The moon was high in the sky, its cool glow washing over the docked ships when explosions ripped through the night. Shouts followed, then the sound of running feet.

Leopold leapt out of his bunk and donned his armor when another explosion sounded outside the ship. “Stay with the girl.” The Knight grabbed his sword and shield and sprinted out of the cabin.

Ndrek cast a strong protection ward then sat beside Auburn. They listened to the sounds of clashing swords, running feet, and cursing. The smell of charred wood and the coppery scent of blood filled the air.

Auburn shivered as she stared down at her hands.

“It seems Prince Eli has made a powerful and relentless enemy. He is good at that.”

“Do you think he’s okay?”

“Most assuredly,” Ndrek said.

Auburn stayed silent as they listened to the battle. After a time, the sounds quieted then faded to nothing.

A few minutes later, Leopold pushed open the door.

Auburn paled at the blood that smeared his sword, shield, and armor. “Are you all right?”

“More of their blood than mine,” Leopold said. He took a moment to catch his breath then called a faint gold light to his hands. He touched the gold light to his chest and grunted.

“Are you sure you’re all right?”

Leopold nodded. “I’ll be fine, but they still sank that damn ship.”

“The one Auburn warned you about?”

Leopold growled an expletive. “Didn’t warn us about them attacking the flagship while they sank the other one.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Perhaps because your life was not in jeopardy aboard the flagship,” Ndrek said. “It is well-guarded. The attack on the flagship was a diversion.”

“Diversion is right. It kept us from getting to the other ship before it sank.” Leopold studied at Auburn. “Any thoughts on who’s behind it?”

“I can’t control the visions. When they come or when they don’t. What they show me, what they don’t.”

“That means no.”

“Let us be thankful we were aboard the flagship, whatever the reason,” Ndrek said.

Letting out his breath, Leopold cleaned the blood from his armor and sword. “Won’t be getting back to Tamryn any time soon to figure out who sent us on this goose chase.”

“Perhaps that was also their intent.”

Leopold loosed a string of curses. “We’ll find ‘em, but they bought themselves some time. It’ll be harder to follow a cold trail.”

“They do not know you if they think that will stop you.”

Leopold sheathed his sword. “This seals it. We’ll be going back on the flagship with Eli.”

“He will not be delighted,” Ndrek said.

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Leopold glanced over at Auburn. “I think he’ll manage.”

* * *

Eli was reviewing his notes for the fifth time and still couldn’t focus on them when Sligo opened the door to his room and waited for the prince to acknowledge him.

“What’s wrong?”

“There was an incident down at the docks.”

Eli paled. “Is she okay?”

“I could not obtain good information, but the ship she was on sank.”

Eli’s chest tightened and squeezed the air from his lungs. By the gods, her visions had said pirate ship, and a Knight was anything but a pirate. A lapse in judgment that could cost him everything.

“I’ve arranged for a fast carriage.”

Eli said nothing as he pulled on a nondescript cloak and followed Sligo out of the palace and down to the waiting vehicle. Designed for speed, the carriage wouldn’t survive a direct attack, but it was a chance Eli had to take.

Climbing in, he drew the curtains, and the conveyance leapt forward. Fear warred with anger as they raced out of the walled courtyard and thundered through Qumaref’s streets. He should never have let Auburn leave with Sir Leopold. She’d wanted to stay, and she was his to protect. If anything had happened to her...

Eli shut down the thought, closed his eyes, and swallowed the sour taste in his mouth. He’d never doubted he was making the right decision calling off his engagement to Daniella, but now he was certain.

His carriage stopped a distance back from the flagship, its dragon crest flapping in the sea breeze. Chaos filled the streets, making it impossible for the carriage to get any closer.

Eli leapt down and searched the crowds for any sign of Auburn’s copper hair. Panic chilled him and made him reckless as he found no trace of her.

The crowd parted for the imposing man dressed in black, but Sligo caught his arm. “It’s too difficult to keep you safe, Your Highness, even with me and your security team protecting you.”

“I have to find her.”

“Your enemies could have done this to draw you out.”

Eli said nothing as he continued to scan the sea of people.

“If I were trying to kill you, I would have,” Sligo said. “But you would’ve come with or without me once you learned of the ship.”

“I have to find her.”

“Let me get you aboard the flagship. Once you’re safe, I’ll be more effective at finding her.”

Glancing toward the large ship, it resembled an island of calm in the chaos. If he were Leopold, he’d try to get Auburn there if she’d survived. If... His stomach tightened, and he said nothing as he pulled up the hood of his cloak and followed Sligo.

They navigated through the crowd, and as soon as the guards on the flagship realized it was him, they raced down and escorted him aboard the flagship.

The captain bowed low. “Your Highness. I was not expecting you, so I put Sir Leopold and his companions in your suite. I will have them moved.”

“His companions?” Eli sprinted to his cabin.

He threw open the door, and Auburn, Leopold and Ndrek turned to stare at him.

Relief flooded him when he saw Auburn, and he almost fell to his knees. “Are you all right?”

