To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)

by Elizabeth Drake

  “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.”

  “You’re smarter than I gave you credit for. Did she agree?”

  Eli paused. Auburn had said she loved him even when she thought she was dying. When she had been dying.

  “Don’t forget to ask her. Give her a fancy ring to match that necklace.” Leopold nodded to Eli and left the prince with his thoughts.

  Chapter 42

  The weeks passed quietly, and while Auburn suffered bouts of nausea, she enjoyed her time with Eli.

  It was late afternoon, and they still had several weeks of travel ahead as Eli sat beside her with the chessboard in front of them. She was getting better, and she was making his victories harder.

  Eli smiled as she put his king in check and touched a kiss to her temple.

  A knock on the cabin door had them both turning and Eli frowning.

  The prince walked to the door and waited.

  “Know you’re in there,” Leopold said.

  “You have a password.” Eli’s hand flexed over the hilt of his sword, but he opened the door and admitted Sir Leopold, Ndrek, and Rolland.

  “To what do I owe,” Eli paused and raised a brow, “this visit.”

  “Rolland got one of those magic messages,” Leopold said.

  Eli stilled. “I’m listening.”

  Hands shaking, Rolland handed the slip of paper to Eli. Scrawled across the white parchment were the words: Finish it.

  Eli’s fist balled over the paper. “Who’s it from?”

  Rolland lifted his shoulders. “I cannot be certain. I have received no word from His Grace since I left Tamryn. Could be from anyone.”

  “Why should I believe you?”

  “He brought me the message without me requesting it from him,” Ndrek said.

  “Because he knew you were a mage.”

  “But whoever sent it must not know I am a mage,” Ndrek said. “Or must not know I am with Sir Leopold.”

  Eli nodded to Rolland. “You can go.”

  The attaché bowed and left the cabin.

  Clearing away the chessboard. Eli motioned Ndrek and Leopold to sit. “How do we use this to flush out Fredrick?”

  Auburn listened to them talk, trying to absorb all the intricacies of Tamarian politics. They were more certain than ever that Fredrick was behind the attacks, but devising a plan to prove it was difficult.

  And they had to prove it. The Dragon Church demanded it before they could act.

  As the dinner hour approached, Auburn went down to the galley and arranged for food to be sent to Eli’s cabin.

  On her way back up, she paused a moment and watched the black waves crash around the ship. The silver moon had risen high in the sky, and a blanket of stars surrounded it. A fresh sea breeze tousled her hair and filled the ship’s sails.

  She studied the sky. The stars appeared similar and yet different from her home. Qumaref felt like a lifetime ago, her days serving the sultan and dodging Priyanka a distant past.

  Thoughts of the future flickered through her mind, but they were poisoned by the man with the eyes of a snake.

  Shivering, Auburn rubbed her arms and remembered the golden dragon from her visions. The snakes retreated.

  Much had changed. Much hadn’t.

  The door to the cabin opened, and Auburn stepped deeper into the shadows hoping the Knight wouldn’t notice her.

  “Now I know you’re avoiding me.” Leopold stood beside her but focused on the water.

  She didn’t lie to him as she continued to study the stars.

  “You told him yet?”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Given you several weeks.” Leopold sucked in a long breath. “If you don’t, I gotta.”

  Swallowing back the fear that balled in her throat, she glared at the Knight. “Why?”

  “He’s gotta decide to do the wrong thing before the Church can step in.”

  “And do what? Force me to marry him?”

  Leopold paused. “You don’t want to marry him?”

  She stared at the black waves without seeing them. “Would you want to marry someone you loved that didn’t love you back?”

  “Don’t tell me stupid’s contagious.”

  Auburn’s eyes widened at the slap of Leopold’s words.

  “You’re looking for words, and he’s given you actions. You know how good Eli can be with pretty lies. Which would you rather have from him?”

  “I know how I’d feel if someone tried to take away my son. I don’t want to take from Prince Eli what he wants most. What he’s spent his life trying to get.”

  “How do you know you aren’t taking away what he wants most wants by running away? Sounds like you’re scared. Might get what you want, might not, but sneaking off is the coward’s way.” Leopold turned his attention back to the cold water. “You don’t like what he has to say, you can bunk with Ndrek and me. After that, the fight’s mine not yours.”

  “If I have to bunk with you and Ndrek, I don’t want you to fight for me.”

  “Don’t think it’ll come to that, but we won’t know until you tell him.” The Knight stood beside her a moment longer then left her to her thoughts.

  Auburn closed her eyes. Sir Leopold was right. She needed to tell Eli the truth. Cowardice had earned her nothing, and she wouldn’t embrace it now. She would be the example for her son.

  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.

  A bird wheeled overhead, its screech snatched away by the wind. The bird was a sure sign they were approaching land.

  Eli came to stand beside her, and she smiled up at him as the breeze teased strands of her hair.

  “We’re close now, aren’t we?”

  “A few more days at most.” Eli slipped an arm around her. “You’ll love Tamryn.”

  “Of course I am. It’s our home.” She leaned against him, basking in his warmth and the rich masculine scent of him.

  He described Aerius and the surrounding countryside again. She could hear the love in his voice and the longing. She smiled as she pulled his arm tighter around her. Home. They were going home.

  Together.

  She wondered what King Garrett would think of her. The Tamryn royal court. The Knights of Valor.

