by Emma Dean
“How much do you owe?” he asked.
Nadyah tensed. It was taboo to speak of her debt to the House, but it wasn’t unusual for a mate to pay it off. She told him the number, knowing it was too much for any rational person to consider, prince or no.
He turned around with two cups of tea and sat back on the couch. “Here is what I suggest. Take this trip to see the Drakesthai and come back in one piece,” he gritted out. “Then finish Lina’s camerraleto. By that time, decide if you want to go back to the House of Kismet for as long as you like, or if you’d rather stay here. With me.”
Ian sipped his tea and watched her closely. Nadyah didn’t know what to do or say, she didn’t know if her feelings toward Adelina would change by then, if the mate bond would truly ease her desire and lust until it was only for her mate.
“We still won’t know each other well,” she stated.
“Then talk with me, send me messages, and I will do the same. If you like, we can spend time alone together as we would in a courtship, but with no pressure to be physical. It would only be to learn about one another.” Ian set down his cup of tea. “And I will end the relationship with P’draic today. Things have been…strained. It’s for the best no matter how I feel, because I cannot make him my mate.”
And that was it, wasn’t it? Nadyah set her cup down as she considered it. No matter how much she loved Varan and no matter how much she loved Adelina, neither were her mate. The love of a mate, even the prospect of that love made everything else pale in comparison.
Those swirling emotions inside her ebbed and Nadyah looked to Ian in surprise. No wonder he was so easygoing. Things were so much simpler when the answers were logical. It was almost easy to choose when put so clearly.
“All right, Ian, but only on one condition.”
It was the first time all day she’d seen him smile and Nadyah felt a tiny reaction deep inside, uncurl like a flower after winter.
“What is the condition?” he asked.
Nadyah checked her simulcast. Adelina was moments away. “I will talk with you, send messages while on this trip, and we can spend time together as friends until the camerraleto is over and I have decided what to do, but I don’t want to tell anyone, especially Elara or Jael that we are each other’s mates. No one Ian, not even Adelina. I will simply tell Varan he is not my mate and there is no reason for him to worry.”
Ian hesitated at the mention of his mother, but he was a smart male. “Agreed.”
“One last thing,” she said, hearing footsteps in the labs outside. “There will be no monogamy before the bond is activated. I simply cannot do that, it would be physically impossible.”
Ian grabbed her arm in the style of warriors in accord. “I can work with that.” Then he pulled her forward and stole a kiss.
Chapter Seventeen
Nadyah
Ian’s Labs
Draga Royal Palace
Planet Draga Terra
Nadyah stilled as Ian’s lips touched hers. He was rough, demanding, and possessive. It threw her off guard from his normal gentleness. Ian grabbed her face hard and slipped his tongue in her mouth. She felt it spark a heat between her legs and Nadyah couldn’t even react. Then the kiss changed into a soft, gentle promise and his warm, wet mouth welcomed her. Ian tasted and nibbled and licked.
Her entire body shook.
Then he pressed a feather light kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I apologize for being forward, but you are my mate Nadyah, and I am yours. Do not forget it when you feel lonely or upset. I will always be here for you, until the time is right for both of us.”
Ian stood from the couch and casually walked over to his desk, as though he hadn’t just ravaged her mouth. He pulled up some work and she straightened her dress, fixed her hair, and then picked up the cup of tea.
The A.I. announced Princess Adelina and ‘Guest’ before it slid open. Adelina no longer had the dress on Nadyah had picked out for her only a few hours ago. Both Varan and Adelina looked deathly pale and there was blood on Varan’s white shirt.
“What is that?” Nadyah demanded, pointing at the drop of red.
“Oh goddess,” Adelina whispered.
“No, it’s okay; I’ll get rid of it right now. Boyo, I need another shirt,” Varan said, using every ounce of his dominance. “Now.”
