Premal glanced behind him at the heavy door and then over at Auburn. “I will enjoy watching you die.”
As the assassin cornered Auburn, Eli threw his dagger at the man’s back, lodging it between his shoulder blades. The assassin howled a curse as he turned toward Eli, buying Auburn the few seconds she needed to scrabble away.
Sweat beaded Eli’s brow, but his face was impassive as the assassins closed in on him.
The two men circled the prince, and as they flanked Eli, the door exploded, throwing Premal across the room as a shower of splinters rained across them.
The explosion still echoed around them as the assassins launched themselves at Eli.
Leopold rammed his shield into the first assassin before the assailant could reach Eli, batting the man away as if he were a ragdoll. Leopold then pressed his attack.
The assassin dodged and wove, but Leopold waited, biding his time for an opening in the tight quarters of the cabin.
Sligo appeared from the shadows behind the second, his daggers finding their mark before the assassin dodged away.
Sligo and Sir Leopold trapped the remaining assassin between them.
Premal launched himself at Auburn and knocked her to the ground. Pinning her beneath him, he pressed his knee into her chest, forcing the air from her lungs. “I should have been sultan,” he growled. “You were supposed to be mine!”
She struggled beneath him as the world spun and black dots pricked her vision.
“Whore,” he snarled as he ground his weight into her chest and unsheathed his own dagger.
Fear soured her mouth as Auburn fought to push Premal off her, but he was too strong. Too heavy.
He leered at her as he raised his weapon.
As the dagger arced down, Eli plowed into Premal and shoved him off Auburn.
She gasped, the air burning as it raced back into her lungs.
Premal ignored Eli and struck Auburn, burying his dagger into her and twisting.
She screamed, her blood soaking through her dress and coating the floor.
Eli grabbed Premal and slammed his head against the floor. Once. Twice. A third time. Premal went limp in his hands.
Tossing the man aside, Eli turned to Auburn and pulled her into his arms. She heard him whisper a prayer as darkness encroached on her vision.
Chapter 38
The last assassin disengaged with Leopold and ran for the shattered door.
Leopold charged after him.
The assassin dodged Leopold’s blade, but the Knight hit the assassin hard with his shield and sent him sprawling out the door. A fire spell engulfed the assassin. He screamed as he rolled across the deck trying to put out the magical flames.
Sligo’s slit the man’s throat, forever silencing him.
Leopold and Sligo turned back to the cabin, Ndrek behind them as Eli cradled Auburn against him. The scent of blood mixed with her ragged breathing.
Sligo made sure Premal was dead before crouching beside Auburn and examining the dagger wound. “Deep and painful. Life threatening if we don’t stop the bleeding immediately.”
Fear coiled in Eli’s stomach as he held Auburn and tried not to remember a warm summer afternoon twenty years gone. “Leopold, can you help her?”
Auburn touched a blood-stained hand to Eli’s cheek but her eyes never opened. “I love you, Eli.”
“Stay with me.” His voice hitched as panic stole through him. He couldn’t lose her. Not now. Not like this.
Leopold crouched beside them. “Healing’s never been my strong suit.”
“Do what you can.” Eli closed his eyes as he rocked Auburn.
Laying a hand on Auburn’s side, Leopold said a prayer to the Dragon God.
Nothing happened.
Eli swallowed back his growing panic and added his own prayer.
A soft gold glow engulfed Leopold’s hand then transferred down to Auburn. Her breathing steadied, and her eyes fluttered open.
Eli examined the wound. The bleeding had stopped.
Relief flooded him, and he hugged her as a wave of emotion threatened to choke him.
Auburn winced, and Eli eased back but didn’t let her go.
Sitting on his heels, Leopold shook his head. “Like I said, healing’s not my strong suit. Wish there was a temple of Thalia around here. A real one.”
“Will she...” Eli couldn’t get the words out.
“Up to Dracor now.”
Eli lifted her into his arms. “I’m taking her below deck. If there are any healers you trust, send them to her.”
Sligo nodded.
“Have Ndrek take you to our cabin,” Leopold said. “We’ll keep watch. Not everyone will know Premal is too dead to pay the bounty.”
Eli released the breath he’d been holding and touched his lips to Auburn’s forehead as Sligo searched the bodies of the assassins. The bodyguard found nothing. Professionals, as Eli had expected.
As the prince walked to the door, Sligo searched Premal and paused. Sligo held up a Tamarian coin that had the prince’s likeness printed on it.
Eli said nothing as he cradled Auburn closer and carried her downstairs.
