Crown of Draga

by Emma Dean

  Adelina nodded and swiped with a finger. The flash of gold on her palm still surprised her. “The Drakesthai share the Hai galaxy with the Unchanged Humans. The Unchanged live on two out of the seven planets and it seems they have autonomy of themselves, but conform to the Drakesthai laws as they are protected by the brutes, revered even. The report goes on to say how rare Drakesthai females are and – it looks like they’re mated,” Adelina whispered.

  “What?” Nadyah demanded, her hands stilling.

  “It says they mate with females. That, other than finding their true mate they do not pair up and reproduce. They mate for life and offspring are rare. Whatever they used as a genetic map has sterilized males until they’re mated, and very rarely do the females survive the birth of the Drakesthai child.”

  “They mate…” Nadyah couldn’t finish the thought. “Perhaps we are more alike than we thought.”

  Adelina watched her courtesan closely. “Do you think one of them could be your mate?”

  Nadyah shook her head, a blush coloring her cheeks. “I don’t think so, but stranger things have happened.”

  “Their race is dying,” Adelina mused. “Perhaps if we offered our medicine they’d agree to a trade.”

  “They’ve denied us before,” Nadyah said, checking her simulcast when it chirped.

  Adelina’s did as well. She reached for it and shrugged. “Perhaps we weren’t able to present them with a solution to their problem. If they don’t want our help reproducing, we could offer them the science to keep their females alive during child birth.”

  “They might have our tech already,” Nadyah said, shaking her head. “We’ll have to keep reading before we consider leading with that.”

  The cast was a summons. “An emergency council meeting?” Adelina whispered.

  Her courtesan’s face went white as a sheet as she read her own simulcast. “There was an attack,” Nadyah stuttered.

  Adelina’s heart dropped into her stomach and she felt sick. The last time there had been an attack…

  “Where?” she demanded.

  “Treon, Mistress, the traitors had Neprijat forces as backup—those glittering black ships…”

  “Giselle?” Adelina didn’t even wait for an answer.

  She dropped everything and slipped on her shoes. Adelina ran out the door and down the hall with Nadyah close behind. Her mind was numbingly blank. Goddess, please let her sister still be alive. Adelina picked up her skirts and ran like the wind.

  It only took a few moments to reach the council room, but it felt like an eternity. Adelina ran through the doors and looked around wildly. The grim faces made her hands shake. Adelina found Raena on the throne next to King Orion and she stumbled towards her sister, falling into a curtsey. “Giselle?” she asked, pleading for an answer that wouldn’t break her.

  Adelina had broken about ten rules of protocol, but protocol could go straight to all seven hells. “What happened to Giselle?” she demanded. Her dark jasmine scent filled the room, the deeper version of her sweetness and a few heads jerked back in surprise as Adelina stepped forward. She held Raena’s gaze and refused to submit.

  Now that she knew she could hold her own with her family when she needed to, Adelina felt her confidence rising until Raena was the first to look away. “She’s alive and on a return trip with Lord Sirus as we speak.”

  Adelina nearly collapsed with sick relief. Nadyah caught her arm subtly before she could stumble and fall, her knees were so weak. The courtesan escorted her into her own, smaller throne, and then stood behind her chair in a comforting show of solidarity.

  The chatter resumed and it gave Adelina a moment to take in who was in the council room, who had answered the summons. Joslynn looked sick and her face was slightly green, but Raena had said her fiancé was alive. Adelina was eternally grateful for her friend’s sake. They’d known it could be dangerous, but no one had considered exactly how deadly the border would be.

  Nash was there as well, his face grim as he looked at Raena. Not once did he glance at Adelina. She was always impressed by how well he managed to hide his affection for her.

  There was a warning she felt deep inside, churning her stomach. One that said this was the end of whatever relationship they’d had.

