by Emma Dean
“You’re mine now. For the rest of my life I’ll strive to be more than just good to you.”
Adelina nodded and took a step back, ignoring the slight heat on her cheeks. Varan was hers, and would be officially for the entire galaxy to witness in less than twenty-four hours. “Are you ready for our first war council meeting?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Varan offered her his arm and Adelina took a deep breath before taking it.
Giselle was not Raena. To her knowledge there was no one who needed a beheading. There wasn’t some drama to reenact, and the current concern was getting the two inner shields erected and all of their people out of the Outer Rim. Soldiers would be deploying the same day Adelina and her warriors left. It would be a sendoff to remember.
The two of them were quiet as they made their way through the palace. Signs of the upcoming wedding were everywhere. Servants rushed to and fro with flowers and chairs and what have you. It reminded Adelina of her coming-of-age party, when her father and Raena had still been alive…
So much could change so quickly and if Raena’s death hadn’t been a suicide, then none of them were safe.
“Princess!”
Adelina paused and waited for Alpha to catch up. She smiled at him and wished she could give him a hug, but there were too many eyes and everyone knew of their past relationship. “Alpha, I’m glad to see you. Things have been a bit of a mess lately, haven’t they?”
His expression was serious, eyes unblinking, but he nodded. “I wish I could still guard you.” Alpha glanced at Varan then. “I know you have plenty of protection with your fiancé, and you are quite capable yourself after everything I’ve taught you…but after what happened with Raena I worry.”
Adelina’s smile faltered and she tried not to think about how he’d lied to her that day before he’d beheaded a traitor, spraying her with blood before the entire council.
“Yes, well lucky for me I am able to hold my own, though I’m never quite alone. Varan and Nadyah are always nearby.”
Alpha nodded and followed after her when she headed to the lift. The three of them entered when a footman opened the doors. They rode up to the twelfth floor in silence. Adelina had nothing more to say to Alpha. Their paths had diverged so dramatically since her coming-of-age party.
The doors slid open and voices made their way down the hall. Adelina stepped out first, practically pulling Varan along despite him being the one escorting her. She wanted to know what Giselle had planned for their people, what would happen while she was away, and what she could do to assist when she returned.
Because Adelina had no intention of going back to the safe confines of the palace before the war was over. Not until she knew her people were safe from the Neprijat. She would lead what forces she could whether the Hai Galaxy gave them aid or not.
“Princess Adelina, I’m so glad you could join us,” Giselle said. There was that sharp tone to her voice that Adelina had never heard directed at her until her sister had returned from the border.
A few nobles winced at that tone – different yet similar to Raena’s.
Asher and William looked surprised to see Adelina at all, but Asher hid it better than her sweet, barely eighteen cycles old brother could. William may be a soldier, but he had never been able to dissemble well.
The war council was in the same room as every other council meeting but Adelina had never seen it set up in such a way with an actual table and chairs – holograms displayed for everyone to study.
“Sister, there is a place for you here,” Asher said, noting the indecision in her eyes as Adelina studied the table. It seemed only the nobles were allowed chairs.
Those nobles eyed her but they moved to make room for her and Varan. Adelina sat next to her brother and made a mental note to thank Asher later. Then Veri grinned at her and Adelina admired the sharp, predatory gleam the female always seemed to possess. No one would think twice to question such a lady.
Adelina smiled back and tried to emulate the way Veri showed her canines, letting her own lengthen. When Veri’s grin widened she knew she’d accomplished the task. Adelina set her hands wide on the table. “I hope I didn’t miss anything vital, my queen.”
Giselle’s eyes narrowed at the title they both knew Adelina only used out of formality. As the heir protocol didn’t demand such strictness from her, but protocol could also be a weapon. The nobles and courtiers glanced at each other, unsure of the new dynamic between them.
No one understood what had happened during those witching hours the night their father finally slipped from this world. No one but Joslynn knew, her face grim as she put two and two together.
“We were discussing the evacuation orders,” Asher explained. He tapped the large, circular table and more holograms popped up. The entire system was displayed with various colors showing which route each planet in the outer rim should take.
Adelina took a moment to study the holos as Varan leaned in closer too, subtly staking his claim while getting a better look at the set up. It looked like the people of Seprilles and Treon would both be sheltered on Ushanov as the populations were much smaller. Scyria would go to Priea as most of them were warriors and could survive the harsh conditions. Then Pedranus would be hosted by Avvis. It was a solid plan.
“And the new shields?” Adelina asked.
“The shield around the core will be completed in five solar days,” Asher replied. He pulled at the holo and it grew so she could see where each of the host outposts were. “The shield around Draga Terra will be up four solar days after that. Any refugees from Khara or Hai will be hosted on Draga Terra and Deytis.”
Adelina nodded. “May I have a copy of this sent to my shreve? I will also need updates while I’m away.”
“Of course,” Asher said. He tapped his shreve and the answering ping on her own settled some nerves.
Everyone else was quiet, but Adelina knew better. They wanted to know why she was there, what she planned to do after they’d all seen the vid, and then they were no doubt curious how Giselle would take everything.
