To Love a Prince (Knights of Valor Book 1)

by Elizabeth Drake

  Fredrick prowled around the edge of the apse as he drew the power of the shadows to him.

  “Be thankful I need you, little duchess, or you’d already be dead.”

  “Duchess?” Eli asked.

  “You’ll find out anyway. Haven’t even been home a day, and your little pet Jaelin is poking around records of missing children.”

  Eli swallowed hard as he remembered all Jaelin had learned in Qumaref. “Premal was part of your religious order, but he betrayed you.”

  “He captured Auburn and was supposed to hold her until she was of age. Then, I’d marry her in my rightful quest for the throne. But the idiot told me his men had bungled it and killed her. He’d been trying to get her for himself so the prophecy would see him become sultan. Except the sultan took Auburn from him.”

  “Duchess,” Eli said again. “Duke Calloway’s daughter, the one that was murdered as a babe.”

  “I couldn’t have the queen from the prophecy marrying anyone but me, and a proper Qumarefi seraglio would teach her respect, obedience, and subservience. Perfect plan.”

  “You stole me from my family?” Auburn said. “Let them think they’d lost a child while I suffered the life of a slave, alone, among people who hated me?”

  Eli heard the pain in her words, and his chest tightened. That was what giving into temptation brought.

  “Nothing personal,” Fredrick said. “No one wanted to believe that prophecy, but everyone did. Eli planned to marry your sister because of it, believing she was Calloway’s youngest daughter after your death. He even had Jaelin make sure the duke had no hidden bastards. I was most put out when I learned you were alive and carrying the next Dracasan.”

  Eli said nothing as he inched closer to Auburn.

  He understood Auburn’s anger and hurt. He wanted to go to her, to wrap her in his arms and promise her everything would be okay.

  And it would be okay, he’d make it okay. Whatever it took.

  “What do you say, Eli? The throne and the woman you love for your father’s life.”

  Eli swallowed hard. “You know I’d do anything for her.”

  “No!” Auburn stood, the golden light from the altar haloing around her. “Fredrick can try to kill me, but I won’t be the reason for Tamryn’s destruction.”

  “Just try, little mouse?” Fredrick grinned as he held a swirling ball of shadow in his hand.

  Eli sucked in a breath. “What guarantee do I have you won’t hurt her while I set this in motion?”

  “Eli, no!”

  “You’re smarter than your father. But then, you spent your life paying for his choice.”

  Realization flashed, and Eli’s jaw clenched. “You killed my mother.”

  Fredrick smiled.

  “You killed half your family and mine in a decades long tantrum because Dracor didn’t make you king. No wonder He turned from you!”

  “It was mine!”

  Eli stalked forward. “No, it wasn’t. You’ve been listening to Rashalee’s lies too long. She’ll tell you anything so you’ll give Her what She wants. And She wants to destroy Tamryn and the Dracasan family!”

  Anger writhed across Fredrick’s face, and he pulled the shadows to him, wearing them as if they were a cloak. “You reject the goddess and all She offers!”

  “I will not destroy Tamryn.”

  Fredrick growled, a deep primal sound that cut at Eli’s soul. “If Auburn doesn’t leave as your queen, then she doesn’t leave at all. She will pay the price for you disappointing Rashalee!”

  “Only a coward drags innocents into their fight.” Eli’s hand fisted around his sword. “This is between you and me.”

  A smile drenched in darkness twisted Fredrick’s face. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’ll deliver you to Rashalee one way or another.”

  Throwing his head back, Fredrick screamed as shadows engulfed him and he leapt into the apse.

  Golden light burned around him, blinding him as it tore through the shadows. He threw himself at Auburn, snatching her around her waist as he pressed a dagger into her back. He yanked her out of the apse, and forced her down the aisle, the golden light dimming the farther from the altar he dragged her.

  “Scream,” he whispered against her neck. “I love the taste of your fear.”

