The Princes Bound [The Princes Book 1] (3 page)

She returned to his side and leaned down to grasp the bridle of his horse and forced him to a halt.

The abrupt change in motion nearly unseated him. With his hands tied together in front of him, he had to struggle to stay astride as he grappled with the reins. He sent her a glare, which only caused her lips to curve into a small smile.

"We are far enough from town that we can remove this.” She removed the gag they'd stuffed in his mouth and tucked it into a pocket of her jerkin.

Mathis gingerly moved his jaw from side to side, grimacing when it made a creaking noise.

"I demand to know your name.” He spoke with a voice of authority, one which usually commanded obedience from his people.

She laughed softly. “Careful, Your Highness, else you may make me regret my decision to remove your gag."

She showed a total disregard for his position. It was an unfamiliar situation since he'd been catered to and obeyed his entire life.

"Who sent you?"

She rolled his eyes at his question and spurred their horses back into motion. “You will find out soon enough."

"How soon?"

She tossed him an amused look but refused to answer.

Mathis fell silent, choosing instead to turn his attention to the landscape around him. It was mostly flat land now, but there were hills up ahead in the distance. They'd been traveling for half a day, and he was familiar enough with his kingdom to know they had been heading north.

Had he been mistaken, and they truly were rebels?

Then he recalled they'd passed through Roen, which indicated they were traveling to the east as well. Isidor's only mountainous region lay along its border with Noventia. Judging from the upcoming change in elevation, the border of Noventia was not far away.

It was odd for him to be abducted and taken into the very heart of his brother's kingdom where he was sure to be recognized. It was no secret that, since he was their prince's brother, the people of Noventia would be honor bound to assist him. All in all, it made no sense. Either his abductors were very brave or tremendously inept.

Mathis continued to dwell upon it until nightfall.

He realized there was only one explanation. For some reason, his brother had sent soldiers to abduct him. He'd known Talin would be upset at his refusal to attend his wedding, but he'd never suspected it would cause this sort of reaction. One thing was for certain, there would be hell to pay when they reached N'ior.

They stopped to make camp for the night near an abandoned farm. The house was uninhabitable, with charred timbers and a caved in roof. The field lay fallow and stretched out around them as far as the eye could see.

The female captor came to help him from his horse.

He would be damned before he let her assist him. As best as he could with his hands still bound, he swung a leg over and slid to the ground. He landed with a jarring thump and gritted his teeth with frustration.

"Come, Prince. We will find you a place to sleep.” She chuckled and shook her head as if she were amused by his actions.

He did as she asked, pretending to be complacent. Inside he seethed and came up with a plan.

As they settled down for the night, he plied his captors with questions. They continued to offer him only the barest of information, but it was enough to convince him these soldiers did indeed come from Noventia.

Now that he knew they served his brother, he was certain they wouldn't dare harm a hair on his head.

It certainly gave him the upper hand in what he had planned for his escape.

Nadia placed her bedroll close to the pallet they'd arranged for the prince to sleep upon. She wanted to be close to him to make sure he didn't try to flee.

After instructing her recruits to keep watch and arranging the order in which they would sleep, she sat down and gazed at fire in the center of their temporary encampment.

It was warm that evening, but the small flames would help illuminate the prince to ensure they kept him not only captured but safe as well. Talin would have her head if anything were to happen to his beloved brother.

"It is odd they obey you so easily."

Nadia was startled by the sound of the prince's honeyed voice so close behind her. He'd been taken by one of the recruits to relieve himself in relative privacy, and she wasn't aware they'd returned.

She lifted her chin; conscious she did so with pride. “I am their captain. They have to listen to what I say."

"Captain, eh?” His blue eyes glowed amethyst in the near darkness. “Then that makes you part of the Noventian Army. Only Noventia allows female officers."

She cursed inwardly at her slip of the tongue. “I suppose it makes no difference now. Yes, I am part of your brother's army. I was sent to bring you to him."

