Page 59 of Princess of Draga

“I designed it for Raena’s coronation, but….” Suddenly Adelina winced and something flickered in hereyes.

The level of pain in those eyes was enough to take Joslynn’s breathaway.

“What’s wrong?” Joslynn whispered, making sure not to attract too much attention. Nadyah’s gaze whipped to them at her words and suddenly the courtesanmoved.

“Have some tea, princess,” Nadyah murmured, shaking her head ever soslightly.

The sun shone on Adelina and she was pale. The gold of her skin seem tarnished and her eyes blank. Something else was going on, and Joslynn wasn’t sure she wanted to know what itwas.

“Princess?” Joslynnmanaged.

“Not another word.” Adelina’s words were harsh, but underneath the anger was a quiet desperation. That mask of shyness had slipped and Joslynn could see part of the real Adelina. The difference shockedher.

As soon as the princess regained her composure Joslynn continued on as though she hadn’t noticed Adelina’s sudden illness. “You’ll have to design something for me as well. It’ll be your payment for thegems.”

Adelina frowned. “I will pay for the gems chosen for my pieces as well as the metals. You can then pay me for the design as you would any other; I want it to be fair for you. We can go over prices at a later time. Any design you commission from me may be subtracted from my bill if you like, but I will pay what any other jewelerdoes.”

Joslynn laughed. “Of course Princess, whatever you wish. I appreciate a mind for business.” She started listing off the traditional gems used for a coronation and how they differed from ones worn at a wedding. “Have you ever seen white opals?” she askedAdelina.

Adelina studied her piece. “I know black opals are rare, but I had hoped you might have found some considering your gift earlier. Even a purple opal would suit for the coronation. White would go againsttradition.”

Joslynn nodded. “I do have smaller pieces of the black that could be set in such a necklace. I also recently found a strain of purple gold. No one has purchased ingots yet as I’ve waited to present it to your familyfirst.”

That strange vein of gold and the opals seemed like a sign from the three-faced goddess. The countess was needed by the royal family whether any of them knew it or not. She studied the girl next to her and considered the possibility this was the one who needed her and not the crown princess as she hadthought.

The princess looked up, eyes wide. “Purple gold?” sheasked.

When Joslynn nodded, her eyes lit up and Adelina’s smile was blinding. “That would be wondrous. The Draga royal colors are black, gold, and purple. With purple gold I could create a royal piece Raena could use for her entirereign.”

“Would you like me to fetch some of the pieces for you to see?” Joslynn knew she could run to her room and back quickly enough as long as Adelina had thetime.

The floating time-keeper chimed the hour. The princess glanced at the display and then the constantly shining sunoutside.

Joslynn had never seen so much sun in all her life. It drenched the earth and heated the air. The climate was difficult for her to adjust to, but she also basked in the warmth she would rarely see onPedranus.

“There is time. I have to start preparing for the announcement tonight in an hour or so. If you can make it back before then I can wait.” Adelina turned and smiled at Joslynn. Those amethyst eyes and the sweet scent of jasmine drew herin.

“I think I can manage. May I be excused, Princess?” she asked formally, following protocolprecisely.

“As you wish,” Adelina stated with a smile. She turned to Nadyah, effectively dismissing her after Joslynn managed a quickcurtsey.

The females in the solar eyed her as she made her way to the lovely double doors, curtseying to the queen and the crown princess before she left the Queen’s Solar. It didn’t matter what they thought. She was not here to make nice with nobles she would most likely never seeagain.

Joslynn stopped in the hall and saw only the two guards who were there before she’d entered. Sirus was nowhere to be found. Had something happened? “Lord Sirus?” she called, trying not to raise hervoice.

“Lord Sirus!” she hissed. Where had the gods-be-damned male gone offto?

“I’m here, Lady,” his deep gravelly voice reached her as he strode down the hall. The scar down his face seemed to stand out more than usual and Sirus looked agitated as he offered her his arm. He barely waited for her to take it before he whisked her down thehall.

“Sirus, I need to go to my rooms,” Joslynn stated when he walked blindly in the wrongdirection.

He grumbled something and then whipped them both around towards the guest wing. Joslynn did not have long legs. She yanked him back hard enough for him to slow down so she did not have to trot alongside him to keepup.

“Is something wrong?” she asked and he unwittingly began to pick up the paceagain.

“I did as you asked and inquired into the commotion from last night,” he said. Sirus kept his deep voice quiet as they passed multiple courtiers and nobles. Some of the lords glared at Sirus, but did not dare approach when he glared back atthem.

Joslynn covered her smile with her hand as she watched the lords’ jealous faces. She looked up at Sirus and his face was troubled. The serious look reminded her that this male was immovable. Whatever he had discovered was worrisome enough to affect his normally perfect control. The possibility her people were in danger sat like ash on her tongue. Had something terrible happened? Gods she hoped everyone at home was allright.

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