Page 58 of Princess of Draga

The countess left him with the other males and entered the solar. She was immediately struck by the high ceilings and plush furniture. The sunlight filled the room through the wide windows which offered an amazing view of the forest and palace grounds on one side and the city on the other. She walked slowly as she inspected each lady and the quiet hush followed her. Books lined the shelves and true to the description, not a male was insight.

She breathed a sigh ofrelief.

“Lady Joslynn?” a quiet, delicate voice reached her and she turned to find the youngest princess standing before her. Princess Adelina gave her a shy smile and had a hard time meeting her gaze as if the young female were rejected often. The time they had spent on Pedranus during the Royal Tour a few months earlier was regrettably cut short when the king became too ill to pretend anylonger.

“Princess Adelina,” Joslynn said respectfully, curtseying as protocol demanded. “What service may Iprovide?”

Joslynn hadn’t expected anyone in the royal family to seek her out. She may be the ruler of Pedranus, but there was a lot going on in the palace at the moment. Adelina blushed and Joslynn’s eyes widened in surprise. Was the princess nervous ofher? She almost laughed at the ridiculous thought. No, that couldn’t possibly be the case. Princess Adelina was a favorite among the people and had nothing to be nervousabout.

“I wondered if you would like to join me?” the princessoffered.

Joslynn looked around the solar and noticed a few jealous glares but most of the women were welcoming and smiling. “Of course, Princess, I would be delighted.” Joslynn was glad she did not have to sit alone or make awkward small talk with women she did notknow.

Princess Adelina led her over to an intimate setup of couches and chairs. The young princess sat down on one couch and gestured delicately at the empty space next to her. Joslynn sat and then noticed the woman who stood directly behind the princess, staring out the window. The beautiful blonde turned and smiled slowly atJoslynn.

Shocked at the instant fire in her belly, Joslynn could only stare. The deep sapphire of her eyes had the countess mesmerized. What sorcery wasthis?

“This is Nadyah,” Princess Adelina said softly, her cheeks flushing. “She is a courtesan from the House of Kismet. She will be staying here at the palace while I undergo mycamerraleto.” The blush deepened and Adelina busied herself by needlessly straightening the folds of hergown.

Joslynn had heard of these courtesans. Their genetics were somehow different than the average Kalan but she never knew exactly how until the woman held her gaze. Every dirty thought she’d ever had surfaced to Joslynn’s mind. Never had she been attracted to another female until that moment. Joslynn cleared her throat. “It is very nice to meet you, LadyNadyah.”

Nadyah bowed her head only slightly, but she gave Joslynn a secret smile. “I am no lady.” Gods above even her voice purred and rubbed against Joslynn in a way that made her squirm. “I apologize if I make you uncomfortable. I understand there are no courtesans in the outerrim.”

Joslynn swallowed as she found her voice. “No. The ones who pass themselves off as courtesans aren’t quite the same.” Nadyah grinned and then turned back to the window. With the intensity diminished it gave Joslynn the space to gather her thoughts again and she turned back to the princess. “I wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming birthcelebration.”

Adelina didn’t look up but she smiled. Her small hands caressed the folds of the glittery spidersilk. “I appreciate the well wishes.” She looked up at Joslynn then and her purple, amethyst eyes had a certain spark. “I am grateful you were able to make it. I understand this time is difficult foryou.”

Again Joslynn felt surprise. This wispy little princess was far more observant than she let on. “Yes,” she said slowly. She hadn’t been prepared for intelligent conversation. Embroidery perhaps and questions about her planet she had expected, but not an empathetic equal. “It is why I brought Lord Sirus with me as my escort. Our families have taken care of one another for many generationsnow.”

Adelina looked across the room and she gave a nod to someone. A servant came by with three cups of tea and a few edibles. The princess then thanked the servant. That was unusual for royalty, or so Joslynn had heard. The princess looked down at her cup then and blushed when she saw how closely Joslynn watchedher.

“It must be nice to have someone you can rely on,” Adelina said. “Lady Joslynn, I wanted to speak with you about purchasing some gems I could workwith?”

The change in subject caught Joslynn off guard and she frowned slightly. She narrowed her eyes. The shyness felt a little…off. Princess Adelina couldn’t be that shy if she had sought her out to talk business. This woman had everyone fooled. Joslynn glanced at Nadyah whose sapphire eyes sparkled at her again. Well, not everyone itseemed.

“Work with how?” Joslynn asked. “Would you cut the gems, or would you use them as decoration? Do you have a particular stone inmind?”

“I have a design I need them for, but wasn’t sure which stone to use,” Adelina toldher.

“Do you have the design on you,Princess?”

Adelina reached into the pocket of her dress. “Oh, you may call me Adelina. I had hoped we may become friends.” She pulled something up on her simulcast. “Here itis.”

The princess handed the simulcast over and Joslynn studied the sketch with an expert eye. The lines were beautiful and the detail entrancing. The necklace would catch the light perfectly and draw attention to the collarbones rather than cleavage which was subtle and rather ingenious. “This is amazing,” she said. “You must tell me who designed such a piece. I would love to work with them on other projects if you do notmind.”

Princess Adelina blushed again and straightened the folds of her gown. “Actually, I designedit.”

Joslynn’s jaw dropped. She stared at the princess. “Did you really, yourhighness?”

Adelina cleared her throat. “Adelina is fine, LadyJoslynn.”

Joslynn grinned at the irritation she could hear in her voice. “Adelina then, I had no idea you had atrade.”

She shrugged and took up her tea. It was very unladylike to shrug but Joslynn didn’t care. “I don’t have a trade as a princess. I am not allowed, but I am allowed this hobby.” Adelina’s voice was quiet and she shot a glance at the queen. Ah, it made sense then why the princess was nearly two separatepeople.

Joslynn smiled and leaned over the simulcast to point out where the right jewels would shine the best. Diamonds might be too obvious a choice. Joslynn tried to picture who would wear the filigree masterpiece. It really was exquisitework.

“Who is this designed for?” sheasked.

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