Page 67 of Crown of Draga

His lips against her ear sent shivers down her spine. Adelina reached back and caressed his face. She ran her fingers through his hair and he melted against her, but his arms tightened and one hand spanned her belly as he held her close. The other arm crossed over her chest in a possessive hold Adelina adored.

“I don’t want Princess Kaita getting any ideas.” Adelina shrugged and lay back against him. Her hands rested on his muscular thighs and her eyes closed in relaxation.

Nash chuckled. “You can be rather possessive.”

This moment was perfect. Adelina nodded but didn’t bother to respond with words. She squeezed his thigh and let him wash her hair.

“Will you tell me about the fighting arena one day?” she asked. It was a silly request as there was a good chance she’d never have the opportunity to hear the story.

“I can tell you now if you like.” Nash pushed her up so he could scrub her back. His hand traced the small space between her shoulder blades. “A gold mark here?” he asked.

Adelina shivered. “Yes.”

“It would look beautiful on you,” he said quietly. “Are there any other marks aside from the crown?”

There was one, but it was permanent and most didn’t like the mark in silver or black. Only a royal could use the gold. Adelina finally nodded. It was strange, but she suddenly felt nervous to tell him. “You can choose to mark your marriage band on your finger. The traditional ring is usually still worn, but it is moved to a different finger as the band is sacred.”

“That’s it?” Nash asked.

Adelina laughed. Compared to all the marks he wore his question was understandable. “For a royal, yes. Tattoos are worn by others for a thousand different reasons, but I cannot have any marks other than those listed.”

His thumb made a line on her arm. “In Khara a band would be marked here if you were wed along with a symbol of your own rank and theirs. A new symbol to represent both as one is made and added to the band.”

Adelina wondered what that would look like in gold and then shook her head. “Your people like to wear their entire life on their skin.”

Nash finished washing her and she turned around so she could give him the same attentions. He watched her closely as she grabbed a soap that reminded her of his natural scent. When she scrubbed gently across his chest, taking care of his marks he inhaled sharply.

He answered her unspoken question, “Yes, with the tech we have we are a rather straightforward people. There are spies, but not many. We’d rather confront each other and fight out our problems in a proper duel or skirmish. As such we like to know who we’re dealing with.”

She had him turn around and paused when she saw the expanse of scars across his back telling their own story. Adelina took such care with his skin he rumbled in approval like the cats his genetic formula was mapped after. When she was finished she kissed the mark she’d made on his neck.

“You don’t want to heal this?” she asked.

The heat in his gaze when he faced her – it made Adelina quiver. “I want you to claim me, why would I remove it?”

Time slowed and they stared at each other in that endless moment. Adelina held her breath and despite all his hints, that question slapped some sense into her. Nash planned to make her his, and the universe be damned. The romantic side of her loved it, but the pragmatic side told her this was a mistake. She never should have let him in her bed.

Tears pricked her eyes because she knew she would probably break his heart one day.

“Shh, Adelina come here.” Nash’s hands held her face and she let herself drift into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head. “I know the odds and the risks, but I also know I’m a stubborn ass who will fight for what I want.”

She laughed and wiped the tears away. “You truly are a hard-headed male,” she agreed.

Nash chucked her under the chin and then watched her step out of the tub. It only took a few moments to put on something comfortable – a loose shirt and sleep shorts. Nash’s eyes widened when he saw her pull the entire mass of her hair up and into a messy pile, one golden stick to hold it all up. Her face was clean of makeup and Adelina grinned.

“You didn’t think I knew how to relax?” she asked.

He shook his head and leaned back. “It honestly never crossed my mind you could look so…”

“Normal?”

“You’re too gorgeous to look normal, but it’s flattering to see you let your guard down around me.”

She smiled and left him in the massive tub. There were still books to look through and answers to find. Nash would need them if he actually made it to the Hai galaxy and the dragons didn’t attempt to kill him on sight.

Adelina brought the books into the bedroom and set them on her bed. The tray of food from earlier was still on the floor and she picked up the pieces rather than call a servant. Nash couldn’t be seen and she wasn’t ready to give him up yet. Only a day or two, maybe three if she was lucky, but his people had been working non-stop.

She sighed and glanced at the night sky and the three moons outside. The lights clicked on instantly when they sensed her presence. Adelina crawled into her bed and lay back against the headrest, pulling the top book towards her.

---