by Emma Dean
This would be the perfect opportunity. There was no risk for her father to agree to let Prince Nash stay if the Neprijat already planned to attack. Butterflies roiled in her stomach so violently she thought she might faint.
Her hand curled into a fist as she steeled her resolve. No, she had to use what skills she possessed to make them all see reason. “What about the Corinthian Prince?” Adelina asked. Her soft voice curled around the room like smoke. It was subtle enough no one noticed she had spoken until her scent reached their nose.
As one her family turned to her in disbelief. “What did you say?” William asked, as gentle and sweet as ever.
The look on Raena’s face was ugly. Oh, her sister had heard her but she would say the words again. “What about the Corinthian prince? The Neprijat plan to attack and have already secured allies within our borders. What is the risk to granting him sanctuary now? It looks cowardly only to offer it after we have been threatened, but it is better than forsaking our honor completely.” This request required Adelina to tap into her hidden strength, and the crack in her mask stunned them all.
Not even Asher dared breathe a word.
Giselle gave her an apologetic look. Finally, Giselle had what she wanted and she would not risk it for a male, maybe not even if Adelina begged her. Raena’s face grew red as she snapped a glance at the king. Their father looked thoughtful which only infuriated Raena more.
Adelina refrained from tapping her nail. She wondered why daring to make the request made her eldest sister so mad. Perhaps Raena had denied sanctuary because she had been afraid. Adelina was through being a pushover. She was about to be of age and it was time she made the transition. The Crown had no use for a princess who could not stand her ground when needed to properly serve. Pushing against Raena now could save their alliance with the true heir of the Khara galaxy.
She had continued her studies far past what was required to serve the Crown. To be an ambassador had been Adelina’s only dream and the hours spent learning, the secret time spent spying, and the nights spent among their people hidden and cloaked were all for the Crown. She had a wealth of information no one even knew she possessed. It was time to put it to use and stop hiding behind her submissive nature.
She could still serve and submit without letting it ruin her integrity. Adelina served the Crown and Draga, not Raena or her father alone and she would make them see reason.
“Adelina, do you accuse me of cowardice?” Raena’s voice held the promise of pain.
The direct question was difficult to avoid and her sister knew it. “I am only saying denying our ally what we owed him was an act of cowardice. As that decision was made by the entire family I am calling us all cowards.” It wasn’t much better as anyone in that room could call for punishment now, but Adelina had to trust her instincts and pray to Mala that her other siblings would keep quiet.
“You are right, Adelina,” her father said, silencing whatever Raena may have said.
There was a glimmer in his eye and she knew her father had always seen through her mask of sweet subservience. Father had known who she was all along and had waited cycles for her to finally come to terms with it.
“Your harsh words are nothing but the truth,” King Orion said. “Perhaps we made a mistake in refusing the prince.”
No one dared breathe as Raena paled. The king had taken sides.
“We will grant the prince sanctuary and make a public announcement tomorrow. After which we will inform our people of the shield and the new travel laws that will be sent out to everyone on their simulcast.” Suddenly Father’s eyes hardened and Adelina knew she was in trouble. He had to support his heir. “Raena, as you believe there has been an offense you may request payment for this acquiescence.”
Adelina felt like she would vomit then and there. Only once had she ever been punished. Her knees hit the floor hard as she slid from her seat. With eyes downcast she kept her face blank and placed her hands on the tops of her thighs. She would take whatever punishment was deemed fit. After all, she had gotten what she wanted.
Somehow, she had succeeded if only because her father felt gracious.
“Someone fetch Prince Nash.” Raena’s voice cracked like a whip and William scurried out to do as she bid.
Shame heated Adelina’s cheeks. She had been close with Raena once and her sister knew her too well. She knew how much Adelina would hate to have Nash witness her punishment.
“I want you to stay away from him, Adelina. After tonight you will never see him alone again. Do you understand me?” Raena paced in front of her and clenched her hands into fists. Somehow without ever telling Raena, she knew Adelina was attracted to the foreign prince.
Adelina cursed ever confiding in her sister. This was not the queen she thought her sister would be. Her eyes stayed glued to the floor. Adelina didn’t nod, didn’t say a word as she waited to hear what her punishment would be. Ten lashes? Would she have to bleed for the gods in the temple from midnight until dawn? Strikes on the palms with a wooden rod or something else entirely?
This was not normal. She hadn’t outright broken protocol. It was nothing but a slight; though for whatever reason her sister had taken serious offense.
The doors opened and two sets of feet walked in. Adelina couldn’t help her flinch, but otherwise held her position. Nash froze as he took in the scene.
“Sit and witness Prince Nash,” Raena demanded.
It was almost too much. Adelina could feel tears building but she blinked them back. It had been the right thing. That knowledge was all that consoled her, for what was about to come would not be pleasant.
Nash sat with William at his side, holding Nash down with barely more than a hand on his shoulder as a reminder it would only be worse if he moved to interfere.
“What would you give up, little sister?” Raena asked, prowling in front of her. “What would you sacrifice for your request?”
Not pain then, humiliation.
“Anything,” she whispered. What could Raena ask of her that she would not be willing to give? Adelina did not possess anything of true value except her mind.
