Princess of Draga: a space fantasy romance (Draga Court Book 1)

by Emma Dean

  She stood and he moved with her. They looked at each other, close enough she could smell his wild scent. “What other options are there?”

  “My brother on Scyria can manage the army for now. I can send out a coded cast with deployment orders. My mother still rules officially so the people will be cared for. You can send your steward new instructions until we get a better feel for the battlefield. Leaving before the ball and the coronation may seem suspicious.” The way he looked at her had her knees going weak despite the matter-of-fact words.

  Joslynn ran her gaze over his scar. She reached up and traced the jagged skin with her fingertips and Sirus jerked in surprise. “Would you do something for me?” she asked softly. He looked wary at her request, but she smiled and leaned into him slightly, enjoying the strength he possessed. “I want to thank you for everything; I want to make sure you have your best chance.” The pad of her thumb brushed under his ruined eye. “Let me contact a doctor to repair your eye, or replace it if necessary. You will need it.”

  Sirus was already shaking his head but she placed both her hands on his cheeks and simply said, “Please, I want to do this for you, not for me. I could care less about the scar, you can even ask them to leave it if you like.” She grinned at him and let her hands slide to the back of his neck where she brushed her fingers through the soft curls. “It does make you rather fearsome and roguish.”

  Before she could second-guess herself Joslynn wrapped her arms around his neck and felt the strength in his body. Sirus was the only male she had ever met that wanted nothing from her and it made her want to give him everything, including herself. Sirus hesitated for a moment when her lips touched his. Then his hands fell to her waist and held her gently. Joslynn tightened her grip as she kissed him. He was warm and strong and the time in space together had only convinced her how good a man he truly was.

  Tentatively she slipped her tongue into his mouth. He caressed hers in response and she groaned as heat poured to the tender spot between her legs. Joslynn felt something harden and grow against her. She held on to him tightly and just barely held herself back.

  “Sirus,” she whispered. She wasn’t sure what to say, what this may mean, or even if this was something he wanted. “Do you want me to stop?” she asked. Joslynn drew back slightly to look at him.

  Sirus’s good eye was half-lidded and he paused as he looked down at her.

  The silence made Joslynn uncomfortable and she disengaged her arms from him.

  “No,” he growled. Suddenly Sirus’s hands slid down and cupped her ass. He lifted her and whirled around. She gasped in surprise at the sudden movement. He placed her on the table and bent his head to take her mouth.

  He was everywhere and his scent filled her. Sirus pressed against her and she felt the hard length of him against her as his tongue plundered her mouth. She held on to him for dear life while he held her upright and close. One hand was on her ribcage and Joslynn took it, placing it directly on her breast and then squeezed.

  He growled and the fire inside her burned. The ache between her legs became unbearable. She rubbed against him and moaned when Sirus dipped his head and kissed his way down her jaw, her neck and to the plump flesh above her dress. He squeezed her breast again and licked the top of it. Joslynn reached for his pants and her fingers fumbled with the clasps. Before she could figure it out, Sirus pulled away, his chest heaving.

  He stared at her as if she were some kind of sorceress. “I don’t know if this is a good idea,” he said warily. “I’m not even positive I plan to accept your generous offer to repair my eye.” Joslynn reached up to him and he grabbed her wrists before she could touch his face. “Please Lady; I need a moment to think.”

  “What is there to think about?” she asked, feeling the sharp sting of his rejection. How could he want her one moment and then simply change his mind the next? Joslynn slid down from the table and took a step away from him to clear her head. “Did I make a mistake?”

  Sirus rubbed a hand over his face and shook his head. “No, this is simply moving very fast. I wanted to speak with you, not defile you.”

  She smiled at his choice of words, as if she were somehow the innocent and naïve one. “I believe I was the one doing the defiling.”

  He gave her an exasperated look. “Joslynn please, I don’t want to take advantage of you, or have you think I am trying to take anything from you. As you said, many try to steal the riches of your family and planet. I do not want to be one of them.”

