by Emma Dean
Ian sat slack-jawed and simply stared. As a scientist there was only one way to find out for sure and he had no reason to deny her. “If that were true there would be much to explain,” he managed. “How would that be possible when my mother was only pregnant full term the one time? Why hide your true mother from us when I am fully accepted as I am?”
Adelina stood from the stool and paced. “These are all things I’ve wondered myself, but there are also things I can’t explain about myself and I’m a true submissive Ian, a Draga submissive. That should not be genetically possible. The only explanation for the pregnancy would be to implant the fertilized egg and sperm into the queen for the legitimacy. They could easily ensure my hair was black and my eyes the true purple as the genes are already there through Father. As to hiding it all I wouldn’t know, but it’s been eating at me. The truth is all that matters. The rest can be explained once we have the proof.”
His long body hunched over as he contemplated her features, no doubt comparing them to his own. Ian rested his chin on his hand and was silent for a few moments. “If you’re part courtesan you could be mated. Is this why you’re so keen on answers?”
Ian was too smart for his own good. She nodded. It was also something he’d had to live with himself.
“Are you mated to P’draic?” Adelina asked.
Sadly Ian shook his head. “I do not know if it is because he is not my mate, or because I do not possess the gene to mate. I’ve studied my own genetics enough to know either is possible, but neither is sure. We half-breeds are a rarity. Then it’s entirely possible the dormant gene could be triggered by something. It’s smart to know this for sure,” he agreed. “I will do the work up and keep it on a private, secure device. Anything I find will be brought to you first and then we can decide what to do with it.”
Adelina sighed in relief. Ian was one of the nicest people. He was shy and rather introverted when it came to the royal lifestyle, but they had always been close and friendly despite the age difference. Knowing he would support her in this and keep her secret lifted a huge weight from her shoulders. They all had to stick together now when no one was sure what Raena’s temper would do to them next. “Thank you so much, Ian. You have no idea how much this means to me. Having these suspicions has been…troublesome.”
The lab door slid open and she tried not to flinch as the fear rippled through her. Thank goodness for the soundproofing tech on each lab.
Alpha looked harried as he rushed inside. “The Prince of Thieves is at the palace gate requesting entrance for him and a prisoner.”
Her heart dropped into her stomach and she glanced at Ian. The prisoner she’d terrified was finally being presented. Adelina prayed Mala would keep her safe, to see Varan now after everything that had occurred the night before? It was too much.
Nadyah ran into the lab a half second later. Her curtsey was abrupt. “The thief is requesting you, Princess. He says he will only speak to you and the king.” The worried look in her courtesan’s eyes told her enough.
Varan was making waves and he was dragging her down with him without realizing it. Why should a thief request the third-born? All it would do was cast suspicion on them all. She clenched her hands. Adelina wanted to slap the male hard enough to leave a mark for his stupidity.
“I will schedule another time with you brother,” she managed before she rushed off. Her father would not ask questions, but Raena would. Oh, not right away. She would have to watch herself. No doubt her sister would have her followed from now on.
The labs and scientists were a blur as she ran. Nadyah and Alpha kept pace with her, thundering up the stairs to the main level of the palace. The moment they hit the populated hallways they slowed down. Adelina walked so fast courtiers turned to stare. She had to get to the gate before her sister, who no doubt would show up with their father.
When she burst out of the palace into the front courtyard the heat of the Kala sun had her sweating. Her skirts only got in the way as Adelina tried to keep up the appearance of grace. Not for the first time she wished she could wear pants more often. Guards let her pass without question. She could see the gate from the outer courtyard. A group of soldiers stood with their weapons pointed at Varan.
The thief had the audacity to lounge against the gate with his eyeless prisoner in chains. Finally Adelina slowed her pace when she saw she was the first to arrive. She smoothed her hair and then clasped her hands before her, slipping on the small smile that everyone adored.
“Who is this?” she demanded of the guards. Better to play stupid than dig herself further in the hole.
“He says he’s the Prince of Thieves,” one answered gruffly, moving aside so she could see.
“The Prince of Thieves?” she asked, arching a brow in question. “What does a thief want with me?”
Varan bowed low, sweeping his arm and grinning like an idiot. It seemed to make the guards nervous as they shuffled and made sure their weapons aimed true.
“What is the meaning of this?” Raena demanded, pushing past Adelina to inspect the strange scene before them.
“Prince Varan?” her father’s voice sounded surprised, but not angry. Adelina turned to watch her father approach with an entire squadron of soldiers. “It has been quite a long time since your last gift.” The wry smile on his tired face had Raena stepping back, rethinking her strategy.
Adelina stayed behind her father in the submissive position on his left, but she stood much closer than was proper. At the moment she didn’t care. She needed to hear what Varan said in front of her father and sister. With Nadyah and Alpha at her back she felt less afraid. They would protect her against anything.
Again the sweeping bow and Varan stood with that mocking grin of his. “Your majesty, I have brought the man who let the bombers into the palace. He has confessed. I’ve already taken my trophies as you can see. What you do with him now is up to you.”
The man whimpered as Varan passed the chains to one of the guards.
