by Emma Dean
“I’d like to offer you a seat of honor with me and my family tonight during the dinner.” Then she dropped her gaze, stroking the beast between the eyes. Adelina swore she could hear a pleased rumble deep in the galina’s chest.
Stefano turned his mount and snatched her hand, pressing another kiss to Adelina’s knuckles. “You honor me, Princess.” With a shout he spurred the galina on towards the hostlers across the field.
Adelina watched him go. She allowed the recorders to see the small smile on her face before she turned back to the raised platform. The fear she used to have around the beasts was no longer there. It had been almost too easy to shift her dominance up the spectrum until she could bend the galina’s will to her own. Once she knew she could do it, the tangy fear misted, blown away by the summer breeze.
“You are torturing the boy,” her father said with a small smile. “No one should have to be subjected to our way of life, and here you are trying to make a prince out of him.”
Nadyah nodded in approval and then handed her a glass of iced water. Even Joslynn smirked into her iced tea. “He is very beautiful,” Joslynn said.
Adelina sipped as she watched the festivities, the drums beating a wild rhythm in celebration of the Games and the winners. “Anything I can give him to better his life, I will,” she murmured.
They all knew war was on the horizon and the male could easily be drafted to fight and die for them, but it wasn’t just the war. Adelina had spent many hours on the streets of Stella di Draga, among her people – the commoners. Making a living could be difficult, if not impossible. If her favor helped him gain new contracts and jobs when Stefano returned to Priea, then she would gladly give it. It was one of the few things she could do from her position.
The people led a different way of life that Adelina didn’t think any of her family truly understood except perhaps Asher.
Her eyes found Raena with Hayden and Alock, both males readying for the next Game. The Game of Swords should really be one William played, but Asher was just as good. The drums beat louder as Raena flirted with both lords, for all the world looking like a tease as she tried to decide who to give her token of favor to.
Raena tied that glittering gold scarf around Alock’s bicep. Her sister hoped the Priean lord would win, the same male she’d unofficially declared as her fiancé.
A split second of fury passed over Hayden’s face and Adelina could have sworn she saw a smirk from Veri before she turned to tie her own turquoise scarf around Asher’s arm.
The Game of Swords was vicious, brutal, and extremely dangerous. Not many females participated as the skill required going up against males like Asher, Hayden, Alock, Jayden, and Alpha – males who had spent most of their lives training with the plasma blades that could cut through flesh and bone as if they were made of butter – was significant.
Not many females were allowed that training. Some societal norms were difficult to break despite the century and a half of equality. Though as she watched Veri, Adelina supposed the female could make all the males run for the protection of their mothers’ skirts. She tilted her head and watched the way Veri submitted to her brother, held back even – for his sake.
If the female had plans to join the royal family, Adelina would have to make a point to reach out to her. Asher had an undeniable skill at sniffing out liars and the power-hungry nobles, but he was not as good a judge of character as Adelina was. A lifetime of observing had taught her more than any of her dominant siblings.
Veri was dangerous, but Adelina wasn’t sure how yet. Was she dangerous to the royal family, or was she simply another predator among many? Because Adelina had no doubt if one crossed her, Veri would become their worst nightmare – royal or no.
“What do you know about the Daughter of Priea?” Adelina asked, leaning closer to Joslynn so she didn’t have to raise her voice.
She’d done her own research over the cycles, but Veri’s people loved her and they were intensely loyal. Priea was rather secretive with their ways. There was only so much on her shreve about Veri.
Joslynn leaned in and glanced at the lady watching Asher as the fighters were paired off. A few began and the clash of the blades as they collided was loud as lightning crashing to the earth. “She is a huntress,” Joslynn explained. “Since birth she’s been trained to hunt and kill those deadly creatures on Priea. For the longest time she was with Hayden, but the archduchess shut down any possibility of a marriage.”
Adelina nodded, she’d heard as much from her own sources and Varan’s court.
Spectators cheered and screamed when Alock just barely dodged a blade. Adelina’s heart leapt into her throat while in the second ring Asher jumped back, his shirt sliced in two, baring his chest and the gold tattoo on his back of the Draga seal, declaring his rank to the entire galaxy.
“Colin told me Lord Greyson abandoned his family after Alock was born, too afraid to face the monsters as he was born on Deytis. It was put to Veri to raise Alock since their mother had to rule Priea. It’s made her rather…protective of him.” Joslynn adjusted her skirts and leaned back, watching the fights and flinching every time someone was injured.
The third ring of fighters had Hayden against Jayden. It was only a matter of minutes before he’d struck the younger lord three times. The burns from the plasma blades branded on the skin of the Seprilles male. Referee’s declared Hayden the winner and a physician ran over to the heir of Seprilles with a tin of their best healing salve. The rueful smile on the Lord Jayden’s face won over the crowd.
Stefano then lost to Alock and it wasn’t long before the victors were paired with the remaining fighters.
Adelina looked back at Elara and Nadyah. Her courtesan had a grim look on her face, perhaps she hadn’t known about the true reason Lord Greyson stayed on Draga Terra for so many cycles.
