To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)

by Elizabeth Drake

  “He’s afraid, and whatever he’s afraid of is worse than the sultan’s wrath or war with Tamryn. What would scare him that much?”

  Auburn lifted her shoulders. “He seems intent on these negotiations failing.”

  “Like the negotiations with Arren and K’tel failed. Any unexpected deaths in either of those delegations?”

  “No, but they didn’t make as much headway as you have.” Auburn bit her lower lip. “You mentioned war with Tamryn?”

  “My father put the navy on high alert before we left. If anything happens to me...”

  “Does the sultan know?”

  “He wanted the meetings, and he assured my father of my safety.”

  “Does Premal know that?” Auburn said.

  “I can’t say.”

  “A quiet whisper on the sea. Sleeping dragon, let him be,” Auburn said. “Though I doubt Premal would listen to the advice.”

  “What’s that from?”

  “Opening lines to a famous Qumarefi poem. Some suspect it refers to Tamryn.”

  Eli glanced toward the thick curtain over the windows. “There’s a reason Premal wants you. It has to be for something more than your beauty and intelligence. Something game-changing for him. Like your visions.”

  “You and Sligo are the only ones I’ve ever told about them.”

  “Then something else.” Eli sat beside Auburn. “We’re missing something.”

  “Perhaps your cousin’s behind it.”

  “You see that in a vision?”

  “No, but you looked disturbed when Rolland mentioned him.”

  Eli took her hand in his. “You’re very observant.”

  Color touched her cheeks as she stared down at their joined fingers.

  “My cousin has never cared for the work of politics or overseeing his own lands. He dropped his responsibilities on a steward and spends his days indulging with women, drinking too much, and gambling away his allowance.”

  A frown pinched her forehead. “That doesn’t sound like a Tamarian.”

  “I told you we’re not all Knights.”

  “What would he gain if you died? Your lands? A larger allowance?”

  “That’s the interesting thing,” Eli said. “He gets nothing. I have no children, so if I die, my wealth and lands would revert to my father.”

  “Rolland says your cousin wanted you home quickly. I think he’s telling the truth.”

  “So do I.” Eli squeezed her hand as his thoughts roamed to his engagement, but he couldn’t bring himself to mention Lady Daniella. It was the first time he’d thought of the duchess in weeks, or his engagement to her.

  Eli doubted she figured into Fredrick’s machinations. There was no reason why Fredrick would care if Eli married Lady Daniella, unless his cousin had been intimate with the duchess and wanted Eli to fulfill the rules of succession on his behalf.

  The prince snorted at the thought. Lady Daniella wouldn’t tolerate a man like Fredrick. It was one of the things that would make her a good queen. Perhaps Fredrick had heard the prophecy and wanted Eli on the throne, but the prince had no idea why his cousin would want that.

  “You’ve thought of a reason,” Auburn said.

  Eli shook his head. “None that are convincing.”

  “What do you know about your cousin beyond his vices?”

  “Little. My cousin and I have never been close. He’s a dozen years older than I am, and he went to live at the country estate not long after...” Eli caught himself. “When I was a boy.”

  “Any idea why he’d want you home so quickly?”

  Eli shook his head. “No, and that disturbs me.”

  “Think Rolland was telling the truth?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. I don’t know why Fredrick wants me home, but I don’t doubt he bribed Rolland.”

  “Wealth is a huge motivator in Qumaref. Would your cousin need money?”

  “Wealth is a huge motivator everywhere.” Eli squeezed her fingers. “Fredrick has a generous allowance from my uncle, and he lives lavishly. What are you thinking?”

  “I don’t want to speak ill of your cousin.”

  A smile tugged on Eli’s lips. “Do it anyway.”

  “These negotiations were meant to open the door to trade. While many will benefit, anyone smuggling goods from Qumaref into Tamryn will be hurt.”

  Eli thought of the rare spices gracing the tables of Tamryn’s wealthiest nobles. Spices that hadn’t been there when he was a child. “You think my cousin could be behind a smuggling ring?”

