by Emma Dean
Heir of Draga
The draga court series
Emma Dean
Jillian Ashe
HEIR OF DRAGA
THE DRAGA COURT SERIES
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Copyright © 2018 by Jillian Ashe as Emma Dean
ASIN: B079Z23LZ4
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, locations, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Contents
Books By Emma Dean
Dominance
Houses of Draga
The Draga Galaxy
The Khara Galaxy
The Hai Galaxy
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Do You Like To Be Teased?
Do you like Paranormal Romance?
Do you like Space Opera Adventure Romance?
About the Author
Books By Emma Dean
The Draga Court Series
Princess of Draga
Crown of Draga
Jasmine of Draga
Heir of Draga
Queen of Draga
Prequel – Royal Guard of Draga*
*Can be read as a standalone before or after Princess of Draga.
The Khara Court Series
Warrior Princess of Khara - 2019
The Hai Court Series
The Last Dragon Princess of Hai - 2018
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Dominance
Each Kalan is born with a scent marker that identifies their level of dominance. There is also a range within each level. Two people who are at the same level, such as the black rose, can have a different amount of dominance.
The genetic alterations used these scent markers to reflect ability and position in a pack or society like the Ancient wolves.
*Spicier/muskier means more dominant. Sweeter is more submissive.
From most dominant to least:
Black Rose
Winterflowers
Orange Blossom
Lilac
Jasmine
Houses of Draga
Deytis – Barony
Baron Kace and Baroness Lyria
Heir – Leo
Second-born – Lora
Draga – Royals
King Orion and Queen Adele
Heir – Raena
Second-born – Giselle
Third-born – Adelina
Fourth-born – Asher
Fifth-born – William
Sixth in line to the throne – Ian, Elara’s son
Brother to the King – Prince Solomon
His wife Princess Mara
First-born – Ajax
Second-born –Vasara
Avvis – Archduchy
Archduchess Indra and Archduke Chet
Heir – Hayden
Second-born – Masha
Indra’s Sister – Lady Tine
Her husband Lord Berter
First-born – Sonya
Second-born – Hewayn
Indra’s brother – Lord Keve
Priea – Marquis
Marquess Delia and Marquis Greyson
Heir – Veri
Second-born – Alock
Third-born – Cindra
Cousins – Adam
Alfonso
Ushanov – Duchy
Duchess Odette and Duke Mikel
Heir – Marcel
Second-born – Rashad
Third-born – Raphael
Pedranus – Count-ship
Countess Joslynn
Scyria – Count-ship
Countess Malaya
Heir – Anatoly
His wife – Elena
Second-born – Petar
Third-born – Sirus
Treon – Marquis
Marquis Peter and Marquess Wendy
Heir – Lucas
Second-born – Grady
Seprilles – Barony
Baron Jarvis and Baron Romeo and Baroness Leslie
Heir – Jayden
Second-born – Rory
The Draga Galaxy
Sun – Kala
The race of Humans living in the Draga galaxy under the Kala sun is called Kalans. Only the ruling family of each planet holds the name Draga, Avvis, etc.
Planets in the Draga solar system from first to last:
Deytis – Barony
Draga Terra – Capitol; Royal Planet
Avvis – Archduchy
Priea – Marquis
Ushanov – Duchy
Pedranus – Count-ship
Scyria – Count-ship
Treon** – Marquis
Seprilles** – Barony
**Seprilles and Treon have elliptical orbits around the sun. Half of the cycle one planet is on the border of one side of the galaxy, and the other half is on the opposite border. Twice a year they are closest to each other than any other planet.
The Khara Galaxy
Sun – Corinth
The race of Humans living in the Khara galaxy under the Corinth sun is called the Corinthians.