The prince nodded. “My brother does not take no for an answer. Never has. Not even when we were children."

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but she suppressed the urge. “There are not many who would dare to say no to Prince Talin."

"I suppose you are right.” Mathis heaved a sigh. “What about you, dear lady? Would you dare to tell him no?"

Nadia, who'd said no to Talin more times than she could count, softly tutted. “I am but a lowly soldier. Who am I to deny my prince anything he should desire?"

Mathis lay back on his pallet and laced his fingers behind his head. He seemed at ease in the relaxed pose even though his hands were still bound. He crossed one leg over the other.

She had decided to not tie his ankles, trusting she and her men would be able to prevent him from escaping.

"Anything?” Mathis questioned. “Now there is an interesting thought. Tell me, have you served my brother in other ways?"

Nadia gasped at his impertinence. “That is entirely none of your business!"

His teeth flashed white as he grinned at her. “I have no doubt my brother would delight to have you in his bed. You, my dear, have a very commanding presence. It is quite odd that within your masculine profession, you still possess a sensual aura."

She was flattered but suspicious of his conversation. “I must insist you cease this nonsense."

"It is never nonsense to admire a beautiful woman."

Nadia opened her mouth to reply, but words failed her. The shadow of the flames danced across his face, and she grew uneasy as she stared at him.

There was a look in his eyes, an intense concentration that belied the seductive quality of his words.

Instinct made her hand fall to the dagger sheathed at her waist. The feel of the carved hilt reassured her that she was not without protection.

She had lived the life of a soldier for much too long to not be familiar with the baser nature of men. More than once, she'd fought off unwarranted advances, and it was best to be prepared just in case.

He noticed her action and lifted a regal brow in response. “Relax, my dear. I do naught but speak the truth. I mean you no harm."

She continued to eye him carefully.

Although he was reported to be a scholarly, peaceful ruler, she knew he was able to fight. She'd witnessed his training sessions with her father when she was a child. Though Talin was stronger, Mathis was quicker on his feet and possessed perfect aim. She'd spent hours at the training yard, perched atop an old barrel her father sometimes used for target practice and watched the two young princes receive training in archery, swordfight, and even hand-to-hand combat. Her father had been the late king's favorite knight and was granted the prestigious honor of training his sons for eventual battle.

Little had they known the king would die on the battlefield before the boys reached their majority. Talin was not yet eighteen and Mathis barely seventeen. Nadia was thirteen but had been sent to live with her mother's family two years before, so she'd not been witness to their grief at that painful period in their history. She'd returned three years later and joined the newly formed Noventian army.

She unclenched her fingers from the hilt of the dagger but kept her hand at her waist.

Mathis sat up, and she tensed.

"My boots,” he explained with a wry look. “They are deuced uncomfortable."

He fumbled with the laces for several moments. His bound hands obviously made the task a difficult endeavor. He struggled a while more and then snorted with disgust. “Damn knots. I don't suppose you will remove the bindings from my wrists?"

She gave a sharp shake of her head. “No, but I can assist you."

She crouched near his feet and reached out to take hold of the stubborn laces. “You have certainly made a muck of this, Your Highness.” She reached for her dagger again. “We may have to cut them."

"No!” He nearly shouted. “These boots are Aronian."

She released the dagger with a grunt. The boots looked fairly standard to her, but she was no expert on fashion. Perhaps they were expensive.

While she was occupied with his laces, the prince loosened his bindings to allow a few inches of rope between his wrists. It was just enough length to draw across her neck like a noose.

She continued to work on the laces and nearly had the first boot undone when the prince lunged forward and locked his hands behind her neck. Her eyes widened with alarm.

He tightened his grip as he got to his feet, drawing her upward as well.

His breath ruffled the strands of hair near her ear as he spoke in a commanding voice. “Don't even think of struggling."

Nadia's fingers fumbled against his wrists and the rope he held to her neck, but she couldn't budge it. Struggling only made the rope tighten further.

