Page 41 of Princess of Draga

Varan made a choking noise, or a laugh. She wasn’t sure which. “I’ll be attendingboth.”

“Good, then you can escort Nadyah to the Choosing Ball.” Adelina had seen the way her gaze lingered on Varan, the gentle touch she had with him and the sass that told her the courtesan was familiar with him and hisways.

“Did she share what I learned withyou?”

The room went so still and so quiet one could hear the formaldehyde splash as the eyes bobbed. Giselle and Adelina focused on Nadyah as one; attention sharp and predatory. Her knife was in her hand before she even realized what she was doing and Giselle had her army-issued pistol pointed between the courtesan’seyes.

Varan finding out about their true identity was a misfortune of fate. Passing on intel about the royal family and their private life? That wastreason.

“What did I promise you?” Gisellehissed.

The prince froze as he realized he had said somethingwrong.

“You will be the death of me, Varan,” Nadyah said, closing her eyes for a moment. “I also work for the Spider,” sheconfessed.

Giselle and Adelina shared a look. The Spider was loyal to their family, but that didn’t explain why Nadyah wouldn’t tell them she was a spy. Giselle cocked her head in question, leaving the matter to her. Adelina gave an imperceptible nod and focused on her courtesan. Hers to punish if need be whether she wanted to ornot.

Adelina closed her eyes for a moment and slid back into the part of her that was Princess Adelina and turned to Nadyah with her shoulders back, chin up, and spine stiff with her rank fully claimed once more. As she studied her trembling courtesan she considered whether this should wait or if Varan could be trusted. “Prince, you swear fealty to the Draga House and all those init?”

Varan dropped to his knees from the chaise and bowed his head, fist over his heart. “I swear fealty to you Princess Adelina. I swear fealty to Princess Giselle, and I swear fealty to the House of Draga from now until the end of my life. May the three-faced goddess have mercy on me and witness thisoath.”

“Your life is mine.” Adelina invoked the ancient words. She may not be the dominant but she was royalty and no one outside her family outrankedher.

“My life is yours,” he whispered. The prince’s entire body responded to the words and the ancient call to arms. Their genetics built to ensure this oath and promise. “Mia vitae setya.”

“You may stay then. Rise and witness the courtesan’s punishment.” Adelina hated this part of her life. She was a royal and it was her burden to bear from birth, but she did not have to likeit.

Giselle had given her the responsibility. She would not shirk her duty. If Adelina couldn’t ensure the loyalty of those closest to her, how could she be confident they would be loyal to Raena and the Dragafamily?

“Nadyah d’Lara. Your submission isdemanded.”

Her courtesan came swiftly around the chaise and dropped to her knees in front of Adelina. She bowed so low her forehead touched the floor. When she came up her hands went flat against her thighs and she kept her eyes down and headbowed.

“I submit to your will,” she said, her entire body shaking, but so slightly one who hadn’t been trained by a courtesan wouldn’tnotice.

Adelina had felt that fear many times. She knew exactly what Nadyah was going through and it left a bad taste in her mouth. Still, protocol was what it was and the courtesan owed her anexplanation.

“Explain,” Adelina said simply. “I demandit.”

Nadyah shuddered at the command as it rippled through her. Whatever her previous order was Adelina had just overridden it with her rank. If Nadyah were truly loyal she would answertruthfully.

“I am the best courtesan in the House of Kismet,” Nadyah said. “Mistress Jael is the mistress of the House of Kismet. She is also the Spider; the Spymistress, the Mistress of the Spymaster’s Guild. She ordered me to keep the royal family safe and to bring back information from the palace. There have been rumors of an assassination scheme. I am supposed to find out why and where and for whom, and then eradicate the threat.” Finally, Nadyah met her eyes and they pleaded for understanding. “I am loyal to Draga. I am loyal toyou,Princess.”

Adelina didn’t miss the inflection. Her eyes narrowed. “That’s all well and good, but are you loyal to theCrown?”

“Jael owns my life, but I am loyal to the Crown first, and then her.” Nadyah pressed her hands into her thighs harder and waited for thepunishment.

There was a glittering chain around her neck. Adelina stepped forward and slipped her finger under the white-gold, caressing Nadyah’s neck gently. The courtesan shivered, but from pleasure rather than fear. Slowly she lifted the gem out of Nadyah’s dress and recognized the sapphire she had acquired for Varan in a white-gold wire-cage.

She looked up at the prince and quirked an eyebrow. He shrugged at her and the pained look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know. This jewel was a love-gift whether Nadyah knew it or not and it had cost Varan much. He still owed Adelina forit.

The pain in his face told her whatever had occurred between the two of them, it hadn’t been pleasant despite the gem hanging from her courtesan’sneck.

The gem slid back into Nadyah’s dress and Adelina clasped her hands behind her back. She had to ensure all suspicions were cleared. “Why did you not inform me of your relationship with the thief prior to entering the tavern? Your misjudgment could have cost me my life after I trusted you with this secret. Regardless, someone now knows who I am without my permission.” Her sharp words made her courtesan flinch and Adelina felt terrible. She truly thought Adelina was about to beat or whip her for thetransgression.

It was almost over, Adelina could slide out of her rank, relax as Lina before the night was through, and forget this allhappened.

“I was afraid,” Nadyah answered in Ilashyan so Varan wouldn’t understand. The language of the females rippled through the room. “He found out I was a spy the last time I visited the House to deliver information to Jael, after our sparring lessons. He threatened my life. I didn’t know how to tell you when Jael had me swear my silence.” Nadyah had tears in her eyes as she held Adelina’s. “Varan seduced me and convinced me to trust him with my information, but Varan might also be mymate.”

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