  “Is it stealing if I offer? You need a second eye to better protect both our people.” Sirus was a difficult man to have feelings for. He was so closed off and mysterious. “My offer has nothing to do with how I feel about you personally.” She still ached even if the fire had dampened somewhat at his abrupt retreat. “The offer to repair your eye is based on a longstanding alliance and the knowledge you would do better if you could use all your senses completely.”

  Sirus growled at her in annoyance. “You are stubborn, Countess,” he said, knowing the title would irritate her. “I will consider the offer.”

  Joslynn arched a brow at him and crossed her arms over her chest.

  He threw up his hands. “Fine, I will accept.”

  She smiled. “Because of our alliance, or because you are afraid of the feelings you have for me?”

  Sirus took two long strides and grabbed her. His mouth was on hers before she could say anything else. It was rough and demanding. The need roared back to life inside her and she would have dug her nails into his back if he didn’t have her arms trapped against her chest. Sirus bit her bottom lip and drew back only far enough to look into her eyes. “I like you woman, and I’m not sure how to handle it. So be patient with me and know I care for you.” Sirus breathed hard as he spoke calmly and Joslynn respected his control more than ever.

  “I don’t want you to leave me here alone,” she said. Despite the ache, she pulled back her desires and wrapped her arms around his waist in a simple hug.

  Sirus closed his eyes and rested his cheek on the top of her head. “Then I won’t leave you, it is as easy as that.”

  Closing her eyes she prayed it would be so simple. Joslynn was not ready to give up her warrior when she was just learning how much she actually cared for him. Sirus was a passionate man behind his cold exterior and she wanted the time for him to warm up. Joslynn realized she hoped dearly he would accept her marriage offer, but she didn’t want to push it.

  If a marriage between them could be based on real love and not simply lust or political advantage she would do everything she could to allow that to occur. Joslynn took a deep breath. The desire was still there, under the surface of her skin but she bit her cheek and ignored it.

  “If we are staying for the coronation at least, then I must gather the items I came for and return to Princess Adelina.” What was it she came all this way to retrieve? “Then we have an announcement to get ready for,” Joslynn said with false cheer.

  Ah, the opals and the gold. She tossed her clothes back on the bed for the maid to put away and pressed her hand to the second trunk. The device cleared her DNA and then hissed as the seal released. “Sirus, you will be my escort for the announcement and you will dress for the event properly?”

  He grunted in annoyance. “I am no barbarian despite the rumors. My dress uniform ought to please you.” There was enough heat in Sirus’s voice to remind her of what they hadn’t finished.

  Joslynn glanced over her shoulder with a smile as she bent to retrieve the items. “I should hope so,” she replied. “But there is much about you that pleases me, so I am not worried.”

  Sirus actually blushed and Joslynn felt pleasure at being able to ruffle such a stoic male. She would enjoy her time with him, and in the interim Joslynn would make sure Colin had everything they needed to keep their people safe. Tomorrow would be a day for battle plans. Tonight was a celebration.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Nash

  Library

  Dr
aga Royal Library

  Planet Draga Terra

  She had been avoiding him. Nash couldn’t get a moment alone with Adelina since that atrocity. Alpha or one of her siblings was constantly at her side. Useless chatter was all she managed when he was around. Nash had even stalked her using his stealth tech. He had followed her to her rooms at night, praying she would sense him and they could speak. But she locked her door behind her and he didn’t dare break her trust by passing through those walls. For all he knew she was furious with him for what she had to sacrifice.

  How could her own sister demand such a thing in good conscience? Nash shook his head in disgust. Tempering his fury after that disturbing display had taken every shred of control he possessed. The way Raena had treated Adelina sent him into a blind rage he feared would cause him to rip the heir to pieces. Only William’s heavy hand and furious whispers to hold back kept him in check. William made sure to inform him it would only get worse for Adelina if he did anything and that was all that had kept Nash seated.