  “The report from Princess Giselle and Lord Sirus is dire,” Raena said clearly, addressing the entire room. “They’ve caught the traitors, but reported that the Neprijat were there waiting. They suspect a spy in our midst, one who reported our movements to the Neprijat. Those forces wanted a royal. We were lucky Lord Sirus and the Seprilles forces were able to keep her safe.”

  Raena stood and looked towards Sirus’s brother and bowed slightly, then again to the Seprilles representative. “Your people did well, and the entire royal family thanks you.”

  There were claps from the rest of the council and Adelina wondered what the solution would be. They couldn’t just leave the border undefended.

  “The rest of the report states the Neprijat warriors were minimal. Only one male to a ship, two or three on the larger starships and the rest were their hounds. These Neprijat have powers strong enough to convince anyone to do anything, I want our best scientists figuring out how to prevent this from happening in the future.”

  The science guild stood and bowed, tapping out notes as soon as they sat.

  “Treon is barren,” Raena said, turning to address Lord Lucas. “The surviving citizens have been evacuated to Seprilles. A few thousand are on their way here for medical care. The traitorous soldiers have been eradicated, and the Treon forces who surrendered are also on their way to Draga Terra to be tried. You may contact your loyalists, Lord Lucas. We need to settle the matter of your people and planet as quickly as possible.”

  Lucas bowed and Adelina felt terrible for him. Everything he had was stripped from him – his people, his planet, and his family.

  Nash stood from his chair and Raena acknowledged him. In that moment Adelina knew she’d been right. “Princess Raena, I request your permission to leave with my forces today. We can help fortify the border until more soldiers can arrive.”

  Her sister nodded. “Granted, leave as soon as possible.”

  For the first time Nash’s eyes flicked to Adelina’s. It was a mere nanosecond but his gaze told her a thousand words and more in that time. “I can leave in a few hours. There is not much I have to pack, and the sooner I leave the faster I will be there.”

  “Excellent. I want half our forces heading to the border before noon. Find and destroy those ships. Patrol our space to the shield and protect the outposts at all costs.”

  Adelina looked and saw at least five generals stand from their chairs and they all bowed. It was difficult to absorb it all, everything happened so fast.

  “Ready your soldiers and gather your supplies,” Raena instructed the generals. “I want you on your way to the outer rim within two hours’ time. Make sure you have the medical equipment and physicians you need for your own soldiers as well as to assist with the civilians.”

  The generals bowed once more and then left the war room when the King nodded his approval of Raena’s commands.

  Suddenly the meeting was over and Adelina felt dazed by the information. She had to do something to help. There should be crates of protein cubes ready to go. It wouldn’t be the entire shipment, but some was better than none. Perhaps Nash could take them. He would arrive in the outer rim faster than the rest of the Draga forces.

  Adelina stood and walked behind the others in the council. As soon as she crossed the threshold into the empty hallway, Adelina sagged against the wall. Nadyah was at her side, like a shadow. The courtesan whispered words of encouragement but Adelina’s mind was on one thing, and one thing only.

  “Find a way for me to speak to Nash one last time before he leaves?” she asked her courtesan.

  Nadyah nodded and then disappeared.

  This would be good-bye.

  The small bit of time they’d had together was at an end.
Adelina’s heart hurt, like a shard of glass lodged deep, cutting further whenever she moved. Her hand pressed to her chest and she tried to breathe through the pain. The anxiety she’d had since she was a child tried to rise up and choke her, but she pushed it back down. This was no time to lose her head.

  Then Nadyah reappeared with an anxious look on her face. “Princess, come with me now.”

  Adelina didn’t question her courtesan. She simply followed. Nadyah led her through the maze of the palace until she tugged her into a strange alcove behind a tapestry. Adelina hadn’t even known the small place existed and when she noticed the screen in the wall, she peered through and saw the royal parlor behind the Throne Room. The same room where Raena had stripped her marriage rights so ruthlessly.

