Eli returned to his rooms in a dark humor, and seeing Auburn waiting for him worsened his mood. Resisting temptation had never been his strong suit.

Auburn poured him a large glass of water and seasoned it with twist of orange. She selected several of the finest fruits and brought them to him.

“Thank you. The wine was strong tonight.” Eli downed the water, and Auburn poured him a second glass.

“The negotiations are going well?”

“As well I expected. It’d be better if there was a way I could excuse myself early when there are feasts and dancing girls, but I stay as long as the sultan does.”

“It shows him respect.”

“The food is over-spiced, and the girls...” Eli caught himself.

“They make you feel desire.”

“Did the sultan have this type of entertainment before I arrived? Or is this for me?”

“The sultan puts on the show for you and for himself. He’s not as young as he used to be, and many Qumarefis associate virility with power.”

Eli ran a hand through his black hair. “Doesn’t help keep me on the straight and narrow.”

“Someone may know that and is trying to get you to do something they can use against you.”

“I’m not a Knight of Valor. I’m not bound by their code.”

“You have your own code.” Auburn knelt beside him and touched his arm. “Few in Qumaref understand the difference between the Knights and the Tamryn Crown. Most think all Tamarians follow the Knight’s code.”

Eli reached up and took a lock of her hair between his thumb and forefinger. “You don’t understand what it costs me to follow any code.”

She stared up at him, her eyes liquid blue pools. “I’m not beautiful like the harem dancers, but I could help you ease the discomfort of the entertainments. I’m here to serve.”

“You are not just here to serve.” Eli stood and paced the room. “You deserve better than that.”

Auburn sat back on her heels. “Perhaps you could teach me more of that game. Chess, you called it.”

Eli ignored her milk-pale skin and soft curves as he got out the board. Sucking in a breath, he focused on the game, his keen mind quieting his physical needs while he discussed various strategies with her.

* * *

Auburn bolted upright in bed, a strangled scream escaping her lips as she scanned the room for intruders. A sliver of moon peeped through the silk drapes, its faint white glow the only light in the cool room. The curtains around the bed rustled with a night breeze, but there was no other movement.

Eli sat up beside her and held her close. “You’re all right. Just a dream.”

She was shaking so hard her teeth chattered, but the familiar warmth of him comforted her. She stared into his deep blue eyes, touched his cheek, then hugged him.

He stroked her hair and held her as he waited for the night terror to pass.

Sucking in a steadying breath, Auburn turned and met his gaze. “I need to tell you something, for you to listen even if you don’t believe me.”

“Tell me what?”

“Tomorrow, it will get very hot in the meeting room.”

“It does every day,” Eli said.

“Hotter than normal. Hot enough that the sultan will suggest a break in the gardens. Don’t go. And don’t go anywhere without Sligo. He needs to always be with you.”

Eli rocked her and stroked her hair, but he didn’t agree.

Fear burrowed into Auburn, and her blood froze in her veins. “Your Highness, master, please listen to me.”

“Why is this so important?”

She closed her eyes, and the image of the boy wavered then disappeared. “It just is. Please don’t go into the gardens. Don’t go back to the meeting room alone. Please.”

“Let’s get some sleep.”

Her tears dampened his chest, and he stroked her hair, but the hard lines of his face promised nothing. She eased back against the bed, still wrapped in his arms as she pillowed her head against him. She laid there for a long time before his strong steady heartbeat lulled her back to sleep.

* * *

The moon had sunk low in the sky when Auburn’s eyes closed, and her body softened against him.

Eli wondered if he was sleeping beside an enemy. Or an assassin. No, he’d developed a good judge of character over his years in court, and while Auburn was not altruistic, she wanted to go to Tamryn with him. He was certain she would do almost anything to that end.

Perhaps she’d learned something and hadn’t told him until now.

That was also unlikely.

A bad dream then, but she wasn’t prone to fits. The clarity of Auburn’s nightmare reminded Eli of the strange Elven mystic from his youth. He’d never given the elf’s words any credence, but like the elf, Auburn believed what she’d dreamed would come to pass. And it frightened her.

The prince didn’t have an answer, but he held Auburn close as he watched her sleep.