by Emma Dean
Adelina shook her head to disperse the tantalizing thought and placed her palm on the door, resolute and sure. It slid open when it recognized her DNA and golden seal.
“It’s unfortunate we did not have the time to get your royal seal,” she murmured.
Varan flashed his ring and grinned at her. “I’m not overly concerned when I’m wearing a ring you made for me.”
“It was a simple design,” she said, stepping into the sitting room. “I am pleased you are satisfied with it.”
Nadyah sat on the couch with her feet tucked underneath her and a book in her hands. Varan looked between the two of them and took the door that was meant to be his. Adelina waited until it slid closed behind him before speaking.
“Have you settled in?” she asked Nadyah, crossing the elegant sitting room to sit next to her courtesan.
“Everything has been unpacked,” Nadyah told her.
Adelina looked around at the large sitting room they were all to share. As The Jasmine was her flagship Adelina had asked for some changes to be made to the way her quarters were done. The same changes she planned to have done to her rooms at the palace.
The massive sitting room had a small dining table with a nearby food processor, a large sofa, an oversized velvet chair, and a low table set before them. One wall was lined with shelves that currently had only a handful of items, including the unread books her father had left her in the royal library before he’d passed. One entire wall was a clear window with velvet drapes framing the endless stars, the sun in the distance, and a few planets Adelina recognized.
The constellations of the gods and goddesses were easy to pick out and Adelina said a silent prayer to the Three-Faced Goddess and Amora the goddess of love – to protect them on this trip and help her with the transition into the next phase of her life.
What made this set up unique was the way her quarters were off the main sitting room. As were Nadyah’s, Varan’s, and two other sets of rooms. Roxy had opted to stay in a set of rooms near the engines, but Adelina had wanted her inner circle close to her. Even Joslynn was set up in the fourth room. Adelina had known when she’d approved the designs that she may one day need them for children, for spouses…
It was as cozy and comfortable as she’d hoped, but it would take time to get used to the new arrangements.
“Nadyah, how is this meant to work now?” Adelina asked in Ilashyan, glancing at Varan’s closed door – right beside hers. “Now that I am wedded to Varan how do we complete the camerraleto?”
Nadyah smiled and set her book aside. “However you like. We only have a few more positions to learn and I believe you are otherwise ready. You’ve successfully adapted the methods of seduction and flirtation to your own style. I believe you could make anyone do anything you wished now, including these Drakesthai we are to meet.”
Adelina felt herself blush with pleasure and pride. For Nadyah to believe she was ready – there was no higher praise. But Adelina did feel regret that it would soon be over. That her courtesan would have to move back to the House of Kismet…
“I suppose it is prudent I stole you away for this trip,” she said with a sad smile, keeping to the language of females. Adelina planned to confide in Varan, but she didn’t want him overhearing such a sensitive subject. “I won’t have to return you to Mistress Jael right away.”
“There is no rush, my love,” Nadyah said gently. “I could claim the camerraleto incomplete for as long as you wish, but I also believe you’ve done everything I’ve asked of you and more with the skill and grace any courtesan would be envious of. To be truthful, I’m not prepared to leave you quite yet.”
It was exactly what she’d needed to hear. Adelina sat down on the couch and wrapped her arms around Nadyah’s waist, breathing her in. The innocuous scent of cactus blossom filled her nose and soothed her. “I don’t believe it makes sense to ask you to join Varan and I, or vice versa, but there are a few instances I’d be willing to try.” The blush deepened and her cheeks heated with embarrassment. Adelina was still shy, but she could ask for what she wanted. She was simply grateful Varan couldn’t understand her words. Their closeness was still so new. Nadyah – she could tell her anything.
“I do have to watch you at least once,” Nadyah confessed. “But I’m sure we could arrange for Varan to observe.” Her smile widened and she kissed Adelina softly on the lips.
It was quick and innocent, but Adelina had missed the taste of her courtesan. She reached out and slipped her hand around Nadyah’s neck, pulling her in close. Adelina slipped her tongue in Nadyah’s mouth, tasting and teasing. She bit her bottom lip, fingers tightening on Nadyah’s neck.