  Chapter 52

  Squeezing Auburn, Fredrick forced the air from her lungs. Her teeth chattered as the cold of Fredrick’s shadow cloak sank into her, but she focused, looking for a way to escape.

  Eli drew his sword and dagger.

  “Make another move, and someone else you love dies in your arms. Drop your weapons.”

  Eli laid them on the ground and lifted up his hands, showing he was unarmed.

  “Back away and let me out.”

  When Eli didn’t comply, Fredrick’s dagger bit into her flesh. She yelped as blood crimsoned her gown, then whispered a prayer to Dracor. A whisper of the golden glow filled her.

  Prince Eli backed down the aisle, allowing his cousin to pass.

  Fredrick half-carried and half-dragged Auburn toward the exit as a trail of her blood stained the pristine marble floor.

  Pain stole through her from the cold and the bite of the dagger. She steadied her whirling thoughts and focused. As long as Fredrick held her, no one would risk injuring her to get to him. Not the palace guards. Not the Knights. Not Eli.

  Fredrick would kill her once he got beyond the palace. He would do it to punish Eli, to push him over the edge and into Rashalee’s vengeful arms.

  Auburn would not let Fredrick win.

  Stealing herself against the pain, she thought about all that Leopold had taught her and brought her foot down hard on Fredrick’s instep. He yelped and loosened his hold on her. Auburn leapt forward, and Fredrick lunged after her. The cold and pain slowed her, and Fredrick grabbed the hem of her dress and yanked her back.

  “Fredrick!” Eli yelled.

  Fredrick placed his dagger against Auburn’s throat as he eased toward the doors.

  “He’ll kill me no matter what,” Auburn said. and a thin trickle of blood stained the front of her dress.

  “This isn’t about Auburn.” Eli stepped over his sword and dagger. “It’s about me.”

  “You either join Rashalee, or I kill Auburn and your grief will drive you to Her.”

  “If you kill her, I won’t turn to Rashalee. I won’t be king, but I’ll see to it that there’s a Dracasan worthy for Dracor to bless.”

  Fredrick laughed, a hollow sound filled with hate. “You won’t give up the throne. Lie to yourself if you like, but I know the truth.”

  Eli opened his arms wide. “You’ve been listening to Rashalee’s whispers too long to know any truth.”

  “You love her. You won’t marry another and sire an heir. Cursed just like your father and mine. Tamryn will die along with the Dragon God’s bloodline.”

  Eli’s face hardened. “If you kill her, I will spend the rest of my life working to make Tamryn a place she’d have been proud to call home. No distractions. Nothing will interfere.”

  Fredrick licked his lips as he glanced from Eli to the door.

  “You and Rashalee know how determined I can be. I may not use the Dragon God’s methods, but I will see that His light shines brightly in Tamryn.”

  Fredrick tightened his hold on Auburn.

  “And I will sire an heir to make sure Rashalee never gets the throne. Rashalee is the goddess of vengeance. She knows the truth in my words.”

  Black dots pricked Auburn’s vision as she struggled to draw breath.

  “I will spend the rest of my life bringing the light of justice to every one of Rashalee’s dark corners. I will be relentless. Your only chance to stop me is to kill me, and the only way you will get me is if you free Auburn.”

  Fredrick’s eyes turned wild as strange shadows passed across them. Then he nodded. “A trade. Her life for yours.”

  Eli held his palms up, showing he was unarmed.

  “Eli, no!” Her effort
s rewarded with another trickle of blood. “No, Eli, please.”

  “Raise our child to be a good king, Auburn. He will be the last of the Dracasan line, and Tamryn needs him.”

  As Eli uttered the words, a brilliant golden light emanated from the altar. The light grew, blinding in its brilliance as it centered on Eli then exploded through the temple. Gold dragons appeared around the sanctuary, in the stone pillars, and reflected through the marble floor as Dracor marked His chosen.

  The golden glow burned away Fredrick’s cloak of shadows and the strange darkness that clouded his eyes.

