Page 18 of Princess of Draga

Nadyah narrowed her eyes as she watched the princess. This was a part of them that could be a curse if not handled properly. Until she knew exactly what ailed the princess she would have to teach her control first as all courtesanslearned.

“Have you ever given yourself pleasure?” sheasked.

Adelina nodded. She couldn’t quite look at Nadyah but she didn’t hesitate toanswer.

“Did it relieve thissensation?”

The princess shrugged, finally forcing herself to stand still. “For the moment, but the…need was still there and it made the next encounter impossible to resist. Not that I wanted to resist, and I don’t regret it.” Adelina crossed her arms over her chest and Nadyah could see the sheen of sweat on herskin.

“Get into your exercise gear. We’re going to work this off.” Nadyah went to her room and closed thedoor.

She leaned against it and took a deep breath as she considered the possibilities. Courtesans hardly ever masturbated as it only released the itch briefly and then it would come back with a vengeance. They either had sex or they exhausted themselves physically in otherways.

Nadyah stripped and changed into something she could comfortably run and fight in. After all, sex wasn’t the only thing courtesans were trained to do. It looked like she would have to train Adelina in more than simple bedroomgames.

Chapter Five

Veri

FamilySeat

PlanetAvvis

Lady Veri – heirto the planet Priea – tried to make herself smaller as Hayden’s mother – the archduchess of the planet Avvis – beckoned to the servant. Veri was a guest of the Avvis family at the moment, and not a willing one. There were only two reasons she was even on Avvis to begin with and not her beloved homeworld ofPriea.

Her father, Lord Greyson was the Marquis of Priea. He had sent a request for Veri to visit the Avvis family seat and she had done so without question, but it was not for the same reasons her fatherhad.

Her father wanted information; he wanted to know what the Avvis family planned, he wanted to know if they were still loyal to the royal family and the soon-to-be queen, PrincessRaena.

Veri reported to him every week as required, but personally she was there for Hayden, the golden boy of the Draga galaxy and heir to the Avvis planet and fortune. Ever since they met last year at the mid-cycle party his family threw every season they’d stolen moments together whenever theycould.

Afternoon tea was dreadful and tedious. Veri tucked a teal curl behind her slightly pointed ear and sighed. The main wall of the parlor was thick plas-glass which allowed the sunlight to stream in but kept the insects out. The garden right outside was a glory to behold. Avvis was the most fertile planet in the galaxy with Pedranus at a close second. Veri was envious as her own planet, Priea, was much smaller and their jungles made harvest difficult. She tried to comfort herself with the reminder Avvis would be hers one day as well as Priea when she finally marriedHayden.

The archduchess raised a brow at Veri from across the room, the letter in her hands clearly from the royal palace on Draga Terra. Veri refused to leave the parlor despite Indra’s obvious hint. She had every right to bethere.

Veri m’Lian d’Priea was the heir to all of Priea and Indra would treat her as such whether she wanted to or not. The Priea Marquise was not much lower than the Avvis Duchy in rank. Indra needed to screw her head on straight. She was not the damn queen of thegalaxy.

After an annoyed look, Indra turned to her daughter and transformed her face into that of a proud mother. “Oh Masha, it is the invitation for the Avvis family to attend the royal Choosing Ball,” Indra cooed as she read the extravagant linen invitation. Hayden’s sister Masha simply smiled and nodded, ever the submissive, knowing her mother did not actually expect a reply to herexclamation.

The royal family of Draga did not send out simple transmissions like the rest of the galaxy. No, they wanted to ensure everyone was reminded of their wealth and power. The gold the palace must have spent on the linen, let alone the number of couriers who would need to be timed perfectly to reach each family seat on each of the nine planets of the Draga galaxy at the same time…Veri almost couldn’t fathom the resourcesrequired.

The Draga royal family ruled over all of Draga galaxy from the first planet in their solar system – Deytis, to the last planet at the edge of their space in the outer rim – the planet Seprilles. The capitol planet Draga Terra housed the royal palace and the whole Draga family including the cousins. But the entire Draga galaxy and each noble family recognized the rule of the monarchy and pledged their banners to the Sons and Daughters ofDraga.

The power of the Dragas was something she wished she could have, and then maybe Indra wouldn’t treat her like the hiredhelp.

“Masha, there is also a special request for you to perform during Princess Adelina’s coming-of-age celebration. How wonderful!” Indra went on in a sweet tone that made Veri’s teethache.

Masha blushed and Veri fisted her hands in her skirts. She wanted to slap some sense into thegirl.

A small chime distracted her and Veri slipped her simulcast from the hidden pocket of her dress. Her mother had just sent her a cast with a pic of the same royal invitation. Veri nearly grinned before she remembered the archduchess’s hawk-like eyes onher.

“It looks like the Priea family will be attending as well,” Veri said softly, keeping her eyes downcast with a small smile on herface.

Indra hated her, it was best to pretend deference and submission to the archduchess, though anyone with a nose could sense the realdominant.

Indra’s eyes narrowed but she said nothing. Immediately she turned her attention back to her daughter and went on about which of her dance routines she should perform for the coming-of-age party. Veri ignored them both and wondered where Hayden had gone off too. He generally hated afternoon tea and Veri couldn’t blame him for that, but she did blame him for abandoning her with his awfulmother.

Veri turned to the plas-glass wall and watched the butterflies swirl around the summer-berry bushes. Perhaps she should take a walk in the garden rather than pretend to enjoytea.

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