The Princes Determined Read online

  Rowena’s face was streaked with tears, which she angrily swiped from her cheeks, leaving trails of mud in its wake. “Why am I crying for the bastard? I hated him!”

  “Ah, Rowena.” He hauled her to his side and held her in an awkward embrace as she sobbed. Who would have thought there would come a day he was the one to offer consolation for Roarke’s death? If there was a way he could spare Rowena grief, he would do whatever was possible.

  “It is natural to mourn your father’s passing.”

  Her eyes were liquid brown as she turned her face up to his. “He tried to save me. Why did he do that? He never hid the fact he detested me.”

  He wiped the tears away from her cheek with his thumb. “I am sure he did not detest you.”

  “No, he did.” She seemed quite sure of it.

  One day Talin would love to know more so he could understand Rowena, but now was not the time. “Rowena, we must get away from here before the rebels come to their senses. Can you walk?”

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  He got to his feet and went to retrieve his sword. He returned to her side and held out a hand to help her to her feet. She wobbled as she stood, but he held onto her.

  “Before he died, my father said something odd.” She gripped his hand as they climbed the stairs. “I don’t think he was the one who killed your father.”

  He pushed open the door and waited for her to exit. “It doesn’t matter now.”

  “Yes, it does.” Her brown eyes were filled with concern. “I think it may have something to do with the rebels.”

  Damn Roarke. If what Rowena said was true, why would he wait until he was near death to confide in her? Why would he let everyone believe for so long he murdered the king?

  Rowena glanced over her shoulder as they left the manor. “Do we just leave him?”

  “I will make sure your father has a proper burial,” he promised.

  She nodded, but didn’t speak for the longest time.

  He cradled her in front of him as they rode his horse back to locate the others. For the first time in his adult life, he had a woman in his arms—and for more than just sexual gratification.

  He wanted that too, but this moment he craved the closeness of her. He relished the rise and fall of her chest against his forearm, which he held wrapped around her body. She was safe.

  He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and sent up a silent prayer. He’d come so close to losing her.

  “If my father didn’t kill the king, then who did?” Rowena pivoted to look at him. Her face was dusty, but streaks of white showed where her tears had washed away the dirt.

  “Rowena, your father may have lied.” Talin spoke in a gentle tone, afraid to upset her.

  “No.” She shook her head. “There would be no need. He did not care what I thought of him anymore than I cared what he thought of me.”

  Talin held her close. “When I saw you chained…” His voice trailed off and he shuddered. He could have lost her. In a moment of blinding clarity, he knew Rowena was his future. He would marry her, with or without the treaty or her father.

  Rowena placed her hand on top of his and caressed him. “They did not hurt me, Talin.”

  They reached d’Arcy and Sara, who stood waiting. The younger couple had come much closer to the manor than they should have dared, and Talin reined in his horse.

  He sent the lad a sharp look. “The rebels are still alive. We must ride.”

  D’Arcy didn’t hesitate. The young soldier was knowledgeable enough to know it would be unwise to fight the rebels and risk the possibility of leaving the sisters unprotected. He led forth the horses and reached for Sara to assist her onto the horse.

  The young girl shied away, frantically shaking her head. “No, I can’t.”

  D’Arcy lifted a brow as he gave her a confused look. “You rode a horse earlier.”

  Sara backed away. “But that was because I needed to find help.”

  “Sara is frightened of horses,” Rowena explained in a whisper. “I will ride back on the mare.”

  She slid out of the saddle and called for her sister, who immediately turned her wide-eyed gaze to her. “We must go now, Sara. Please ride with Hugh. He will not let you fall.”

  Hugh assisted Rowena onto the back of her horse and hurriedly mounted his own. He reached out his hand to Sara. Her face was pale with terror, but she put a slim hand in d’Arcy’s hand, and he hauled her up.

  “Hugh will protect you. I promise you, Lady Sara.” Talin called out to the girl.

  Sara looked frightened out of her wits, but she settled into the saddle in front of Hugh.