Ian didn’t question the thief. He grabbed a spare shirt that was neatly folded in his cabinet while Varan stripped the bloody one off. “Burn it,” he gritted out, tossing the white silk to Ian. Varan yanked on the black one in its place.
Every muscle was on display but she didn’t feel compelled to look. Nadyah only had eyes for Adelina who was pale and shaking as she leaned against the wall. Something had happened and she’d missed it, locked down in the laboratory with Ian. She swallowed nervously; about to open her mouth to dare ask what, but Varan shot her a look.
Whatever had happened that morning – the way he was so tender and loving with Adelina…Nadyah knew. He’d fallen for the princess whether he was aware of it or not.
Varan left his shirt unbuttoned at the top as Adelina’s shaking grew worse. He gripped her viciously by the shoulders and Nadyah took a step forward in protest. Ian’s hand stopped her and he shook his head, but there was deep concern in the depths of his violet eyes.
“Pull it together,” Varan said, shaking the princess just enough to get her attention. His tone was surprisingly gentle despite the words. “The blood is gone, like it never happened.”
“But it did.” Adelina’s horrified whisper, round eyes, and unusually pale skin set off every protective instinct Nadyah had.
“What happened?” she hissed.
Varan ignored her as he focused on the princess. “It did happen, but it’s no longer touching you. The blood is gone.”
Adelina clenched her teeth but nodded. A deep breath and the shaking began to dissipate. “I’m okay, it’s all right. I think…it’s passed.”
Varan didn’t release her and Nadyah studied the Prince of Thieves. There was fear in every line of his body, she could smell it. But he held it together for her sake, because Adelina needed that strength. The princess nodded and pushed the thief off of her.
Her legs were a bit shaky as she crossed the room, Nadyah noticed. She didn’t want to hover like a wolf with her kits so she gathered Adelina some tea instead. “Tell me what happened before I torture it out of you Varan.”
Ian leaned against his desk with his arms crossed and studied them all with a frown, but he was patient, knowing it would come out eventually. Varan collapsed into one of the armchairs and ran his hand through his blond hair until it practically stood up straight.
But it was Adelina who spoke. “Giselle brought back the traitors from Treon and Avvis. Archduchess Indra plotted with the Neprijat and Hayden knew about it. Hayden is in a cell as we speak, titles and rights stripped. Then Raena executed all three of them in front of everyone during the council meeting.” Adelina took the cup of tea from Nadyah’s lifeless hands. “Be glad you weren’t there.”
Ian jerked in shock and his arms dropped to his sides, as though he couldn’t believe the words, but they all knew Adelina didn’t lie.
“The coronation is tomorrow, and we leave to Hai three days after that. Sooner if we can somehow gather what we need and Roxy has finished the work on the starships.” Adelina then sipped her tea as though she’d simply stated the weather.
All Nadyah could think about was why the coronation would be tomorrow. She looked to Ian and his mouth was a grim line, but he didn’t look surprised.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Lina,” Ian said quietly. “It happened around dawn and I’ve been working with him until Nadyah arrived.”
The princess shook her head. “I’m not angry with you, you’ve been working yourself to death to try and save him Ian.” Adelina waved her hand to indicate the lab. “His sickness is not your fault.”
“You’re still going to leave even though Father may not make it until the end of your trip?�
�� Ian’s words were sharper than Nadyah had ever heard them before.
Adelina stared her brother down and didn’t flinch or shy away from the silent accusation. “I spoke to him moments ago. He asked me to go when I offered to stay. It is not likely he will even live long enough to see me off.” There was a shimmer in her eyes, but tears didn’t fall.
Nadyah felt her own tears line her eyes, and when she looked at her hands they dropped to splatter on her fingers. Ian made to move toward her, but she shook her head. She didn’t want the others to guess. “I’m sorry about your father,” she said to both Ian and Adelina. “King Orion was truly an honorable and kind ruler. We will all miss him when he leaves this world.”