A genuine smile lit her face as she ran over to him, and the feel of her arms around him bolstered him and kept him on his feet. “Sir Leopold and Ndrek made sure I was safe.”

Eli held her, stroking her hair as his heartbeat returned to normal. Fear stoked his anger as he turned a hard stare to Leopold. “What happened?”

“I promised to keep her safe, and I did.” Leopold rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. “Nothing left of the ship though.”

Eli’s arms tightened around Auburn. “Had anything happened to her...”

“We wouldn’t be looking at war,” Leopold said. “So what in the seven hells are you’re doing here, anyway?”

Eli’s impassive mask slipped, and anger tightened his face. “I’m down here to make sure you didn’t underestimate an enemy. Again.”

Leopold’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Eli closed his eyes and schooled his face back into its emotionless blank slate. Drawing a breath, he filled himself with the familiar scent of vanilla and jasmine. His anger and panic quieted.

“Those enemies are why you shouldn’t be here.” Leopold’s words were little more than a growl.

“Then neither should Auburn.”

“You are supposed to go the opposite way of trouble, Your Highness,” Ndrek said. “Especially when the ramifications to Qumaref and Tamryn are so great.”

“I’m a prince of Tamryn. I don’t flee at the first sign of trouble.” Eli raised a brow at the Knight, his words hardening to ice. “I remember some of my childhood lessons.”

“Only the ones you want to remember.”

“Only the ones that are useful.”

Leopold’s gaze fell on Auburn. “Say what you like, but I know what brought you down here, and so do the people trying to kill you.”

“Agreed. I’m ending the diplomatic mission, and we’re all going home,” Eli said. “Two assassination attempts are enough.”

“Not like you to give up,” Leopold said.

“Not like me to have something to lose.”

“More truth to that than there should be.” Leopold watched Auburn as she sat in Eli’s arms, the prince comforted by her closeness. “I wanna see justice done, but I’m not the one paying the price.”

“My family has already paid enough,” Eli said.

“I will not disagree, Your Highness, but justice does not have a home in Qumaref, and it should,” Ndrek said.

Eli laid his cheek against Auburn’s hair. “Dracor, the Dragon Church, and the Knights of Valor are the guardians of justice.”

“Justice is as much the responsibility of the Crown.” Leopold crossed his arms over his chest. “You already know that. Unless that’s another lesson you forgot.”

“How could I forget when living up to it has cost so much,” Eli snapped.

“Neither the Dragon Church nor the influence of the Tamryn Crown will touch Qumaref without your plan,” Ndrek said. “Both are much needed.”

“Your plan is very good.” Auburn snuggled closer to Eli. “Good for Tamryn, good for Qumaref, and a path to freedom for some who’d otherwise die as slaves. I hope you will see it through.”

Leopold hid a smirk and turned away.

Eli glared at the Knight as he hugged Auburn. Gazing down at her, his voice softened. “Your life is in danger. I can’t stand by-”

“No one is asking you to stand by.” Auburn linked her fingers with his. “Everyone in this room knows better than to ask that of you.”

“I won’t risk you.”

“My death won’t lead to war.”

“Don’t bet on that,” Leopold mumbled.

Auburn touched the gold dragon etched into the buttons on Eli’s jacket. “Perhaps with Sir Leopold and Ndrek here, Sligo can improve security enough that you can complete these negotiations. You didn’t want to spend two months sailing to Qumaref to leave without a deal.”

Eli’s jaw twitched as she repeated his own words.

“At least talk to Sligo.” Auburn laid her head against the prince. “He’ll give you the truth.”

Tightening his arms around her, Eli knew she was right. And his father would take more kindly to his social faux pas of ending his engagement to Lady Daniella if he came back with an agreement.

By not marrying Lady Daniella, his father would assume Eli had given up his aspirations for the throne. The prince wasn’t sure what his father would think of that.

Eli said nothing for several long moments as he considered. He knew what the right thing was, and yet... He sucked in a breath as he stared down at her copper hair.

Damn duty. Damn being born a prince. And damn Dracor for not choosing the next king. Eli closed his eyes. “We will stay, and I will get that trade agreement.”

Auburn hugged him.

“It appears as if I have added two more to my retinue.” Eli let out the breath he’d been holding as he glared at Leopold. “If the sultan knows you’re a Knight, he’ll demand to meet you. I’d rather he didn’t.”

“Me, too,” Leopold said.

“If he learns Ndrek is a mage, he’ll also be interested in him,” Auburn said.

“I’m less worried about introducing Ndrek than I am Leopold,” Eli said.

“Don’t blame you. Ndrek is good at making pretty with people.”

Ndrek bowed with a flourish.

“I will trust you to guard Auburn and protect her while I’m at the negotiations.”

“Couldn’t stop me from protecting her,” Leopold said. “And Ndrek’s not bad for a wizard.”

“Was that a compliment, Sir Leopold?” Ndrek said.

“Nope.”

Ndrek grinned.