  Talin nodded toward them and set off at a fast clip. Rowena clung to the horse’s mane and leaned forward as if she could make the mare go faster. He did not blame her for wanting to get away as fast as possible.

  They soon caught up with his soldiers. Talin directed half of the group to Bevelaire to capture the rebels and to deal with Roarke’s burial. The other half would escort them back to N’ior. They rode for hours across the mountainous region. The sun was low in the sky before they stopped to rest.

  They arrived at a small valley in the shadow of two mountains. A stream was nearby, and the area was heavily wooded. Thick bushes and undergrowth near the stream provided cover. It would make the perfect spot to set up camp.

  While d’Arcy tended to the horses, Talin conferred with his captain and a schedule was created for watches. The soldiers spread out among the region, keeping the prince and his group in the center. They were close enough to protect the prince, but far enough away that they did not seem intrusive.

  Talin busied himself by making a small fire and arranging a blanket on the ground for the ladies to rest upon.

  He shot glances at Rowena as he worked. She had not moved other than to wrap her arms around her sister, who continued to cling to her waist. They spoke in soft voices, obviously having a private moment.

  D’Arcy returned, and it was decided Talin would take the first watch. He made sure everyone was settled, and then sat by the fire, prepared to stay on guard for several hours.

  The flames danced upon his vision as he gazed unseeing into the fire. Roarke was dead, but Rowena was safe. That was all that mattered.

  Chapter 5

  He probably thought she slept, but Rowena lay beside her sister and kept her eyes on Talin. They had not said much since he rescued her. There was so much she needed to tell him, but she had not had the chance.

  Sara stirred. Rowena hushed her and spoke in a soothing murmur until her sister fell back asleep.

  The welts on Sara’s face were still an angry red, but they would disappear completely within a few days. There were also rope burns on her wrists and ankles from struggling against her bonds.

  Other than that, she was unharmed. It could’ve been much worse. Rowena shivered at the thought as chills ran down her spine.

  Talin stood, and her attention went back to him. He gazed into the fire, the shadows dancing across his beautiful face. D’Arcy arrived, and they spoke for a few moments. Talin’s watch seemed to be at an end. The young recruit moved away from the fire and into the tree line.

  Talin had come for her. She still couldn’t believe he had. With her father dead, there was no longer a need to marry her. She wondered if he had thought of it yet. She hoped not. She wanted to be close for a little bit longer.

  An owl hooted, and she jerked her head in surprise. It sounded so close.

  Her movement caught Talin’s attention, and his eyes met hers through the firelight. For a moment, she couldn’t breathe.

  There was such intensity to Talin, a wildness in him she could never hope to tame. But often she caught glimpses of the boy he must’ve once been, the boy who grieved for his parents and found joy in the simple pleasures of life.

  Tonight he was the darkly attractive prince, a man who seduced countless women, and still they begged for more. She wanted to be one of those women. She wanted to be in his arms, if o
nly for the night. He had come to mean so much to her in a little amount of time. In between fighting him and worrying about her sister, she had fallen for him.

  It was easy to love Talin. It would not be easy to make him love her in return.

  Rowena made sure Sara still slept in peace and slid off the blanket. She stood and crossed to Talin’s side.

  He didn’t move a muscle, yet his eyes followed her. She felt powerful for the first time in her life. She knew he wanted her. It was there in the way he stiffened, the flash of desire he couldn’t quite keep hidden.

  “Rowena.”

  Talin spoke her name in that special way of his, and the single word slipped over her like warm butter.

  She lifted her hand and placed it against his chest. His heart pounded under her fingertips. “Why did you come for me?”

  “I told you I would follow you.”

  “Yes, you did.” She moved her hand lower, and he covered it with his own, but not before she’d felt the hard ridge of his abdomen. She crept closer and brushed his body.

  “Rowena.” His voice sounded strained. “You play with fire.”

