To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)(73)

Allowing herself several more minutes to compose her thoughts, she watched the moonlight glint off the waves. Memories floated through her mind, but few of them were happy. She wanted more, better for her son.

If Eli didn’t want to give it to her, she’d find someone who did. Or she’d raise her son herself. Better that than for him to grow up being despised by his father.

Leopold was right. She had to give Eli the chance. She had to know for sure.

Holding that to her breast, she returned to the cabin.

Ndrek stood and bowed to Eli. “I shall join Sir Leopold at dinner and make your excuses.”

Auburn watched the wizard leave, but she barely heard the door close over the pounding of her heart. She wrapped her fingers in the fabric of her dress and sucked in an unsteady breath.

Eli slipped his arms around her, and Auburn eased against him, letting the heat of him warm and reassure her.

The prince held her close and teased his lips over the column of her neck. Auburn tipped her head to the side to give him unrestricted access.

He paused. “Something’s bothering you. Did Leopold say something to you?”

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

He turned her to face him. “You can tell me anything. Always.”

Clinging to her courage, she stared into Eli’s blue eyes as her hands fell to her stomach. “I remember what you said about Tamryn royal succession, but I’m with child.”

“And Sir Leopold demanded you tell me. The Ruel of Succession.”

Auburn nodded, but rather than anger or disappointment, a smile curved his lips, and he held her close.

“You already knew.”

Eli captured her lips in a kiss. “I suspected. Your time hasn’t come in several months.” His hand stroked down her gently rounding belly. “There were other giveaways.”

“You said nothing.” A frown pinched her brows. “Aren’t you disappointed I ruined your plans?”

He stroked a thumb over Auburn’s knuckles. “If you mean my marriage to Lady Daniella, I’ve had no intention of seeing that through for some time.”

“But I thought you needed to marry her-”

Eli touched his lips to hers. “You stole my queen and reset my strategy a long time ago. The only thing I need to do is tell Daniella and her father that the engagement is off.”

Auburn blinked, her breath tangling in her throat as happiness flushed through her.

“The gods have a way of teaching me hard lessons. When I almost lost you to Premal...” Eli stroked the twin dragons twining around Auburn’s necklace and sucked in a breath. “It put things into perspective.”

“You never said anything.”

“I told you I was going to marry you.”

“You said you wanted to marry me. And that was once, quite some time ago.”

“My mind hasn’t changed.” Eli caught a strand of her hair and wrapped it around his finger. “Is that why you didn’t tell me sooner?”

Auburn nodded as relief and happiness swamped her. He’d always planned to marry her. It had to mean he loved her, that he wanted to be with her as much as she did him. Hope bloomed in her chest and warmed her down to her toes.

She wanted the words, but Leopold was right. Eli had already shown her with actions.

The prince held her close and stroked her hair. “Perhaps I should have been clearer. I’ve been planning this since the night I told you I was going to marry you. I even got the sultan to help make your transition to Tamryn easier.”

“You did?”

“He made you a Qumarefi princess. While I don’t care if you’re a princess or slave, there are still some in Tamryn who cling to class distinctions. I will crush anyone who is less than kind to you, but this will spare a few.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she held Eli tightly.

“Something else you should know,” Eli said. “I’d planned for a child. I want people to assume the Rule of Succession is why I’m marrying you. It’s not, but I will let them think it.”

A frown darkened her brow.

“If people think it’s a love match, you’ll be a target. My enemies will try to use you to get to me. That puts you in danger, and I will do whatever I have to do to keep you safe.”

A love match. His words played through her head, and she held her breath.

Eli paused, and when the words didn’t come, Auburn’s shoulders sank and she exhaled.

He stoked her jaw then tipped it so she’d face him. “I love you beyond words.”

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against him as her heart swelled. “Tell me again.”

“I love you, Auburn. I’ll tell you that every day, three times a day, if that’s what you want.”

“Every day,” she said.

“Let me show you how much I love you.” Eli scooped her into his arms and carried her to their bed.





Chapter 43





Happiness filled her remaining few weeks aboard the ship. Auburn had escaped Qumaref with the man she loved. A man that loved her in return. A smile curved her lips as she realized soon she’d have her son, too. She wrapped her arms around herself as her chest swelled with happiness and love.

Turning her face towards the warm sun, Auburn sucked in a breath of crisp air tinged with the scent of salt. Dark water rolled in waves around the ship, and she found the lapping noise soothing.