  “He’d want you home quickly to prevent you from striking a deal, and when that didn’t work, his Qumarefi contacts might take the initiative.”

  “And if Premal was that Qumarefi contact, it would explain why he was so angry with the sultan for gifting you to me. Premal knew you’d help me when Rolland didn’t.”

  Auburn stared down at their joined hands. “Smuggling into Tamryn would be difficult, but there’s a lot of coastline.”

  “Cunning pirates could find a way. And a royal contact in Tamryn could make selling the smuggled goods easier and more profitable.” Eli let out his breath. “We have no proof, but it’s better than anything else we’ve thought of.”

  Her hand tightened around his. “Even if we figure out who’s behind it, we still have to stop them before they try again.”

  “Think they’ll catch whoever was behind the first attempt? With the right persuasion, they might provide us information.”

  Auburn shook her head. “By now, whoever planned the assassination has paid the appropriate bribes, and the men who tried to kill you are either dead themselves or have fled Qumaref.”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I regret not having the Knights of Valor here.”

  She smiled. “They may be a thorn in your side, but they’re a useful and just thorn.”

  Her smile infected him, and his own lips curved. “Don’t ever tell them I admitted that.”

  She tightened her hand around his. “It might be best if we left for Tamryn. I know these trade agreements are important to you and to Qumaref, but they’re not worth your life.”

  “What about the people that’ll go hungry?”

  “Perhaps the rains will come again, or the sultan will think of something else.”

  Eli stroked a thumb over her knuckles. “I’ve made arrangements that you’ll belong to Sligo under Qumarefi law if I die. He’ll see you safely to Tamryn.”

  “Thank you,” Auburn said as her cornflower-blue eyes fixed on him. “But I would prefer to see Tamryn with you.”

  Eli glanced down at her, and he sensed no dishonesty. No flattery. It made his chest constrict as an avalanche of emotion pressed down on him.

  Chapter 20

  Burying the strange feelings, Eli held Auburn close as he kept his face expressionless. He breathed in the exotic scent of her, letting it soothe the ache in his chest as he twirled a lock of her hair around his finger.

  He stared at the copper strands and bit back a curse. The last thing he needed was emotion clouding his judgment. Prince Eli prided himself on his cool detachment, and it annoyed him that he was struggling to maintain it.

  Forcing himself to concentrate on the issues at hand, he thought again of everything he knew about Fredrick and Premal. Eli was certain the two were connected, but he hadn’t figured out how.

  That worried him. If Fredrick was plotting something, Eli’s informants should have already learned about it. But his cousin’s machinations had caught the prince off guard, and that worried the prince more than anything. Intrigues rarely surprised Eli. He’d survived the game too long for that.

  After his mother’s assassination, his father and been so consumed by grief that he hadn’t protected Eli from the worst of court politics. Without meaning to, King Garrett had thrown his son into the game. Prince Eli had been far too young, he’d learned quickly, and he played to win.

  A key component of winning was understanding your opponent, what they wa
nted, and how far they’d go to get it.

  Eli had learned none of that about Premal or Fredrick. With Tamryn across the sea, it was almost impossible to learn more about Fredrick. Premal, however, was a different matter. Eli may not have spent a lifetime cultivating an information network in Qumaref, but there were still ways to learn things.

  While the prince wouldn’t be able to hide his intelligence gathering from Premal, Eli could use that. There were mundane ways to discover a great deal. Records of taxes paid, shipping manifests, merchant documents. Given what he knew about Premal, the more the sultan’s adviser had to hide, the more aggressive he’d become if Eli’s informants got too close to discovering anything.

  It risked Premal’s wrath, but the game had already escalated to assassination attempts.

  As Eli considered his plan from several angles, Auburn slipped off the sofa and glided across the room to pour two large glasses of water. After taking a sip of one, she nodded and crushed fresh mint leaves into each. Gathering up several plump pieces of ripe fruit, she placed them on a tray and brought them back to him.