“Anything?” Raena confirmed.
She could almost feel the cruel smile, like a knife pressed to her flesh.
“Whatever you ask of me, sister.” Adelina dared look up, dared stare into her sister’s eyes so she could drive her point home. She was not afraid of Raena; not afraid of the consequences.
“In exchange for granting your request I demand your agreement to any marriage I see fit.”
There was a sharp inhale of breath and Adelina knew she had been wrong to forget how cunning her sister was. Not even the king could deny this as he’d given her leave to demand payment.
“No!” Nash sounded outraged but she didn’t dare look. Adelina prayed William could keep him under control.
“Rae, this is madness!” Giselle yelled, trying to get their sister to see reason. “Why would you take the one thing father gifted us?”
Raena knelt in front of Adelina and grabbed her chin. No, this was no longer the sister she knew and loved. That sweet Raena was gone. Adelina only hoped she would rule with grace when it came to their people if she couldn’t with her family.
“Because Giselle, it is the one thing Adelina wants more than anything. Our little sister has always dreamed of finding love, ever the romantic.”
Adelina finally looked at Nash. His face was full of horror and despair. She knew he was conflicted. Only William’s hand kept the prince in his place. Adelina smiled at him, those gorgeous eyes of his entrancing as always. “I keep my promises,” she said with conviction.
There was nothing for him to feel guilty about, nothing he should risk his entire kingdom for as this had been the plan all along, if not necessarily the way she’d imagined. Adelina had promised to help and now she finally could.
“In payment, I take Adelina’s right to wed. Who she marries and when will be at my discretion and for the good of the kingdom.” Raena held
out her hand to help Adelina rise. “You also promised to support me sister. Remember that next time you think you know better.”
Six months ago, she had made that promise, but she hadn’t realized what kind of person Raena would turn into. Adelina nodded in understanding. She would not soon forget.
“Justice has been served,” Raena stated with a flick of her wrist. “Everyone is dismissed.”
No one moved. Adelina took the first step, then a second. She kissed her father’s cheek and wiped away his tear. “Thank you for upholding our honor,” she whispered.
Then Adelina left. The moment she was alone she ran.
Chapter Fifteen
Veri
Great Hall
Draga Royal Palace
Planet Draga Terra
Veri had heard of Lord Lucas’s arrival, but he wasn’t seated at one of the large tables in the Great Hall. She found that odd but said nothing. Irritated, she sipped at the exquisite wine as they waited for the servants to bring out their next course. It didn’t look like she would have the opportunity to talk to Lucas about the reason for his abrupt arrival.
The talk in the Great Hall consisted of only two matters: the deposed prince of Khara Prime and the news Lord Lucas had brought with him from Treon.
Her father, Lord Greyson, sat by her side and her brother, Alock, was on the other. It had been cycles since she had last seen her father in person and now they had nothing to speak about. She had already relayed what she had learned during her stay on Avvis. They did not have much in common. Lord Greyson had too many responsibilities at court and had barely lived on Priea with his family since Alock’s birth.
Veri scanned the Great Hall and her eyes landed on the glorious male, Prince Nash. She was surprised the lost prince was even alive. It seemed too much of a coincidence to her. If he wanted a shot at the throne, playing the victim as some enemy slaughters your family was the way to do it. When he came in to the Khara galaxy with his armies and freed his people he would be the hero and not an evil mastermind addicted to power. Veri didn’t think Nash was the type despite the odd timing.
No, she had seen the glimmer, that desire for power in someone else though. She looked across the Great Hall to the royal family’s long table and caught Prince Asher staring at her again. She smiled at him before feigning distraction as food was placed before her.
She noted one of the princesses was missing, the youngest and quietest. Perhaps such a gathering after the news from Treon was too much for such a delicate lady. Understandably the royal family seemed tense, eyes tight as they tried to enjoy the midnight meal, the sacred hour of the three-faced goddess.
Delicately she ate small bites. Veri was not partial to fish or meat of any kind really. She missed the fruits and vegetables of her own planet. Priea had plants that would satisfy the craving for protein. They didn’t grow or thrive anywhere else and were difficult to import with their fragility.
Veri set down her fork and considered her options. Before she had left Avvis she managed to find proof of Indra’s plans. The archduchess was not as careful with her simulcast as she should be. All it took was a little bump and Veri’s hand had slipped into the pocket of Indra’s dress and she had the simulcast.
Asher’s dark purple eyes found hers. Veri couldn’t help her smile. The dark prince and the games he presented was a nice distraction from the information she’d been sitting on. She had confirmation Indra had actually spoken with the false king of Khara Prime for a marriage proposal…The archduchess had somehow managed to contact the Neprijat and get away with it. Could this somehow help Veri’s plans to wed Hayden?
She had kept that small bit of information from her father. Lord Greyson was deeply loyal to the Dragas and Veri wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with the information yet. It would be a fantastic bargaining tool to force Indra’s hand, but now they were all on Draga Terra. Veri would have to wait and see what happened with the Choosing Ball.
