

“Assassinated?”

“Eli didn’t tell you that?”

“He said she died.”

“That she did. He was eight maybe nine. Skipped lessons one afternoon and went to find her in the gardens. Was Gwyn’s favorite spot. He got there just in time to see the assassin kill her.”

Auburn tightened her hold on Leopold’s arm. “He would’ve blamed himself for not being able to save her.”

“Of course he did. He’s a Dracasan. Wouldn’t listen to reason.”

“That’s when he started training with Sligo.”

“Whole thing changed him. Church was certain Dracor would bless him early, and we were gonna prep him for the throne. But Eli hasn’t set foot in the Dragon Church since we buried Gwyn.”

“Of course it changed him. He loved her.”

“That he did,” Leopold said.

“Something like that would challenge anyone’s faith.”

“Hoping he’ll find his way back to the Light. Might. Might not. So now we prepare for the next generation. Dragon God will hopefully bless one of Eli’s children.”

Auburn rubbed her stomach. “What about Eli’s cousin, Fredrick?”

“Fredrick’s a snake. Don’t know why he bribed Rolland, but I will. Rashalee corrupted that branch of the family tree, so Dracor will let it wither and die.”

Images of snakes flickered through her mind. “What did Fredrick do that makes you think Rashalee corrupted him?”

“I won’t say because I can’t prove it. If I could, I’d oversee Fredrick’s execution myself.”

The hard note in Leopold’s voice made Auburn shiver.

He patted her shoulder. “C’mon. I promised Eli I’d get you to your cabin, and I want to check on that wound and make sure it’s healing. Still amazed Dracor let me channel His power to heal another.”

“I saw you heal yourself.”

“Yeah, but I’ve never been able to use it on anyone else. Some Knights can, but not me.”

Auburn considered that as she followed Leopold back to Eli’s cabin.



On his way back to his rooms, Eli saw Leopold on deck.

“How is she?” Eli said.

“Sleeping.”

“You checked the wound? Is she going to be all right?”

Leopold nodded. “Doing fine as far as I can tell, but I’d have a High Priestess of Thalia examine her when we get to Tamryn. Amazing what they can do for the sick and injured.”

Eli stood in silence several long moments, his gaze focused on the waves. “Auburn asked me about my family today. I expected her to be curious, but her questions were specific.”

“Think she had another vision?”

“Yes, and it scared her.”

Leopold took a long, slow breath. “I’m betting it was about Fredrick.”

“Someone in Tamryn wants me dead and has the means and motive to act on it.”

The Knight let his hand drift to his sword hilt.

Eli glanced up at the bright moon. “He killed his mother and sold mine out to the assassins.”

“I can’t prove anything or he’d have hung. Still, you’re gonna wanna warn Auburn. And you’re gonna wanna see her well-guarded.”

Eli nodded. “We’ll stay in Aerius long enough for the king to meet her and bless our marriage. Then we’ll head out to my lands. It’ll be a lot harder for Fredrick to get to her there.”

Leopold paused a moment. “Marrying her, are you?”

“Clearly.”