It had been too long since their last training session, their last tryst. Adelina felt her desire flare. She wanted to crawl onto Nadyah’s lap, or slip to the floor and part those creamy thighs to taste her underneath the flowing skirts. But this was not a private space. Anyone with rooms in her quarters had access.
So Adelina pulled away, enjoying the dazed look on Nadyah’s face. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered in Ilashyan. “A male could never change the way I want you, need you in my life.”
Nadyah blinked and looked away. “There is something I need to tell you.”
Those words struck a strange fear into her heart and Adelina pulled back, slipping on her court mask for safety’s sake. “You know you can tell me anything, Nadyah.”
She’d never seen those sapphire eyes so haunted or guilty. Adelina nearly changed her mind. Did she really want to know whatever could make Nadyah look like that?
Chapter Eleven
Adelina
The Jasmine
The Draga Galaxy
Adelina tried to tell herself that whatever it was Nadyah had to say, it wouldn’t be the end. It wouldn’t be something she couldn’t forgive, but after Alpha, after Giselle, Raena, and Joslynn…she was no longer sure that was the case.
“Out with it Nadyah, tell me what’s bothering you.” There was an ache at her fingertips as her nails begged to lengthen into claws, but Adelina kept her hands relaxed.
Nadyah glanced at Varan’s door and then sighed. “Do you remember Stefano?”
Adelina nodded, feeling some of the tension ease. “Is he your mate?”
“No, but after the Games…that feral side of you did things to me I didn’t expect – made me want like I’ve never felt before. I’d never been so weak, so unable to control my own desire. And I didn’t believe it was fair to ask to take you to bed when you were so…affected.”
Then Adelina knew. “You had sex with him?”
Nadyah nodded, unable to hold Adelina’s gaze. “I did, and after your flirtation with him I felt perhaps I was encroaching. I should have asked you beforehand.”
Adelina was so relieved she scooted closer to Nadyah, taking her hands. “Nadyah you are a courtesan and you have needs. I know this life in the palace has stifled you and I completely understand. I have no claim on him. Your guilt is a bit endearing. It only shows me how much you love me.”
She leaned in slowly, watching the way Nadyah’s eyes widened. Adelina turned her head at the last second, her lips brushing Nadyah’s cheek until she could whisper in her ear. “I only wish I could have joined you.”
Nadyah shivered and her low moan set Adelina on fire. There had to be time to take her now, pull her into her rooms and ravage her. But part of Adelina wanted Varan to watch…unable to touch her – only himself. She wanted to see her husband lose his control and spill his seed all over himself.
“How do you feel about Varan watching?” she asked, trailing a hand up Nadyah’s calf. She slipped under the full skirt, softly caressing the sensitive spot on her knee and then going higher. The night with Varan had whet a desire Adelina didn’t know she possessed. “I want you now.”
Nadyah wore nothing under her skirts. Adelina’s thumb brushed against her courtesan’s clit, and then she dipped down to feel the slick folds already swollen with need.
“I d
on’t care as long as I get to taste you. Make him ache until it hurts.” Nadyah parted her knees ever so slightly, urging Adelina on. “Show him you were mine first.”
Adelina was so wet she could hardly stand it. She plunged two fingers into Nadyah and stroked that little bundle of nerves inside gently while taking her mouth.
Her courtesan was deliciously sweet and sultry. The need between them was different somehow, but still so incredibly intense.
She withdrew from Nadyah and stood, crossing the living space in three wide steps. Her knock on the door was a bit harder than necessary.
It slid open a second later and Varan leaned on the frame with his arms crossed and a cocky grin on his face. His bulging arm muscles and broad chest set her off even more. Adelina could barely keep her breathing even as she eyed him from head to toe.
“You two weren’t talking about me in a language I couldn’t understand, were you?” he teased.
Adelina ignored his question. “Would you like to watch me with Nadyah?” she asked. Her voice was huskier than she’d ever heard it before. It was practically a wolf’s rumbling growl. “You only get to watch – not touch.”