  Eli took a glass of water and drank. There was little he could do about Premal that evening, but he could hone skills that might be useful later.

  “Up for helping me work on learning more of the Qumarefi language?” Eli asked as Auburn settled beside him.

  “I’d be happy to help.”

  “I see you’ve been reading my books. Tell me what you think about the ones on Qumaref.”

  “What I think?”

  “You’re educated, insightful, and well versed in the realities of Qumarefi royal society. I can think of no one better to offer a critique on them.”

  Her cheeks colored.

  “Is my assessment incorrect?”

  “No, but no one’s ever said such things to me.”

  “Then they’re fools.” He thumbed over her lush lips as she curled up in his arms.

  The scent of her intoxicated him, and the heat of her teased his flesh and ignited a desire he hadn’t imagined himself capable of feeling. He shifted and resettled her to hide the evidence of the effect she had on him.

  She discussed one of his books in her native language, and as he listened to her, Eli appreciated again what a perfect companion she was. Intelligent, kind, and insightful, she even knew how to disagree with him in a way that made him listen.

  She’d be an excellent adviser if he could keep an emotional distance from her. Yet, as she sat beside him, he could think of little other than his need for her. He wanted to carry her to the bed and feel her warm, soft and yielding beneath him. See her face overwhelmed with pleasure as she cried his name.

  He caged the thoughts, but that was becoming increasingly difficult. His iron will was being tested, and he wasn’t sure how much longer it would hold. He fought for what he wanted, and the only thing stopping him from getting it was that he wanted Auburn to be happy.

  He knew how much the promise of a son meant to her. She deserved a good husband to give her that child even if that husband ended up being a Knight of Valor. Auburn could do a lot worse than someone that would care for her and protect her.

  But would a Knight love her? Put her needs above all else when he’d already devoted himself to Dracor? Eli didn’t know, but the thought of another man even kissing Auburn made his chest constrict and his fists ball. He was terrible at denying himself what he wanted, and up until now, it hadn’t been a problem.

  The prince swallowed back the emotional maelstrom and reminded himself he was supposed to marry Lady Daniella. Not only would it be a good political match, but the prophecy said Duke Calloway’s daughter would become the next queen. The duke had only one living child, legitimate or otherwise, and Eli had used his spy network to make sure of it. Last thing he’d wanted was for his plans to fall apart because of a bastard no one knew existed.

  Eli would make his mother’s sacrifice to mean something. Unless Dracor chose another before then, he’d take the throne and rule Tamryn when his father died. Eli had spent half his life maneuvering to make that happen. He’d further his claim by marrying Lady Daniella and leveraging the nobility’s belief in the prophecy and Duke Calloway’s political clout.

  Even as he thought about it, a cold ache settled in Eli’s stomach. He gazed down at the woman in his arms and knew what he’d have to give up when he returned to Tamryn. The quiet comfort, the heat of desire, the warm companionship. He’d lose all of it and the woman he foolishly loved.

  He was a prince. He wasn’t supposed to love his wife. Marriage was a business arrangement for royalty and breaking that rule had almost destroyed his father. Lady Daniella was elegant, competent and politically savvy. The lands she brought to the arrangement were the perfect complement to his, and as his wife, he’d see to it she fulfilled the prophecy and became the next queen.

  He’d been happy with that arrangement when he’d left Tamryn.

  But his life before coming to Qumaref felt cold and alien. Daniella wouldn’t be waiting for him or happy to see him when he returned home. She wouldn’t care what Eli did or what happened to him as long as he met the obligations of their partnership.

  He’d need to rule effectively and oversee their lands and the people on them while she managed the houses and staff. She would offer council if he asked for it, but she’d give it as a calculating business partner rather than a concerned lover.

  He couldn’t imagine Daniella soft and eager beneath him. She’d do her duty and live up to her end of the arrangement, providing him with an heir and a spare. But that’s all that would ever be between them.

