Page 30 of Princess of Draga

Nadyah desperately wanted to ask if Jael thought Nash had murdered his own family in accordance with the false king. She ground her teeth and kept her mouth shut. If Jael thought he should be king then she thought he was innocent. To question that innocence would earn her more than lines on herface.

The deep scratches stung, but they would heal in a few hours. Nadyah would have to avoid her princess until then. The Spider floated towards her and didn’t stop until Nadyah’s eyes were on her embroidered slippers. The glittering skirt of her gown swished and Nadyah did not dare lookup.

Jael’s smooth and delicate hand caressed the cheek still dripping blood and Nadyah hid her flinch. “Your report states that Princess Adelina spoke up for the lost prince. I want you to cultivate their relationship. Support her and teach her the ways of the Corinthians as well. You never know, the skills might be of use to the youngprincess.”

Nadyah felt bile rise to burn her tongue. She hated the way Jael thought she could command lives as if they meant nothing to the ones they belonged to. The courtesan kept her mouth shut and waited for her orders. After all, they both served and protected the Crown and the royalfamily.

“Acknowledge you understand what I’ve said.” Jael’s fingers tilted Nadyah’s chin up until she was forced to look into her mistress’s eyes. “Vow to me you will remain loyal anddedicated.”

“I, Nadyah d’Lara, swear fealty to Jael d’Melarque. I vow to remain loyal to the house of Draga and all that entails. My dedication will never waver. Only the way of the Goddessmatters.”

The Goddess of love and wisdom—there were two sides to that goddess. She had one side of light and love. The dark side did whatever was required to achieve the end result. She reflected the true heart of a female; dual personalities. They were all capable of darkness and light, and occasionally a situation required the two separate sides of a woman to act as one. Wisdom could be attained through the darkness or through love, the goddess didn’t particularly care how and neither didJael.

She only wished she knew why the goddess would bless a courtesan with love for a man that contradicted her vows. There had to be a reason, she just didn’t know what it wasyet.

Nadyah remained still as Jael sealed her vow with a kiss. The taste of the Spider lingered and Nadyah licked her lips. The dark red wine remained and Nadyah’s bellyfluttered.

The ache Varan left was tempered with the pain Jael had inflicted and the fear of what would happen to her if she failed her mistress. Nadyah only hoped the threat of her execution would help her stay away from the Prince of Thieves the next time she saw him. And Nadyah knew there would be a next time. The goddess enjoyed torturing her too much to allow anythingless.

Nadyah watched Jael return to the information on her shreve. She had wanted to ask about Adelina’s strange reactions, but her Mistress was too keen on the possible match between Adelina and Nash for Nadyah’s comfort. Mistress Jael didn’t seem to care the union could put her princess in danger and Nadyah would never forgive herself if Jael wanted to use that information againstAdelina.

No, she would keep her suspicions to herself. Nadyah and Adelina would find the answers they needed without the help of the Spider. Until then she would say nothing, and only with the permission of herprincess.

Nadyah sighed internally as her mistress waved her hand, dismissing her. She would have to tell Princess Adelina about the secret work she did forJael.

It was not a conversation she looked forwardto.

Chapter Nine

Adelina

Draga RoyalPalace

Planet DragaTerra

Adelina watchedGiselle and Nash leave the breakfast table. No one paid her any mind as she followed after them. Thankfully breakfast was a relaxed affair that was more of a banquet than a proper sit down. Adelina nodded to Raena who was in the middle of a conversation with theirmother.

Per her original schedule she should be assisting the staff in preparations for her coming-of-age party, but Giselle would take them her notes and plans. The housekeeper was more than capable. As she left the royal dining room Adelina passed Alpha. He was a silent shadow next toher.

Giselle had told her to meet in the library where she would pass the prince off to Adelina for the tour of the palace. Giselle had training to attend and she had to stay on top of it if she wanted to pass the physical test for entry to the Army. Their parents and Raena disapproved, but Giselle would wear them down eventually and when it finally happened she would beprepared.

As they walked through the halls, Adelina glanced over at Alpha. “Did you receive my cast?” sheasked.

Alpha nodded. “I did, Princess. I still do notapprove.”

She refrained from sighing. Adelina hadn’t expected Alpha to be such a pain about this. It had been six months and they both had moved on from their intense but short romance. He was still one of her best friends, but Alpha was overbearing. Ever since the bombs he’d been relentless about hersafety.

“You do not have to approve to obey my request,” she said as gently as she could manage. By the way he stiffened it was clear she’d angered him. This was where they still had to improve. She commanded his life by her rank if not by her will and Adelina hardly ever used that power. But on occasion she was forced to. “I am more than capable of keeping myself safe, I do not need you to escort us both.” Adelina stopped outside the library doors and turned to face her long-timefriend.

Crossing his arms, he frowned down at her. “This prince is only here out of courtesy and the wish of the King. His request for sanctuary will not be granted and your life is too valuable. Leaving you with him alone is a risk I will nottake.”

How could she convince him to leave? Nash would not open up to her if Alpha trailed behind him with the glare he had on his face. She waved her hand over the pad and the doors opened, giving her time to think. “William’s eyes will be on us and I trust him,” she said quietly as they made their way to the domed center, sunlight streamed through the stainedglass.

Alpha made a rude noise of disagreement. “Well I do not trust that Kharancula-boy. For all we know he could be in league with theNeprijat.”

It took every ounce of Adelina’s control not to whip around and slap Alpha across the face as hard as she could. “Hold your tongue, or I will hold it for you,” she hissed. His look of surprise and shock snapped her out of her anger. Where the fierce protectiveness she felt came from was a mystery toher.

“Lina – I’m—I’m sorry. I only worry,” Alphastuttered.

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