Free The Emerald Prince by Kayci Morgan Page A

anyone could be content with such a life. He was just telling her what he believed she wanted to hear. After all, in his homeland, he could be killed for saying otherwise.
    But she saw such conviction in his eyes. It made her doubt herself. “What is it that you want from me?”
    He looked at her as if the answer was obvious. “I want only to be allowed to serve you. Your happiness and pleasure brings me happiness and pleasure.”
    Victoria rose from the couch, turning her back to him. “But that’s not possible. The only man I will ever take to my bed is my husband. If I ever have a husband.”
    Lorr stepped in front of her. His near nakedness forced her to look into his eyes. He took her hand and slowly raised it to his lips, giving her ample chance to pull away. He softly kissed her fingers then said, “I would rather die than ever do anything to make you act against your conscience. I ask for nothing but to serve, in whatever manner you see fit.”
    A cool breeze came through the window, making Victoria shiver. At least she hoped it was the breeze.
     

Chapter Eighteen
     
    Blaine tried to ignore the insistent poking at his side. His mind still held the image of the prince’s soft lips wrapped around his member, and he did not want to open his eyes. But he knew it was time to go. He had promised, after all. Abandoning the army to sneak into a castle under siege—alone.
    The prince was already dressed for travel. There were two full packs resting against the table.
    Blaine sighed and glared at the traitor laying flaccid against his thigh. “This is all your fault.”
    The idea of sneaking away from the army and going in alone sounded like a far better plan when he was on the verge of exploding.
    After getting dressed, Blaine picked up the packs and handed them to Elliot. Even though he agreed to go, he wanted to be sure the army didn’t waste valuable time looking for them, so before he drifted off, he insisted Elliot leave a note. “Did you write the letter?”
    “It’s on the table.”
    “Head out back and make sure no one sees you as you leave the camp. I’ll grab a couple horses and catch up with you on the road.”
    They ducked out a slit cut into the back of the tent, then without saying a word, Elliot darted off, vanishing into the darkness. Blaine, who was a skilled hunter, marveled at how little noise the prince made as he ran off.
    The knight crept along the perimeter of the camp. He knew where the night watchmen were because he had posted them.
    He grabbed the reigns of two horses and pulled them toward the road. Each step seemed so loud; he was certain he’d get caught. And what if he did? He was their superior. Could they really stop him? He could just order them back to their tents. But if the king found out, he’d might hold the men responsible for his son’s disappearance. It was best if the men had no knowledge of them leaving until it was too late to stop them.
    Blaine had made it about a mile from camp with the horses when Elliot came from the treeline and handed him his pack. They rode at a steady pace throughout the night and the next day, stopping only for meals and to tend to the horses.
    By the next night, they’d covered so much ground it was impossible for anyone to catch up with them.
    They made camp, and Blaine went hunting while Elliot gathered wood. The knight returned to a blazing campfire with two hares in hand.
    As the meat roasted, Blaine looked around. “We should be careful. This part of the woods is crawling with bandits.”
    Elliot snickered. “Bandits don’t kill princes. The risk is too high. The gain wouldn’t be enough to justify it. Noblemen kill princes. Usually for their crown.”
    Blaine’s heart pounded in his chest. He couldn’t possibly know. If he knew, he would hate me. Yet, he could see it in his eyes.“You know, don’t you?”
    “That Tannis worked for your family and was willing to arrange an unfortunate accident after you married my sister?