by Emma Dean
It took effort to stand gracefully. Varan brushed nonexistent dust from his sleeves to buy more time to gather his thoughts. He didn’t want to know if he was Nadyah’s mate or not – or Adelina’s. It would only cause complications, but he understood why it was necessary, even sympathized with it. But asking for his DNA meant one or both of them had thought about sex with him.
“Mistress,” he said, sliding his hands into his pockets. “What can I do to make up for my stupidity?”
Nadyah shook her head and the hurt look on her face was like a knife between his ribs. Varan didn’t know what to do or how to fix this sudden rift between them he’d caused. He slid into the seat beside her, but didn’t touch her. “I didn’t mean it. It was inexcusable regardless of my feelings or the confusion clouding my judgment.”
Those deep blue eyes found his and they were as dark and mysterious as the ocean. She searched his face, looking for something. “I believe you,” she admitted after a few moments. “There is nothing I want from you Varan, I simply need answers.” She sounded so exhausted.
He couldn’t help himself. Varan scooted closer and took one of her delicate hands in his. It was all the comfort he felt allowed to give her. “I don’t want to hurt you further or ruin any chance our friendship can be salvaged.”
She shook her head and pulled her hand out of his. “Depending on the mate test – I know this will work out between you and Lina, and I am happy for it. I’d rather you marry Adelina than any other male, Varan. It’s…frightening to think who else Raena could force on her.”
Like Marcel Ushanov, a male with serious accusations. Varan was still waiting on proof before he moved on that one. And the Neprijat King, though Raena’s offer had been denied.
“Please, deliver the diamond; speak with her before we leave for the Drakesthai—just not today. She’s still…not herself.”
Varan risked a glance at the princess. She seemed to be getting along with Roxy like he’d known they would. He considered the courtesan’s statement. “Or she is more herself than she’s ever been before,” he admitted.
Nadyah gave him a strange look but said nothing.
“I’ll deliver the diamond tomorrow when I fetch the royal starship,” he said. Talking with Adelina privately would help. They needed to settle any awkwardness before the trip where they’d be confined for weeks in space.
Those delicate fingers of Nadyah’s ran through her soft, blonde curls as though she found the normal color strange. “As to your…punishment, I suppose I should come up with something suitable as retribution.”
He wondered what she would choose, but knew he deserved whatever it was.
One side of Nadyah’s mouth quirked up. “Your punishment is to escort Adelina to the spider farms tomorrow, and stay by her side the entire time no matter where she goes or how long it takes.” Finally, that glorious sparkle in Nadyah’s sapphire eyes was back.
Varan hated spiders, hated them more than just about anything else. He felt his face pale but nodded regardless. Every moment spent under that mountain would make him sweat, but he deserved it. “Of course, Mistress, I will gladly escort her.”
“Excellent,” Adelina said. She tugged gently on Roxy’s hair and Varan was shocked when his friend didn’t slap her hand away. “Roxy has agreed to my terms with the starship remodels even if it is only to get her hands on never-before-seen tech. Pick your team carefully Roxy, and make sure to hire as many as you need to get the job done in my timeframe, but only tell them what they need to know.”
Roxy rolled her eyes, still poring over the tech Adelina had given her. “Yeah, I will, like I said five times before,” she said without looking up. “No one will have the full schematics but me. I’ve already sent out casts, and should have the rest of the team by tomorrow night. Now leave me alone. Varan can relay any other information.” Roxy stood up and grabbed the last of his grapes. “I’ve got work to do.”
Adelina grinned at Roxy’s back. “I can’t wait to come by and visit!”
The red-haired female didn’t respond but threw a look over her shoulder as she left. When the door closed behind her there was a moment of silence.
He and Nadyah raised their brows.
The princess shrugged, nursing the liquor in her glass. “She doesn’t like me much, but I think I’m growing on her. If Roxy believes I’m not going to come see her progress, she’ll quickly learn otherwise.”
Those sharp canines glinted when she sipped and Varan would never forget what they’d looked like so close to his jugular. He could never forget the Dragas were something – else. Their DNA was a little different despite having the same genetic map.
Varan studied the princess he was about to deliver a diamond for. If he could get her to open up to him, confide in him, they could easily enjoy a marriage. There had always been attraction between them, and he didn’t think sex would be an issue. Perhaps he would find out on this trip what things could be like for the two of them. He slid his gaze to Nadyah, not that any of this would be easy. Their complicated relationships could turn on them. They all had to tread very, very carefully.
“Could you arrive early tomorrow, Varan?” Adelina asked. She looked tired and worn out, as though the nervous energy and excitement had finally started to leave her.
“How early?” He still needed to look for two suitable starships, though he supposed he could do that after she and Nadyah left.
“As early as possible, there is a lot I must do tomorrow, plans for the citizens in the outer rim that need to be put into action, and preparation for the trip.” Adelina swirled the liquor in the glass, staring down into it like it held all the answers she might need. “I have a bad feeling. I don’t think things are going to go as planned and as such I want everything ready as quickly as possible. If you can get Roxy to finish in less than a week I would be forever grateful, if that is even feasible.”