Instantly her father stood straighter, taller. The King stood before them and suddenly he was large and impressive. He waved his hand. “Take him to the dungeons and put a watch on him. This prisoner will not die before I have questioned him.”
Five guards broke off and took the man with the gaping eye-holes towards the palace. Adelina couldn’t help her shudder. Varan was vicious and she could never forget that part of him.
“I appreciate your assistance as always…Prince.” Her father actually acknowledged his title and rank.
Adelina practically stared until she heard her own name.
“What is it you want with the Princess Adelina?” Raena asked, not as angry as before but still suspicious.
Varan turned and took a step toward Adelina. He took her hand, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. It took everything she had to keep that stupid smile on her face and not snarl at him. The control required to stay as still as a statue was nearly too much when something small and cold was slipped into her palm.
“Congratulations on your upcoming birth celebration. I was honored to receive an invitation from the royal family and wanted to ensure you knew I planned to attend.” Varan stepped back and released her hand as the guards bristled.
Raena smiled pleasantly but she watched the two of them too closely for Adelina’s comfort. “I’d forgotten you’d sent him an invitation,” she said with a trilling laugh.
The sound made goose-pimples rise across her arms.
“Yes, the Prince’s rank and service to the Crown warranted it.” Adelina curtseyed, slipping the disc into her pocket before anyone could see or notice the flash of metal from the sun. “I appreciate the response.”
The king laughed and held out his hand for Varan to shake. “I look forward to seeing you in a few days Varan.”
Adelina was dying to see what was on the disc, but she couldn’t risk leaving just yet.
Varan smiled at Adelina and her heart leapt into her throat. What did this fool male have planned? �
�If you require an escort, please let me know.” Then the thief bowed to Raena, the king, and then left with the guards following him until he reached the streets of the first-circle.
Adelina stood with her father and sister, not daring to move before she was dismissed. When Varan disappeared from sight King Orion turned to her and offered his arm. “Your party is only a few days away, do you have an escort yet?” he asked.
Adelina took his arm and watched her sister from the corner of her eyes. Raena followed on the king’s right and he never questioned it. He recognized Raena as the dominant now and it made Adelina more nervous than before. Her blank face didn’t fool Raena and she felt ridiculous to be so afraid of her sister, but after the other night…it was smart to be afraid. Raena had become unpredictable.
Nadyah and Alpha trailed behind them and Adelina slipped her unoccupied hand into her pocket, feeling the small disc. “I do not, Father. There are a few I’ve considered, but no one I have officially asked to escort me.” Alpha had been on the list, but she wasn’t sure if that would be a good idea when most knew they used to be lovers.
“Remember you have the freedom to choose whoever you like for your coming-of-age party. There are certain rules that are left behind on such a momentous celebration. Have you scheduled your seal?”
Adelina looked up sharply, inspecting her father’s face for some sign he meant what he said. That playful glitter was in his eyes as he looked down at her with affection. But there was also the look cautioning her to think before she chose. King Orion was a true romantic at heart and Adelina got the feeling he wanted her to choose the escort she wanted, not one that would be deemed appropriate. It was a risk, but she wouldn’t be breaking any rules.
She shook her head as they sedately made their way back into the cool palace. “I have not, but it will be done by tomorrow. I very much look forward to having my own seal.” The gold tattoo would hurt worse than anything she’d ever felt before, but it was another symbol of her individuality, the small freedoms she would have now that she would finally be of age.
They stopped just inside the main foyer of the palace and her father turned, patting the top of her hand. “I trust you have much to do for your celebration. Don’t forget your mother is expecting you to attend the Queen’s tea.” He bent and kissed her on the cheek before slowly making his way to the lift.
Adelina hoped he would rest for a while before the announcement.
Raena turned to her and there was a strange look on her face. They stared at each other and Adelina could feel Alpha inch closer while Nadyah wandered off. Her courtesan looked bored, but Adelina knew better. Her auditory implant was no doubt cranked to the highest setting as she stared out the massive windows towards the gardens.
Courtiers passed them by and Raena shrugged apologetically. “My temper last night was disgraceful,” she said in Ilashyan to keep as many ears from listening as possible. “I wanted to apologize, Lina.”
Despite the familiar nickname Adelina didn’t relax. Her sister meant every word, but it could easily happen again.
Raena sighed and tipped her head. “I only want to keep you safe, little sister. Prince Nash is dangerous. He represents war and a life that is full of violence. I would never want that for you. This is all in your best interests. If there is a male you consider attractive and you think the match would be good for our kingdom I would like to hear the proposition. Taking away a free marriage was the only way to keep you from making a mistake.”
Adelina was too shocked to reply. How could her sister be so mistaken? She had done what she had out of love, but it was still a terrible betrayal. As she walked with her sister to the Queen’s solar, Adelina listened to Raena’s explanation.
“Please, Lina. I still want us to be friends. I know my demands as queen will be difficult at times, but I will always keep you safe. As a true submissive, Khara would be the last place you’d want to be. Nash still has to fight for his right to rule as king. How barbaric.”
