Eli collected his chessboard and set it on the table. He needed something to occupy him other than lascivious thoughts, and he enjoyed teaching Auburn how to play chess. As they played, she gave Eli a glimpse into how she thought. Unlike Daniella’s cold and precise choices, which were much like his own, Auburn was bold and imaginative. She took risks, tried new strategies, and made Eli improve his own game because of it.

When Auburn saw him with the board, she hurried over and helped him set up the pieces then sat down opposite him.

Her brows furrowed in concentration as she made her moves. Auburn employed some of the strategies he’d taught her, while other choices were things she’d devised by playing against him.

They were deep into the game when Auburn made an unexpected move, and five plays later, she took Eli’s queen.

“Why did you do that?”

“Because you don’t like losing your queen. It messes up your strategy.”

“You’ll lose because of it.”

“I’ll lose anyway. I made a couple of mistakes early on that you’ve been exploiting.”

He nodded once in agreement.

“I will still make you work for your victory. It’ll make the game more fun for both of us.”

The prince gazed into her cornflower-blue eyes. It appeared she was learning as much about him as he was about her. He wondered if, knowing all she did, she would want to stay with him once they reached Tamryn.

He was not a kind man, or a good one, but she made him want to be both to her.

After they finished their game, Auburn produced a book written in Qumarefi. “I thought you might like to read a history of Qumaref according to Qumaref.”

“I would,” Eli said. She had learned a lot about him.

“I love the books in the sultan’s library. They’re one of the only things I’ll miss.”

“We have an enormous library in Tamryn,” Eli said. “I spent a lot of time there in my youth. I’ll show it to you when we get to the palace.”

She grinned and curled up on his lap. He opened the book, and she coached him through the strange swirls and flourishes of the Qumarefi words.

A knock at the door without an accompanying password had Eli frowning and reaching for his sword as he stood to shield Auburn.

Two men barged into the room, one tall and broad, his steel-colored hair and faded blue eyes adding to his air of authority. The other was lean with ruddy skin and dark eyes. He wore mage’s robes that made him appear bulkier than he was.

“I couldn’t stop them, Your Highness,” Sligo said.

“Shouldn’t’ve tried.” The man with the steel-colored hair glared at Eli.

“Sir Leopold.” Eli raised a brow. “And your acquaintance.”

“Prince Eli, Ndrek,” Leopold said in introduction.

Ndrek bowed deeply.

“I assume you’ve vetted him before bringing him into my chambers,” Eli said.

“He’s not an assassin.” Leopold’s eyes fell on Auburn. “Bettin’ she’s not either if you have your back to her. Who is she?”

“You’re Qumarefi?” Eli asked Ndrek.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Ndrek said, his words lightly accented.

Eli studied the man dressed like a wizard. “What are you doing with Sir Leopold?”

“I am a businessman here to help him navigate the intricacies of Qumarefi society so he could meet with you,” Ndrek said.

“Why are you helping Leopold?”

“To return to his and the Dragon Church’s good graces.”

“Business in Qumaref may not follow the same rules as in Tamryn,” Auburn said, her voice soft and low as she moved closer to Eli.

Ndrek grinned, showing his white teeth. “That is an understatement.”

“Interesting company you keep, Sir Leopold.” Eli glanced from Ndrek up to the Knight of Valor. Not just any Knight, but one of the top-ranking men in the Dragon Church. One of the few men that out-ranked a prince, which meant only King Garrett could’ve sent him. Eli couldn’t fathom why. If the mage could teleport, his father would’ve sent Leopold days ago. But no Tamarian mages could do such a spell. At least, no mages Eli knew, and he made it a point to know them all.

“You gonna tell me who the girl is?”

“I want to know why you’re jeopardizing the negotiations my father asked me to oversee. I doubt you’re here because of the assassination attempt.”

“What assassination attempt?” Leopold asked.

“Two days ago.”

“You appear unharmed, Your Highness,” Ndrek said.

“Thanks to Sligo and some good information.”

Leopold swore under his breath. “These negotiations were a bad idea. Much as I don’t like you, if someone assassinated you in Qumaref, King Garrett would retaliate. We’d be facing war.”

“My father was concerned about sending me, but he believed the sultan wouldn’t take negotiations seriously with anyone less than a prince.”

“The king was correct,” Ndrek said.

Auburn’s gaze traveled over Leopold, pausing at the dragon-emblazoned shield he carried. “Is he a Knight?”

“Yes,” Eli said. “Not what you were expecting?”

Auburn shook her head.

Leopold’s eyes narrowed, then he peered around the prince at Auburn. “You need rescuing from him?”

Eli kept himself between Leopold and Auburn. “Been a while since you were in the business of rescuing maidens. If you ever were.”

Leopold ignored Eli and offered Auburn his hand.

Auburn slipped her arms around the prince. “I don’t need rescuing, but it’s kind of you to offer.”

“You’re not here about the assassination attempt,” Eli said, “and you’re the worst negotiator in all of Tamryn.”

“Oh, I negotiate just fine.”

“You issue ultimatums. That is not negotiating. So why are you here? Knights don’t lie, or so I’m told.”

Leopold studied Eli. “You’re fitting in well. Fancy new clothes, a new beard, buying slave girls.”