Varan contemplated. There was a lot he didn’t know about courtesans, but they were extremely intuitive and empathetic. If there was something Adelina was unknowingly tapping into, he would be a fool not to listen.
“I feel it too,” Nadyah whispered. “The sooner we speak to the Drakesthai, the better.”
“I can be there after breakfast, say the seventh hour?” What would he need to finish up to be there so early?
Adelina shook her head. “Be at the palace by five thirty and eat with me, attend the council meeting, and then once I’m done with the spider farms you can leave to attend to your own affairs. It would be a good way to see what life as a Draga is like.” She shrugged but those amethyst eyes regarded him in a way that made Varan feel like she wasn’t sure he could handle it as a true royal.
“Princess, we have training in the morning,” Nadyah said quietly.
It was uncomfortable to think about Adelina and Nadyah training with them in his office, but Varan said nothing. The thought of the princess and the courtesan in bed together wouldn’t leave him though and his pants started to get a bit tight.
“We’ll have to postpone it,” Adelina said. “Once everything is in motion we can focus on the training.”
“I’ll be there at five thirty,” Varan said. He would have agreed to almost anything to get the two of them out of his office before they noticed his reaction.
“Good, we will see you then.” The princess stood and set down her empty glass. “Do not be late, Varan.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then went for her cloak.
Nadyah said, “Don’t forget that sample.”
Then the two of them were gone, but their scents lingered in the room.
He breathed long and slow, letting the tension out of his body a small bit at a time. It was going to be a very long night.
Chapter Twelve
Adelina
Draga Royal Palace
Planet Draga Terra
Adelina was tired, and after the adrenaline high yesterday she’d crashed. Waking up in time to get ready and meet Varan had been more of an effort tha
n she had anticipated. She brushed her hair and stared at the bags under her eyes. The midday rest might have to be skipped again as well.
There was the sensation that at any second something terrible was about to happen. Adelina wasn’t sure where it came from or why she felt so on edge, but it pushed her to get as much done as possible in the shortest period of time. The armor for the soldiers, the food and supplies for the border, the supplies for her ships, gathering the gold she needed from all her various different accounts, paying for the parts list she’d received from Roxy at the crack of dawn…and that was just what she could remember without the assistance of her simulcast and shreve.
The makeup device covered the dark purple smudges under her eyes expertly. The thick black eyeliner and golden eyeshadow enhanced the stark contrast of the amethyst against the golden tone of her skin and her black hair. Adelina sighed when Nadyah appeared at the threshold to her closet.
“Can I help with your hair?” she asked, back in her usual sultry gowns.
Adelina nodded, watching her courtesan closely. She was concerned as Nadyah was quieter than normal. It had to be because of Varan. What he’d said the night before was due to fear, but that didn’t excuse the disgusting words.
Nadyah had Adelina’s hair up and done in a matter of seconds. Her eyes swept over Adelina’s outfit and she nodded in approval. It was rather simple, a dark red gown that dipped in the back and tied behind her neck. The sun had only been up for an hour and it was already warm.
The floating timepiece announced the fifth hour of the day. Adelina rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on as she ran through all she had to do. Her simulcast chimed and Roxy’s grumpy face popped up.
“She let you take a pic of her?” Nadyah asked wryly.
The tone in her courtesan’s voice made Adelina snort. The red-headed female irked her to no end, but she was also highly amusing. “To say she ‘let me’ would be a gross over-estimation. I waited until she wasn’t paying attention and took it.”
The cast from Roxy was an update. “Apparently more than half of her inquiries were fruitful. Varan just delivered the two starships and she’s going to start tearing them down today.” Adelina slipped on comfortable shoes and then wondered if there would be any coffee so early or if she would have to go down to the kitchens.
“He is efficient, that one,” Nadyah murmured.
She slid a glance to her courtesan and friend. “He is. And today we will know whether he is your mate or not.” Adelina picked up a few books and then they walked out of her rooms and down the hall together. “Are you nervous?” she asked.
The sun filtered through all the trees, casting golden patterns on the hallway floor. They stopped outside a massive painting of the royal family from four generations ago and she placed her golden palm on the bottom right corner.
“A little.”
The painting slid to the side and Nadyah waited in the hall while Adelina quickly put the books back on the table where her father usually sat in the royal library and then grabbed the new pile he’d made for her. Nadyah and Adelina walked back to her rooms as quickly as they could. The early morning silence was almost eerie.
Only servants rushed back and forth in the halls, but they said nothing. The only place really alive at such an early hour was the kitchens. “Do you think they have anything in the dining room?” she whispered.
Nadyah shook her head. “No, the earliest they put food out is the sixth hour. We’ll have to brave Taj.”
Adelina hesitated. “It’ll be okay. We’ll just grab some coffee and then be out of the way.”
“We’ve been there three days in a row,” Nadyah reminded her. “You think he’s expecting us?”
“I’m not sure.” They stopped at the top of the stairs that led down into the bowels of the palace. The kitchens were right above the labs where it was the coolest. “Let’s go, we have to be ready to receive Varan soon.” Adelina pulled Nadyah down with her, and they kept out of the way, making themselves as small as possible.