The nobles who lived at court were the most keen to see the obvious dissonance between her and Giselle. Adelina took too much power during a council meeting she’d never been able to attend previously, and yet neither Giselle nor Asher challenged her. But it was clear from the look of annoyance on Giselle’s face and the constant irritation in her voice that she wasn’t pleased with her last remaining sister.
So many clearly wanted to know the secret drama. Adelina caught their stares and returned them until she won the small dominance contest when they looked away. More than a few looked surprised, but their looks also turned into something close to respect.
The only one who didn’t challenge her was Joslynn. She slid her eyes to the floor with an encouraging smile the second Adelina looked at her.
“My queen, when will the orders be sent out?” Lord Lucas asked, glancing at Adelina and Asher before focusing on Giselle.
“As soon as this meeting has concluded,” Giselle replied. “As for the pirates turned privateers we will leave them be if they fly a royal flag. The evacuation should go off without a hitch and the shield will be up in time to protect everyone from the Neprijat.”
Adelina wasn’t sure about that as the monsters had tech they couldn’t possibly understand. But she left it alone. Pushing Giselle so early in her reign and publicly would not be an intelligent move. At least she’d conceded to the plan Varan had concocted and Adelina had agreed to.
“Thanks to everyone at this table we have accurate numbers for each army.” Giselle pulled up the display that showed names, noble houses, numbers, each squad’s specialty, the weapons, and the ships available.
Without asking, her shreve pinged again with the intel and Adelina squeezed Asher’s hand in silent thanks.
General Tamika took over and described where each army was to be deployed, who would be paired with who, and the strategy to search and destroy any Neprijat within the firs
t shield. Adelina wasn’t as knowledgeable about war strategy and tactics, but she could see the patterns and intentions as the pieces on the holos were moved around.
Varan studied the map with intensity and Adelina knew he saw more than she did. There was something she wasn’t seeing, but the strategy seemed sound. The warriors from Priea would be led by Asher, and William would help lead the Avvis Army since Masha had no previous experience. Lucas would stay by William’s side as a mentor with what little of his loyal forces remained.
As they were the largest forces they would go to the border and search in intersecting patterns while the rest of the noble armies protected the shield that separated the core from the outer rim. Three quarters of the forces would stay outside that shield and the rest in. The Draga Royal Army would stay in the core as well; ready to defend if another evacuation was required.
It would be relatively easy to push forward or retreat depending on what was needed. There would always be a layer of protection in the Draga Galaxy and if Adelina could bring another billion fighters to the front lines, skipping from Hai into Khara; it would ease the strain on her brothers and Veri.
Because the female warrior wouldn’t let Asher go alone. Adelina saw it in the way Veri watched the dark prince, hanging on his every word as he spoke and directed with Tamika.
Adelina memorized the map and the small bit of intel they had on Neprijat forces in Khara, though they were woefully behind. There was almost no intel on the enemy and that alone could ruin them all. It didn’t matter how well they planned and strategized. If the Neprijat had double the Draga forces, with tech they couldn’t match – it would be a slaughter.
The cloaking tech alone meant there could be entire legions hiding in Draga space and no one would know.
“Have the scientists been able to use the tech Prince Nash gave us to detect the Neprijat?” Adelina asked.
From the sudden silence and the looks on everyone’s face it seemed no one had thought to check up on that. Even Asher frowned. Adelina didn’t blame anyone. After Raena’s last council meeting and the unexpected deaths, a lot had fallen to the wayside.
“Caspian?” Giselle demanded. He was the head advisor after all. He should have updated her when the power had transferred.
Even the royal guard surrounding them shifted uncomfortably at the tone in her voice.
“My—my queen,” he stuttered, stepping forward.
Adelina noted her cousins Ajax and Vasara among the war council and then noted Ajax’s name with her brothers in the deployment orders. Vasara would be stationed with the forces on the outside of the outer rim shield to assist with the evacuation. Adelina didn’t think it was smart to have so many royals on the front lines, but her uncle’s name was on the list of soldiers already at the border. Solomon may be a drunk, but he was a warrior through and through. He would help protect her family.
And it would show the galaxy the Draga’s weren’t some stuffy, spoiled little brats. They would fight and bleed and perhaps even die for their people. Adelina knew in her heart Raena had already bled and died for them. Her sister was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a coward.
Even Giselle’s name was up there but she was staying at the outside of the core’s shield. Fear stabbed Adelina’s heart. It didn’t matter her sister thought she was a genetic monster. After so many cycles of love and friendship – Adelina wanted her to come home safe.
It was clear the Neprijat wanted a way into their royal family, and Giselle wouldn’t be as protected at the core’s border as she would be on Draga Terra. But her sister had never cared about her safety, about being royalty. Being queen now only made it so she could do whatever she wished. There was no one to tell her no any longer, not when she was the one who made the final decisions.
Varan squeezed her hand and Adelina gave him a weak smile. He must have seen what she’d been staring at.