It only proved how little Raena really knew her. Adelina had so many people close to her now, she did not have to constantly pretend, but when Raena was queen it would be best to continue her charade. Once she left Draga Terra she could have the freedom to be herself. Adelina held in the sigh as she didn’t want to anger her sister again.
This shaky truce only drove the phantom knife into her side deeper, but Adelina would take what she could get. Raena held too much power for her to ruffle her feathers. “Thank you, Raena. I appreciate you looking out for me.” Adelina kept her voice light and airy.
Inside, she was screaming.
“Now, let’s meet these noble ladies visiting us.”
She let Raena enter the solar before her. It gave Adelina a moment to breathe, to still her shaking hands. Alpha brushed against her as he positioned himself with the other guards outside the solar doors. Adelina gave him a grateful look. One glance at Nadyah and the courtesan nodded.
Adelina stepped over the threshold and into the Queen’s solar, smiling softly at her mother as she wrapped her submissive mask around her like a cloak on a chilly evening.
Chapter Seventeen
Joslynn
Queen’s Solar
Draga Royal Palace
Planet Draga Terra
Joslynn enjoyed having Sirus at her side. It kept many of the unwanted males away from her and she hadn’t seen any she would be interested in. The Scyrian lord beside her was a terrible distraction.
The welcome dinner had been tedious. Even the newly arrived nobles bored her. Everyone had an agenda and every single one of them was power hungry. She had precious metals, gems, and a fertile planet. Those all equated to power in many males’ opinion.
They all disgusted her. Perhaps she could convince her people a ‘tube baby’ was a legitimate heir if she could find the proper genetic material. Then she would have to ensure the father had no rights to the child or her planet, which would require mounds of paperwork. Joslynn sighed. Nothing was ever simple.
Sirus glared at the guards and nobles around them as they made their way down one of the beautiful hallways with an open wall to the warm outside air. Joslynn was supposed to spend time with the females of the court and she looked forward to it. There would be no expectations for her to choose someone and therefore she wouldn’t have to keep her guard up.
The Queen’s solar was a sanctuary for the ladies of the court. No men were allowed in the room and only Ilashyan was spoken. The language was an ode to the life they had to lead before they were considered equal. The habit stuck after centuries of subjugation. If things went poorly on the husband front then perhaps Joslynn could hide there for the majority of the trip. She had no idea how Princess Raena managed the pressure.
“Is everything all right, Countess?” Sirus asked with a sideways glance.
Sirus was still an option. When she had made the request for him to consider her hand in marriage it had been a failsafe, but after two weeks of travelling in space together she felt there was so much more than an attraction between them. He was the most respectful, polite, and reliable male she’d ever come across and he didn’t give a damn about her wealth. He treated her as a lady and made no move to officially court her. It frustrated her – the distance he placed between the two of them. After how close they’d gotten during the trip he’d pulled away when they’d reached Draga Terra.
“Please, Sirus, how many times do I have to remind you to call me Joslynn?” The man was insufferable.
“I apologize, la—Joslynn.” She could hear the exasperation in his voice. Sirus was not the best at covering his emotions. Or he was easy for her to read. She hadn’t quite figured out which it was yet. “I worry for your safety,” he muttered. “I’ve already had three courtiers at your door this morning asking to see you.”
She huffed in annoyance. “And?”
Sirus gave her another sideways glance as they stopped outside the Queen’s solar. Two guards stood at attention and Joslynn assumed there were m
ore hidden to protect the queen and the heir. This was the safest place for Joslynn to be. Sirus was being ridiculous.
“They were not on your approved list so I sent them away.” He made a face. “They were not pleased and I am not comfortable leaving you alone. Your safety was charged to me, not one of these guards I do not know.” Sirus raked a disapproving gaze over the males in uniform and Joslynn didn’t bother hiding her smile.
“You can stay outside the door and wait for me then. Whatever will make you more comfortable,” she said. Joslynn leaned forward and gave him a parting kiss on the cheek. “Play nice with the other guards,” she teased.
The countess left him with the other males and entered the solar. She was immediately struck by the high ceilings and plush furniture. The sunlight filled the room through the wide windows which offered an amazing view of the forest and palace grounds on one side and the city on the other. She walked slowly as she inspected each lady and the quiet hush followed her. Books lined the shelves and true to the description, not a male was in sight.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Lady Joslynn?” a quiet, delicate voice reached her and she turned to find the youngest princess standing before her. Princess Adelina gave her a shy smile and had a hard time meeting her gaze as if the young female were rejected often. The time they had spent on Pedranus during the Royal Tour a few months earlier was regrettably cut short when the king became too ill to pretend any longer.
“Princess Adelina,” Joslynn said respectfully, curtseying as protocol demanded. “What service may I provide?”
Joslynn hadn’t expected anyone in the royal family to seek her out. She may be the ruler of Pedranus, but there was a lot going on in the palace at the moment. Adelina blushed and Joslynn’s eyes widened in surprise. Was the princess nervous of her? She almost laughed at the ridiculous thought. No, that couldn’t possibly be the case. Princess Adelina was a favorite among the people and had nothing to be nervous about.