  He wanted her. She smiled, reveling in the knowledge. She slowly shook her head and locked her eyes on his. “You won’t hurt me.”

  He cursed under his breath. “You are upset by the events of today. I will not take advantage of you.”

  “I want you to, Talin.”

  She leaned up on her tiptoes and brushed his bottom lip with her own. It was a fleeting kiss, barely a flutter, but he growled deep in his throat and set her aside.

  “You don’t know what you are asking, Rowena. Be reasonable.”

  She wanted to scream with frustration. Why was he being so difficult? He’d tried for weeks to make her want him and when she did, he said no?

  She pouted. “Are you saying you don’t want me?”

  His eyes flashed. “No, that is not what I am saying. I want you, Rowena. I’ve always wanted you.”

  “Even when I almost poisoned you?”

  She could tease about it now, but it had been serious a few weeks ago. He had definitely not been happy with her. Why did she bring it up?

  A reluctant smile curved his lips. “Most especially then.” He took a step closer, and his voice dropped an octave. “I wanted to take you over my knee and spank you. Then I wanted to lift your skirts and kiss it all better.”

  She couldn’t prevent a shocked gasp from escaping. He’d wanted to do that? Moisture flooded the area between her legs. What else did he want to do?

  “Why didn’t you?”

  Talin chuckled and reached out to snag her about the waist. “Because you hated me then.”

  “I never hated you.”

  If anything, she feared him. Feared what he could come to mean. She’d never experienced such an overwhelming attraction before. It terrified her.

  “No?” Talin pulled her against his chest and lowered his head. “And now? Do you hate me now?”

  She was entranced by him. She couldn’t speak. She could only shake her head.

  Talin moved suddenly, taking her lips in an urgent kiss she felt straight down to her toes. He was bold, running his tongue along the seam of her lips until she opened to him. He stroked the inside of her mouth, and she moaned. Their tongues danced together, a slip and slide of sensation that made her yearn for more.

  “Rowena,” he said her name as if it were a prayer.

  She fought to catch her breath. “Don’t stop.”

  He lifted an eyebrow in that sexy manner of his. “I wasn’t.”

  Talin kissed her again, over and over until she gasped his name, pleading for more. He moved them away from the fire and into the shadows. Sara still slept, and Hugh was mere yards away, but she hadn’t given them a thought. She was glad Talin had the foresight to hide them from view.

  He pulled her down to the damp ground and cradled her against his chest. Rowena pressed closer, needing to feel more of him. He lay back and she sprawled halfway atop him.

  She ran her fingers over his chin and delighted in the prickly feel of his skin. A giggle escaped her.

  He threaded his hand through the disheveled braid she still wore and tugged her down for another kiss. Time stopped. All that existed was her and Talin and this unbelievable magic that took place when they kissed.

  He continued to kiss her as he grabbed her skirts in his other hand and bunched them up to her waist. He lifted her shift as well, and her backside lay bare to the night air. Goosebumps broke out on her skin, both from the chill and desire.

  Talin ran his palm across her hip, smoothing down her bottom, and then to the back of her thigh. His fingers rested between her legs, the tips tantalizing close to where she needed to feel him. He tugged one thigh, opening her legs wider. His fingers found her, slipping partway inside her.

  “Oh!” Rowena jerked in surprise, but Talin held her in place.

  “Shh,” he commanded. “Let me feel you.”

  His fingers stroked her, and he lingered in the spots that made her gasp with delight. She was damp, almost embarrassingly so.

  “Say you want me.”

  She moaned and hid her face in his chest. “Yes. I want you.”

  He pressed another hot kiss against her lips and prodded the opening to her body with one finger. Her inner muscles protested the invasion at first, but he continued to tease her senseless. With the tip of his finger, Talin teased the nubbin of flesh near the entrance of her body. She groaned and bucked against him. Her hips moved, searching for his finger.

  Rowena wanted more. She wanted to have all of him. His thumb moved and pressed against the cleft of her ass, teasing the tight bud located there. She should be shocked, but all she cared about was the wonderful sensations that built inside her.