“Is Veri…loyal?” Adelina carefully asked Joslynn. The only time the royal family went to Priea was on the tour during the winter when the creatures hibernated. All nobles were on their best behavior during the tour. So it could be difficult to really see behind their good manners and protocol.
Joslynn looked uncomfortable. “The Marquess is loyal. Veri is the heir and she is…not disloyal. But I’ve heard she has no qualms about doing what she must for her people and her family – whatever it takes.”
“I appreciate your honesty,” she murmured, studying the way Veri watched Alock, wincing when he was burned.
The crowd screamed for Hayden as he fought with admirable skill. Watching him, Adelina could see why her family had avoided conflict with his for so many centuries. They’d kept the alliance strong. Because Adelina knew if all in the Avvis army fought like Hayden, the Draga Army might actually lose.
Dragans were normally peaceful. Her family would rather settle conflict without physical confrontation. The power of their genes and dominance kept the peace among their own people for centuries, but they’d married into the Avvis family more than a few times over the centuries. It wouldn’t surprise Adelina if one of the Avvis Sons or Daughters were born with enough of the Draga genes to challenge a royal for dominance.
If that day ever occurred, Adelina hoped they were ready for it.
The plasma blades were incredibly deadly, almost too deadly for the Games in Adelina’s opinion. All it took was one wrong move, one slight or accident and one of the fighters could end up very, very dead.
There was a glint in Hayden’s eyes Adelina didn’t like. A hard gleam the moment he was paired with Alock. As soon as the horns sounded to begin he’d attacked with a brutality that made her flinch. Nadyah gasped when the blades crackled against each other. Hayden used his significant strength to bear down on Alock, pushing the blades towards his face.
The Priea lord had to allow a strike or lose his eyes.
Adelina’s hand went to her throat and she watched in fear for Alock’s life. Veri screamed for her brother as the smell of burning hair permeated the field. She yelled at him to do something. Adel
ina watched Veri pace along the edge of the ring, snarling and looking ready to rip Hayden to shreds.
Finally, Alock released and tried to twist away from the blue light, but a massive slice went down his back and he stumbled. There was a moment when everyone held their breath, a moment when Adelina felt bile rise. Then Alock collapsed to the ground and Veri leapt over the fence.
Physicians were already at the young lord’s side. Adelina hadn’t realized she’d stood until Joslynn was next to her, clutching her arm. Adelina glanced back at her father. His face was grim as they shared a look.
The recorders showed the wound up close, displayed for all to see. Asher had to hold Veri back as she turned on Hayden, snarling and screaming obscenities. For once, Adelina completely understood the female. If that had been William, Hayden would already have his throat ripped out.
That Asher was able to hold her back at all spoke volumes – she would not hurt the prince no matter how badly she wanted vengeance.
Hayden turned to the spectators with a triumphant smile before he faced Raena. Wisely her sister’s face was blank as she watched the wound slowly knit back together, covering the white bone of Alock’s spine as they all watched. A bandage was placed carefully before the physicians had Alock moved to the temporary hospital tent.
There was never any illusion to these Games. They all knew how dangerous they were, how nasty their ancestors were to create them. And they all could feel that kernel of brutal, snarling strength inside, commanding them to succeed and triumph. To make the others submit…it was the wolf deep inside.
The genetic map they’d followed allowed for that vicious creature to take hold of them from time to time and no one was under any illusion they were anything but creatures of chaos and survival underneath their flawless human skin.
“Looks like you should have picked me as your champion,” Hayden stated. His words were loud as the recorders caught them and displayed them for the entire galaxy to see and hear.
After Raena’s declaration that Alock would be her husband, it seemed the Avvis lord was sour about the decision, hoping to sway the crown princess back to him. Adelina felt her lip curl up in a silent snarl. She hoped Raena would rip that grin off his cula’ting face with her claws.
Raena simply smiled; that terrifying smile full of sharp, white teeth. “There is still the Hunt and the Game of the Wolf, Lord Hayden. We will see what fate decides.” Her kiss on his cheek was almost violent, as though she’d thought about taking a bite out of his face, but decided otherwise at the last moment.
Her sister signaled the staff and the horn sounded thrice. Lunch and the midday rest would take place early after that deplorable display. Adelina didn’t move as her sister breezed past her to help King Orion to his feet. The crown princess escorted their father towards the pavilion where an infinite number of tables were set up, servants already pouring out of the palace with trays of food. Adelina didn’t dare take a step until Raena was a good bit ahead of her.
Joslynn pressed into her side, and Adelina could smell her fear. She slipped her arm around Joslynn’s waist and then smelled Nadyah at her back. It settled her enough to breathe and calm down…
That creature of chaos and survival roiled under her skin, trying to remind her how delicious violence could be.
Chapter Eight
Adelina
Palace Grounds
Draga Royal Palace
Planet Draga Terra
Joslynn went off to nap after the lunch hour and Adelina had decided her time would be better spent awake. It didn’t matter that she would most likely be up all night to see Varan at the Ladrole. She was too jumpy and on edge. She’d spent most of the lunch with Joslynn, but the female was understandably tired and emotionally exhausted.
Adelina hoped for her friend’s sake Giselle and Sirus would return soon.
