To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)

by Elizabeth Drake

  Leopold fell into a thoughtful silence, and Auburn focused on the sand-strewn streets until their coach pulled up in front of the docks.

  She gazed up at the huge ship that waved Tamryn’s flag, and her heart fluttered at the large gold dragon symbol.

  “Not that one,” Leopold said as he led her towards a much smaller smuggler’s ship.

  Auburn froze on the pier, panic sealing her throat. This was the ship from her visions, the one she’d seen sink a dozen times.

  Leopold tugged her arm, but she stayed rooted. “You coming?”

  She licked her dry lips and fought for words. “We can’t get on that ship.”

  “We must,” Ndrek said. “The flagship is here for Prince Eli. It will wait to take him back.”

  “That ship,” she said and pointed to the commandeered pirate vessel, “will sink before we can set sail.”

  “What in the seven hells are you talking about?” Leopold said.

  Ndrek’s eyes narrowed as he glanced from Auburn to Leopold. “She may have information of which we are unaware.”

  “Unless I’m as old and senile as Eli wants me to be, Auburn’s on the up and up. Only one she was conspiring with was herself, and that was to get the hell outta Qumaref.”

  “It is possible whoever gave the king misinformation has an accomplice in Qumaref. If that accomplice knows only two Tamarians arrived, but three left the palace under the shadow of secrecy, the accomplice may presume the third person is Prince Eli.”

  “So?”

  “If the first assassination attempt did not work, sinking the ship Prince Eli is returning to Tamryn on would be a viable second option.”

  “I’m not buying it,” Leopold said as he glared at Ndrek. “How much did Eli pay you to get me to bring the girl back to him?”

  “He was wise enough not to try, and caution would be prudent. How often does a slave resist her master? Or try to delay her trip to freedom?”

  Leopold cursed under his breath. “Keep her safe. I’m holding you responsible for her, and you won’t like what happens if you disappoint me.”

  “Please don’t go on the ship.” Auburn caught Leopold’s arm. “I’m not sure when it will sink.”

  “I can’t leave the crew aboard if the ship is gonna sink.”

  “We will follow Sir Leopold but stay on the docks. Whoever is after Prince Eli won’t strike until the prince, as played by you in Sir Leopold’s cloak, is aboard.”

  Leopold cursed as he stomped down the docks and onto the ship. Auburn followed Ndrek and waited beside the ruddy-skinned man as Leopold boarded the smuggler’s ship.

  Standing quietly as they waited, the smell of dead fish and brine assaulted her, and Auburn dipped her head to hide her nose in the voluminous cloak. The heat of the sun pounded down on them, and the screaming gulls mixed with the blur of voices into a cacophony that made her head ache.

  Auburn moved closer to Ndrek.

  “It will get better,” Ndrek said. “The strange will become familiar.”

  “I don’t miss my comfortable prison in the seraglio. At least not yet.”

  “You may from time to time, but you have something you are running toward. That is very powerful.”

  “You’re from Qumaref?” Auburn asked.

  “Once, perhaps, but Tamryn is my home now.”

  She motioned to his robes. “Are you a wizard?”

  “I studied magic in Qumaref, but when my master learned of it...” Ndrek smiled, showing his perfect white teeth. “I found my way to Tamryn.”

  Auburn nodded her understanding. “Do you like it there?”

  “Better than Qumaref, certainly.”

  “Will you tell me more about Tamryn?”

  Ndrek tried to allay her nervousness with tales of his deeds and misdeeds in Tamryn, and his various run-ins with the Knights of Valor.

  Auburn hid her smile behind her hand. “It sounds as if there are many differences between Qumaref and Tamryn.”

  “So there are, but both have much they can learn from each other. Neither country is willing to admit that, however.” Ndrek glanced at the ship. “It would not take so long if there was nothing to find.”

  Auburn peered at the ship, and her eyes clouded. “The ship will still sink. When it sets sail, there will be three ships waiting. Two of them will go down, but the third will prevail.”

  “Do you know where the ships will attack?”