  “That’s right, Rowena,” Talin’s whisper was harsh in her ear. “I want you to come for me.”

  She gasped for breath, the motions of her hips becoming frantic as her stomach tightened with need. She searched for release, not knowing quite what she was looking for.

  And then she found it.

  Rowena cried out and arched her back, her inner muscles clenching spasmodically deep within her body. Stars exploded behind her eyelids. Her limbs grew heavy, and she dropped to his chest, covered in sweat that began to cool in the chilly night air.

  “Oh my,” she sighed and lifted her head to give him a sleepy smile.

  Talin grinned back, but his body was tense with need. She ran a hand down his chest and tried to slide further, but he stopped her.

  “No, Rowena.”

  Her eyes flew to his. “But you didn’t…”

  His eyes were cloudy with passion, but he shook his head. “This was for you. When I take you, it will be in a bed where I can fuck you until you can’t walk. Now is not the right time.”

  She was surprised at his language, but it was arousing. Perhaps she was a wanton as well. She certainly enjoyed what they’d done very much.

  Talin straightened her skirts and held her. His heart pounded beneath her cheek, and his arousal stabbed into her belly. She squirmed, wishing she could feel more of him.

  His hands clamped onto her hips until she stopped. The tips of his fingers dug into the soft skin of her bottom.

  Rowena lifted her head and kissed the bottom of his chin, which was all she could reach. “Talin,” she pouted.

  He laughed and kissed her forehead. “You are insatiable, wench.”

  She pretended to be offended, but couldn’t hold the stern look for long. She erupted into giggles. Her amusement fled as he flattened his hands against her backside, bringing her into flush contact with his hard length. His hips arched upwards, an intense look of desire darkening his face.

  Even between their clothes, she could feel the entire length of him. She rolled her hips forward in experimentation, and he groaned.

  “I would give anything to be inside you right now.”

  Rowena shoved a strand of hair out of her face and sighed in
frustrated desire. “Then why don’t you?”

  He flipped so that she was on the ground and he straddled her hips. He thrust against her once, then twice. She writhed and begged him to take her.

  Talin gave her one last kiss, and then he rolled away from her. He lay there and took several deep breaths before he managed to get to his feet to reach out to help her up.

  “Soon, Rowena,” he promised.

  A jolt of desire went through her body. She couldn’t wait.

  * * * *

  “Your sister seems to be in good spirits.”

  Rowena was shaken out of her reverie by the softly spoken words. She turned her attention to the gentleman who had come upon her without her notice.

  “Hello, Collin.” She smiled brightly at Talin’s advisor, though her cheeks flamed.

  She was glad he couldn’t know what occupied her thoughts before he spoke. She had been having a pleasant daydream about Talin and what he had done to her the night after he’d rescued her from the rebels.

  Her gaze sought out her sister and d’Arcy in the garden. They spoke together, their laughter carrying to her ears.

  “Yes, she is in very good spirits. She is quite fond of your grandson.” She chuckled softly. “I’m afraid he has assumed the role of her hero.”

  Collin seemed amused as well. “It is to be expected. They are young yet.”

  “Not quite so young,” Rowena pointed out. “D’Arcy will be knighted soon.”

  Collin’s smile faded, and his forehead furrowed in concern. “The rebels are redoubling their efforts. It is my fear Hugh will reach his majority before the rebellion is curbed.”

  It was Rowena’s fear as well. She was fond of the young d’Arcy. He was kind during her time at N’ior. She could well understand the older man’s concern for his grandson.

  “Apparently, my father was not the rebel leader after all.”

  Collin’s wise gaze briefly touched her face. “Did you suspect he was?”

  She shrugged. “I suppose it doesn’t matter now. He is dead.”

  “I, for one, never believed he was part of the rebellion. Roarke was many things, but not one for politics.” Collin gave her arm a gentle pat. “I am sorry for your loss.”