Eli watched Auburn sleep beside him as a halo of pleasure wreathed her. His chest tightened, and he closed his eyes as he kissed her temple. By the gods, he wanted to hear his name on her lips every night, wanted to shower her in pleasure, wanted to give her the world.

He couldn’t be without her. Not now or ever.

The intensity of his emotions shook him. He’d never wanted anything so much. Needed it.

Damn the Twin Goddesses of love. They had snared him. Given him a weakness. He was a ruthless and practical man, but he could be neither with Auburn. Eli stroked her copper-colored hair and watched the strands trail through his fingers.

He was trapped between the woman he loved and his duty to his mother and all of Tamryn.

A movement in the shadows caught Eli’s attention, and he reached for the dagger in the boots he’d left beside the bed.

“Jaelin wishes to see you, Your Highness,” Sligo said.

Eli exhaled. “Five minutes.”

Sligo nodded and disappeared back into the shadows.

Sliding out of bed, Eli tucked the blankets around Auburn, brushed her hair from her brow, and kissed her softly. He then pulled on a fresh change of clothes and seated himself in an overstuffed chair.

A moment later, Sligo appeared with Jaelin.

She bowed. “Thank you for seeing me, Your Highness.”

“I’ve been looking forward to your report. What have you learned?”

“The sultan’s wives are relieved that he’s gotten rid of Auburn. While some were jealous of her, most feared her.”

“Why would they fear her?”

“They believe death follows her and blame her for the assassination attempt against you. Several women in the harem have died over the years, all in proximity to Auburn. The authorities never implicated Auburn in the deaths, but the other women have kept their distance from her.”

Eli raised a brow. “She mentioned being forced to eat an azalea bloom.”

“What she didn’t tell you, and may not know herself, is all the girls involved in that died of mysterious causes within weeks of the incident. None of the wives or slaves tried to harm her again.”

“They beat her.”

“Permissible in Qumaref, but they never went far enough to injure her. They knew better.”

Eli’s fists balled at his side, but he forced his voice to remain neutral. “Were the girls’ deaths coincidences?”

“I don’t believe so.”

“Who killed them?”

“My information on that is less reliable, Your Highness.”

Eli nodded. “Tell me what you think.”

“I believe Auburn was abducted from a Tamarian family as an infant,” Jaelin said. “Her captors made it look like they murdered her.”

Eli steepled his fingers. “Why take a small child if not to ransom her back to her parents?”

“What’s left of the trail makes me think there were some who wanted her dead and others who wanted her alive. By making it look like they’d murdered her, the faction that wanted her alive bought time.”

Eli sucked in a slow breath. “Who was behind her abduction?”

“I believe it was a cult of Rashalee.”

Eli stilled. “What would Rashalee want with a small child, and why would her followers bring her to Qumaref where it would be impossible to extract a ransom?”

“Her captors never demanded a ransom, and I believe those who wanted her alive killed those who wanted her dead.”

“Greed, lust, and revenge motivate Rashalee’s followers. What could they get for stealing a child and keeping her?”

“There is only one member of the cult still alive who can answer that question.”

“Premal?”

Jaelin nodded. “Rashalee has rewarded his service with a great deal of wealth and power.”

“Because of Auburn?”

“Impossible to know, Your Highness,” Jaelin.

“If Premal had Auburn, how did she get into the sultan’s harem?”

“On that, the records are clear. The sultan used his position to take her, and there was nothing Premal or the cult could do.”

Eli tapped his fingertips together. “While the sultan had Auburn, she was still within Premal’s reach. Her returning to Tamryn would change that.”

“I believe that’s why he tried to assassinate you. It’s the only way for him to get Auburn.” Jaelin shook her head. “It’s a long game, Your Highness, without an obvious reward. Very unlike a cult of Rashalee.”

“Uncommon among Her followers, but not impossible for the right payment.” Eli glanced over to where Auburn was sleeping. “They’ve proven they’ll kill me to get to her.”

“You’ve made an enemy of their leader.”

“Because I wouldn’t give her to him.”

“If the past is any indication, he’ll only get more aggressive, Your Highness.”

Eli’s jaw tightened. “He’s not getting her. When we return to Tamryn, she will be on the ship with me.”

“Who will protect her in Tamryn?”

Eli considered her question. If he married her, Auburn would be protected by the royal guards. Though that had done little to save his mother. “Any idea who she is?”

Jaelin shook her head. “As I said, her captors never demanded a ransom, so her family most likely isn’t wealthy or influential.”

“When we return to Tamryn, I want you to find her family if you can. She deserves to know and to decide if she wants to reunite with them.”

“The Knights will have records of abducted children, regardless of her parents’ station. Are you sure you want me to find them if they’re street sweepers or sharecroppers, Your Highness?”

Eli understood the unuttered implications, but he nodded. “Find what you can.”

Jaelin bowed and left Eli alone with his thoughts.

Undressing, Eli climbed back into bed beside Auburn. She moved closer to him and slid an arm over his bare chest.

He pulled her to him and held her, his tumultuous thoughts warding off sleep.