Page 46 of Princess of Draga

That he’d exposed himself to her like he did in the gymnasium – Nash shook his head in disbelief and disgust. This tiny female had him enthralled and because of that she was dangerous – she was a weakness he could notafford.

He had known it the moment she had stepped into the sparring ring and changed completely. Nash had never seen anything quite like it. It was as though…as though she had shed the civility and the sweetness and turned into nothing more than what she trulywas.

What that was exactly still eluded him, but the raw power he saw her wield sucked him in like a whirlpool; deep and dangerous. It eluded the princess as well because those marks on her hands weren’t something someone with confidence would do. Those marks meant she fought some internal battle he couldn’t see and didn’tunderstand.

The cool night air whispered over his naked skin and Nash slid under the silken covers of his bed. He should never have shown her he was capable of healing, but there was a part of him deep down that felt called to protect and he couldn’t ignore it no matter how hard he tried. Nash threw an arm over his eyes to block out the early sun as itrose.

His entire family had died and he felt like a traitor for being so distracted. Nash knew he would have to choose his people. A pretty face couldn’t deter him no matter how intelligent and mysterious. Adelina was nothing more than a passingflame.

It was a rather convincing lie, but in his bones, he knew thetruth.

Chapter Thirteen

Nadyah

ThroneRoom

Draga RoyalPalace

Planet DragaTerra

The Throne Roomwas filled to the brim with nobles and courtiers anticipating the arrival of the nobility from across the Draga galaxy. So many had agreed to attend the Choosing Ball and the festivities that led up to it. There hadn’t been a gathering such as this for nearly a generation. The last time the Draga Palace had housed so many noble families was during King Orion’scoronation.

Black and purple banners with the Draga House sigil covered the throne room. The floating chandeliers’ lights glittered against the black marble floor with strands of gold like the sacred spider webs. The opals set into the marble columns were worth more than a king’s ransom and the dark opulence only made the royal family sitting on the dais even moreglorious.

Nadyah sat next to the king’s mistress, Elara. They sat in the front row on the right side of the king. They were in the row of the favored by the royal family. She glanced at the other favorites next to her andsmiled.

Tamika, the two royal cousins – Prince Ajax and Princess Vasara, Lord Greyson, and Caspian filled the first row. Nadyah gave Lord Greyson a wink and he gave her a tender smile. He was one of her most frequent and favorite clients until recently. His daughter, Lady Veri, was finally going to be at court and Nadyah was happy forhim.

She turned back to the dais where the royal family and her princess waited to receive the noble guests. Adelina looked stunning in the gold dress Nadyah had given her the first time they’d met. The amethyst she’d gifted Adelina for her coming-of-age day dangled delicately between the princess’s breasts. The small curves drew the eye without giving away too much. The spidersilk glittered under the chandeliers. Her princess crossed her legs and a flash of thigh showed for a brief second before the layers settled once more into something a bit moredemure.

Her princess waslearning.

Normally the royal family didn’t greet each noble in such an extravagant manner when they arrived, but this was a special occasion. It wasn’t only the Choosing Ball where the possibility of king was open to all, but four royal children were old enough to wed including Prince Ian. The two younger princes could be promised if the offers were appealing enough and theyagreed.

Ian looked uncomfortable to be considered a legitimate heir as usual. Asher glowered at the gathering nobles already living at court. The dark prince seemed to have a constant attitude Nadyah didn’t understand. She hadn’t seen him act pleasant once since she’d arrived at thepalace.

Her favorite was Prince Ian. He was a brilliant scientist and had even submitted to join the Scientist’s Guild this cycle from what Nadyah had learned. His lover P’draic was a closely held secret perAdelina.

William was the youngest and the funny one. He was always lighthearted and made Nadyah laugh. She knew he’d trained as a warrior and as the fourth in line to the throne didn’t expect to be needed at the palace much. Nadyah heard William joke he would be sold off in marriage like one of the princesses of ancient times. One of the servants had told Nadyah he secretly hoped to become General. The Lord High Admiral was a hard woman to please though, and unless William was appointed by Raena he may never see theposition.

From what Nadyah could see of the family dynamics and her careful studying of their relationships, Raena wasn’t blind to her siblings’ goals and dreams, but she was also a master strategist. If Raena could gain something for her people by shuffling another noble into a certain position she would doit.

Which was why Lord Hayden was high on the list of possible husbands for the Crown Princess as the Avvis Army was strong and almost as large as the Draga Royal Army. No doubt Raena would want to secure that army in the defense of the Draga galaxy and keep a possible civil war atbay.

Giselle was the one who wanted the quiet life, having nothing to do with royalty or a crown. Nadyah had found applications on Giselle’s shreve for the Warrior’s Guild, but she knew it was still forbidden by the king and queen. After studying Raena over the last few days Nadyah didn’t believe the crown princess would allow it either. Giselle would be Raena’s heir and therefore too valuable tolose.

The three princesses sat on the left of the queen. The princes were on the king’s right. Both thrones were currently empty. The king had more bad days than good recently with his sickness, but he would attend. It was simply a matter of when. Events didn’t always start on time anymore. King Orion had been an excellent and fair king, though Nadyah thought it was bad luck he was leaving Raena with a galaxy on the brink ofwar.

Finally, the queen entered the Throne Room. Nadyah adjusted her auditory implant so she could hear the whispered conversations of the royal family. Queen Adele breezed by her daughters. “Giselle, sit up straight,” she hissed. The queen sat on her throne next to the King’s emptyone.

A few moments later the king arrived and Nadyah noted the bags under his eyes. King Orion’s face was gaunt and he’d lost too much weight. The way he sat on his throne made her bones ache in sympathy. He had aged decades in a matter of months. The king winced as he adjusted his heavy crown and the chain of command across hischest.

Nadyah glanced at Adelina and the worry and heartache she saw on her princess’s face weighed heavy on her own heart. Nadyah didn’t know her own parents, but she could only imagine the pain of losing those you knew and loved. If she lost any of her brothers and sisters in the House she would bedevastated.

“Lina,” Giselle whispered. Nadyah turned and watched Giselle fidget in her gown and pull at the low neckline as if she could make it cover more of her skin. “Do you know when the nobles are supposed to arrive exactly? I need to get out of this wretched dress as soon aspossible.”

Nadyah covered her smile with her hand and observed Adelina lean over so she could whisper in Giselle’s ear. “Within the hour, but you really do looklovely.”

---