  She shook her head. “I can only see the ocean, and it all looks the same.”

  Ndrek’s voice dropped to less than a whisper. “What if you look up? Can you see the stars at the site of the attack?”

  Auburn tipped her head upward, her eyes focusing on nothing. “The stars look the same as they do over Qumaref.”

  “So the attack would not be far from these shores. Makes sense if they are uncertain about our route home.”

  She turned her attention back to the docks. “We shouldn’t get aboard that ship.”

  “What about the flagship?”

  Auburn glanced at the enormous ship and its heavily armed escort, but her eyes stayed clear. “I’ve seen nothing that makes me believe it won’t return to Tamryn without incident.”

  “Harder to take down the flagship and its escort without the Qumarefi navy,” Ndrek said. “Whoever acts does so without official backing.”

  Auburn lifted her shoulders. “I don’t know who. If I did, I would tell you.”

  Nodding, Ndrek fell silent beside her as they waited.

  The sun had climbed a little higher when Leopold clomped down the gangplank toward them.

  “What did you find?” Ndrek asked.

  “Three powder kegs rigged to blow.” Leopold clipped his words, and his face was tight as his faded blue gaze passed from Ndrek to Auburn. “We’re going aboard the flagship, and this young lady is talking.”

  The suppressed anger in Leopold’s voice made Auburn shiver, but she acquiesced and followed him aboard the flagship.

  She studied her feet, letting her cloak hide her while Leopold had a few quiet words with the captain. The captain’s eyes widened, and he showed the trio to a room on the ship.

  Leopold pulled out a chair and pointed to it. “Sit.”

  Auburn did as commanded, folding her hands into her lap and staring down at them. Fear pooled in her stomach and bile burned her throat.

  “How did you know?” Leopold asked.

  “I didn’t know about the powder kegs.”

  “Like hell you didn’t.” Leopold swung around towards her, his anger barely restrained. “Do you know how many men would’ve died because of you? How many kids wouldn’t see their dads come home? I trusted you. Believed you.”

  Auburn hung her head, but she said nothing. She didn’t have the words to show him she wasn’t a traitor, to show she was trying to save herself, him, and his crew, so she said nothing.

  “Who are you working with?”

  She closed her eyes and waited for him to strike her.

  Ndrek stepped in front of Auburn. “I do not think she was involved, Sir Leopold.”

  “How do you figure that?” Leopold radiated menace as he stood toe-to-toe with the wizard. “She knew the boat would sink.”

  “But it will still sink,” Ndrek said. “This time by pirates.”

  “What in the seven hells are you talking about?”

  “Tell him, Auburn.”

  She lifted her shoulders, fear hollowing her voice. “He will believe as he will, but I wouldn’t be aboard that ship tomorrow.”

  “And the flagship?” Ndrek asked.

  “I have seen nothing to say it won’t make it safely back to Tamryn.”

  “Prince Eli would kill us if we took his flagship,” Ndrek said. “But it could get us home.”

  “Don’t tempt me.” Leopold studied Auburn. “What aren’t you telling us?”

  She said nothing as she continued staring at her hands.

  “She is a seer,” Ndrek said. “A very rare and very valuable so
rceress.”

  “You sure?”

  “More logical than her working with men to sabotage the ship she was planning to board.”

  “Sorcery, huh?” Leopold asked.

  “Most who say they have this ability are charlatans. A few may have visions, but they are unintelligible. Then there are the exceptionally rare seers that See.”

  “Can you magic up that spell?” Leopold asked.

  Ndrek shook his head. “No wizard has ever created such a spell, or if they have, they have kept it secret. It is the purview of sorcerers. I am very surprised the sultan would have gifted such a talented slave.”

  Leopold’s eyes narrowed. “The sultan ever figure out you can do this?”

  Auburn shook her head.

  “Who knows?” Leopold asked.

  “I’ve only told Prince Eli. I didn’t want to, but I was trying to protect him from the assassins.”

  “His ‘good’ information,” Leopold said.