Eli stiffened. “I’ve never bought a slave.”

“Then what’s she?” Leopold thumbed at Auburn.

“Part of my retinue.”

“I’ve known you your whole life. You don’t let folks touch you, much less put their arms around you. You don’t protect them, you don’t defend them, and you never leave your back exposed to them. Not even to your fiancée.”

“My association with Lady Daniella is about forging an alliance.”

“An alliance? Is that what they’re calling it these days?”

“Fiancée? Alliance?” Auburn’s words caught in her throat as she froze at his side.

Damn Leopold. Despite the political repercussions, Eli would toss Knight out of his rooms if he thought he could. This was not how Auburn was supposed to find out about Lady Daniella, if she ever had to find out.

The prince kept his face impassive as he slid an arm around her and held her close. “My engagement to Lady Daniella is a business arrangement.”

“Is it now?” Leopold leaned forward. “And what’s the girl behind you?”

“As I said before, she’s a member of my retinue.”

Leopold reached past Eli and held up the ring Auburn wore around her neck. “Any other members of your retinue have your personal signet ring?”

Eli glared at the Knight until he dropped the ring. “I gave her my ring to protect her.”

“From what?”

“It’s complicated.”

Leopold regarded Auburn. “I’m not as stupid as you think, but you better let her explain. I won’t believe you.”

“You will leave her alone,” Eli said.

The sudden chill in the prince’s tone made Leopold pause as Eli stepped closer. The prince kept himself in front of Auburn, shielding her as he stared at Leopold.

Leopold stepped back, slowly, as if he were facing off against a viper.

“If you have proof of some misdeed and are here to arrest me, so be it.” Clipped and formal, Eli’s words dripped with royal authority. “Otherwise, you will take your leave.”

“They aren’t really going to arrest you, are they?” Auburn asked, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

“Is he buying slaves?” Leopold said.

“The sultan gifted me to him, and he’s been nothing but kind.”

“Eli? Kind?” Leopold snorted.

Auburn’s eyes narrowed. “You’re sure he’s a Knight of Valor?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Eli said. “Leave, Sir Leopold. You’ve concluded your business. Now you’re intruding.”

Leopold tilted his head and peered around the prince. “So the sultan gifted you? He do that often?”

“Not often,” Auburn said.

Ndrek raised his brows. “A gift meant to impress.”

“People aren’t gifts,” Leopold snapped.

“In Qumaref they are.” Ndrek said.

Leopold’s fists balled at his sides, but he didn’t argue as he turned his faded blue gaze to Eli. “What are you gonna do with her?”

“My arrangements with a member of my retinue are none of your business.”

“If he leaves her here, she will be executed or worse,” Ndrek said. “He will have to sell her, which would be against your laws.”

“Prince Eli’s promised to take me back to Tamryn with him.”

“You’re really taking her to Tamryn?” Leopold met the prince’s cold gaze.

“She’s a member of my retinue. Of course I am.” Eli’s finality brooked no argument. “Why are you still here?”

“Not leaving until I know the whole story. The sooner you tell me, the sooner you get rid of me.”

“There’s nothing more to tell,” Eli said.

“How’d you come by a slave as a gift?”

“An off comment to the sultan.”

Auburn explained what had happened, and Leopold frowned.

“Not unlike the sultan,” Ndrek said. “He has been known to give lavish gifts impetuously. Given her unusual beauty, she would be a very special gift. Reserved for someone he wishes to impress.”

Leopold grit his teeth. “By Dracor’s claws, I hate Qumaref.”

“You would not be alone,” Ndrek said.

“You sure that’s how it happened?” Leopold’s faded gaze held Auburn.

“There were many who witnessed it, should you wish to ask them.”

“There is another way,” Ndrek said. “Slaves are tattooed, and a slave in the sultan’s harem would have a special tattoo.”

Auburn lowered her head but nodded. She slipped from the chaise, and before Eli could stop her, she knelt and bowed her head to the floor.

Eli yanked her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her as he glared at Ndrek. Cold anger filled him, tapering only when Auburn laid her head against his chest.

“Where’s the tattoo?”

“You haven’t seen it?” Ndrek asked.

“Maybe you’ve got more reptile blood than I thought,” Leopold said.

“Where is this tattoo?” Eli ground out the words from between clenched teeth.

“The small of my back.” Auburn started to lift her tunic.

Eli stopped her. “You don’t have to show anyone.”

“No need to see it.” Ndrek spread his hands in front of him. “She is from the sultan’s harem.”

“Can we get the tattoo off of her?” Eli asked.

“It is expensive and difficult to do.”

“Arrange for it as soon as we get her back to Tamryn. Discreetly. If anyone else learns of it...” Eli couldn’t stop the anger from twisting across his normally expressionless face.

Ndrek grimaced and bowed his head. “Of course, Your Highness. You have my word on it.”

Eli glared at the Knight. “Satisfied?”

“Looks like you’re on the up and up with the girl.”

“Good, then as long as you’re not arresting me and you won’t leave, you can be of assistance. That’s what Knights do, I’ve been told,” Eli said.

“Assist you?” Sir Leopold’s steel-colored brows rose.

“What do you know about my cousin Fredrick?”