Planets in the Khara solar system from first to last:
Capuli – Panthera House
Prince Milagros and Princess Lilja alive
Arcadius – Neofilis House
Princess Kaita alive
Khara Prime – Capitol, where the current ruling family resides
Royals Dead
Minara – Tigris House
Prince Valdis alive
Lithios – Jaguar House
Princess Svana and Princess Tawney alive
Leva – Leo House
Royals Dead. Prince Nash’s home planet
Kepri – Serval House
Royals Dead
The Hai Galaxy
Sun – Drakesthai
The race of Humans living in the Hai galaxy under the Drakesthai sun is called the Drakesthai. This does not apply to the Humans who remain Unchanged.
Planets in the Hai solar system from first to last:
Anarr – Skye Dragons
Kuan-Yin – Ruled by the Unchanged
Imaldi – Ruled by the Unchanged
Hai Delta – Capitol; Obsidian Dragons
Tainos – Fyre Dragons
Argo – Starr Dragons
Vudu Shaa – Vega Dragons
Chapter One
Adelina
Varan’s Warehouse
Planet Draga Terra
“Lina, could you bring me that box?”
Adelina wiped the sweat from her brow and lifted the heavy cargo box. Tw
o more days and she would be heading toward the Hai Galaxy. The ships were nearly ready thanks to Roxy’s expertise. Adelina knew she never would have been able to leave on time without the brilliant engineer.
She’d have to make sure to commend the mechanic publicly whether Roxy wanted her to or not. She deserved that and so much more. Adelina was lucky Varan had officially introduced them. It never would have occurred to her to ask Varan’s adopted sister for help. The female had always been a bit prickly.
“Are there more boxes you need me to fetch?” Adelina asked Roxy.
“No, I think that’s the last of them.” The female pushed back her curly red hair and eyed the princess. “I am surprised you can do physical labor. I thought for sure you’d collapse after the first ten minutes.”
Adelina grinned and pushed her playfully. “If I didn’t know you so well I might be offended. It’s a lot of work being a royal. We have to train to protect ourselves if need be.”
The workers ran to and fro around them, desperately trying to get everything perfect by the launch date. Adelina shrugged, ignoring the cacophony of sounds and focused on the female who was quickly becoming a fast friend.
The girl hated her, or rather she hated royalty, but Adelina seemed to be growing on her.
After the king and Raena’s funeral, and then Giselle’s coronation, Adelina had needed the distraction. With one sister dead before her time and the other suddenly queen with no preparation – things had been tense at the palace. Exacerbated by Giselle’s disgust for Adelina’s true parentage.
The hard, physical work made Adelina too exhausted to think or cry. She wasn’t ready to move on from her father and Raena’s deaths, but time stood still for no one.
“Lina darling,” Varan purred, wrapping his arms around her middle. “I have to get you back to the palace soon.”
Adelina leaned back into her fiancé and closed her eyes, ignoring Roxy’s glare. “I know, but I just need a little more time.” The Prince of Thieves had always been so distractingly attractive, and soon he would be hers.
“And how goes the wedding plans?” Varan asked, spinning her around in his arms.
Adelina pressed against him, hips to hips and leaned back so she could look into his eyes. He was so tall. “It goes. I have to meet with my mothers in a bit. They’ve been working day and night to bring everything together before we leave.”
The soon to be legitimate royal prince studied her. “Are you sure you want to rush this? We have time. The wedding can wait until after the trip to the Hai Galaxy.”
Adelina shook her head. “No, I want to leave no opportunity for something to happen while I am away. If I’m married Giselle can’t sell me to another without our approval. Also, I want to marry you,” she said with a smile.
They hadn’t had the time for seduction and sex. So Adelina had asked if they could wait until their wedding night. At least then she would have time to breathe. Though the more she thought about it the more nervous she became. The anticipation was nearly unbearable. She couldn’t help wondering what sex with Varan would be like, her courtesan genes making it all the more difficult to resist him.
Especially when he stroked his hands up and down and over her hips the way he was currently doing.
“All right, Lina. I’m happy to do whatever you wish.” Varan kissed her cheek and offered her his arm. “I do have a surprise for you. Would you mind making a quick stop at my estate before we make our way back to the palace?”
“I don’t mind at all. It would be best to clean up before I head back to the palace as well.”