  Fredrick howled as fury contorted his face.

  Throwing Auburn to the floor, he launched himself at Eli. “You will not take Her from me!”

  Eli reached for the dagger in his boot, but Fredrick plowed into the prince and knocked them both to the floor before Eli could reach it.

  Panic flooded Auburn as Fredrick raised his weapon. Yanking the dagger from her skirt pocket, she sucked in a breath, aimed, and threw it at Fredrick.

  The blade lodged in his back, and Fredrick howled as Eli rolled hard to his left, knocking Fredrick off him.

  Auburn ran toward Eli as Fredrick tried to call the shadows to him, but they couldn’t form in the presence of the golden light.

  Grabbing Eli’s discarded sword and dagger, Fredrick barred his teeth in a feral grin as he rushed toward Eli, raising the prince’s sword to kill him.

  Eli rolled across the floor, and Fredrick’s blow missed by a finger’s width.

  The prince shoved himself back to his feet, armed with the dagger he wore at his ankle. The blade glowed with the same golden light that emanated from the altar.

  Fredrick threw his dagger at Eli, burying it in the prince’s arm and forcing him to drop the dagger.

  The dagger skittered across the floor as Fredrick cornered Eli against the overturned pews.

  Grabbing the golden dagger, Auburn slipped under Fredrick’s arm as he raised his sword and buried the blade in Fredrick’s stomach. Months of training took over as she pushed the blade up under his rib cage and into his chest.

  Fredrick screamed as the golden glow intensified, filling the entire sanctuary and pouring into him through the dagger. He howled as darkness shattered his body, desperately trying to escape the brilliant light.

  But there was nowhere to hide. The light filled every corner of the temple, washing away the darkness and shadows in the holy light.

  Auburn thought she heard a woman shrieking as the brilliance incinerated the shadows.

  Clutching her side, Auburn crumpled to the stone floor. Eli wrapped her in his good arm, holding her against him. She closed her eyes and let the golden light infuse her. Warmth flowed into her, and she smiled as she gave herself over to Dracor.

  Chapter 53

  The light still surrounded her, soothed her, and Auburn wanted to lose herself in it. Instead, she forced her eyes open. “Eli-”

  “Right here.” He kissed her temple. “Now and always.”

  Auburn touched a hand to her side, but there was no dagger wound. Nor were there any marks on her throat.

  “Dracor’s light.” Eli sucked in a breath. “Overwhelming. Beyond my comprehension. It was as if I saw the world through Dracor’s eyes.”

  “Does that mean...”

  There was a loud pounding on the door. Once. Twice. A third time, and the heavy doors sagged forward on their hinges.

  Eli’s arms tightened around her then relaxed as Sir Leopold and a huge contingent of Knights led the captain and palace guards into the temple.

  “You’re late,” Eli said.

  Sligo knelt beside Fredrick, but the shadow guard didn’t unsheathe his blade.

  Sir Leopold glanced at Fredrick and motioned for two of the Knights to cover the body. “Late or not, looks like you did just fine. Maybe more than fine.”

  Auburn closed her eyes and leaned against Eli. “It’s over, isn’t it?”

  “Depends on what happened.” Leopold fixed his faded blue gaze on Eli. “Fredrick...”

  “Is dead,” Eli said. “We’ve won this round, but Rashalee won’t give up.”

  “Thinking we might have a powerful tool in our arsenal against Her. Let’s see your chest.”

  Eli opened his mouth to speak then nodded instead. Shifting Auburn to the side, he unbuttoned his shirt. A gold dragon blazed across his chest, the blessed mark still filled with a whisper of golden light that had illuminated the church.

  Leopold dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

  The rest of the Knights did the same, and so did the palace guards.

  “Your Highness,” Leopold said. “Chosen of the Dragon God. May you lead Tamryn with justice, wisdom and compassion.”