  Not that any of them mattered. She had Eli, and soon she’d have their son. It was more than she’d ever had, and she’d fight for it. Fight to give her son the life he deserved and fight to keep the happiness she and Eli had.

  She thought back to the vision of the man with the reptilian eyes and squared her shoulders. She’d take the final walk with Mor before she let the man steal all she’d worked so hard for, and if he made her walk that path, she’d take him with her.

  Auburn awoke the moment the ship stopped moving under her.

  Eli caught her lips with his. “As much as I want to make love to you to welcome you to Tamryn, King Garrett will know I’m home. He doesn’t like to wait.”

  “Must run in the family.” She nuzzled closer, and he stroked her bare shoulder, down her arm, and over the curve of her hip.

  “If it were anyone else, I’d tell him to go to Uzakiel while I welcomed you properly.”

  Auburn smiled. “If your father is anything like you, I don’t think he’d take it well.”

  “The king’s temper and patience is worse than mine.”

  Grinning, she accepted Eli’s help out of bed. Excitement and nervousness coursed through her as she dressed and tidied her hair. She was in Tamryn. Home of the Knights of Valor. Blessed land of the Dragon God.

  At long last, she was home.

  She wanted the air to smell different, to feel different, and while it was colder than Qumaref, the same scent of salt and fish filled the docks.

  “Ready?” Eli asked.

  Auburn nodded, and he led her out of his cabin and down the gangplank.

  Her eyes widened at the rows of wooden structures and the cacophony of faces, most pale like Eli. Heavier cottons and wools in browns and grays replaced the bright silks of Qumaref. The voices around her spoke Tamarian, but a version that was rougher than what her tutors had taught her.

  She shivered, and Eli tightened his arms around her.

  “Is it always so cold here?”

  The prince touched a kiss to her temple. “It’s late summer, so it’s still warm by Aerius’s standards.”

  “Summer? What’s winter like?”

  “High noon is colder than a desert night.” He linked his fingers with hers and smiled. “But I promise to keep you warm.”

  A shiver teased down her back, and a smile curved her lips. “Winter doesn’t sound so bad.”

  “Welcome home.”

  Tears sparkled in her eyes as she hugged him.

  Home. She was finally home.

  He held her close, stroking her hair a moment before leading her to the waiting carriages.

  Though they bore no crest, the carriages were large, black, and imposing. The driver and footmen were liveried, but their livery bore no house symbol. With sharp eyes and broad shoulders, the men appeared less like servants and more like guards.

  Eli handed her into one of the conveyances then sat beside her as he slid an arm around her. The prince held her close, the heat of him warming her and chasing away the wisps of fear.

  She studied the strange buildings, tree-lined streets, and pale faces that watched them.

  Their carriage drove away from the docks, and the other conveyances moved in beside them.

  Eli squeezed her fingers. “Just a precaution.”

  “A decoy. Sligo said security in Qumaref was lax, but I didn’t realize it was so rigorous in Tamryn.”

  “I wish it didn’t have to be.”

  “Sir Leopold told me about your mother.” He stiffened beside her, and she turned to him. “I’m sorry you lost her and sorrier you lost her the way you did. I understand why you’re so careful.”

  Eli brought her hand to his lips. “My family has suffered a lot of tragedy. Fredrick’s brother was first, then my aunt. Finally, my mother. We take every possible precaution now.”

  “You suspect your cousin?”

  “Fredrick’s brother died as an infant, and at the time, no one thought he’d been murdered.”

  “But you do now.”

&
nbsp; Eli nodded. “His mother was poisoned less than a year later. Some said suicide after losing her son, but the Dragon Church ruled murder. They wouldn’t have done so unless they were certain.”

  “So that leaves your father, your uncle, you, and Fredrick?”

  Tightening his hold on her, Eli touched his lips to her temple. “Promise me you’ll avoid Fredrick. He’s a snake dressed as a gentleman.”

  Snake. The vision flashed through her head again. “He worries you.”

  “I’ve had a lot of time to reflect after these assassination attempts,” Eli said. “To consider what drives him.”

  “What do you think?”

  “It has to be the throne. The Dragon God will choose either one his children or one of mine to be the next king. Father of the king is a powerful position even if the Church chooses someone else as regent.”

  “You think Fredrick killed his competition when Dracor didn’t choose him.”

  Eli tightened his arm around her. “Not sure why he wants the throne as he seems to have little interest in ruling Tamryn.”

  “Or ruling it well. He may exercise power like Premal rather than the sultan.”

  “One of the many reasons Dracor never blessed him, and Fredrick still has no children for the Dragon God to choose.”

  “Leopold said Rashalee has corrupted that branch of the family, and Dracor will let it wither and die.”

  Eli shrugged. “If anyone would know, it’d be Sir Leopold.”

  “What would happen if there was no Dracasan heir?”

  “It’s never happened. I’m not sure what the protocol would be. I’m not sure there is protocol.”

  Auburn rubbed her belly. “Let’s hope we don’t have to find out.”

  Eli nodded and held her against him as he distracted her from the dark thoughts by pointing out various landmarks and telling her their history.

  Auburn let him redirect her attention, but she understood the snakes in her vision.

  Chapter 44

  As they rode through Aerius and watched the city go about its morning routine, Auburn pointed to gleaming white spires that rose high above the city and seemed to touch the clouds.