Varan grinned and wiped a streak of dirt from her face. “I kind of like this look on you, but the wolves at court would eat you alive.” He escorted her out of the massive warehouse that held hundreds of workers and her three starships.
Adelina glanced sideways at her fiancé and couldn’t quite believe he was about to be her husband. One more day and he would be hers forever. The goddess’s plans never ceased to surprise her when they were fully revealed.
Never in a million cycles would Adelina have thought the prince of thieves could love her. Never would she have thought an arranged marriage could be so full of love, joy, and adoration despite being surrounded by darkness, despair, and grief.
She knew he would be the reason she survived the war with her soul intact. Varan was dedicated, adoring, and strong. Everything she needed to get through what came next.
The streets were full of people. They smiled and greeted Varan with respect and love. Most of the warehouses and public docks were part of his territory. The surrounding streets, businesses, and housing were as well. The male had certainly expanded over the cycles.
His house was on a street with apartment buildings he owned, but it was clear which was his. Rogues guarded the house. They were on the roofs, in the alleys, and guarding each entry and exit. They gave him a quick salute as he passed.
Adelina had to ignore all the eyes. The engagement had been broadcast on the livestream and they’d had an interview that morning to tell the people how excited they were to be wed and how she was keeping Raena’s memory alive by marrying the male her sister had liked the best out of all Adelina’s suitors.
It had been exhausting and despite all her cycles of practice and control, she’d still gotten choked up when she’d told the journalist that she was using Raena’s wedding plans, simply moving up the date before her departure.
The discussion had been long and tiring. The new Queen Mother Adele wanted Giselle to pick Alock and marry him as Raena should have, but Giselle had put her foot down and refused. No one could make her do anything now that she was queen and held so much power.
Asher hadn’t bothered to argue the point as the most dominant of the royal children. He didn’t particularly care and no one seemed to mind that Adelina was the Heir to Draga. But there had to be a wedding to further the royal line. Pushing up Adelina’s marriage to Varan made the most sense as they had the only official engagement.
Giselle was happy to shove the responsibility onto Adelina and declared any children Adelina bore would be recognized as official heirs as well. The crown would still go to Asher if Adelina died, but if Giselle had children the crown would go to them before Adelina.
She sighed. The conversation had been difficult to say the least. Another royal death was far too real at the moment and discussing the line of succession had broken her heart. Adelina’s relationship with Giselle may be fractured and broken, but she was still her sister. It didn’t matter if they ever repaired the bond.
Blood was thick.
Still, none of them could pretend they would all survive the upcoming war. It was unlikely to say the least.
Varan led her up the cream-colored steps. The midday sun was oppressive. The heat made sweat trickle down her spine and the nearly healed mark tingled. Adelina let Varan open the door for her and chewed on her lip as she wondered how everyone would react when they saw the golden tattoos in her wedding dress.
The idea of them all seeing the Master Sealer’s forbidden work made Adelina nervous, but she was ready to complete her transformation. They all knew how fierce her wolf was and now she would remind them she wasn’t helpless at all. She was ready to take control of her future and her position.
Adelina looked up as they entered Varan’s spacious house. The skylights let in so much natural light when she’d thought it would be dark inside. The first floor was completely open, only a divider here and there. The white walls and blue painted-lattice windows calmed Adelina.
She’d never been in his personal home before even if she did know where it was. He’d invited her to parties many times, but Adelina had never been able to attend. They were legendary among the thieves and rogues.
“It’s very nice,” she murmured. “I wish I’d been able to see what a party here looked like over the cycles.”
Varan tucked her into his side and nodded at the servants they passed. “You and me both, my love.” Smoothly he slipp
ed his arm from hers and used just his hand to lead her up the sweeping staircase.
Adelina grew curious about this so-called surprise. “You really didn’t need to get me a wedding present,” she protested. “We have so much already.”
“You think I’d pass up an opportunity to add another treasure to your trove?” Varan’s eyebrow quirked up as he led her down a long hall. He placed his palm on the door at the end and it slid open without a sound.