  He thought of Auburn willing to risk her life for a son she’d only seen in a vision. Willing to risk him learning about her secret visions to keep him safe. She was the one he wanted to come home to, the one he wanted in his bed, the one he loved.

  Could he have Daniella as a wife and Auburn as his mistress?

  Assuming he was discreet, Daniella would permit it. Would expect it. Being his mistress was better than being a Qumarefi slave. If anyone so much as thought about lifting a hand to her... Eli sucked in a breath and steadied his temper.

  But Auburn deserved more. She deserved to have her son.

  As his mistress, the rules of the Dragon Church and royal succession would bind her. Those rules forbid royal bastards. Eli wasn’t sure how the church controlled such things, but they’d continue to do so. There was too much at stake with royal succession for them to do anything else.

  Damn dragon blood. Probably as much a farce as the prophecy, but most people believed the monarchs of Tamryn all had a drop of dragon blood in their veins. It was why Dracor would only bless one from their line to ascend the throne.

  But the Dragon God hadn’t chosen Eli or Fredrick.

  Given what he’d learned from Rolland, it was unlikely the Dragon God would ever bless Fredrick. Dracor was the god of justice and righteousness. Whatever Fredrick was plotting, Eli doubted the Dragon God would approve. As the prince was sure Dracor didn’t approve of his own machinations.

  If not him or Rolland, the Dragon God would bestow the crown on one of their children.

  Staring down at Auburn snuggled up in his arms, he wanted better for her than that. He wanted her to know joy and happiness without forever questioning the motives of everyone around her.

  For a moment, he forgot about royal succession, Premal, and his cousin as he basked in the warmth of her. The heady scents of vanilla and jasmine filled him, and Eli smiled as he listened to her lilting words. He was happier here with her than he’d been since his mother’s death.

  If he married Daniella and Auburn agreed to forgo her son to be his mistress, would he be as happy as he was now?

  The answer brought a curse to his lips.

  Damn the Twins.

  Everyone spoke of the power of the Dragon God, but He hadn’t undermined Eli’s plans. Wasn’t making Eli give up everything or suffer an agony so acute that a day in the Qumarefi sun felt pleasant.


  “Are you okay?” Auburn’s cornflower blue eyes fixed on him.

  “Just thinking.”

  “I’m willing to listen.”

  “It was about you.”

  “You look sad.” She squeezed his hand. “I hope I haven’t upset you.”

  “Trying to figure out what I’ll do with you when we get to Tamryn.”

  She bit her lower lip. “You said I’d be free.”

  “Of course you’ll be free. I’m thinking more about what you’ll do and where you’ll go once we get there.”

  “I’ve worried about that.” She focused on her hands. “Probably not a lot of use for a dancer or a musician, but I can read and write a lot of languages.”

  Fear pinch her forehead, and he couldn’t halt his words. “I still worry about you being alone in a strange city. Would you want to stay at the palace with me?”

  Her fear vanished, and a genuine smile curved her lips. “I’d like that very much.”

  He kissed her temple. “Then you’ll stay with me.”

  She turned in his arms and gazed up at him, her lips inches from his as her thigh brushed over the evidence he’d been trying to hide. The heat of her breath whisper over his cheek, and he smelled the mint leaves.

  “You’re tempting a very bad man.” His mouth hovered over hers.

  Auburn’s eyes fluttered closed, and she tipped her lips closer to his.

  He leaned down and touched his lips to hers in a soft, tentative kiss.

  Chapter 21

  Auburn closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Eli, melting against him as the warmth of his kiss slid through her. He surrounded her, strong and protective, and she gave herself over to the gentle meeting of lips.

  His light touch sparked a cascade of emotions within her as desire mixed with the quiet ache in her chest. The heat of him soaked through her gown and amplified the intensity of the simple kiss, filling her with yearning and a whisper of need. She kissed him back, her lips moving against his as she let instinct guide her.

  Eli growled, tightened his arms around her, and plundered her mouth.