  Auburn nodded. “But I can’t control it. It comes as it wills, shows what it wishes. Sometimes I see nothing for long stretches.”

  Leopold thumbed at Auburn. “You believe her?”

  “I know the punishments for not doing as commanded,” Ndrek said. “It was wise of her to hide such a fickle talent.”

  Leopold let out his breath. “So we’re stuck waiting and heading home with the flagship?”

  “I believe that is the best course of action. At least for the moment.”

  Leopold cursed. “I don’t know if I believe in this ‘seeing’ mumbo jumbo, but I didn’t believe in fireballs at first. Was damn glad I had fire resistance on my armor when I learned I was wrong.”

  “Have you ‘seen’ anything else while the ship is docked?” Ndrek asked.

  Auburn shook her head.

  “We’ll stay on the flagship for a couple nights. Learn if there’s anything to these visions before I decide if we go back to Eli and the Qumarefi palace.”

  “You are worried he will not let Auburn leave a second time.”

  Leopold snorted. “You think he will?”

  “Most likely not. Even though we are staying his flagship, I would still ask the crew on both ships to be extra vigilant,” Ndrek said. “We may be pawns in another attempt to kill Prince Eli.”

  Leopold let loose a few more expletives as he stormed out of the cabin.

  “The visions sound foolish and impossible,” Auburn said. “It took me years to come to terms with them. To learn to listen to them.”

  “Oh, he believes,” Ndrek said. “Or he would not be warning the crew.”

  Chapter 30

  The moon was high in the sky, its cool glow washing over the docked ships when explosions ripped through the night. Shouts followed, then the sound of running feet.

  Leopold leapt out of his bunk and donned his armor when another explosion sounded outside the ship. “Stay with the girl.” The Knight grabbed his sword and shield and sprinted out of the cabin.

  Ndrek cast a strong protection ward then sat beside Auburn. They listened to the sounds of clashing swords, running feet, and cursing. The smell of charred wood and the coppery scent of blood filled the air.

  Auburn shivered as she stared down at her hands.

  “It seems Prince Eli has made a powerful and relentless enemy. He is good at that.”

  “Do you think he’s okay?”

  “Most assuredly,” Ndrek said.

  Auburn stayed silent as they listened to the battle. After a time, the sounds quieted then faded to nothing.

  A few minutes later, Leopold pushed open the door.

  Auburn paled at the blood that smeared his sword, shield, and armor. “Are you all right?”

  “More of their blood than mine,” Leopold said. He took a moment to catch his breath then called a faint gold light to his hands. He touched the gold light to his chest and grunted.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  Leopold nodded. “I’ll be fine, but they still sank that damn ship.”

  “The one Auburn warned you about?”

  Leopold growled an expletive. “Didn’t warn us about them attacking the flagship while they sank the other one.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  “Perhaps because your life was not in jeopardy aboard the flagship,” Ndrek said. “It is well-guarded. The attack on the flagship was a diversion.”

  “Diversion is right. It kept us from getting to the other ship before it sank.” Leopold studied at Auburn. “Any thoughts on who’s behind it?”

  “I can’t control the visions. When they come or when they don’t. What they show me, what they don’t.”

  “That means no.”

  “Let us be thankful we were aboard the flagship, whatever the reason,” Ndrek said.

  Letting out his breath, Leopold cleaned the blood from his armor and sword. “Won’t be getting back to Tamryn any time soon to figure out who sent us on this goose chase.”

  “Perhaps that was also their intent.”

  Leopold loosed a string of curses. “We’ll find ‘em, but they bought themselves some time. It’ll be harder to follow a cold trail.”

  “They do not know you if they think that will stop you.”

  Leopold sheathed his sword. “This seals it. We’ll be going back on the flagship with Eli.”

  “He will not be delighted,” Ndrek said.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that.” Leopold glanced over at Auburn. “I think he’ll manage.”

  Eli was reviewing his notes for the fifth time and still couldn’t focus on them when Sligo opened the door to his room and waited for the prince to acknowledge him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There was an incident down at the docks.”

