Page 65 of Princess of Draga

The glittering black spidersilk dress was cut to perfection. The style demure and modest while showing more skin than Adelina thought possible without showing anything at all. It pooled sinfully to the floor and the heels she wore were sharp and strapped on like weapons. The gold waist-cincher glimmered, etched with sacred symbols and bordered with tiny amethysts. Nadyah’s own dress was black in solidarity and she knew with Alpha’s black and gold dress uniform they would be quite the picture. “Showing up Raena would be a terrible idea,” Adelina said as she studied their combinedreflection.

Nadyah shook her head as she adjusted Adelina’s dress. “I already checked with her ladies-in-waiting. Her dress is gold and utter perfection on the crown princess. You will accent her while making your own statement. Do not worry, you look ready for war. That is what we wanted afterall.”

Adelina smiled weakly and then nodded. She didn’t have to feel confident to act so. Her chin went up, her shoulders back, and she strolled into her sittingroom.

Alpha waited there for her and when she entered he turned, handing her a small glass full of clear liquid. “After everything I figured this was a goodidea.”

Gratefully she accepted Varan’s liquor. “To honor,” shewhispered.

The three of them clinked their glasses and then tipped the fiery-sweet liquid down their throats. It helped Adelina feel a bit stronger. “Thank you, Alpha. I needed that,” she said as she set her glassdown.

He shrugged and set down his own glass before offering her his arm. “I may not understand your feelings for a male like Nash, but I want you to be happy. You should have thatchoice.”

She smiled her citizen-winning smile and inclined her head to indicate he escort her to the fateful announcements balcony. The very same one she had nearly died on six months ago. “I did have that choice, and I chose to give it up though I appreciate your sentiments.” Adelina gave him a kiss on the cheek and then they made for thelift.

They went one floor up and she walked with Nadyah staying slightly behind on her right and Alpha on her left towards the balcony. The recorders watched her every move and the footman ushered her towards the massive balcony. Adelina m’Ella d’Draga felt stronger than she could ever remember. She had true friends who supported her, who she really was and not the mask she put on for everyoneelse.

Adelina had kept her promises and she was doing everything she could for the good of the Draga galaxy. There was nothing to be ashamed of, and she was valuable even as the third-born. Whether it would be for her work as ambassador or as a wife to an unknown courtier was yet to bedecided.

The three of them stopped behind Giselle. No one spoke and they hardly looked at each other. Adelina wanted to wipe her sweaty palms on her dress but the recorders watched too closely. The balcony was completely restored and reinforced. There was triple the normal amount of security and she still felt nervous. The last time she had been on this balcony it had exploded from underneath her and had killed thousands of people. She had almost been one ofthem.

Nadyah whispered words of encouragement and then told her where she would be. Adelina nodded and watched her courtesan disappear to sit among the courtiers and nobles. Keeping her from the House was impossible but Adelina would try to find away.

Warmth at her back told her Asher was in place behind her. She didn’t have to look; she could smell the scent of his dominantrosanera. Her brother’s hand brushed hers slightly and Adelina smiled. Even in small ways she had the support and love of her siblings. She squeezed his hand in return and released him so she could walk with Alpha across thebalcony.

Her name was announced and the cheers were a roar in her ears as she concentrated wholly on crossing the balcony, sitting in her chair gracefully, and looking out at her people with a relaxed smile. Every time she did this she feared she would fall and disgrace her family. Adelina felt like one misstep and she would make a fool of herself. It took every ounce of her control and concentration. She didn’t even hear the rest of her siblingsannounced.

Adelina didn’t dare look for Nash. No, she had to make sure there was nothing Raena could scold or punish herfor.

Her father stood and explained to their people that there was already a shield in place for an emergency such as this. King Orion stood tall and strong. His illness was like a bad dream when he spoke with command. He told the people how the shield had been activated and the new laws that would be put intoaction.

Through it all his voice sounded muffled to Adelina, as though he spoke through water. The words were faraway and indistinct. The ringing in her ears as she tried to keep the panic at bay made everything feel disjointed anddetached.

When he called up Raena exactly as he did on the day the entire royal family had nearly been murdered her panic spiked. It roared through her with a life of its own. King Orion declared they would honor their alliance with Khara Prime by granting Prince Nash sanctuary. The scene was so similar to the one that had ended in terror and grief not so longago.

Adelina curled her hands into fists, pressing her sharp nails into her skin, cutting the freshly healed skin until she could smell her own blood. Alpha’s sharp intake of breath behind her felt like a slap and she took a deep breath. Then another as she attempted to rein in her panic andanxiety.

This day would not be like the last one. The palace guards had undergone intensive training after what had happened during the bombings. Adelina breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth andfocused.

When Nash was called forward he appeared before her like a dream. Her vision became crystalized; clear and sharp as she focused on him. He looked absolutely glorious in the dress uniform of the Khara galaxy. It was a deep green, so dark it was nearly black and she couldn’t tear her eyes from him. His broad shoulders filled her vision as he said something before placing a fist over his heart and bowing to the king. Her father bowed inreturn.

The smiles and the muffled sound of clapping reminded Adelina of what was required of her. She slapped on that stupid smile and looked out at the crowd. Despite all the smiling faces something was wrong. She could feel it in her gut. There was a tenseness that belied what had justoccurred.

Adelina flicked her gaze around as much as she could manage without moving. Finally, she tilted her head as she clapped with everyone else, taking her cues from Giselle. Adelina tried to find out what had set her off the warning inside her. It wasn’t the nobles or theguards.

No one else seemed to notice but her. Giselle stood and Adelina followed suit. The event was almost over. Now that she could see the people below more easily she saw how restless and afraid theywere.

The taste of fear was thick. She could feel it in the air and Adelina practically choked on it. There was unrest and Draga couldn’t afford such a thing with the Neprijat so close and already causingdissension.

Alpha studied her closely as she took his arm and they filed off the balcony slowly. “Something bad is going to happen,” she whispered. Adelina searched the nobles and finally found Nadyah. Her courtesan’s mouth was in a grim line and she wasmoving. She had to sense ittoo.

Alpha’s grip on her tightened. He had always trusted herinstincts.

Angry shouts from the thousands of people below broke through the watery fog surrounding Adelina. An object arced through the air and Alpha twirled her behind him so fast she stumbled as she tried to catch herself. “Get inside,” he snapped, pushing her toward the palace and then he ran to help the otherguards.

Adelina tried to find her siblings. Giselle was pressed to the wall of the palace, watching with sharp eyes as she tried to find the location of the danger. “Lina, do as your guard says for once in your damn life,” she hissed. Her warrior sister took a gun from one of the guards and went on alert, ushering nobles and courtiers into the palace where it was safe. “Someone activate theshield!”

Were they really going to shield the palace from their owncity?

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