Page 9 of Princess of Draga

The intense speculation on Nadyah’s face worried her. She studied Adelina so closely for a brief second it left herbreathless.

“No controlwhatsoever?”

At Adelina’s nod she made a small noise as she contemplated. “I will look into this. It is unusual, but there should be an answer in the library. If not Mistress Jael will know where I can find what Ineed.”

“Thank you, Nadyah.” Adelinawhispered.

Perhaps there was something wrong with her genetics. After all, she was a submissive royal – which shouldn’t be possible. Her genes were bred into her, designed centuries ago by the Ancients – the humans ofold.

It was part of their animalistic nature brought back in force, designed to create a wolf-like nature. She had always wondered how terrible things must have gotten for the ancient humans to create such a design. Then she always wondered how she could possibly have genes that would set her so far apart from her family. Adelina wasn’t even on the Draga royal spectrum ofdominance.

“Let us get you dressed and then we will have a small meal before our departure.” Nadyah was smiling again, but her sexual intensity wassubdued.

Adelina only hoped the trust she’d bestowed on the courtesan hadn’t been a terriblemistake.

Chapter Three

Adelina

Draga RoyalPalace

Planet DragaTerra

Ever since Raenawas announced to ascend the throne this cycle, Adelina and the rest of her siblings had been required to attend the council and advisor meetings. Raena wanted them all present to learn what they could and assist her when she became ruler of Draga. Adelina tapped the arm of her chair with a sharp nail and watched the proceedings withinterest.

The large council room was the shape of a perfect oval on the eighth floor of the palace. The walls were plas-glass and the columns decorated in gold and black opals – the jewel of Draga. All five circles of the city were visible around the palace before the haze of the horizon contorted theview.

Everyone in her family assumed Adelina would hate the tedious task of attending council meetings, but Adelina had never been privy to the proceedings before and she’d nearly doubled the amount of information on her personal shreve since her attendance had beenrequested.

As the youngest female and sweetest of the royal children she was often overlooked – invisible. Adelina was there to serve and she followed any order and request her family made of her. Being invisible allowed her to see much more than anyone couldimagine.

It was the second council meeting their father hadn’t attended since they'd learned of his disease. King Orion had good days and he had bad days. Some of the treatments for hypomalarya did prolong his life expectancy, but they occasionally had nasty side effects, leaving the king indisposed for weeks. Raena had been taking over more and more the last fewmonths.

Raena inclined her raven-haired head in deference to Prince Solomon, their father’s brother. It was early enough, so he was still sober, but that wasn’t usually the case. When Prince Solomon wasn’t drinking he had a knack for diplomacy thatastonished.

His suggestion to invite citizens across the galaxy to Raena’s Choosing Ball was absolutely brilliant. A lottery would make it fair, and if petitioned the royal family would pay for the travel if the winner could not affordit.

This would give the people an opportunity to be seen. Their love for the royal family would only grow. Adelina adored theidea.

“What about safety measures?” Asher snapped, his dark purple eyes flashed. “We couldn’t possibly keep an eye on so many people. The guard would be overtaxed and soldiers from the army would have to be pulled from their stations. This will be an expensive endeavor. I am not sure our treasury can handle so much with all the events planned for the next fewweeks.”

Ian cleared his throat in warning, but Asher didn’t turn away from theirsister.

Adelina kept her eyes down, but flicked her gaze from her brother to Raena. He did have apoint.

Tensions rose and the spicy scent of therosanerafilled the room as Raena stared Asher down.Please, drop your eyes brother, Adelina prayed. Those two were too close in dominance for this to endwell.

“The Master Treasurer has gone over the finances. He would be able to answer your questions, Prince Asher,” Caspian, their father’s chief advisor, said gently. He was nearing three hundred cycles and was submissive enough to soothe both her sister and her brother. “Lord Kaius, would you please make yourpresentation?”

Asher and Raena both watched Lord Kaius approach the center of the council room with sharp eyes. Adelina tapped her finger silently as she thought. Her brother had challenged the crown princess. He spoke out of turn and didn’t always follow protocol. If he was not careful things wouldn’t end well for him, and contention between her siblings was the last thing Adelinawanted.

Lord Kaius went over the finances, what was needed and what had been set aside cycles ago for these very events. Only a bit more than originally thought would be required. There was more than enough in the treasury and Asher lookedsatisfied.

There was a strange gleam in Raena’s eyes and Adelina’s nerves spiked. Asher made Raena furious on a regular basis. She had been tense lately and on edge which made her even more volatile when he irritated her. It was not a good time to poke at herpatience.

Conversation moved to the next item on the docket and the scent of the dominant black rose eased as Raena focused on petitions for repairs to a few of the outer rim outposts. She signed them with a flourish and pressed her hand to the document, sealing the shreve. The gold tattoo on her palm transferred to the document as her personal seal and another councilor began the next item on thelist.

Adelina glanced at her own shreve and saw they were making excellent time. Adelina looked up when the Lord High Admiral stood, waiting for her turn tospeak.

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