  Eli paled. “Is she okay?”

  “I could not obtain good information, but the ship she was on sank.”

  Eli’s chest tightened and squeezed the air from his lungs. By the gods, her visions had said pirate ship, and a Knight was anything but a pirate. A lapse in judgment that could cost him everything.

  “I’ve arranged for a fast carriage.”

  Eli said nothing as he pulled on a nondescript cloak and followed Sligo out of the palace and down to the waiting vehicle. Designed for speed, the carriage wouldn’t survive a direct attack, but it was a chance Eli had to take.

  Climbing in, he drew the curtains, and the conveyance leapt forward. Fear warred with anger as they raced out of the walled courtyard and thundered through Qumaref’s streets. He should never have let Auburn leave with Sir Leopold. She’d wanted to stay, and she was his to protect. If anything had happened to her...

  Eli shut down the thought, closed his eyes, and swallowed the sour taste in his mouth. He’d never doubted he was making the right decision calling off his engagement to Daniella, but now he was certain.

  His carriage stopped a distance back from the flagship, its dragon crest flapping in the sea breeze. Chaos filled the streets, making it impossible for the carriage to get any closer.

  Eli leapt down and searched the crowds for any sign of Auburn’s copper hair. Panic chilled him and made him reckless as he found no trace of her.

  The crowd parted for the imposing man dressed in black, but Sligo caught his arm. “It’s too difficult to keep you safe, Your Highness, even with me and your security team protecting you.”

  “I have to find her.”

  “Your enemies could have done this to draw you out.”

  Eli said nothing as he continued to scan the sea of people.

  “If I were trying to kill you, I would have,” Sligo said. “But you would’ve come with or without me once you learned of the ship.”

  “I have to find her.”

  “Let me get you aboard the flagship. Once you’re safe, I’ll be more effective at finding her.”

  Glancing toward the large ship, it resembled an island of calm in the chaos. If he were Leopold, he’d try to get Auburn there if she’d survived. If... His stomach tighte
ned, and he said nothing as he pulled up the hood of his cloak and followed Sligo.

  They navigated through the crowd, and as soon as the guards on the flagship realized it was him, they raced down and escorted him aboard the flagship.

  The captain bowed low. “Your Highness. I was not expecting you, so I put Sir Leopold and his companions in your suite. I will have them moved.”

  “His companions?” Eli sprinted to his cabin.

  He threw open the door, and Auburn, Leopold and Ndrek turned to stare at him.

  Relief flooded him when he saw Auburn, and he almost fell to his knees. “Are you all right?”

  A genuine smile lit her face as she ran over to him, and the feel of her arms around him bolstered him and kept him on his feet. “Sir Leopold and Ndrek made sure I was safe.”

  Eli held her, stroking her hair as his heartbeat returned to normal. Fear stoked his anger as he turned a hard stare to Leopold. “What happened?”

  “I promised to keep her safe, and I did.” Leopold rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. “Nothing left of the ship though.”

  Eli’s arms tightened around Auburn. “Had anything happened to her...”

  “We wouldn’t be looking at war,” Leopold said. “So what in the seven hells are you’re doing here, anyway?”

  Eli’s impassive mask slipped, and anger tightened his face. “I’m down here to make sure you didn’t underestimate an enemy. Again.”

  Leopold’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

  Eli closed his eyes and schooled his face back into its emotionless blank slate. Drawing a breath, he filled himself with the familiar scent of vanilla and jasmine. His anger and panic quieted.

  “Those enemies are why you shouldn’t be here.” Leopold’s words were little more than a growl.

  “Then neither should Auburn.”

  “You are supposed to go the opposite way of trouble, Your Highness,” Ndrek said. “Especially when the ramifications to Qumaref and Tamryn are so great.”

  “I’m a prince of Tamryn. I don’t flee at the first sign of trouble.” Eli raised a brow at the Knight, his words hardening to ice. “I remember some of my childhood lessons.”

  “Only the ones you want to remember.”