Chapter 39
The rest of the negotiations completed without incident. While satisfied with all that he’d accomplished, Prince Eli was ready to go home.
Watching the elaborate display put on for his final night in Qumaref, Eli barely noticed the dancers as he thought of returning to the flagship and Auburn. He wanted more than Sligo’s assurances that she was fine.
Thoughts of her copper-colored hair, the exotic scent of vanilla and jasmine that whispered over her flawless skin, and the sweet taste of her kisses teased through his senses as he watched a dancer prance past him. The dancer was little more than a pinpoint of light compared to Auburn’s flame.
Eli almost laughed at himself. The Twins had touched him, and Their gift had changed him. He was not the same man that had come to Qumaref. Different, better perhaps. At least, he wanted to be better for Auburn.
When the festivities tapered, Eli nodded to the sultan. “I’m glad, Sultan Pandhuka, that we found ways for our two nations to build a future together.”
The sultan grinned and clapped him on the back. “This is not goodbye, Prince Eli, just until next time. I shall have to come visit you in Tamryn and see this ball room dancing, yes? Maybe meet a Knight of Valor.”
“You are welcome in Tamryn anytime.”
“May the gods bless you with many strong sons.”
“May the gods shine Their light on you,” Eli said.
The men shook hands, and Eli left the sultan to enjoy the remainder of the evening. The prince’s bodyguards fell in around him as he exited the great hall, the doors closing behind him with a solid thud.
Despite the sultan’s words, Eli was certain he’d never see the man again. Princes and attachés made the dangerous trip across the ocean for treaties, not kings and sultans.
And Eli had no intention of returning.
He would never ask Auburn to come back to Qumaref, and he wouldn’t spend the better part of a year away from her.
Eli glanced to his left as Sligo detached from the shadows and nodded to the bodyguards. “If you’re ready, Your Highness, we can head to the flagship now.”
Eli followed Sligo through the palace and to the large entry hall as a nondescript carriage pulled up to the palace. Glancing at the driver, Eli recognized him as one of his regular guards and climbed into the carriage. A few minutes later, they were clattering through the dark and empty streets of Qumaref.
The trip was devoid of the fanfare and pageantry that had brought him to the palace, and Eli was glad of it. Made him less of a target, and he was ready to dispense with the gaudy displays.
Time to return to Tamryn.
Time to go home.
A smile curved his lips. He’d be spending his nights with Auburn again, and once they reached Tamryn, he’d make her place beside him official. He’d enjoy showing her the capital
city of Aerius, the palace, and even the Dragon Church. Whatever she wanted to see.
Then they would retire out to his estates.
He’d miss the energy of Aerius, but not the constant demands on his time. He’d also be able to better oversee his duchy from its seat, and he thought Auburn would like the quiet of the country, especially when it came to raising their family.
The thought wrapped around Eli’s heart. A family. Not just an heir, but a family. He hadn’t had that since his mother had been assassinated. It was something he’d thought he’d never have again, something he hadn’t wanted. Another layer of vulnerability. Another avenue to pierce his shields.
Too late for that.
He loved Auburn, and he would love any children they had. A vulnerability, but she was worth it. And with his ambitions for the throne retired, she would be in a lot less danger. Especially after he dealt with the Tamarian that had orchestrated the assassination attempts.
The jolt of the carriage as it rounded a corner snapped his eyes up, and Eli’s heart swelled as he saw the flagship’s main mast rising into the dark night. Sleeping dragon, indeed, but it was home. And he loved it. All the good. All the bad.
Even sleeping dragons opened an eye and signed trade deals. Deals that might be the first step to ending slavery in Qumaref.
He sucked in a breath of humid sea air as a cool night breeze blew away the heat of the day.
The carriage pulled up to the ship, and Eli disembarked, his long strides devouring the distance to his cabin. He opened the door to find Auburn sitting on his bed reading a book he’d brought to occupy himself on the long voyage.
She glanced at the door, and a smiled spread across her face. Pushing aside the book, she hurried over and hugged him.
The prince scooped her into his arms and spun her around.
She winced, and concern pinched his face. “Are you all right?”
“Better now that you’re here.” She touched her lips to his.
He claimed her mouth, kissing her long and slow as he carried her to the bed. He eased her dress up over her head, then traced the smooth skin of her shoulders, over the curve of her breast, and down the indentation of her waist.
The tips of his fingers discovered the angry red scar left by Premal’s blade. Rage threatened to engulf him. He’d failed to protect her and had almost lost her, lost all that was between them. The touch of her lips on his quieted his fear and muted his fury.