  Chapter 54

  Leopold and the Knights spent the next fortnight sifting through the documents Fredrick had left behind and tracking down those that had been involved in his plots. They were making progress, but Eli knew it would take a long time before the Dragon Church finished.

  It would take time to ferret out who Fredrick had been involved with Fredrick and prove their wrongdoing, but the prince would take the time. He could be patient, and his control was legendary.

  Or had been, he thought, as he wrapped his arms around his wife.

  He would do whatever it took to keep her and their son safe. He hadn’t wanted love, but now that he had it, Eli would fight until his last breath to keep it.

  Auburn snuggled close to him, and he wrapped a blanket around her to help ward off the cool evening air.

  “Tamryn’s winters won’t agree with you.” King Garrett handed her a warming brick as he sat down opposite them.

  Auburn smiled. “I’ll find a way to stay warm.”

  Eli held her closer.

  “Learn anything more about Fredrick or those conspiring with him?” The king lowered his voice even though it was only them and Leopold in the royal apartments.

  “Amazing the detailed documents we found in Fredrick’s belongings.” Leopold shook his head. “If only all criminals were so organized.”

  “Greed,” Auburn said. “He had to make sure no one was stealing from him as he would’ve stolen from them.”

  King Garrett leaned back in the overstuffed chair and glanced at Leopold. “We’re sure he was the one behind the assassination attempts on Eli and Auburn?”

  “Even got record of the funds he used to pay Premal.” Leopold shook his head. “Can’t prove it yet, but it looks like Fredrick paid the informant that led us to capturing the pirate ship. Wanted to make sure we’d have it to chase after Eli once he told you Eli was taking slaves.”

  “I still can’t believe I listened to him about that. But he seemed so sure.”

  “He was sure,” Leopold said. “But he only told you half the truth.”

  “Have you found all of his accomplices?” Auburn asked.

  Leopold shook his head. “Probably never will. All the more reason you gotta keep a sharp eye on your son. Rashalee got close to the Tamryn throne. Too close. She’ll try again, and we need to be ready.”

  Eli tightened his arms around Auburn. He would do everything in his power to keep her and his son safe, and she’d be a formidable opponent if anyone threatened him or their child.

  Gazing down at her, he’d found true happiness. He’d always remember that, cherish it, and let it guide his path. She deserved that, and so did Tamryn.

  Leopold walked to the door, paused and turned back to King Garrett, Eli and Auburn. Father and son were both smiling. It was a step in the right direction, although it would take more time to heal the rift between them.

  “Gonna have to step up security having this many royals in one room,” Leopold said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

  Garrett smiled at his son and daughter-in-law. “Might even have to assign a few Knights into the rounds.”

  Leopold nodded.

  “I’ve spoken to Sligo about a bodyguard for Auburn and our son,” Eli said. “It’ll t
ake time, but he agreed.”

  A knock on the door made Leopold frown.

  The guards showed Duke Calloway into the royal chambers.

  The duke bowed, then straightened. Tall and broad-shouldered, age had softened his middle and grey flecked through his light hair, but his cornflower blue eyes were brilliant with unshed tears.

  “Prince Eli said...” Calloway stopped, the words choking him.

  Tears streamed down Auburn’s cheeks as she took a few tentative steps then ran to the duke. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him.

  Leopold smiled. The Dragon God had won this round.

  <<<<>>>>

  Plea from the Author

  Hey, Reader. You got to the end of my book. I hope that means you enjoyed it. Whether or not you did, I want to thank you for giving me your valuable time to try to entertain you. I am truly blessed that people like you are kind enough to give my books a chance and spend their hard-earned money buying them. For that, I am eternally grateful, my friend.

  If you would like to find out more about my other books, please visit my website for full details. You can find it at: www.elizabethdrakeauthor.com. Also feel free to contact me on Facebook, Twitter, or email (all details on the website) as I would love to hear from you.

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  About the Author

  Elizabeth Drake is an emerging author of fantasy romance. She has been reading romance novels since she stumbled on Victoria Holt more than thirty years ago.