The Princes Bound [The Princes Book 1] (13 page)

Rowena's eyes crinkled as she smiled knowingly. “I have it on good opinion a prince has his eye on you as well."

Nadia's mouth dropped open in amazement. They had been so careful. How had Rowena guessed?

Rowena patted her shoulder. “Don't look so guilty, Nadia. It is only that I've spent many years watching others. It was not difficult for me to see Prince Mathis only has eyes for you."

Nadia saw no reason to deny it. If Rowena had noticed, doubtlessly many others had as well.

It was a long day.

By the time Nadia got home, she was about to drop from exhaustion. She and Hugh had patrolled for most of the day, and she'd assisted with his training late into the evening. Her stomach growled and reminded her she'd missed supper.

Mathis was already waiting for her when she reached her house.

Without a word, he opened his arms, and she fell into his embrace. She did not care that she was tired and sweaty. All she cared about was being in his arms again.

"I brought you a plate from the castle."

Nadia stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Thank you. I did not have a chance to eat."

"I know.” Mathis ushered her into the house and led her to the table. “You sit and eat, and I will prepare a bath."

He was gone less than five minutes, but when he returned, she had already finished the plate of mutton and pudding. He scooped her up into his arms and ignored her protests.

"Let me down, Mathis. I can walk."

He shook his head. “I like to carry you."

"I am too heavy. You won't make it up the stairs."

He jostled her and chuckled. “You are as light as a feather."

His cheerful nature was infectious, and she laughed at the pure joy of being with the man she loved. “Are you going to wash me as well?"

He wriggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Would you like me to?"

In the end, they both bathed in the small wooden washtub together.

Mathis washed her from head to toe, his hands swooping around her bottom and between her legs in a teasing caress. She washed him as well, her hands lingering near his thighs. She wrapped her fingers around his cock and moved her hand up and down, the way he had shown her.

"Nadia, my love, not now."

She pouted, but her eyelids drooped with exhaustion.

"Come to bed.” Mathis plucked her from the tub and dried her off with a soft towel before carrying her to bed.

She held out her arms for him, but he shook his finger at her. “Not tonight, Nadia. You need to rest."

She sat up and clutched the blanket to her breasts. “I want you to stay."

"I wasn't leaving.” He climbed into bed beside her and took her in his arms. “But I am only going to hold you."

She snuggled close to his warm, damp chest and sighed in contentment.

Mathis pressed a kiss to her forehead. “The wedding is in two days."

"Mmm hmm,” she murmured into his skin.

His grip tightened. “I will have to return to Isidor."

Nadia stiffened. She had not thought of the future. Of course he had to leave. His kingdom needed him.

She lifted her head and studied his face.

He watched her with a tense jaw and worried eyes. “I want you to come with me."

She considered his statement. Was she prepared to leave everything behind?

He cupped her cheek and bent forward to kiss her. “Don't answer me yet. Just promise you will think about it."

"I will."

She had been so focused on thinking of what she would have to give up, she had not spared much thought toward how soon it would happen. Was she really prepared to walk away from the life she'd always known in the next two days?

Talin strode into the hall. Collin followed directly at his heels.

"Bring me Nadia,” the prince shouted to a waiting attendant. “And be quick about it. Tell her to come immediately."

Talin did not wait to see if he was obeyed. He continued down the hall and stopped to wait for Nadia inside his throne room.

He had received news from Wainswright, and it was not good. Nadia's team of recruits had uncovered a plot to attack him at N'ior. He would need Nadia and his captains to double their security, possibly even triple it.

"Do you think we should call off the wedding?” Collin asked quietly.

Talin flashed him a dark look. “No. That is what the bastard wants us to do. We will continue with the
celebration
."

The older man sat down with a sigh. “She has not been an easy bride to woo."

Collin's remark did not fall on deaf ears. No one knew better than Talin that Rowena had proved to be unaccountably stubborn.

But everything hinged on their marriage.

"She will come around. They always do.” Talin smiled tightly and turned to a window in the great hall, linking his arms behind his back.