  The other courtiers in the halls jumped out of his way as he stalked through the palace. Adelina had gone to the library and he intended to speak with her regardless of who stood by her side. Nash had to get her to take it back, to revoke his sanctuary so she could regain her freedom. He wasn’t a fool. After everything that had transpired she could never turn to him for love, no matter how much he wished it.

  It was for the best. He had nothing to offer her except a ravaged kingdom occupied by monsters.

  The doors flew open as he pushed and Nash had to remind himself the pad worked well enough. He forgot how much stronger he was on Draga Terra than Khara Prime. The difference in gravity was minute, but it was enough to affect his strength after cycles of training.

  As the only Corinthian in the palace, his slight differences from the Kalan makeup were glaringly obvious. It wasn’t just the small difference in their suns, but the difference in their genetic makeup that was done centuries before. His ancestors had chosen a different formula based on the prides of the large cats that graced their ancestral Earth. This alteration to their genes was meant to prevent chaos and destruction in the human race after they’d destroyed their planet all those centuries ago and nearly wiped out humanity altogether. Because of this his race was taller, broader, and tended to be stronger than the people of the Draga galaxy.

  Nash wasn’t sure why the Kalans were so against violence when it was in their human nature as well as the wolves. His people had simply found a peaceful outlet for it. He had spent five cycles in the fighting arena himself and there were days he missed it.

  Then he saw her, the little female with her enticing scent and fragile form. Nash made for Adelina and was instantly intercepted by her guard.

  “I don’t believe you’re welcome,” Alpha snapped. If Nash didn’t know better he’d think the male was jealous.

  “Step aside before I have to force you,” Nash warned. No one would keep him from convincing her something had to be done. He was running out of time and it had to be done now, before the announcement.

  Alpha crossed his arms over his chest in defiance.

  With a sigh Nash stepped around him, reminding himself he had to be peaceful if he wanted to accomplish anything. “Adelina, I need to speak with you.”

  “It is Princess Adelina to you, traitor.”

  Nash whipped around so fast Alpha took a step back in surprise. Before he could blink, Nash had his fingers wrapped around the smaller male’s throat. “I understand you are fulfilling your duty, but call me a traitor again and I’ll kill you.” He understood the male’s anger, even respected it. He was the cause of her pain and he hated himself too, but he would not stand for the disrespect.

  “Nash, please.” A soft voice and an even softer hand touched him.

  At her cool touch he let out a breath and then released the guard. “I apologize,” he said, attempting to regain his control.

  Ever since Adelina gave up her freedom he had been on edge. Every instinct he had screamed for him to protect her, to do something and it had been slowly driving him mad as he was blocked at every turn. “I need to speak to you, Princess. You have to talk to your father and have him cancel the announcement. Have him retract the agreement. I can manage among the stars. Your freedom isn’t worth what you received in return.”

  He practically begged.

  Nash felt worthless. She had given up so much, sacrificed all she had for him when no one else would. He would kneel before her and swear his fealty and loyalty if he thought it would make a difference.

  When she had looked at him and smiled as she reminded him she’d kept her promise, he had felt something shatter inside. Nash had felt the pull like never before and now she wouldn’t speak to him. “I apologize for everything. Please, forgive me?” He couldn’t help himself; he took her hands in his despite the guard’s glare.

  Adelina frowned in confusion. “There is nothing to forgive, Prince Nash.”

  He didn’t understand. “Then why won’t you speak with me, why do you avoid me?”

  Nash watched as her face fell and he couldn’t help the growl that slipped out. No, it wasn’t because of him, but something else. “Tell me,” he demanded.

  The sun shone down on Adelina’s dark head through the dome of glass and she looked helplessly at Alpha. Her guard shrugged in response. This was bound to happen eventually, he seemed to say. “Raena has forbidden me to see you alone.”

