Page 12 of Crown of Draga

No one noticed her or cared as they chatted and dined on the hors d’oeuvres and champagne. “Mistress,” she whispered, turning once more to watch Asher dance like a galina prowling through the jungle, treating Adelina like a delicate flower despite his aggressive nature.

“What is it?” Jael asked in a bored tone. It would not be unusual for Nadyah to seek out the Mistress of her House at such an event, but Jael didn’t like taking chances that anyone would find out she was the Spymistress as well.

Nadyah smiled despite the warning in the bored tone. “I need to know about the hidden royal library,” she whispered, so quiet none but Jael’s keen hearing could hear. “Adelina wants to find King Beo’s records on the Neprijat.” A kiss on her Mistress’s cheek allowed her to barely breathe the words into Jael’s ear.

The sharp look Nadyah received had her trembling inside, but her princess needed to know and for Adelina, Nadyah would do just about anything.

“I know of it,” Jael admitted. “I will need a full report of what is inside of course.”

“Of course, tya volo e mia,” Nadyah murmured. Your will is mine.

Without a royal Jael would never know what was in the secret library and Nadyah knew the lack of information was like a bur under the skin; itching and uncomfortable.

Jael turned to Nadyah and kissed her gently on the lips. “I will send an encrypted file,” she murmured.

Nadyah kept her face blank as she turned back to see Asher bow and leave the dance floor. Strangely enough Alpha and Asher had a short burst of conversation. She watched them closely. What could they possibly have to talk about?

It was common knowledge Asher was difficult to get along with and he didn’t entertain those who would try and see past that for what his power could do for them. Asher had an uncanny ability to know when he was being used.

The dark glitter in the prince’s eyes made Nadyah shudder with an odd mix of fear and desire. She would not be assigned as his courtesan, thank the goddess, but she couldn’t help but wonder what the dominant prince would be like behind bedroom doors.

Finally, Ian released Princess Adelina. She was free to accept a dance from any possible suitor and Nadyah was fascinated to see Varan wasn’t the only one ready to pounce. Nash was already moving and to her surprise, so was Lord Marcus of Ushanov. She would have thought that one would be hunting the countess of Pedranus.

The Prince of Thieves bowed before Adelina, beating the other two males by a hair. The shock that rippled through the room when he was recognized set Nadyah on edge. Instantly she was ready to move and protect if need be. Murmurs rose as they all asked each other if that was really the thief among the nobles, the one they’d all seen deliver the prisoner to the king himself on the livestream.

The females tittered and couldn’t believe how handsome he was, even more so in person than on the livestream. Males glowered, but some looked more interested than angry. Nadyah gritted her teeth and filed the information away for later. Varan had certainly gotten the attention he’d wanted, and now he was a true contender for the Princess Adelina’s hand in marriage with her agreement to dance. All he had to do now was deliver the diamond for official consideration within the following month.

Other couples began to dance now that the presentation was complete and Nadyah allowed Alpha to drag her onto the floor with the others. This had all been planned of course. Adelina had chosen who would fill the floor with her first official dance in case too many were fearful of the protocol and attention. Giselle danced with the golden Draga, Ian. William spun the Avvis beauty Masha across the floor, the girl’s skill obvious even in such a common dance. Joslynn tugged Sirus onto the gorgeous marble floor and Asher had Veri in his arms.

As her hand pressed into Alpha’s, Nadyah studied the couples carefully. She couldn’t help but watch Varan with Adelina. From what she’d seen when the princess was Lina – a simple jeweler, the two of them had chemistry and an affection she would never have thought existed. As Adelina’s courtesan she knew of her princess’s sexual history and it did not include Varan, but the Prince of Thieves would be a good marriage match the common people would approve of.

The jealousy felt sour in her belly. Even her heart fluttered with sickness. Nadyah didn’t understand this reaction. If Varan and Adelina happened to fall in love she could only be happy for them, two people she adored. Nadyah was a courtesan. She did not love just one person, but many. It was the curse and gift of her people. Jealousy was an emotion they did not experience, not when it came to love. Love freely, as Amora decreed.

But as Alpha led Nadyah deftly through the steps she knew she was in trouble. The change of partners had her with Alpha, then Ian, and finally Varan who grinned at her like a man with hidden treasure. “Mistress, so lovely to see you again,” he said pleasantly. The massive grin on his face begged to be slapped.

“So it seems,” she murmured, unable to forget the way he’d tenderly held Princess Adelina only seconds ago. “Tell me something,” Nadyah said as they spun along the edges of the dance floor. “Did you come here just to make a claim on Adelina now that you know who she truly is?” Varan’s shock at learning his little cat, Lina, was actually a royal princess had been amusing.

He looked down sharply, a slight frown on his gorgeous face. “I thought it didn’t matter to you, Mistress. You very effectively turned me down,” Varan reminded her.

So he had known the significance of his request to dance. She practically growled with frustration. He was right of course, but she didn’t have to admit that to him. It didn’t matter that it would never work out between them, even if he was her mate. Nadyah still owed Jael, and her life’s work hinged on her status as courtesan.

Varan would never allow her to continue that part of her life if they became involved, and she wasn’t willing to risk being mated to him – not when he could drop her with barely a moment’s notice. The bond only affected the one with courtesan DNA, not the average Kalan.

“Adelina deserves more than you can give her,” Nadyah said through clenched teeth.

It was a mistake and she hadn’t meant to say it, but these strange feelings of jealousy made Nadyah say stupid things without thinking. She wasn’t used to losing her control like a simple novice. Varan’s grip on her hand tightened painfully.

“I believe I’ve done quite well, don’t you?” Varan demanded with a glare. “My contacts alone would serve the Crown well, not to mention what jewels and gems I’ve amassed over the cycles.”

“Illegally,” she hissed.

“Scavenging is not illegal,” Varan snapped.

Nadyah yanked out of his grip as the song ended and gave him a mocking curtsey. “Are you trying to tell me you are a legitimate thief and Lord Greyson isn’t suddenly missing a precious heirloom he doesn’t even realize is gone?”

Varan narrowed his eyes. “I practically begged for you to accept my offer the other night and you told me it would never happen. Now you feel otherwise? I don’t enjoy being toyed with, Nadyah.”

Another second and she would scream. Nadyah turned and walked away blindly.

The buffet table was as good a place as any to stew in her emotions. The sick feeling of jealousy wouldn’t ease, not even with the fresh fruit. Nadyah grabbed a glass of champagne and downed it. Stupid males. How could he even consider marrying Adelina?

As she watched the princess smile and laugh Nadyah knew how. Oh, how she knew.

Her hand stilled mid-reach for a second glass as something occurred to her. Was she jealous that Varan already considered another female, or was she jealous that her princess would be wed soon? Nadyah wasn’t sure which she was angrier about.

When Adelina wed she would lose her princess whether the camerraleto was finished or not.

Who would Nadyah be more devastated to lose, Adelina or Varan?

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