Nadyah was off speaking with Caspian and gathering supplies. For the first time in her life, Adelina wasn’t being escorted and she felt a strange sense of freedom.
“He’s going to be all right,” she heard Asher say, soothing Veri as she hardly touched her food. The female was too skinny, and the servants complained how picky she was.
Veri said nothing in response and Adelina crossed her arms, slowly making her way towards her brother and his new love interest. When had Asher ever had someone he openly cared about? She didn’t think he’d ever courted someone before. That alone told her how he felt.
“Hayden will pay,” Veri said quietly, so very, very quietly. If Adelina hadn’t been focused on her and watched her lips move she’d doubt the female had said anything at all.
“He will,” Asher promised.
“At the very least he will not be king,” Adelina said, sliding into a chair next to her brother.
Asher glanced at her and nodded. “I would never allow it.” As the only other royal child with the rosanera dominance he could challenge Raena unlike the rest of them.
“What do you think of Raena’s choice?” Veri asked, that sharp gaze pinning her to her chair.
Adelina shrugged. She remembered very little about the council meeting after the Neprijat King’s transmission. “I don’t know much about Lord Alock, but I do believe he is honorable and for now that is enough.”
Based on what they knew about the lord from their visits and the livestream he was loyal and strong. He would make a good king consort, but Adelina worried what Raena would do to him, how he would change under her presence and direction.
Veri nodded and shoved the food on her plate around.
“If you try the vegetable sandwiches, they are quite satisfying,” Adelina told her, watching the way she ignored all the meat.
Those aquamarine eyes looked up and the sheer relief Adelina found there was surprising. “I’ve been hesitant to try much I couldn’t identify,” Veri admitted.
“There is no meat or fish in those,” Adelina said, pointing at the tray stacked with sandwiches.
Veri took four and devoured them. It had been almost a week and she must have been starving. “Why won’t you play?” Veri asked Adelina, jerking her head towards the setup for the Games.
Adelina shared a look with Asher. Perhaps if she were male…but, no it would be too dangerous. “I am too submissive,” she said instead.
Veri snorted and reached for a fifth sandwich. “So what? That doesn’t change your skill with a weapon. We have plenty of submissive warriors on Priea; they can slaughter a monster just as well as any dominant.”
The comment and brazen openness shocked Adelina and she sat back in her chair, studying the woman across from her. It was the same conversation she’d had with Nash. Had she really been so naïve her whole life? Adelina was a Draga, and she had a wolf just like Asher did. And now she knew she could be dominant if she wished.
“I do not like to anger my sister,” she said, wondering if being so truthful was a good idea, but Adelina needed to feel Veri out. If Asher planned to wed her one day Adelina wanted to know who the female was underneath her beautiful exterior.
Veri raised a delicate, turquoise eyebrow. “Seems unfair, and if you’re better at something than she, shouldn’t she know it so she can properly use your skills?”
Adelina crossed her arms, uncomfortable with the truth of Veri’s words. Asher saved her from a response.
“Adelina…doesn’t like violence.”
Veri leaned forward, not moving that intense gaze from Adelina’s face. She hardly even blinked. “You don’t like violence, or you don’t like how good at it you are? There is a difference. I don’t like the need for violence, but on my planet my skill saves lives.”
“My skill is negotiation,” Adelina snapped. Veri was too astute. “I will not be fighting in this war. My submissive nature would detract too much from the battle, and our warriors would feel the need to protect me. It could cost their lives unnecessarily.”
Veri leaned back and slowly ate a sixth sandwich. “Ah, that makes more sense. But surely you can play the
Wolf? You would not be competing in that Game.”
Asher looked alarmed. “Adelina has never played the Wolf, it is too dangerous. She could be ripped to shreds.” Instinctively he leaned closer to Adelina and she felt grateful for her brother.
Until recently it had been too dangerous for her to play the Wolf, but now…she wanted to see if she could.
“Asher, how do you know? Adelina is the only one who can say for sure.”
Those words and slight challenge to her brother made Adelina smile, she had to hide it with a cough. “I think it would be best to watch the Games with the queen,” Adelina said. “Perhaps next time.”
It wouldn’t be long before the Game of the Wolf started and then it would be the Hunt. At least she could ride along in that. Adelina looked up to see Elara and the queen step gingerly down the stone steps from the palace. It seemed the king had stayed inside. It concerned her how quickly he grew tired now. Adelina stood from her chair and kissed Asher on the cheek.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Mother.” Adelina took a path that would intersect with the queen and her father’s mistress.
Adelina didn’t want to talk to Adele; she wanted to talk to Elara.
Queen Adele smiled at Adelina as she approached. “Have you been enjoying the events?” Adele asked.
Adelina smiled softly, eyes down as was expected of her. “It’s been a nice distraction.”
Her mother stumbled at the veiled words. “Yes,” she managed. “I hope our king or queen of the Hunt catches us something delicious.”
Adelina wondered if the reason her mother never truly made an effort to bond with her was because of her complicated parentage. Or perhaps she feared there was too much of Elara in Adelina, and worried someone would notice. But if she was truly a child of love, shouldn’t her mother at least like her a little bit?