The royal’s obvious favoritism for Avvis aggravated her. Hayden and Masha had been seated as close to the royal table as possible without actually sitting at it. The way the queen looked at Hayden made Veri’s blood boil. No doubt she was sizing him up as a possible king consort for her daughter.
If Hayden were to marry Raena…the crown princess would need to be removed from the picture for Veri to marry him. If Hayden married Raena and then was crowned King Consort he would have sway with the people. Veri wanted Hayden. She simply hadn’t figured out how to make a match between them work yet.
Perhaps Asher could help her…She glanced up at the royal family again and saw him glaring at everyone in the room in the room. Veri left the fish untouched for the servants to remove. Her wine was far more satisfying.
Veri studied the people in the Great Hall to try and see what Asher did. Courtiers who lived at court were mixed among the others who were there only for the weeks of festivities including the Choosing Ball. Lord Sirus sat next to his brother with Lady Joslynn. Marcel Ushanov was at a different table, the farthest away from the Countess Joslynn and he seemed rather put out about it. Everyone knew about the Ushanov’s desire to possess the riches of Pedranus to add to their own massive wealth. Some empathetic soul made sure to separate them in the seating chart.
Veri took a long, luxurious look at Prince Asher. He was a bit younger than her, but he was still extremely handsome with the same golden skin all the royal Dragas possessed and the genetic amethyst eyes that seemed to come in as many different shades of purple as the stone itself. He was strong and muscular. Her expert eye knew where to look and he dressed well to accentuate his assets. The clothes were tailored perfectly and displayed his arms and tapered waist.
If she married Prince Asher she would be a princess in her own right. From there…she would have to make her and Hayden’s new status as prince work to their advantage.
If the Neprijat King were to conquer the Draga galaxy then perhaps – no she couldn’t even think it in the safety of her own mind. The traitorous thoughts set her heart pounding and she took a long drink of her wine until the glass was empty. As soon as she set it on the table a servant whisked by and refilled it.
Veri took another long sip and then glanced up to see Prince Asher stand and excuse himself from the dinner table. She finished the second glass of wine and stood from her seat as well, making an excuse with soft, apologetic words. Veri didn’t know what she would do exactly, but Prince Asher was in a position of power and he could help her whether she married him or not. She didn’t rush out of the Great Hall, but she didn’t exactly dawdle either.
His back disappeared around a corner as she exited the Great Hall and found herself in one of the large hallways. Veri followed him, ignoring the looks of the guards as she passed. Prince Asher had seemed upset and Veri was curious what had transpired, although she couldn’t remember a moment where he looked happy at any given time.
She turned the corner and searched the corridor. It was empty and the low lights showed only a hall full of closed doors. She had no idea where the prince had gone. Slowly she continued forward, listening closely over the din from the Great Hall. She checked each doorway before she passed yet they were empty. Where could he have possibly gone?
“Looking for me, Lady?” a deep voice asked from behind her.
Veri jumped and whirled around to find Prince Asher barely a step away. If she leaned forward ever so slightly she could press herself against his chest. She nearly did as she saw exactly how toned and beautiful he was up close. Prince Asher wasn’t as big as some of the men she knew, and definitely not as broad chested or tall as Hayden, but he was gorgeous in his own right.
“Um, yes I was, actually.” Veri held her ground and his gaze. It was no easy task. The weight of his dominance and rank was heavy. The prince didn’t smile as he studied her and said nothing at her admission. Rather he seemed to be waiting for her to explain herself. Finally, the intensity was too much and Veri dropped her eyes. She’d never had a male look at
her with the entirety of his attention. She was all Asher was interested in at the moment.
Veri took a small breath and gave him a shy smile. “I wanted to ask if you were all right,” she admitted. She wasn’t sure what else to say, but the truth felt prudent. Asher would know if she lied. His deep purple eyes missed nothing.
The Prince closed the distance between them and Veri gasped in surprise when his warm hands brushed her waist. “I do not like to watch people fall all over themselves and look like fools for a chance at power.” His hands trailed up her ribcage.
She wasn’t sure what to do with herself. He was forward, demanding, and possessive. Veri liked it when a man was decisive. It was as though Prince Asher knew exactly how to please her without even trying. His thumbs brushed the undersides of her breasts and then touched her neck so softly he was a phantom. They stopped at her face where he held her, brushing across her cheek.
“Are you one of those fools?” he asked, voice low as he bent forward to softly kiss one cheek and then the other. His sweetness warned against something far more dangerous hidden under the surface.
The spike of electricity hit her hard. Veri felt it in her belly and between her legs. Asher pushed all rational thought out of her head and filled her with wanting. She wanted him to kiss her and she wanted him to touch her wherever he desired, Hayden had all but disappeared from her mind.
“I am not a fool,” she whispered. “I know where I belong.”
Her heart tried to remind her she belonged at Hayden’s side, but her body told her she was Asher’s. It was difficult to deny a prince, especially one so dominant and captivating. Veri ran her fingers through his midnight hair. It was as silky and soft as she thought it would be.
Prince Asher dipped down and pressed his lips over hers gently and then he was gone. Veri blinked long and slow. What had just happened? She looked up to find him a step away; the proper distance between strangers.