His eyes went half-mast with barely restrained violent desire. “Am I allowed to touch myself?” His grin widened into something predatory.
Adelina gave him a lazy smile and stroked his already hard cock. “Yes, but don’t wear yourself out.”
Varan gripped her arms hard enough to bruise and took her mouth with unapologetic roughness. It was bruising and delicious. But he stopped as quickly as he’d begun. “I’m happy to do as my wife wishes,” he said congenially, releasing her completely.
Adelina hid her weak knees by stepping aside so Varan could pass. She held onto the door frame and turned slowly. Nadyah had already disappeared into Adelina’s bedroom and Varan strode towards her door. His strides were long and purposeful. Her husband paused at the threshold and glanced over his shoulder at her, gaze smoldering.
His wicked grin said he knew exactly what he’d done to her.
She shook it off and walked slowly, hips swaying as she untied her skirts. Adelina made sure she didn’t touch Varan at all as she passed, dropping the glittering fabric onto the floor when she entered.
Then she pointed at the velvet chair in the corner of the room. Varan went without question.
The spacious rooms were magnificent, but Adelina didn’t care about the linens or anything else at the moment. Not with Nadyah now wearing her leather getup. It was one of Adelina’s favorites. All the important parts were covered, but the multiple straps were so erotic her heart rate picked up, beating furiously.
There were glittery, see-through skirts attached to the leather band around Nadyah’s hips, cascading all the way to the floor. The purple was so pale it was nearly white.
Adelina slipped off her shoes and turned her full attention to Nadyah, noting the extra leather straps in her hands. “Is it my turn to be tied, Mistress?”
Nadyah arched a delicate brow, and sat on the edge of the luscious bed. “Perhaps. It all depends on how you perform.” Without one look at Varan, Nadyah spread her legs wide and waited.
Adelina sensed Nadyah’s need to control this tableau – her need to remind Varan she was Adelina’s unofficial mistress, and what better way than to make the princess submit in a way that would take Varan time to accomplish? She gave her courtesan a secret smile and nodded her consent to the bedroom play.
Her performance was exquisite. It was as though the prince didn’t even exist and there was something insanely arousing about that. Adelina smiled and slowly unbuttoned her jacket. With a bit of a show she slipped it off, revealing there was nothing underneath except her black lace bra.
Varan’s sharp inhale was music to her ears and Adelina slid her pants down and over her ass so slow it was nearly a dance. Nadyah licked her lips as she watched and Adelina could see the way her chest rose and fell, quicker than it should for someone with so much control.
It made her smile widen and she let her canines lengthen as she felt that ache. The wolf was so close to the surface, so ravenous. She needed to taste until Nadyah begged. The little lace thong she wore covered almost nothing and Adelina let it all show as she stepped forward, hips swaying.
She stopped before Nadyah and kneeled before her. When she placed her hands on her courtesan’s knees she noticed her black lacquered nails were longer—sharper, but she didn’t care. Adelina shoved Nadyah’s knees even wider and pressed a kiss to the inside of her creamy white thigh.
Nadyah was so aroused the leather over her sex was soaked, leaking through the opening over her entrance. Adelina let her teeth softly graze the sensitive skin as she got closer and closer. Then finally she placed her mouth over the leather and slipped her tongue through the slit. With long, slow strokes she penetrated Nadyah.
Her courtesan gasped and threw her head back in pleasure. Adelina slipped her hands under Nadyah’s thighs and held tight. Her fingernails pricked the delicate skin, but it only made Nadyah groan more, pressing into Adelina’s mouth.
It had been too long since she’d tasted the woman she loved.
Nadyah was pure sex and undiluted desire. Her taste was erotic, both sweet and addictive. Adelina wanted more.
Gently, ever so gently she grazed one tooth against Nadyah’s thigh. Then she bit down just hard enough to leave a love bite. Nadyah cried out and then Adelina nuzzled her clit. A little yank and the leather tore, leaving her courtesan more exposed, but still hidden from Varan.