It was no hard feat to charm a lady into his bed, but it was proving near to impossible to woo his intended bride.

Collin joined him at the window. “It is a beautiful morning. A perfect day for a wedding."

Talin would have agreed had it not been the morning of his own nuptials.

The wedding was to take place that afternoon in the chapel. Hundreds of guests were invited, and the streets were sure to be filled with his subjects, all of them no doubt hoping to catch a glimpse of the royals during the celebration.

Damn Roarke
. Talin did not want to place innocent lives at risk, but neither could he delay the wedding.

He turned at the sound of hurried footsteps echoing through the hall and watched as a man strode toward him with all haste.

"Your Highness, Nadia approaches."

Talin waved to acknowledge the footman's proclamation and waited for his captain to join them.

As she approached, Talin's eyes narrowed in observation. Her hair was unbound, and her cheeks flushed a rosy color.

Hmmm.

He grinned even though what he was about to tell her was of a serious nature. “Nadia, you arrived much quicker than one would expect."

Nadia blushed but resolutely held his gaze. “I was in the garden."

More like my brother's bed,
Talin thought to himself.

He had not been blind to their actions over the past week. It was clear his brother was besotted with the beautiful soldier. Nadia seemed smitten with him in equal measure.

Talin sensed Collin stiffen at his side and ascertained his advisor was aware of the situation as well.

"Your recruits are to be praised...” Talin began by way of conversation. “Their diligent efforts resulted in uncovering an assassination plot."

Nadia's face drained of color. “Against you, Your Highness?"

"Aye.” Talin confirmed with a nod. “It is to take place today."

Her mouth dropped open and then snapped closed. She was clearly stunned. “With so many witnesses here for your wedding?"

"And an excellent time to take us by surprise. Fortunately you have trained your men well. We have advance warning. The assassin is not likely to succeed."

Talin spoke with confidence. He had full faith in his soldiers. Even had he doubted it, it would not do for a leader to show weakness.

Nadia straightened her spine. Her chin set with resolution. “We must call off the wedding."

"No."

"But, sire, you cannot—"

Talin cut her off emphatically. “I can and will, Nadia. I need you with me today."

He knew she had to be torn by the desire to be at her lover's side and by her dedication to her prince's safety.

He walked over to her and leaned down to whisper for her ears only. “I will ensure Mathis is safe, Nadia."

She showed no outward reaction, but a flash of gratitude lit the green depths of her eyes. “Thank you."

"Now here is my plan..."

Mathis met Nadia's gaze in the looking glass. He could not believe what she had told him.

He spun around and violently shook his head. “No, absolutely not! I will go to my brother now and tell him you are not to be involved in this."

Nadia shushed him. “I must. This is my duty."

"Why not one of the other captains?"

"I am the only one who can move about today without attracting attention. I will be dressed as one of Rowena's ladies-in-waiting. I can ride in the carriage with the wedding party to ensure I am as close to Talin as possible. No one will suspect a woman."

He was still unconvinced. “There are other female soldiers. Why not one of them?"

Nadia put her hands on her hips. “Your brother asked me, Mathis. Besides, no other female has as much training as I do."

Mathis knew she spoke the truth. In fact, he would applaud his brother's scheme if it did not involve the woman he loved.

He drew up short.
Love?
He paused, but he knew it to be true.

The past week he'd shared with Nadia had been nothing short of wonderful. He'd spent every night in her bed. There had also been several long, lazy afternoons ensconced in his personal chambers at the castle.

He'd never met a woman who was her equal. She made him run the gamut of emotions ... exasperation, amusement, even pride. She was a worthy adversary in this game. She gave as good as she got, never admitting defeat, or allowing herself to be intimidated by his position.

In short, she would make the perfect princess. And why shouldn't she?

"Nadia..."

She again shushed him by pressing a kiss to his lips. “I must go prepare for the wedding. Promise me you will be careful."

He could wait and speak to her after the wedding.