  A second later Nash was shoved through the tapestry. He hadn’t even had time to activate his stealth shield. It was a huge risk, but at that moment Adelina didn’t care. She threw her arms around his neck and he squeezed her so hard she could barely breathe.

  “I don’t want to leave you,” Nash murmured into her hair.

  “You have to.” It was the very last thing Adelina could possibly want, but they both had obligations they couldn’t ignore.

  Nash pulled back and studied her face. He didn’t say a word, but she knew his thoughts and his regrets. There was nothing they could do about the situation. Nash was a warrior, he had his people to protect, and he planned to protect her own.

  That look in his eyes—Adelina kissed him hard and desperate. She would most likely never see him again, even if he survived the border, he might not survive the dragons. Then there would be war.

  Every feeling she had for Nash went into that kiss. The way he made her feel like she could do anything, how he fought for her freedom and protected her. Nash was a warrior with honor and she was lucky to have known him so intimately. Because inside that warrior was a heart that had more love and affection than she’d ever known.

  “Don’t forget that you were the reason for my happiness when you are thousands of light-cycles away from here,” Adelina said. Those tears she’d held back for so long finally spilled over and ran down her cheeks.

  Nash rubbed them away with a thumb. “I could never forget you, Adelina. You will always be a part of me. Even if I never earn the right for your hand I will always remember the way you smell, the way you taste,” He kissed one tear-stained cheek and then the other. “And how I’ve been drawn to you since the moment I laid eyes on you weeks ago.” Then Nash held her like he’d never let her go.

  “We took this too far,” Adelina said against the skin of his shoulder, resting her head on his chest one last time. “I never meant to…” She nearly said she never meant to fall in love with him, but Adelina couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud. It already hurt too much. “Was it worth the pain of knowing it’s likely we’ll never make it back to each other?”

  “It’s worth every bit of pain and more,” Nash said.

  Adelina laughed through her tears. “We could have run away together.”

  “We both know you would never do something so selfish.”

  He was right, but it didn’t make her feel better. “Promise me something?”

  Nash took her hand and pressed his lips to her gold palm. “Anything.”

  “Do what you need to, to save your people. Forget about me. I won’t have you getting yourself killed for my sake.” The words were like knives in her heart, but they were necessary.

  Eventually the mark on his neck would disappear.

  War was brutal and vicious. He would face horrors she couldn’t even contemplate and she refused to be the reason he wasn’t focused.

  Nash had to have options.

  He rumbled his disagreement but she pressed a finger to his lips and pleaded with her eyes for him to wait and listen. “I need you to promise me that you will stay alive. That’s all I want.”

  In one smooth motion he lifted her up and pressed her against the wall. Adelina gasped in surprise and desire. She wanted him enough to take him right there, but there wasn’t time. Already they’d been hiding for too long. Nash kissed her fiercely and Adelina felt her lips bruise under his aggressive possession.

  “I regret nothing,” he growled. “Remember that for me, and when Raena trots out some pretty-boy lords for your pleasure, don’t forget how I made you scream for me.” His warm breath against her neck and the delicious words made Adelina shiver.

  If only they had more time, one last proper goodbye, but Nash had only a few hours to pack and ready his entire contingent of warriors before he left Draga Terra.

  “Here,” he said, pressing a piece of tech into her hands. “These are the schematics for a ship fast enough to reach the outer rim in three days. That’s how long it will take me to reach Kaita. Find someone you trust and modify a starship. If things go bad I want you to get out of here before it’s too late. I’ll find you anywhere in the universe Adelina, just stay alive and safe.”

  Before she could say anything more he activated his stealth shield and then she felt him leave. The space was empty and cold without him. Adelina hugged her chest and shivered. The tech in her hand left an imprint on her skin, she held it so tightly. She would do as he said, but hoped she wouldn’t need to use the starship to flee.

  If they couldn’t have each other, at least knowing the other was still alive would be enough. It was all Adelina could hope for when things seemed so dark and dire.