Adelina licked and sucked, holding on tight enough Nadyah couldn’t get away when she bucked against her mouth. It made her moan into her courtesan and lover. More, she wanted so much more.
Pulling back ever so slightly she looked up, noting the flushed look on Nadyah’s face. She was so close to climax, but Adelina wanted to draw it out – make it as pleasurable as possible. Then she glanced at Varan and knew she wanted to torture him as well.
Her husband was the perfect mask of calm, but she knew him too well. The calm, almost bored expression couldn’t hide the sweat on his forehead and neck, or the slight flush to his skin. And it certainly couldn’t hide the raging hard cock begging to be free of his pants.
But still, he kept his hands loose on the arms of the chair, his hooded emerald gaze eating her alive – urging her on.
Adelina had never felt as desirous and powerful as she did in that moment. She had two people under her spell.
She hooked one nail around the leather undergarment delicately and pulled it to the side. Adelina set her mouth around Nadyah and forced her other nails to become normal once more. Then she slipped three fingers into her courtesan and began a slow, torturous rhythm that had Nadyah rolling her hips against her mouth, begging for her to go faster, harder – anything Adelina wanted as long as she gave her more.
So she obliged.
Nadyah’s shouts of ecstasy filled the room and her entire body shuddered and shook as the orgasm went on and on. Adelina didn’t relent, she only eased up on the pressure until Nadyah was limp in her arms and still her tongue stroked, laved, and flicked at her clit.
She didn’t stop until Nadyah sat up and pulled her forward; kissing her so deep and thorough Adelina felt it in her very bones. “Did I please you?” she asked, her words pressed into Nadyah’s mouth.
“You did more than please me,” Nadyah said raggedly, breathing hard. “Now, allow me.”
Adelina couldn’t help but glance at Varan. She’d never had anyone watch her orgasm as a third party. But this male was her husband. They were tied together for eternity – until the sun died and was born anew, exploding in a fiery rage.
Much like Varan, who looked ready to burst from his very skin.
He nodded and licked his lips. Adelina was impressed he hadn’t once touched himself, but it seemed he’d been waiting, because as she crawled up and onto the bed she heard him undoing the clasp on his pants. He’d been waiting for her.
When she turned Vara
n had his massive cock in one hand, holding it so tight it looked painful, but he didn’t move, not yet.
Adelina’s heart beat wildly and her breathing came in pants as she turned to her courtesan. The lace over her sex was completely soaked. Nadyah slid the scrap of fabric down and Adelina lifted her hips to assist.
“Watch him watch you,” Nadyah whispered in Ilashyan. “Watch him lose his mind while I take you – while you’re mine.”
Goddess, those words. It set her on fire and that fire raged as she lay back. Her eyes held Nadyah’s as the courtesan lifted up Adelina’s arms and then tied them to the bedposts. This female was pure sex and erotic desire.
Adelina turned her head and held Varan’s ravenous gaze as Nadyah had instructed. The courtesan was the one in control now and knowing Nadyah wanted to show Varan exactly what she could do to her…Nadyah tightened the leather strap, and Adelina gasped, trying not to squirm.
They both knew she could shred the leather with her claws, but that wasn’t the game. The game was allowing Nadyah to be in control – allowing her to do as she wished under the pretense that Adelina was completely at her mercy.
Nadyah trailed her fingers down Adelina’s arm, her breast and then paused to swirl around her nipple over the fabric of her thin bra. “I know you like this,” she said, pinching Adelina’s nipple and she moaned. Her courtesan had switched back to standard Dragan and Varan bit his lip, squeezing his cock harder but still he didn’t move.
Her courtesan bent to lick one nipple and then the other. Adelina arched into her touch, but Nadyah had already moved on. She groaned in protest, missing that warm mouth on such a sensitive part of her body.
“Don’t whine,” Nadyah scolded playfully with a gentle slap on Adelina’s thigh. Those fingers soothed the sting and then went back to leave a teasing trail down Adelina’s ribs.