The coronation was tomorrow. Nadyah’s mind scrambled as she tried to rearrange the events in her head, the schedules, the work to be done, and their stupid dresses. How would they manage it all?
Nadyah hadn’t realized how life at the palace would test her. She didn’t know when she left the House of Kismet there would be war. The coronation had been expected, but Nadyah didn’t think even Jael could have guessed how Raena would react to the stress and pressure of becoming Queen so young during a war.
“What needs to be done?” Nadyah asked. She would have to speak with Jael but the Spider would have to come to the palace or be satisfied with a messenger. There was simply no way Nadyah could manage everything including a trip to visit her Mistress.
There was silence instead of answers. When Nadyah looked up, her eyes were dry, Adelina stared off into nothingness and Varan watched the princess. She’d missed too much hiding away in the labs and didn’t like being out of the loop.
Ian was the one who broke the silence. “Varan, Nadyah is not your mate. So there is no need for that concern as well as everything else.”
Adelina looked sharply at Nadyah but didn’t say a word. She knew though, Adelina knew how hard it was for her to find out. Nadyah turned to Varan and his face was blank. There was that at least. He was a good enough male to know not to react.
“Courtesans always end up with their mates?” Varan asked, glancing at Adelina. His words were careful and Nadyah couldn’t figure out what he was trying to get at.
Ian crossed his arms again. “If they end up mated they do, and if they know who their mate is the prospect of another is not a possibility.”
Nadyah whipped her head to Ian. Those words were far too defensive and possessive for her liking. If he opened his mouth again she would shut it herself. The only reason Adelina hadn’t caught onto it was because she was still lost in some deep part of herself.
“If we are leaving in three days we need to make a plan now,” Nadyah reminded them all, glaring at Ian. “If Roxy can finish in the timeframe that would be wonderful, but we still need the armor, we need food and various sundries, weapons, ammunition, and the warriors.” Nadyah looked to Varan, as he was the one who was supposed to gather those who would fight and die for Adelina’s protection.
Adelina sipped her tea and then made a face when she found it cold after having forgotten about it. She set the glass down and pulled out her shreve and simulcast. “We will visit Roxy today, now even. We will go out into the city in broad daylight as princess and courtesan. Unless you need to stay here Nadyah, and gather whatever supplies Caspian has set aside for you. Taj will need to know as well.”
Nadyah was impressed how focused Adelina could be despite her obvious shock. She wondered what had happened after the meeting. She glanced between the princess and Varan. Something had occurred between them. Adelina’s anxious personality would have succumbed, and there was a reason she no longer wore the same dress. She would have to watch the recording of the council meeting later in privacy. There would be clues from there if Adelina wouldn’t confide in her.
The thought caused a pang, but Nadyah was also withholding information. She wanted to tell Adelina more than anything, but she wasn’t ready. She could hardly come to terms with Ian being her mate herself.
“No, I can come with you. I do not need to stay.” Nadyah didn’t know if she wanted to stay in the palace alone after an execution. No doubt the staff and nobles would be rattled. The poor citizens visiting from off planet who were here only to enjoy the festivities had to be utterly panicked.
“Good,” Adelina said. Her smile was also small and strained. “Varan can check on the warriors and weapons. Yes, I’m adding that to the list. Raena will only allow me certain weapons and a certain amount as it’s supposed to be a peace mission. After certain…enlightenments I would like a fully stocked armory. We will keep it off the record of course. Make them into warships, Prince.”
Varan nodded. His face was grave. He kept flicking his gaze between Adelina and Nadyah, no doubt rattled to know he was not a potential mate. It didn’t matter the outcome, such knowledge was unsettling regardless which was why the courtesans usually kept it to themselves.
“How can we hide all this from Raena?” Nadyah asked.
Adelina glanced to Ian, who frowned at them all. “I have my ways. Do you plan to rat me out, brother?”
Ian didn’t answer. He looked to Nadyah instead who didn’t dare influence his decision. Ian was loyal to the Crown and it had to be testing his honor to say nothing about their plans, but…Raena had publicly executed three people in a spectacle.