  When her courtesan murmured the all clear Adelina let her feet lead her. They walked the halls and when she stopped she found herself outside the private temple in the royal garden. The gods and goddesses were scattered throughout the beautiful garden for private prayers. Adelina wasn’t sure who to ask for help. She looked up at the three-faced goddess. Her birth goddess Mala was at the center and Adelina fell to her knees before the statue. The tears streamed once more and she bowed until her forehead touched the floor.

  There was so much to ask for, so much to say. Adelina closed her eyes and stayed in that position, whispering her fears and hopes to Mala in the language of the Ancients. She had no idea how much time passed, but if she were to stay on Draga Terra and wait for everything to happen, the least she could do was ask the Mother – her favored – to have mercy on them all.

  The Neprijat were far closer than anyone had anticipated and the monsters’ violent retaliation to their support of Nash was the beginning of a true war.

  Nash might not survive.

  Draga might not survive.

  “Please Mala, I beg you to consider a male who is not your own and remember his promise to me. He’s one I consider dear.”

  As usual there was no reply, but Adelina felt a small knot in her chest loosen.

  Alpha’s rough voice washed over her. “Princess, you’re needed at the docks.” He was to escort her of course.

  After Alpha was reassigned she’d felt so lonely. One of her best friends had spent most of their lives by her side, and now he wasn’t. She only hoped his schedule would allow them to still spend some time together.

  She looked up at her guard and smiled, but it was sad. It must have been hours while she’d knelt before the goddess and prayed, bargained, and pleaded. Nadyah had stayed by her side the entire time, never once saying a word. The courtesan helped her to her feet, knees aching and then took out a portable nila. It fixed her hair and pressed makeup onto her face. Nadyah then made sure the dust on her skirts was brushed away.

  The dark purple dress designed for summer was not what Adelina would have chosen for a proper send-off, but it wasn’t the worst choice. “It’s fine,” she muttered.

  “You should look like a queen so he will never forget you,” Nadyah argued, tugging and pulling until she was satisfied. “Here, wear these shoes.”

  Adelina felt rather numb, but did as her courtesan prompted. The stilettos were strapped on and with a few masterful alterations Nadyah had her looking seductive and sensual, but she didn’t feel it.

  �
�Snap out of it,” Nadyah demanded. The pat on her cheek was hard enough to sting. “You have to look strong or he will never stop worrying about you and we both know that could get him killed.”

  Instantly Adelina straightened. Nadyah was right. Her shoulders went back and Adelina tucked a curl back. The shoes clicked against the marble as she made her way through the palace. The new smile she’d crafted after her coming-of-age was well in place and her hips swayed as she walked, completing her transformation.

  The palace docks were a flurry of activity and Adelina took her place with her family. They all stood and watched as the Kharan warships were loaded up. The Corinthian warriors moved like a well-oiled machine until Nash and his second were the only two left. Nash went through the motions and thanked her father and sister, then said his goodbyes down the line of royals.

  When Nash reached her he took her hand and brushed a gentle kiss over her knuckles. No words were spoken. None were needed. The way he looked at her, into her was enough. Adelina smiled at him. “It was a pleasure, Prince Nash. Safe travels and Mala be with you.”

  Something slipped into her hand before he stepped away.

  Nash didn’t bother with pretty, polite words. He turned his back and walked up into his starship with his second close behind. Adelina watched the starships power up, her smile faltering for a split-second.

  The glowing blue from the engines had a powerful backdraft and her skirts swirled in the warm air. Adelina watched the starship rise slowly until it was high enough she had to crane her neck to see it. When Nash’s ship was the size of a rock the engines fully activated and with a blue streak it disappeared into the stars, the other warships following behind closely.

  The audience dissipated, but Adelina stared up into the sky like she could see past the atmosphere and into the endless starry night as he flew farther and farther away from her. She opened her fist palm up and peeled a small note from the rock.

  ‘A promise is a promise milchka, when you have your freedom consider my offer.’