When they reached the floor of the kitchens they pressed against the wall, making sure to keep out of everyone’s path as they ran around, bustling as they prepared breakfast for the entire palace, not just the royal family.
“Again?” Taj demanded when he spotted them.
Adelina smiled and spread her hands in apology. “I prefer your company to those above.”
Taj snorted but pointed at a small table with his knife. It was in the corner, completely out of the way and set with coffee and scones. “I figured you’d be back when I heard about the upcoming trip.”
Adelina was relieved Taj wasn’t angry. The first time she’d gone down there after Nash had left – not being able to sleep – the head chef had yelled and cursed her name while he’d set up an early morning snack with coffee. The only reason she’d come back was the small pat on her hand he’d given her despite all the yelling. She was a nuisance, but one Taj didn’t seem to mind overly much.
Nadyah sat across from Adelina and they watched the kitchen staff work their magic. They worked hard and fast, perfectly in tune with each other. Some handled knives like they were born to it, doing a bit of flashy work while she watched. Their chatter continued after a few minutes and that’s when Adelina could truly relax.
“Here, try some of this,” Taj said, dropping a plate of steaming croissants on the table. He leaned his hip against the battered wood and surveyed his kingdom. “Those mangoes finally ripened.”
The small talk in the kitchen soothed Adelina’s heart. There was a fair amount of drama in the world of the kitchen staff and servants, but it was so nice to hear about something other than war and marriage.
“I can’t wait to try them,” Adelina murmured.
Taj gave her a disgusted look. “Let’s not do that shit while you’re down here, hm? That mask,” he said, wiggling a finger at her face. “May work upstairs, but I’ve known you for ten cycles. That little game as the Wolf may have been a surprise for everyone else, but us servants, we see you more than anyone.” Taj took out his massive knife and flipped it before cutting the croissants into small pieces. “Now eat so you can deal with all those monsters upstairs.”
“You want a job on one of my ships?” Adelina asked, ignoring everything else despite how much it pleased her to hear. “I’ll need a chef and I’m rather partial to your cooking.”
The barking laughter made everyone in the kitchens jump. Then Taj pointed a finger at one of his sous chefs. “Don’t let those onions burn or I’ll have your hide,” he snapped. “And you, if that sauce curdles you’ll be doing dishes for a week, after each meal.”
She tasted the croissant and the buttery soft bread gave way to a sharp cheese mixed with the bear meat from the day before. Adelina closed her eyes in bliss as she chewed. It paired perfectly with the spiced coffee and milk.
“You know I can’t leave these heathens, but I’ve heard of a few others who might be interested. Would I send that information to you, or to someone else?” Taj glanced at Nadyah as he snagged a cup from a passing tray of clean dishes. He poured himself some coffee and sipped while he looked between the two of them. “I still can’t believe you’ll be going off to the Hai galaxy. Make sure you trust who you bring, those dragons can be ruthless and cruel.”
“What do you know of them?” Adelina asked carefully, setting down the bit of croissant and wiping her hands clean.
“Enough to stay away,” Taj muttered. “Lord Caspian was down here sniffing around. If you need food and supplies send me a cast with your list. I’ll have it all arranged. That male pisses me off.”
Adelina said nothing as she finished the spiced coffee and stood. So many were willing to help her and she didn’t really understand why. Traveling to the Hai galaxy was a fool’s errand. Everyone knew it. Raena didn’t even think she could get off Draga Terra.
“I’ll need all the supplies in five days,” Nadyah said. That would give them an extra day or two in case things w
ent wrong. Nadyah stood and curtseyed to the head chef which made him grin.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Taj said. “Send this lovely down with the list in a few hours and I’ll get on it. Now be off, I hear through the whispers and chatter you have a busy day.” Taj downed the coffee and beckoned for a servant boy to clear the tiny table. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Princess.”
Adelina smiled and kissed him on the cheek, pretending not to see him bluster, or the way his cheeks grew red with pleasure. Taj had known her since she was a little girl and she used to sneak into the kitchens at every opportunity. None of the servants ever really talked to her but Taj, and then eventually she grew to know most of them. But most servants came and went over the cycles. Taj though, he’d been kind to her and let her try all his new foods, sitting her on that very same table with milky tea. He had to be in his eighth decade now.
They had just enough time to meet Varan at the palace gates rather than one of the receiving rooms. Nadyah glanced back as they left the hustle and bustle of the kitchens and headed back into the main part of the palace, which was still silent as a tomb.
“Caspian has sent me a list of everything you and the royal family take on a tour which is a four month trip. Do you think that will be enough?” she asked Adelina.
Their shoes made hardly any noise at all on the stone as they walked through the first set of palace walls and headed toward the second. The floating ramparts glowed in the early morning sun. Adelina kept her eyes on all the guards, wondering where Alpha had been placed that day. He’d been by her side less since her coming-of-age party. It was one of her new freedoms, but Adelina missed his company.
“We won’t be feeding eight royals and it should be enough if the numbers match up. The forces will need to be fed as well, but I’m more concerned with our weapons cache,” she said, lowering her voice as they passed a set of guards. “We never traveled with many because we were visiting our own territories, but the border and beyond is a completely different matter.”