Page 23 of Crown of Draga

Joslynn snuck a glance at Sirus among the other nobles who didn’t rule any planets and he was focused on his simulcast. The reports from the border were getting more and more disturbing from what Sirus had told her. The last council meeting Joslynn attended cycles ago had been light and pleasant. War hadn’t been a threat.

Lord Lucas shifted uncomfortably next to her. The male was clearly itching to say his piece when he got the chance. Joslynn was almost afraid of what he had to say. There had been a moment the night before with Princess Raena, but no one knew precisely what had been said. From the determined look on Lucas’s face he wouldn’t be brushed aside again.

The border planets were rightly concerned with the developments over the last few weeks. Joslynn knew exactly how he felt. One strange report was easily dismissed, but multiple border reports of odd black ships lurking on the fringe? It was enough to create panic and they were the ones on the front lines.

She looked at the nobles along the sidelines. Princess Vasara and Prince Ajax were closest to the dais, but they didn’t rule. They managed a few estates on Draga Terra with their father Prince Solomon, but their power and influence were limited. They were most valuable in marriage where a title could be gained.

Lady Veri was near them, watching her father, Lord Greyson, who was representing the true ruler of Priea, the Marquess who had remained at home. Something about the way Veri eyed her father reminded Joslynn of birds of prey and she shuddered. Joslynn had felt how dominant she was the night before when they’d brushed shoulders once. It wasn’t an experience she wanted to repeat.

Though Joslynn had watched Veri dance with Prince Asher and had filed that information away for later. Glancing at the dark prince she could see how they’d be a good match; almost equals if not for the Draga blood that ran through all the royals.

Then the Crown Princess Raena entered the council room and sat in the king’s throne. So the king and queen would not be attending this meeting. Joslynn was saddened at their fair king’s declining health. It was such an unfortunate tragedy they’d lose one of their best rulers in such a short amount of time.

After the coronation, the entire setup would be altered, making it so there were no more empty chairs until an heir was born. The thought of babies made Joslynn wistful. With Sirus as her husband the idea of producing an heir no longer seemed like a chore. Actually, she rather looked forward to retiring with Sirus after dinner.

The head advisor then called the meeting to order once Princess Raena was settled and the murmurs and chatter instantly died. All eyes were on Raena, the throne she sat on a clear declaration. Everyone waited to see what it would mean for their future. “Lord Lucas of Treon, recognized ruler of the planet Treon, please step forward.”

Lucas went to stand in front of Raena. He bowed and then clasped his hands behind his back in a soldier’s stance. Joslynn couldn’t believe how quickly his rule had been established. It did not matter apparently that his father and brother were alive on Treon. The king and heir must have pushed, and filed the paperwork that declared them both traitors. Then they’d appointed Lucas as the new ruler of Treon at some point under everyone’s nose.

Gods above things could change so quickly for a people who had such long lives. It always shocked Joslynn when it happened.

“Lord Lucas I appreciate you bringing to my attention the reports regarding the missing ships on the border. At this time there are not enough of them to cause concern, and until there is proof the Neprijat are turning our soldiers against us, we must act on the threat we know exists.”

Raena waved her hand towards the Lord High Admiral and the stunning woman stood and bowed.

The Crown Princess continued. “A regiment will be sent to bolster our borders. A second regiment will then be sent to Treon to arrest the traitors and deal with the uprising, led by the Princess Giselle.” Whispers rose at the announcement. “Princess Giselle was granted warrior status by the king and it will not be questioned.” Instantly all questioning murmurs died.

Joslynn’s hands clenched the arms of her chair as she considered all that the heir’s words could mean. Ignoring missing ships seemed foolish and if the frowns on the other planet rulers’ faces were any indication, they thought so too.

Once again the border’s concerns would be dismissed. Joslynn felt the all-too-familiar rage flickering in her veins. The goddess had blessed her with a temper she’d never seen matched. As Lucas returned to his seat Joslynn quietly stood, took two steps and then dropped into a curtsey. She was announced and the dominant weight of Raena’s gaze landed on her. When she stood she kept her shoulders back no matter how badly she wanted to hunch and hide from the judgment she could see in her future ruler.

“Your royal highness, I would beg you to reconsider the size of the deployment. Our border planets are at great risk being on the front lines of the galaxy. The forces already on Pedranus, Treon, Scyria, and Seprilles are not enough to cover the entire section of space the Neprijat have access to. Our people are afraid, and they need to feel remembered. Food is scarce on the three outermost planets and Pedranus can only give so much without starving my own people.”

The recorders zoomed in on her. Everyone’s breath was hushed as they listened to her practically rant at the soon-to-be queen. This was a topic she felt passionately about. The four outer-rim planets had to band together, but there were only so many resources available despite terra-forming and greenhouse plants. Treon, Seprilles, and Scyria made up more than one third of the galaxy’s forces. Patrolling the borders kept them safe and secure. Without them the core would be at risk, even with the Draga Royal Army and the Avvis Army.

“We still have to watch the border to the Hai galaxy as we all know the Drakesthai are violent and unpredictable,” Joslynn said. “Every ambassador sent there for the last six hundred cycles has been turned away. Some never made it back. Trade has been denied over and over. We know almost nothing about them, and now I hear rumors they were taken by the Neprijat as Khara was,” Joslynn said, conviction and emotion strong in her voice. Her hands and words painted a dire picture and they all held their breath when Princess Raena said nothing.

Prince Nash didn’t blink at the mention of the dragons and Joslynn knew her suspicions were confirmed. Colin had been right to worry about the whispers from those border outposts. If the Drakesthai were under Neprijat rule, then an attack could come from that border as well.

“Without more supplies, and the strength of our forces I fear our planets in the outer rim will fall.” Joslynn curtseyed again. Her hands shook with the remainder of her fury. Joslynn had done what she could, and hopefully Raena would answer their prayers.

The Princess Adelina gave her a tiny nod. Joslynn knew she had listened the last time the border planets had asked for help. Reports from Scyria had told her that much, but would the heir?

As she sat back in her chair, Joslynn knew Giselle was not the type to worry about much other than what she could do as a warrior. Giselle would fight for their people until her dying breath, but when it came to the politics she always stepped back.

“Thank you, Lady Joslynn,” Raena said. “The shield will be fully closed in a week. As such the need to send more forces than what I’ve decreed would be unnecessary and wasteful. As to supplies I will triple the original order to help with the forces already policing our borders. Allocating more help permanently will be looked into at a future date with the Master Treasurer.”

Joslynn breathed a sigh of relief. It was better than she could have hoped for and with a promise to look into future assistance. The shield would help secure their borders in a way soldiers could not. She glanced at Sirus and his frown made her reconsider. What countermove was he considering that made him so uneasy?

When Sirus stood her heart constricted painfully. Joslynn didn’t know what he planned to do but she had a bad feeling it would be something she wasn’t going to like.

“Lord Sirus, you may have the floor,” Caspian stated when no one else moved to deny him.

Sirus stepped into the center of the council room and paused for a moment. The silk curtains fluttered against the marble floor as a small breeze moved the warm air through the massive, open windows. Joslynn held her breath as she waited for Sirus to speak.

“As general of the Scyrian Army I volunteer to travel with the Princess Giselle. I can redeploy some of my forces on the border and help contain any attempt Treon might make to fight back.” Sirus bowed sharply. His ruined eye was a testament to his experience fighting on the borders.

Joslynn made a mental note to contact the physician and confirm the replacement while she tried to ignore her inner panic.

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