Page 22 of Princess of Draga

“Colin, please find me some gems that would be suitable as gifts for the crown princess. There are a few events I will be attending and I want to ensure I have the proper tribute. Princess Adelina will also have her coming-of-age party and needs a fine gift for her day of birth. There is the coronation,” Joslynn started ticking off the possible events. “Pack something for each of the prince and princesses, as well as something I can give if I’m invited to any of their weddings. There are six in total,correct?”

Colin stood and then bowed. “Six including the bastard,” hecorrected.

Joslynn snorted. “You mean Prince Ian? He will still be king before any other noble. Calling him a bastard is below you, Colin.” Ian intrigued her; perhaps he would make a good husband. She needed to find a sure thing though if all elsefailed.

The steward gave a quick smile. “Of course, my lady, I only meant to clarify. I will ensure your requests are met and you will have options to look attomorrow.”

Her steward left her alone in the parlor and Joslynn listened to the rain that rarely stopped. If it weren’t for her mines and her planet’s fertility she would not have the freedom she had, yet she felt tied down by the constant stress and pressure to create an heir. She could theoretically spend the money to harvest her eggs and fertilize them, but her people would have a hard time accepting the ‘tube babies’ as they called them. They would not be seen as a true Pedranus ruler with the father’s line inquestion.

Joslynn wished she had the time to fall in love properly rather than making another business decision. She left the parlor and the lights clicked off as she left each room, leaving a wake of darkness behindher.

* * *

Sirus

The Warrior’sCurse

The OuterRim

Sirus was nothappy about this new assignment his mother forced upon him. He was in the middle of training a new contingent of warriors and she had ripped him away as if it was of no importance. He ground his teeth in frustration and crossed his arms over hischest.

The Neprijat now ruled the Khara galaxy and Sirus knew the Draga galaxy was not far behind. He heard rumors they had murdered the entire Corinthian royal family on Khara Prime. Sirus had also heard a prince had managed to escape. He could only hope the Corinthian prince survived long enough to get out and that they were headed toward the palace. They needed information, notrumors.

As the youngest he was the most disposable. Sirus knew that, but his warrior training and the loyalty of his troops made him more valuable than a normal third son. His mother, the Countess of Scyria, adored all of her sons, but he knew they drove her mad. Countess Malaya could not wait toretire.

The only benefit to this good-for-nothing journey was Sirus would be able to spend some time on the surface of a planet with air that wouldn’t freeze in his lungs. Scyria was barely habitable and always frigid. The domes were all that kept them out of the freezing air; otherwise they lived underground to keep the harsh elements atbay.

“Sir, we should be in Pedranus space within a few minutes. We just received permission to land. The Countess of Pedranus is ready and waiting forus.”

Sirus grunted and his lieutenant bowed before exiting his office. As captain he should be on the bridge, but he had wanted to double check his warriors’ training on Scyria. He also had other contingents patrolling Scyrian space as well as the Seprilles’ space. Scyria had nothing to offer but warriors. His planet made growing their own food difficult, let alone exporting goods fortrade.

Everything looked on point, for now. Sirus sighed and set his shreve down. He knew he could no longer put off this meeting. There wasn’t much about the countess he knew; only that she was surprisingly good at business and treated her allieswell.

Everyone knew of the accident that caused the death of her parents when she was only an infant. Nobles across the galaxy spoke of how young and inexperienced she was when she took over Pedranus at fifteen. No one expected her to succeed. She’d not only done that, but the countess had surpassed all expectations. For that alone Sirus respectedher.

Despite his respect, he could not help his irritation with the female as they soared through the atmosphere and the stars disappeared behind dark clouds. No one else could escort her to the gods-be-damned ball? His eldest brother was to be married soon and therefore would not be attending the royal Choosing Ball. He was no longer an eligible match. His second eldest brother was already at court which was why Sirus was so annoyed his mother insistedherepresent their family. Petar was a perfect ambassador for Scyria. He was the prettyone.

Sirus made his way to the airlock where he would greet the countess. He was the ally, not his soldiers. It was not a job he could foist off, unfortunately. TheWarrior’s Curselanded with barely a jolt and Sirus felt pride swell for his pilots. He only hired the best and all of his warriors knew their work reflected upon the Scyrianfamily.

The airlock opened as soon as his men and women gave the all clear and he stepped out into the rain. For a second the sweet air in his lungs and the green grass under his feet was all Sirus could think about. The rain on his face felt like a dream. He looked up into the sky and saw only dark grey clouds, but it was more of the sky than he’d seen in what felt likecycles.

“I’m glad you like my planet, Lord Sirus,” a woman said. Her voice was sweet like the air with a hint oflaughter.

Immediately Sirus scolded himself for the second of inattention. “I apologize, Countess Joslynn.” He looked down and found her standing closer than he would havepreferred.

He stepped back and noticed she didn’t carry any sort of apparatus to keep the rain off her hair and face. The countess’s clothes were damp, but her smile was wide as she looked up at him. Suddenly Sirus realized how tiny she was. The top of her head barely reached hischest.

She arched a brow at him and he awkwardly cleared his throat. “I apologize,” he said again. What the gods had this woman done to him? He didn’t normally act like such afool.

“Countess, you should have waited,” an old man scolded as he made his way up the hill towards theWarrior’sCurse.

Sirus watched him carry up an umbrella and the trail of servants behind him carried trunks from the castle. The aboveground castle was magnificent, but it would be difficult to protect from an enemy’s attack. He was grateful his main family seat was safe, deep below the surface of his planet. The connecting one aboveground was mostly for show, for audiences, and variousevents.

The trunks looked heavy and he couldn’t help his curiosity. What did she have in them and why did she feel the need to bring whatever was in all five of them? He would need to go over the list with hersteward.

“I’ll have my lieutenant show you to your quarters,” Sirus said as he watched the steward fuss over the countess like a father. The trunks were lined up in his cargo hold and the servantsdisappeared.

“No need,” she said. “I’ll wait here until the two of you arefinished.”

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