Page 51 of Princess of Draga

“In payment, I take Adelina’s right to wed. Who she marries and when will be at my discretion and for the good of the kingdom.” Raena held out her hand to help Adelina rise. “You also promised to supportmesister. Remember that next time you think you knowbetter.”

Six months ago, she had made that promise, but she hadn’t realized what kind of person Raena would turn into. Adelina nodded in understanding. She would not soonforget.

“Justice has been served,” Raena stated with a flick of her wrist. “Everyone isdismissed.”

No one moved. Adelina took the first step, then a second. She kissed her father’s cheek and wiped away his tear. “Thank you for upholding our honor,” shewhispered.

Then Adelina left. The moment she was alone sheran.

Chapter Fifteen

Veri

GreatHall

Draga RoyalPalace

Planet DragaTerra

Veri had heardof Lord Lucas’s arrival, but he wasn’t seated at one of the large tables in the Great Hall. She found that odd but said nothing. Irritated, she sipped at the exquisite wine as they waited for the servants to bring out their next course. It didn’t look like she would have the opportunity to talk to Lucas about the reason for his abruptarrival.

The talk in the Great Hall consisted of only two matters: the deposed prince of Khara Prime and the news Lord Lucas had brought with him fromTreon.

Her father, Lord Greyson, sat by her side and her brother, Alock, was on the other. It had been cycles since she had last seen her father in person and now they had nothing to speak about. She had already relayed what she had learned during her stay on Avvis. They did not have much in common. Lord Greyson had too many responsibilities at court and had barely lived on Priea with his family since Alock’sbirth.

Veri scanned the Great Hall and her eyes landed on the glorious male, Prince Nash. She was surprised the lost prince was even alive. It seemed too much of a coincidence to her. If he wanted a shot at the throne, playing the victim as some enemy slaughters your family was the way to do it. When he came in to the Khara galaxy with his armies and freed his people he would be the hero and not an evil mastermind addicted to power. Veri didn’t think Nash was the type despite the oddtiming.

No, she had seen the glimmer, that desire for power in someone else though. She looked across the Great Hall to the royal family’s long table and caught Prince Asher staring at her again. She smiled at him before feigning distraction as food was placed beforeher.

She noted one of the princesses was missing, the youngest and quietest. Perhaps such a gathering after the news from Treon was too much for such a delicate lady. Understandably the royal family seemed tense, eyes tight as they tried to enjoy the midnight meal, the sacred hour of the three-facedgoddess.

Delicately she ate small bites. Veri was not partial to fish or meat of any kind really. She missed the fruits and vegetables of her own planet. Priea had plants that would satisfy the craving for protein. They didn’t grow or thrive anywhere else and were difficult to import with theirfragility.

Veri set down her fork and considered her options. Before she had left Avvis she managed to find proof of Indra’s plans. The archduchess was not as careful with her simulcast as she should be. All it took was a little bump and Veri’s hand had slipped into the pocket of Indra’s dress and she had thesimulcast.

Asher’s dark purple eyes found hers. Veri couldn’t help her smile. The dark prince and the games he presented was a nice distraction from the information she’d been sitting on. She had confirmation Indra had actually spoken with the false king of Khara Prime for a marriage proposal…The archduchess had somehow managed to contact the Neprijat and get away with it. Could this somehow help Veri’s plans to wedHayden?

She had kept that small bit of information from her father. Lord Greyson was deeply loyal to the Dragas and Veri wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with the information yet. It would be a fantastic bargaining tool to force Indra’s hand, but now they were all on Draga Terra. Veri would have to wait and see what happened with the ChoosingBall.

The royal’s obvious favoritism for Avvis aggravated her. Hayden and Masha had been seated as close to the royal table as possible without actually sitting at it. The way the queen looked at Hayden made Veri’s blood boil. No doubt she was sizing him up as a possible king consort for herdaughter.

If Hayden were to marry Raena…the crown princess would need to be removed from the picture for Veri to marry him. If Hayden married Raena and then was crowned King Consort he would have sway with the people. Veri wanted Hayden. She simply hadn’t figured out how to make a match between them workyet.

Perhaps Asher could help her…She glanced up at the royal family again and saw him glaring at everyone in the room in the room. Veri left the fish untouched for the servants to remove. Her wine was far moresatisfying.

Veri studied the people in the Great Hall to try and see what Asher did. Courtiers who lived at court were mixed among the others who were there only for the weeks of festivities including the Choosing Ball. Lord Sirus sat next to his brother with Lady Joslynn. Marcel Ushanov was at a different table, the farthest away from the Countess Joslynn and he seemed rather put out about it. Everyone knew about the Ushanov’s desire to possess the riches of Pedranus to add to their own massive wealth. Some empathetic soul made sure to separate them in the seatingchart.

Veri took a long, luxurious look at Prince Asher. He was a bit younger than her, but he was still extremely handsome with the same golden skin all the royal Dragas possessed and the genetic amethyst eyes that seemed to come in as many different shades of purple as the stone itself. He was strong and muscular. Her expert eye knew where to look and he dressed well to accentuate his assets. The clothes were tailored perfectly and displayed his arms and taperedwaist.

If she married Prince Asher she would be a princess in her own right. From there…she would have to make her and Hayden’s new status as prince work to theiradvantage.

If the Neprijat King were to conquer the Draga galaxy then perhaps – no she couldn’t even think it in the safety of her own mind. The traitorous thoughts set her heart pounding and she took a long drink of her wine until the glass was empty. As soon as she set it on the table a servant whisked by and refilledit.

Veri took another long sip and then glanced up to see Prince Asher stand and excuse himself from the dinner table. She finished the second glass of wine and stood from her seat as well, making an excuse with soft, apologetic words. Veri didn’t know what she would do exactly, but Prince Asher was in a position of power and he could help her whether she married him or not. She didn’t rush out of the Great Hall, but she didn’t exactly dawdleeither.

His back disappeared around a corner as she exited the Great Hall and found herself in one of the large hallways. Veri followed him, ignoring the looks of the guards as she passed. Prince Asher had seemed upset and Veri was curious what had transpired, although she couldn’t remember a moment where he looked happy at any giventime.

She turned the corner and searched the corridor. It was empty and the low lights showed only a hall full of closed doors. She had no idea where the prince had gone. Slowly she continued forward, listening closely over the din from the Great Hall. She checked each doorway before she passed yet they were empty. Where could he have possiblygone?

---