Mathis wrapped his arms around her and feverishly kissed her. “Don't do anything foolish. Don't be a hero, Nadia."

She smiled before she turned to leave, and he had seen the resolution in her eyes.

She was a soldier, born and bred. She would do whatever it took to protect Noventia and its prince.

A chill ran down Mathis’ spine. It was her duty to protect his brother with her life. Mathis would give up his own life to protect her.

He summoned a valet to assist him into his own finery.

Talin had chosen royal blue, the color of Noventia, for his men to wear. The rich velvet of Mathis’ suit was braided with silver thread.

As soon as he was dressed, he hurried to seek out Talin.

He found him in his chamber being waited on by several attendants. His brother's attire was similar to his own with the exception of a cascade of lace ruffles at his neck and sleeves.

Talin strode forward with a broad smile. “Mathis, you look very dashing."

Mathis ignored his brother's compliment and gave him a grim look.

Talin studied him briefly and then lifted his hand. “I believe my brother would like to share a private moment with me. Please leave us."

The room quickly cleared, and the brothers were left alone.

Talin crossed his arms across his chest and lifted an eyebrow. “Was there something you wished to speak to me about?"

Mathis’ hands curled into a fist. He knew his brother was a master at hatching plots, and only the knowledge that Talin was very protective of his people stopped him from planting a fist in his face.

"Why Nadia?"

Talin heaved a sigh. “So that is what this is about. I feared as much.” He idly twisted the signet ring on his right hand. “She was the most obvious choice, Mathis. Despite what you may think, she is very valuable to me. I know she would lay down her life for me. I would do the same for her. She is a soldier. She chose this life for herself."

His brother spoke the truth. That was the damned problem. Was it fair of him to ask Nadia to give up everything for him?

He would give her anything she desired if she would agree to be his bride, but was she willing to assume the role of princess? She'd lived and breathed a soldier's life for too long for him to expect it to be an easy transition for her.

He turned his attention back to Talin. “You should've consulted me first."

"Pardon me, I was unaware you are her protector.” Talin correctly struck the heart of the matter. “Or perhaps you have decided on a more respectable course."

Mathis saw no point in lying to his brother. “I want to marry her."

Talin smiled with approval. “Then do so. Have you asked her yet? Never mind, I can see from your expression you have not. Pardon me for a moment."

Talin strode to the door. He softly commanded the attendant standing outside his door and then closed the wooden panel.

"You may have our mother's ring. It is the emerald she inherited from our grandmother."

"Thank you.” Mathis was moved by his brother's show of generosity. The emerald had been in their mother's family for centuries. The ruby their father had given her on their wedding day must traditionally pass to the wife of the elder son, which would be Talin's. But in all truthfulness, Mathis was fond of the emerald. It would be a beautiful compliment to Nadia's eyes.

Talin patted him on the back. “Think nothing of it. There is no lady who can wear it better. So what do you say we head to the chapel?"

It was now or never.

If Mathis did not make his brother change his mind, their family would be forever linked with that of Rowena's father, the traitor.

"Don't do it, Talin. I know you've always done what you wanted, but in this I ask you to trust me. Don't marry her."

Talin's eyes grew shuttered; Mathis knew he had failed.

"I must marry her. Do not concern yourself overmuch, Mathis. There is always a reason for my actions."

"Then tell me. What is your plan?” Mathis implored his brother to confide in him.

He pressed his point home. “Our kingdoms can do much more together than alone."

Talin held a finger to his lips and crossed to the door on silent feet. He opened it, probably to make sure there was no one in the hall, before he returned to Mathis’ side.

"I will tell you, but you cannot confide in anyone. Not even Nadia. It is too risky. The less they know, the safer they will be."

Mathis swore his silence and listened intently as his brother laid out his foolhardy, yet brilliant, plan.

Nadia stood on the palace steps with the wedding party and calmly surveyed the gathered crowd. She waited with Rowena and two of her ladies-in-waiting. Talin stood with Mathis, Collin, and Roarke.