Page 5 of Princess of Draga

The goddess of the heart had a lower rank than the Mother goddess. Adelina then rose and sat back on her heels. Her fingers touched her heart for love and then her forehead for wisdom and finally her lips. “Grant me wisdom; to know my heart; to help me speak the truth,” Adelinawhispered.

She stood and brushed her spotless dress to ease her nerves before turning back to Jael. The Mistress watched her intently, no hint of sexual desire or wicked fun on her face. There was only curiosity and intelligence. When Adelina reached the Mistress of the House, her nerves grew worse in the silence. Finally, the Jael said, “Amarae libertov.” ‘Lovefreely.’

The ceremony wascomplete.

The doors back into the House opened from the inside and the female who walked through those doors was taller than Adelina and had the most gorgeous sapphire eyes. They were deep, dark, and mysterious. Her hair was the color of the sun and her skin was like milk. Adelina’s breath caught and she couldn’t find the words tospeak.

The female blushed prettily and smiled as she looked down. “Princess, I am Nadyah, your courtesan.” Her voice was musical. It was lovely, warm, andthroaty.

She curtseyeddeeply.

It took Adelina by surprise that the courtesan would act as her submissive. Never had Adelina met anyone less dominant than herself, and for a courtesan to believe that submission was what she needed? Adelina was confused, but kept the frown from her face. Mentally she shook herself and brought her shoulders back ever so slightly to regaincontrol.

“Please rise,” she murmured, her heart beating faster as she realized this female was to be her instructor. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Nadyah.” Adelina curtseyed back, but it was only a slightdip.

The courtesan’s beauty intimidated her. Nadyah couldn’t be more than a few cycles older, but she was so much more experienced. It made Adelina’s heart flutter and her breath quicken to think about what she might teachher.

She blushed when she realized Jael watched her reaction with a keen eye. Her sisters had been surprisingly close-lipped about their experiences and as Nadyah approached her with blatant desire in her eyes, Adelina could see why. The relationship between courtesan and pupil was sacred andintense.

Nadyah held out an arm for the princess and Adelina placed her hand over it in surprise. She had not expected Nadyah to escort her as a male wouldeither.

“Would you walk with me through the gardens? I would like for us to get to know each other better.” Nadyah’s voice was soft, like velvet. Adelina could lose herself in the courtesan’swords.

When Adelina nodded, Nadyah looked to Jael. The Mistress smiled and gave a graceful wave towards the garden path. “I hope you enjoy yourselves.” Adelina tried to ignore the way Jael watched her and the teasing in herwords.

As they stepped onto the path, Nadyah led them through a copse of rare trees with blossoming fruit and the courtesan placed a hand over Adelina’s. “Relax, Princess,” Nadyah saidsoftly.

Adelina followed her through the beautiful gardens, but she didn’t know what to do with herself. Her nervousness had every bit of training she’d ever received desertingher.

“Tell me,” Nadyah began. “How has your experience been sofar?”

The question was to the point and Adelina felt her stomach tighten. How much could the courtesan possibly know about her experience or lack thereof? Was her past on display more than she knew? The royal family kept a livestream for the people that gave them all glimpses into their life and allowed the people to see how they handled the kingdom as every decision made a difference in every citizen’s life. They were then edited and the recorders were only allowed into certain areas of their privatelives.

“Your guard is a very handsome one,” she saidsimply.

Somehow Nadyahknew.

Adelina wasn’t sure if she was angry about it or not, but this woman was to be her companion for the next cycle. It was in her best interest to confide in her. “Yes he is,” she whispered. “Briefly we wereinvolved.”

Nadyah didn’t react to the confession in any way that could have embarrassed her which Adelina was intensely grateful for. The courtesan patted her hand gently. “Please tell me about thisexperience?”

The weight of sadness settled over Adelina like a cloak and she shouldered it with familiarity. “Six months ago, I was finally able to confess my feelings to him after cycles of pining.” She hated the word but it was true. With a sigh Adelina trailed her fingertips over the black roses her father had gifted to the House, the sacredrosanera. The rose garden perfumed the warm summer air and she breathed it in. “After the tour of the galaxy was cut short I kissed him.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at Nadyahyet.

The garden path took them out to the edge of the cliff and the view was spectacular. A bench was in the perfect position to watch the waves down below, to enjoy the ocean, and the feel of the sun. Adelina sat delicately on the hard stone bench and Nadyah lounged next to her. One arm went over the back and she propped her head on her hand, turning her body to face Adelina. She had the courtesan’s undivided attention and it unnervedher.

Adelina picked at the folds of her skirt, keeping her head down. It was difficult for her to talk about. “He was my first and only,” she finally managed. “I loved him and he loved me. The night after I gave him my virginity we discovered the Neprijat had attacked our Corinthian allies in the Khara galaxy.” Adelina shuddered as she remembered the vid and waved her hand indicating Nadyah knew the rest of the events thatday.

The Neprijat had ravaged the Khara royal family in unspeakable ways. Then later that very same day the Draga royal announcement of King Orion’s retirement, and Raena’s coronation fifty cycles earlier than expected were made. The State Balcony had been bombed during the announcements. Adelina was unaware if Nadyah knew she had almost died thatday.

It had been tooclose.

Alpha was so shaken he had blamed himself – andher.

“He ended the relationship because he was distracted by me. Alpha felt as though he might have noticed something earlier, seen something not quite right before the bombs went off. He said he should have gotten to me sooner at the very least.” Adelinashrugged.

Alpha had saved herlife.

“It didn’t matter to him we loved each other. The possibility of a promotion to prince never even occurred to him.” Then she looked up at Nadyah. “Because of that I let himgo.”

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