Page 11 of Crown of Draga

The king took his eldest daughter’s hand and held it with affection, giving her a little pat. Nadyah wasn’t sure, but she knew some of the rules of protocol were different tonight. And as long as Adelina was not alone with the prince she would not be going against Raena’s command. Nadyah would make sure she was never alone after having witnessed the crown princess’s fury herself.

It didn’t seem as though Adelina even noticed. When she reached the bottom of the staircase the music changed and swelled into something dark and glorious; a celebration. Nadyah watched Nash sweep Adelina onto the dance floor, stepping at precisely the right moment, spinning them around and around with long luxurious strides. She sighed softly and smiled. It was one of the most romantic scenes she’d ever witnessed. Truly this moment was like something out of a storybook.

Nadyah watched with unshed tears as Adelina closed her eyes, trusting in Nash completely. He led her without a single misstep throughout the entire song. Finally, the music slowed and Nash matched the time perfectly. On the final note he dipped her so low Adelina’s curls brushed the floor. Her extended arm held the pose as he stared into her eyes. The long note held and the strength in the arm holding the princess never once wavered. Then the music ended and he pulled them both up. The cheers were wild as Nash took a step back and bowed, holding Adelina’s eyes the entire time she curtseyed.

King Orion then made his way to his youngest daughter as planned.

Nadyah used the opportunity to move unseen through the crowd. She’d just spied Varan among the courtiers. No one noticed as she slipped by. They were too busy talking to each other or watching the graceful royals on the dance floor.

Nadyah’s elbow brushed Varan’s and he glanced at her. His eyes widened at the sultry black dress she wore. A slit to her hip flashed skin and balanced out the modest boat-neck top. “Mistress,” Varan murmured with respect.

She smiled and was secretly pleased with his reaction. For a long time she wondered if he ever found her attractive, but after seducing her last week she knew what to look for. Nadyah adjusted her auditory implant so she could listen to Adelina and the king’s conversation. She needed to know if there was some interference she should run later. “Have any trouble being let in, Prince?” she asked.

Varan just chuckled. “Oh you only wish I had.” His hand slipped around her waist and he tucked her into his side. “The guards were rather admiring after my present.”

She should step away, put some distance between the two of them, but honestly it was the last thing she wanted to do. Even if Jael saw them it didn’t matter now. Varan was accepted by the royal family and too valuable to avoid or assassinate. Nadyah turned so her back was to the dance floor. She wrapped one arm around Varan’s waist and leaned in to him, hiding her scan from the rest of the courtiers and nobles.

It allowed her to look for Jael and listen to the king without bringing any unwanted attention to herself. Varan was silent and kept his eyes on the royals. The king’s words finally drifted to Nadyah and she sighed with relief.

“Do you remember when I said you should never have to convince someone they should be with you, to love you?” King Orion asked gently. “How you want someone to fight for you?”

Adelina’s sweet voice made her smile. “I remember, Papa.”

“That boy would hang the stars if you only asked it of him.”

So she wasn’t the only one who noticed. Nadyah doubted Nash and Adelina were even aware of the way they looked at each other or how they moved when near the other. It was strange and mesmerizing to see how simple and easy they were together while neither of them noticed. The two were oblivious to all but their physical attraction.

“Father?”

“Oh I do not like the complications and as king I’m rather annoyed. But as your father I believe he would protect you to the ends of the universe. He’s just having a hard time figuring out why he wants to put you before his kingdom.”

Nadyah smiled at the wise words and glanced over her shoulder to see the king bend and kiss his daughter’s cheek.

“I appreciate the words Papa, but Prince Nash and I are not considering a relationship.”

She turned back to the crowd, wondering if the king might support such a union and if he would even live to see it.

The king spoke one last time before the song changed. “You may not be considering one dear child, but we don’t always choose the pairings. Sometimes they choose us.”

Nadyah kept the confusion from her face and kissed Varan’s cheek. “Have you managed to get any more intel?”

His golden head glowed under the candlelight. Varan shook his head ever so slightly. “It’s getting more difficult to move my ships and get messages through. The shield is already partially closed, blocking off certain parts of space as an exit. It also seems to interfere with some of my tech. I need to speak with the Corinthian prince about commandeering some of his more advanced toys.”

With a quick squeeze she released him. Nadyah would have to speak to Nash when she had the chance. Perhaps she would ask him to dance, despite knowing he despised her and her ways. It was the first time she’d ever witnessed such a reaction.

Varan glanced up and then back at the guests. It had to be the third time he’d done so, too quickly for anyone to notice but her. “Are you afraid of spiders, Varan?” she teased, bumping his elbow with hers.

The thief grimaced and shot her a look. “Absolutely terrified,” he admitted. “It’s not so bad when they’re smaller, but they just get so…big.”

The spiders on Draga Terra were bigger than average which was why they were able to use their webs for spidersilk. Nadyah smiled. “I don’t prefer them, but they tend to leave us alone.”

Varan grunted and crossed his arms. Then realizing his break in protocol, he uncrossed them again and clasped his hands behind his back like all the other noble males. “They are too close for comfort regardless. The shield could fail and all those spiders could descend on us as if we were a feast.” He gritted his teeth. “I’m going to dance with the princess and then leave.”

His discomfort was too amusing. Nadyah covered her mouth with her hand to hide the snort of laughter. “Make sure to wait until all her brothers have had a dance before making a scene.”

Once again Nadyah slipped through the crowd. It surprised her Varan would ask the princess for a dance, after all requesting a dance was an informal offer for marriage. She wondered if Varan even knew that.

Nadyah pushed the thought to the back of her mind. She had work to do.

---