Page 50 of Princess of Draga

“You are right, Adelina,” her father said, silencing whatever Raena may havesaid.

There was a glimmer in his eye and she knew her father had always seen through her mask of sweet subservience. Father had known who she was all along and had waited cycles for her to finally come to terms withit.

“Your harsh words are nothing but the truth,” King Orion said. “Perhaps we made a mistake in refusing theprince.”

No one dared breathe as Raena paled. The king had takensides.

“We will grant the prince sanctuary and make a public announcement tomorrow. After which we will inform our people of the shield and the new travel laws that will be sent out to everyone on their simulcast.” Suddenly Father’s eyes hardened and Adelina knew she was in trouble. He had to support his heir. “Raena, as you believe there has been an offense you may request payment for thisacquiescence.”

Adelina felt like she would vomit then and there. Only once had she ever been punished. Her knees hit the floor hard as she slid from her seat. With eyes downcast she kept her face blank and placed her hands on the tops of her thighs. She would take whatever punishment was deemed fit. After all, she had gotten what shewanted.

Somehow, she had succeeded if only because her father feltgracious.

“Someone fetch Prince Nash.” Raena’s voice cracked like a whip and William scurried out to do as shebid.

Shame heated Adelina’s cheeks. She had been close with Raena once and her sister knew her too well. She knew how much Adelina would hate to have Nash witness herpunishment.

“I want you to stay away from him, Adelina. After tonight you will never see him alone again. Do you understand me?” Raena paced in front of her and clenched her hands into fists. Somehow without ever telling Raena, she knew Adelina was attracted to the foreignprince.

Adelina cursed ever confiding in her sister. This was not the queen she thought her sister would be. Her eyes stayed glued to the floor. Adelina didn’t nod, didn’t say a word as she waited to hear what her punishment would be. Ten lashes? Would she have to bleed for the gods in the temple from midnight until dawn? Strikes on the palms with a wooden rod or something elseentirely?

This was not normal. She hadn’t outright broken protocol. It was nothing but a slight; though for whatever reason her sister had taken seriousoffense.

The doors opened and two sets of feet walked in. Adelina couldn’t help her flinch, but otherwise held her position. Nash froze as he took in thescene.

“Sit and witness Prince Nash,” Raenademanded.

It was almost too much. Adelina could feel tears building but she blinked them back. It had been the right thing. That knowledge was all that consoled her, for what was about to come would not bepleasant.

Nash sat with William at his side, holding Nash down with barely more than a hand on his shoulder as a reminder it would only be worse if he moved tointerfere.

“What would you give up, little sister?” Raena asked, prowling in front of her. “What would you sacrifice for yourrequest?”

Not pain then,humiliation.

“Anything,” she whispered. What could Raena ask of her that she would not be willing to give? Adelina did not possess anything of true value except hermind.

“Anything?” Raenaconfirmed.

She could almost feel the cruel smile, like a knife pressed to herflesh.

“Whatever you ask of me, sister.” Adelina dared look up, dared stare into her sister’s eyes so she could drive her point home. She was not afraid of Raena; not afraid of theconsequences.

“In exchange for granting your request I demand your agreement to any marriage I seefit.”

There was a sharp inhale of breath and Adelina knew she had been wrong to forget how cunning her sister was. Not even the king could deny this as he’d given her leave to demandpayment.

“No!” Nash sounded outraged but she didn’t dare look. Adelina prayed William could keep him undercontrol.

“Rae, this is madness!” Giselle yelled, trying to get their sister to see reason. “Why would you take the one thing father giftedus?”

Raena knelt in front of Adelina and grabbed her chin. No, this was no longer the sister she knew and loved. That sweet Raena was gone. Adelina only hoped she would rule with grace when it came to their people if she couldn’t with herfamily.

“Because Giselle, it is the one thing Adelina wants more than anything. Our little sister has always dreamed of finding love, ever theromantic.”

Adelina finally looked at Nash. His face was full of horror and despair. She knew he was conflicted. Only William’s hand kept the prince in his place. Adelina smiled at him, those gorgeous eyes of his entrancing as always. “I keep my promises,” she said withconviction.

There was nothing for him to feel guilty about, nothing he should risk his entire kingdom for as this had been the plan all along, if not necessarily the way she’d imagined. Adelina had promised to help and now she finallycould.

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