Page 56 of Princess of Draga

“Who is this?” she demanded of the guards. Better to play stupid than dig herself further in thehole.

“He says he’s the Prince of Thieves,” one answered gruffly, moving aside so she couldsee.

“The Prince of Thieves?” she asked, arching a brow in question. “What does a thief want withme?”

Varan bowed low, sweeping his arm and grinning like an idiot. It seemed to make the guards nervous as they shuffled and made sure their weapons aimedtrue.

“What is the meaning of this?” Raena demanded, pushing past Adelina to inspect the strange scene beforethem.

“Prince Varan?” her father’s voice sounded surprised, but not angry. Adelina turned to watch her father approach with an entire squadron of soldiers. “It has been quite a long time since your last gift.” The wry smile on his tired face had Raena stepping back, rethinking herstrategy.

Adelina stayed behind her father in the submissive position on his left, but she stood much closer than was proper. At the moment she didn’t care. She needed to hear what Varan said in front of her father and sister. With Nadyah and Alpha at her back she felt less afraid. They would protect her againstanything.

Again the sweeping bow and Varan stood with that mocking grin of his. “Your majesty, I have brought the man who let the bombers into the palace. He has confessed. I’ve already taken my trophies as you can see. What you do with him now is up toyou.”

The man whimpered as Varan passed the chains to one of theguards.

Instantly her father stood straighter, taller. The King stood before them and suddenly he was large and impressive. He waved his hand. “Take him to the dungeons and put a watch on him. This prisoner will not die before I have questionedhim.”

Five guards broke off and took the man with the gaping eye-holes towards the palace. Adelina couldn’t help her shudder. Varan was vicious and she could never forget that part ofhim.

“I appreciate your assistance as always…Prince.” Her father actually acknowledged his title andrank.

Adelina practically stared until she heard her ownname.

“What is it you want with the Princess Adelina?” Raena asked, not as angry as before but stillsuspicious.

Varan turned and took a step toward Adelina. He took her hand, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. It took everything she had to keep that stupid smile on her face and not snarl at him. The control required to stay as still as a statue was nearly too much when something small and cold was slipped into herpalm.

“Congratulations on your upcoming birth celebration. I was honored to receive an invitation from the royal family and wanted to ensure you knew I planned to attend.” Varan stepped back and released her hand as the guardsbristled.

Raena smiled pleasantly but she watched the two of them too closely for Adelina’s comfort. “I’d forgotten you’d sent him an invitation,” she said with a trillinglaugh.

The sound made goose-pimples rise across herarms.

“Yes, the Prince’s rank and service to the Crown warranted it.” Adelina curtseyed, slipping the disc into her pocket before anyone could see or notice the flash of metal from the sun. “I appreciate theresponse.”

The king laughed and held out his hand for Varan to shake. “I look forward to seeing you in a few daysVaran.”

Adelina was dying to see what was on the disc, but she couldn’t risk leaving justyet.

Varan smiled at Adelina and her heart leapt into her throat. What did this fool male have planned? “If you require an escort, please let me know.” Then the thief bowed to Raena, the king, and then left with the guards following him until he reached the streets of the first-circle.

Adelina stood with her father and sister, not daring to move before she was dismissed. When Varan disappeared from sight King Orion turned to her and offered his arm. “Your party is only a few days away, do you have an escort yet?” heasked.

Adelina took his arm and watched her sister from the corner of her eyes. Raena followed on the king’s right and he never questioned it. He recognized Raena as the dominant now and it made Adelina more nervous than before. Her blank face didn’t fool Raena and she felt ridiculous to be so afraid of her sister, but after the other night…it was smart to be afraid. Raena had becomeunpredictable.

Nadyah and Alpha trailed behind them and Adelina slipped her unoccupied hand into her pocket, feeling the small disc. “I do not, Father. There are a few I’ve considered, but no one I have officially asked to escort me.” Alpha had been on the list, but she wasn’t sure if that would be a good idea when most knew they used to belovers.

“Remember you have the freedom to choose whoever you like for your coming-of-age party. There are certain rules that are left behind on such a momentous celebration. Have you scheduled yourseal?”

Adelina looked up sharply, inspecting her father’s face for some sign he meant what he said. That playful glitter was in his eyes as he looked down at her with affection. But there was also the look cautioning her to think before she chose. King Orion was a true romantic at heart and Adelina got the feeling he wanted her to choose the escortshewanted, not one that would be deemed appropriate. It was a risk, but she wouldn’t be breaking anyrules.

She shook her head as they sedately made their way back into the cool palace. “I have not, but it will be done by tomorrow. I very much look forward to having my own seal.” The gold tattoo would hurt worse than anything she’d ever felt before, but it was another symbol of her individuality, the small freedoms she would have now that she would finally be ofage.

They stopped just inside the main foyer of the palace and her father turned, patting the top of her hand. “I trust you have much to do for your celebration. Don’t forget your mother is expecting you to attend the Queen’s tea.” He bent and kissed her on the cheek before slowly making his way to thelift.

Adelina hoped he would rest for a while before theannouncement.

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