“I won’t say anything, now all of you get out of my lab before I change my mind. I have work to do.”
Adelina stood and crossed the room. She hugged her brother hard. “Thank you, I’m so sorry.”
Ian shook his head. “Come back here before you leave, I want to give you some things, and inspect the medic bays on the ships even if I have to go into the city myself.” He shooed her away, but the grim frown was gone and he almost smiled at his little sister. “Send me the files on the medical personnel and I will help you choose the best.”
The princess kissed his cheek and then strode out of his lab, her shoulders back and her head high now that she had purpose once again. Varan nodded to both of them and then followed Adelina.
Nadyah hesitated, lingering in Ian’s lab when she shouldn’t.
“Be safe,” was all Ian said before he turned his back on her and powered up his various programs.
A tiny part of her was disappointed but Nadyah didn’t know why. She left his lab and went to catch up with Adelina and Varan. Her simulcast chirped and she pulled it out. A small smile tugged on her lips when she read the cast.
What’s your favorite color?
It was so idiotic and ridiculous, but Ian had kept his promise. Blue, she wrote back. The blue of the night sky. She tucked her simulcast in her pocket and followed Adelina to the capitol city, Stella di Draga.
Chapter Eighteen
Veri
Royal Forest
Planet Draga Terra
Veri checked the cast from Asher one more time as she tried not to run through the halls. There was a lot she had seen on Priea that curdled her blood, but those executions managed to top even that. Despite the heat of Draga Terra she had chills on her arms and legs, goose-pimples marring her perfect skin. She shivered and then stepped out onto the terrace.
The heat crackled and her poor skin was starved for the moisture of her home planet. Veri took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Thank the three-faced goddess she would not have to evacuate Priea. She felt sympathy for those who would have to uproot their entire lives. There was room on Priea for the refugees; she only hoped there would be a plan in place for everyone to help. She would not let her father or mother bleed their own people dry.
No, she would accept them, but they would all have to do their part. Veri took the steps down the terrace and walked through the grass fields toward the galina stables. She grimaced and hoped everyone who was assigned her world would all be strong enough to survive.
Death was an everyday occurrence and one had to fight to survive. Even her castle was constantly under attack from the wildlife she shared the planet with. They crawled out of the
water and ate the ones they found and ravaged those who tried to fight back.
Veri went left instead of right and walked into the forest. There was a building there, just beyond the tree line where they kept the birds of prey for hunting and falconry. She placed her palm on the door and it granted her access just as Asher had said it would.
The last few weeks with the prince were everything she’d always wished it had been with Hayden. They didn’t have to hide or meet in secret. Asher was by her side, always touching her, always near for all to see. Veri loved the way he’d place a possessive hand on her waist any time another male looked like he was about to approach her.
Whenever Hayden had been near the prince would find a reason to kiss her. Sometimes it was sweet and sometimes it was sultry enough to make her toes curl. Veri would drag him to an empty room and beg him to take her.
Asher never left her feeling unsatisfied or disappointed.
The sound of flapping wings and scrabbling reached her ears as she walked down the hall and passed the cages. Asher was on his way from the War Council and her belly flip-flopped as she considered what had transpired during that meeting.
All the way at the back was the bird Asher said was his. He’d raised the pure white falcon from a newly hatched babe, trained it, and hunted with it during the winter months. Veri stared at the bird of prey, cocking her head as it studied her right back with a startling level of intelligence.
They didn’t have falcons on Priea. The birds were scaled and reptilian, but no less dangerous. Those gorgeous white feathers begged to be stroked. Veri wondered what they would feel like against her fingertips.
Arms wrapped around her middle and pulled her against a body she’d grown extremely familiar with over the last few weeks. She sighed and leaned against Asher, placing her hands over his. Instantly her nerves settled and she knew there was nothing and no one who could harm her with the prince at her side.