“You’re still hurt.”
“Sore, but healing.” She looped her arms around him. “Please be gentle.”
He tried to step back from her, but she kept her arms linked around him.
“Auburn...”
“I’ve missed you.” She kissed him, soft and slow, quieting his objection.
Eli couldn’t resist her invitation, and he eased her out of the rest of her clothes, then stripped out of his.
By the gods, she was beautiful, her milk-pale skin luminescent in the evening light. He drank in the sight of her, soft and flushed, then teased the tips of his fingers over shoulders, across her collarbone, and down the gentle swell of her breast. He paused at her pert nipples, swirling around them before teasing over their tips.
Her head fell back as she gave him full access to her, her skin already flushed and heated under his ministrations. A moan escaped her as he taunted her furled peaks. She arched up to him, filling his hands with her.
He stroked the curve of her breast, then dipped lower, petting down over her belly and the roundness of her hip. His hands trailed lower, over the smooth column of her thighs and then tickling behind her knees.
Easing back up, he parted her as he explored her heated flesh with his fingertips. He brushed over the soft curls at the junction of her thighs, and then continued his upward climb, back over her stomach and pausing again to stroke her swollen breasts. He teased over her collarbone, along her check, and thumbed over her soft pink lips.
She parted them, her tongue darting out to taste and tease him.
Pleasure shivered along Eli’s nerves at her so warm and wanton beneath him, but he held his desires in check as he continued to lavish pleasure on her, to build the same need in her that was winding through him.
He trailed his hands down her again, this time, his lips following behind them. Nibbling along her throat and down her chest, he teased hot kisses over her full breasts. He lingered over the pink peaks before dipping his head and sucking one into his mouth.
Auburn moaned and tangled her fingers in Eli’s hair, her head falling back against the pillow as she tried to absorb the intensity of the feelings he lavished on her.
Eli gave her no mercy as he lifted his head from her first breast only to fix his lips on the second.
Auburn squealed in delight as her body writhed in time to his lips and mouth, moving beneath him and teasing her body against his.
Dipping lower, he pressed tentative kisses to her belly, careful not to cause her pain. Eli moved lower still, teasing his lips along the curve of her hip and then down the outside of her thigh. He laved the back of her knees with his tongue, enjoying her quivering in anticipation beneath him.
He teased kisses up the inside of her thigh, first on one side, then the other, easing a little further toward the sensitive junction at the top with each kiss. When he reached the apex of her thighs, he parted her copper curls and teased kisses along the delicate folds before flicking his tongue over the tender pearl hidden there.
Auburn bucked beneath him and gripped him as if he were an anchor in the maelstrom of feeling.
Eli eased back, let her catch her sensual breath, and then renewed his assault, taunting and teasing her with his lips and tongue.
“Eli,” she begged as she closed her eyes and fell back against the bed, her thighs parted in offering.
Grinning, he swirled the sensitive bud and relished the soft moans that fell from her lips as her body writhed in wanton need beneath him.
Eli released her tender pearl and kissed up along her belly, pausing again at her tender swollen breasts as he eased between her parted thighs.
She reached for him, and he came to her, his lips on hers as his body pressed her into the thick mattress.
Auburn parted her lips, and he surged inside, his mouth taking hers as their tongues danced in an age-old rhythm.
Reaching between them, he slid a finger into her inner-most recesses. She was scorching hot and slick with desire.
As his mouth continued to plunder hers, he positioned himself and slid inside of her.
She held him as her body stretched to accommodate him. Their mouths continued to dance as he moved inside her, softly, gently at first, matching her, meeting her.
The molten desire grew, radiating out from the point where their bodies met until it consumed them. The passion grew with every kiss, building each time he filled her, crashing over and through them with mounting waves of pleasure until it cresendoed, and she lost herself in the golden glow.
With a final thrust, he lost himself in her and joined her over the edge and beyond in the hazy golden clouds of fulfilled desire. He smiled as he collapsed beside her and stroked her cooling body.
He was well and truly home.
Chapter 40
Auburn awoke the next morning to find breakfast laid out and Eli beside her. He brushed a lock of hair from her eyes as he teased a kiss over her lips.
The ship rocked beneath her, and she sucked in a breath.
“We set sail with the tide.” Eli held her close and tucked the blanket around her. “I was going to wake you so you could say goodbye to Qumaref, but Sligo didn’t want either of us on deck.”
“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.
To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1) Page 20
