Page 2 of Princess of Draga

Because despite how much she wanted Varan, he was the only person she could not have sexwith.

* * *

Mistress Jael– the head of House of Kismet –summoned Nadyah the second Greyson had left sated and with promises of morediamonds.

Nadyah felt nerves coil in the pit of her stomach as she quickly made her way through the opulent House. The thick, blood-red carpets muffled the sound of her slippers and the folds of her spidersilk gown whispered in the early morning silence. The gold embroidery of her dress caught the light of the candles adding to the romantic atmosphere of theHouse.

Nadyah stopped in front of the double gold-leaf doors that led to Mistress Jael’s study. Mistress Jael was not only the head of one of the most respected and revered courtesan Houses, but she was also the Spider; head of the Spymaster’s Guild and Nadyah was one of her most trusted and skilledspies.

Gently the doors opened as she waved her hand over the pad. The smoky dawn light filled the study. The candles in the Jael’s study were left unlit and the Spymistress was a mere shadow at her desk. “Please sit, darling.” The Spider beckoned towards the velvet chair before the desk. Nadyah sank into the soft fabric withouthesitation.

“What is it, Mistress?” Nadyah whispered. A tinge of fear tickled herspine.

Was she speaking to the Mistress of the House or theSpider?

She wondered briefly if Mistress Jael knew of her dealings with the Prince of Thieves. If she did, Nadyah doubted she minded. They all had their sources of information and rarely did the Spider care how the web was woven as long as it brought her the buzzing offlies.

The smoky, silky voice wove through the room as she spoke. “There have been whispers of an assassination brewing; an enemy in thecourt.”

Fear struck Nadyah hard and fast. Their royal family was in danger? How had she heard nothing until this moment? The Spymistress stood and the rising sun struck her golden hair. It glittered in the morning light. The Spider was forty cycles old but hardly looked a day over twenty. With such an expanded lifespan each person tended to age differently and Jael did it withmagnificence.

“I am assigning you to the youngest princess, my little spider. She has finally come of age, twenty cycles old and in need of her training in the bedroom from only the best. You will teach her thecamerraletoand ensure the House of Kismet’s reputation is upheld.” The Spymistress glided around her desk, the picture of elegance and grace. Her soft, delicate hand briefly touched Nadyah’s face inaffection.

“We must protect the royal family at all costs. You are now officially a royal courtesan, Nadyah. Teach the little princess everything you know about the bedroom arts and make sure to stay close to her. Learn what you can in thepalace.”

“The palace, Mistress?” Nadyah was confused. Normally a royal came to the House to betaught.

“After the bombing six months ago, the king and queen have agreed it is safer if you are living in the palace for her training. Princess Adelina will visit the House just once for your initial meeting. They asked me to find their enemy and safeguard their children. You will not be the only little spider in the palace, but you will have the most freedom. Keep a sharp eye out, love.” Mistress Jael bent down and brushed her lips against Nadyah’s and the young courtesan felt the spark betweenthem.

Mistress Jael had spent the last ten cycles as head of the House and rarely took a client. Still, she had not lost her skill. Nadyah knew these touches were platonic and all part of their life as courtesans; born and bred to be sexual. It was in their genetic makeup to be fluid in ways the rest of the races of humanity were not. They could become what society needed them to be to balance out a crowd, or even a small group ofpeople.

It was difficult to forget Jael’s touch when she had been the one to help train Nadyah since the day she was brought to the House of Kismet after her Academytraining.

The two of them had been close for a long time and then things had changed when she became Mistress. The distance only grew when Jael became the Spider, but Nadyah was proud of her and perhaps still a little bit in love withher.

Nadyah looked down at her hands as Mistress Jael turned back to her desk and rang a bell. Within seconds a servant arrived and placed a breakfast order for the two of them. The Spider made as much noise as hernamesake.

Jael glided to the chair next to Nadyah, graceful and quiet as the dead. Sitting next to her rather than behind her desk meant the formal giving of orders wasover.

Curious what Mistress Jael could possibly want to talk about, she waited as Jael remained silent. Nadyah was the subordinate and always the submissive one in Jael’s presence despite both their ability to adjust when needed. Jael looked out the massive windows behind her desk overlooking the ocean. The morning sun was weak and more yellow than its usualorange.

Rich coffee filled the room with its wondrous scent and a servant poured them both cups before placing the pot on the small table between them. Jael picked up the delicate china cup and saucer and sipped the steaming liquid carefully, choosing to drink it black. Nadyah added some sweetener and a dash of milk before drinking her own. It gave her much needed energy after a night with such littlesleep.

“When will I begin the youngest princess’s training?” Nadyah finally asked, breaking the silence. She lowered the cup and saucer to herlap.

Her Mistress gave her a wicked smile. “She will arrive after the midday hourtomorrow.”

Nadyah smiled and took another sip of her coffee. It was short notice but she looked forward to theassignment.

The Princess Adelina was a delicate little thing. She was so sweet, so demure, and loved by the people. Her black hair and lovely amethyst eyes made her more pretty than beautiful. With the right guidance she could begorgeous.

Nadyah had seen her a few times in her life, but never up close. The pics and vids hardly did her justice per the citizens of Draga. Not much was known about this princess except she liked to read. Entire days were spent in the library or the royal study per the Spider’s intel. Nadyah would have to learn more about the princess to properly do both of herjobs.

The servant returned with a small spread of fruit and nutbread. Following protocol Nadyah waited until Jael selected her food first. Her Mistress then set her coffee on the table and pulled a heavy linen card out of her dress pocket. She handed it to Nadyah before selecting a small plate offruit.

“We have received the invitation to the royal ball. I sent you a cast with my list of approved courtesans. Any not listed may only attend as guests of nobles. I will update you on any contracts that are made. The number of nobles who have already cast their attendance is astonishing. They are coming from all over the galaxy forthis.”

Mistress Jael tapped her long, sharp fingernails on the wood arm of the chair. The clicking noise seemed loud in the quiet office. “It was expected of course with all six royal children currently unwed. The most obvious choice is currently Princess Raena with her upcoming coronation. Ah the prospects of being king…” she trailed off as shecontemplated.

---