  It felt as though the world stopped. The librarian returning books to shelves slowed to a standstill. Even the guard was mid-scratch as he contemplated Nash. Fury ripped through him so hard and so fast he thought he might literally explode. “Then she does not approve of me as a match?” he asked softly, gently to hide the barely restrained anger.

  Adelina’s mouth fell open in shock and she pulled her hands out of his. “I wouldn’t know as the topic has never presented itself.”

  Alpha snorted and she blushed.

  The librarian continued putting books away and once again everything moved in regular time. Nash tucked his hands into his pockets to appear less aggressive and he smiled at the tiny female who had turned his life upside down. It was utterly idiotic to mention marriage. He wanted to kick himself. There was no way he could marry Adelina. It was simply not possible when he had to leave Draga Terra the second he located enough of his armies to launch an attack. His fury made him say stupid things.

  “You need to request a retraction to my sanctuary,” Nash reiterated, changing the subject to something a little less dangerous.

  Adelina shook her head and walked towards the shelf she’d been inspecting when he arrived. “I cannot. Raena has taken her payment, and even if the sanctuary was again withheld she still holds my marriage. There is no way to get that back once it’s been given.” The princess gave him an odd look. “Don’t you see? Now she has a bargaining chip she never had before. What if she could marry me off to say, the Neprijat for the promise of peace?”

  Every part of him grew cold and Nash stilled as he considered the horror. He doubted Raena had thought of such a thing, yet this small princess had…every time he turned around he learned something new about her.

  Then fear filled him as he stared at her gorgeous purple eyes and considered what the Neprijat King would do to her. It choked him and he couldn’t look away, couldn’t even blink. His body told him to protect her, it strained against his resistance, yelling at him to fix this and figure out a way to keep her safe and alive.

  “Never,” he promised. “Never again will I lose someone I care about to that monster.” Nash gripped her arms, damn the rules. He pulled her close and kissed her hard enough to bruise. “We will find a way around this. I will kill the beast and reclaim my kingdom if that’s what I have to do to keep you safe.” Adelina looked up at him and then down as that lovely blush colored her golden cheeks. It was confounding, but everything about this princess made his tragedies fall away and he felt like himself once more. He was the dark
and she the light.

  Tears lined her eyes and Nash felt volatile; dangerous. Someone had to pay, but there was nothing he could do at the moment. It was time he started planning. With that thought he released her and smiled, transforming into nothing more than a male who considered the princess a friend. “Don’t you need to get ready for the announcement? I hear females in Draga take hours to properly dress.”

  She watched him warily, taking a book from the shelf. “I had a bit of free time and came here to see what I could find from my great-grandfather’s reign.” She tucked a blacker-than-night curl behind her ear and her fingers fluttered with nerves.

  Even now she kept her promise. Nash narrowed his eyes. Tiny details came into focus; the beaded sweat on her collarbone and the different depths of purple in her eyes. Her strange scent filled his nose and he licked his lips. The sweetness made him hungry for her, but there was an unspoken resistance. He wanted to say damn the universe and make Adelina his. Nash would rip anyone to pieces who dared claim otherwise – even the soon-to-be Queen of Draga.

  The more logical and reasonable side of him reminded Nash he had a duty to perform that could not be neglected. “You will be late,” he warned.

  Nash felt his shoulders tighten. Knowing she was forbidden didn’t keep his thoughts from wandering to places they shouldn’t. He could not try and see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled if he wanted to protect her from her own family. Nash tilted his head as he studied Adelina and realized he could use one of the thick shelves to hold her up as he pushed aside that mesmerizing silk skirt. He wondered briefly if she wore undergarments or not.

  Adelina blushed under his intense scrutiny and Nash felt his curiosity grow. Was she somehow aware of the trail his thoughts were on? “I was just about finished,” she said defensively. Her sweet scent filled the air again and he breathed it in deep.