She'd been such a dunce! How had she fallen so neatly in his trap?

Her men noticed and arranged themselves in a circle around them, placing the fire between the prince and the horses.

She'd taught her recruits well.

She moistened her lips with a quick swipe of her tongue and spoke to the prince. “You have no hope of escape. Even you are no match for five armed men."

"Ah, but you forget I am their prince's brother. None of your soldiers are willing to risk the ire of my brother by harming me. With you as my hostage, they cannot get close enough to restrain me. That was your plan was it not, my dear lady soldier? To keep me bound and gagged until I was safely delivered to Talin?” He whispered to her in a fierce rush.

To the men, he called out a warning. “Let me pass and I promise your captain will remain unharmed."

"He is bluffing! Don't let him through,” she commanded and then made a croaking sound as the prince drew the rope tighter.

It was difficult to breathe. Dark spots began to appear to before her eyes. Just when she feared she would pass out, he loosened the rope for her to take a deep breath.

"I refuse to be taken captive once again. I am a prince, damn you! Now tell your men to step aside."

"I will
not
!"

"Do as I say or I will tell my brother your men withheld food and water from me. I don't believe he will take kindly to such treatment."

Nadia closed her eyes for a brief instant. She'd seriously underestimated her opponent.

Talin would be greatly disappointed in her.

"Fine, Your Highness, you win.” Her shoulders drew back, and she straightened as well as she could in his embrace. “You may release me now."

He snorted. “No. You will come to N'ior with me."

Her eyes widened. “N'ior?"

"Yes. I have a message of my own I would like to deliver to my brother.” He drew her closer and directed a command toward the soldiers. “If the captain is to remain unharmed, you five will remain here until morning."

The men turned their faces to Nadia for confirmation.

"The prince and I will ride ahead. You may follow us in two hours’ time."

The prince tightened the rope in warning. “Four."

She rolled her eyes in exasperation, even though she knew he couldn't see it. “Four hours then."

The recruits lowered the weapons they'd never intended to use and relaxed their stances.

Nadia averted her eyes, so the recruits would not see her shame as the prince hauled her away.

[Back to Table of Contents]

N'ior was a well-guarded city in the northern province of Noventia. It was surrounded by mountains, which made it difficult for enemies to approach unnoticed. The mountains formed a natural barrier to the city. A stone wall encircling N'ior fortified it even further.

It had become the capital city when the old king brought his young wife there decades before to give birth to his heirs. The valley where the city had been built was lush and fertile, yet could be bitterly cold in the winter due to the winds sweeping down from the mountains.

It was late summer now, and the valley was covered in a carpet of green grass. Warm air carried the fragrance of sweet smelling flowers.

As they topped the last ridge and began their descent into the valley, Mathis drew in a deep breath. Though the city was now his brother's, N'ior still felt like his home. His father had owned several castles, but they'd spent the majority of their time here. It had been close to his mother's homeland of Aronia, so the boys had often traveled to visit their grandparents to the east.

Memories of happier times assailed him. Before war and death had torn their lives apart, this had been a place of love and laughter.

"We have arrived at N'ior, Prince.” She drew to a halt.

Mathis glanced over at his unwilling companion and saw her gaze down at the valley as a peaceful smile crossed her face. For two days, she'd ridden with a sullen pout to her lips. She'd spoken only the barest of words and ignored any attempt to start a conversation during their travel. She hadn't even offered her name. This was the first time she'd spoken without being prompted. Was N'ior her home as well? It would be a waste of time to ask since she would almost certainly refuse to answer.

She continued to survey the valley, so he took his time studying her. Her dark hair gleamed in the noonday sun. Strands escaped the tight braid and whipped about in the light wind. Sunlight streamed over her face and highlighted elegant cheekbones and a tiny, pert nose. Her eyes were almost feline in shape where the ends turned up at the corners and a curious yellowish green color.