“Scientists have been working on it, but there doesn’t appear to be a solution. The tech is too different.”
Adelina gave Varan a look. The subject had given her an idea. Discreetly she took out her simulcast and sent a silent, private message to her fiancé. ‘Can you get your hands on the Neprijat cloaking tech?’
‘Don’t insult me, love.’
It was difficult not to grin when Adelina could hear the cocky words even through the typed cast.
‘Send it to my main ship and label it something no one would think twice to inspect. Tell no one but Roxy and Nadyah. There is someone who I think might be able to help us.’
‘Your mind is so cunning. It makes you incredibly irresistible. One more night before I can show you what it does to me.’
Adelina blushed and selected P’draic’s name and tapped out a quick message. After the news of his split with Ian she hoped he would take her up on her offer. It would be the trip of a lifetime after all. And if they weren’t very, very careful it would be the last.
Chapter Four
Roxy
Varan’s Estate
Stella di Draga
Planet Draga Terra
Roxy blew the metal dust from the third and final engine piece. The coolant system was finalized and the power would need to be tested once she got it installed, but otherwise she’d done it. Roxy had finished before her insane deadline and the remaining workers were just about done with the flagship for the princess.
It was still strange to think of Lina as the Princess Adelina. Roxy had known her for cycles and now her best friend was about to marry the royal who was not a royal. Adelina was born a princess, but she had the sense to act like the rest of humanity. At least when the recorders weren’t on her.
Roxy still didn’t like being roped into this project, but even she could see it was necessary. The death of Raena had shocked them all. Actual war had already happened. Now they all had to do something about it. There were sign-up kiosks everywhere. Two-thirds of her neighborhood had already joined up with one army or another.
No one got to choose. The legions were all Royal and fell under the Draga Army but not all would stay within the core’s border.
She shook her head and heaved the engine up and into her arms. It was heavier than it looked and the muscles in her arms strained. One smooth turn and she placed it in the small hov-cart.
“Do you need any help?” Felix asked. He was so quiet for such a large male.
“If you want to take this into engineering I’ll install it after Varan’s stupid party I’m being forced to attend.”
The prince of thieves’ Second smiled shyly and took the hov-cart off her hands. “I’d be glad to. We’ll all miss you while you’re away.”
Roxy watched him go with a sad smile. He was handsome and sweet and doting, but she’d never felt for him what he felt for her. After Varan had asked her to be his heir for all intents and purposes she’d considered replacing Felix as her Second to avoid his attentions, but the male was experienced and insanely competent.
None of the rogues or thieves or assassins dared cross him. After he’d smashed a traitor’s head between his bare hands there had been very few issues within the thieves’ court.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand and sighed. Roxy still wasn’t sure about taking Varan’s place. It was the last thing in the universe she’d ever thought she would do, but someone had to take over. Someone who could keep the underbelly of Draga in line without causing a civil war.
The law-abiding citizens had no idea how lucky they were to have Varan. Without him the streets wouldn’t be safe. There would be death, rape, and theft around every corner just as there had been before Varan’s rule.
Roxy knew she would have to work to keep them all in line and it wasn’t going to be easy. Yes, Varan had trained her within an inch of her life despite her protestations. He didn’t care she was more into starships and engineering. After what had happened to his blood sister he’d refused to let Roxy out of the house until she agreed.
The small room off the main
warehouse held everything she needed for the past week. There’d been no time thanks to Adelina to go back and forth between the estate and the warehouse. So Roxy had packed up and slept a few hours a night since she’d begun this ridiculous project.
But now that she was done, Roxy was proud as all hells of what she’d accomplished. The only Draga citizen to have access to Corinthian tech and then to have improved upon it? Yeah, she was pretty damn pleased with herself.
It took a few seconds to run a nila over herself to clean off all the dirt and grease. It fixed the frizz in her red curls and made them look presentable enough to wear down for the stupid party. As if she didn’t have a million other things she could be doing. No, Varan wanted to announce his princess and heir to the world like the possessive prick he was.
His reasoning made sense and Roxy appreciated the official recommendation, but she would still have to fight for her position as queen. She would not be a princess. The word had too many negative connotations and Roxy was as far from a damsel in distress as she could possibly be.
Another minute later and her makeup was in place. Black kohl and gold shadow to offset her brown skin and freckles. The choker at her neck stayed as did her row of small gold hoop earrings and the multiple thin gold rings on her fingers. Varan had politely suggested she wear something nice. Roxy glared at nothing in particular.
She would never wear a cula’ting dress. Even as ruler of the thieves’ court. They all needed to see her as she was – the future of the rogues whether she wore a skirt or not.
Then she noticed a box on her bed. It was elegant and spotless. Had to be from Varan, the cocky prick. With clean hands she lifted the lid of the box with one finger, wary of the contents. If he’d gotten her a bloody dress…
But no, it was leather. Leather upon leather and so luscious she dove in with both hands, bringing it to her face to breathe it in deeply. Roxy slipped on the pants and had to wiggle to get them all the way up. They were so tight they were nearly painted on.
