Page 17 of Crown of Draga

“Not with the tech we have, but perhaps the Prince Nash could assist. Will he be at the council meeting?”

That was a good question now that Nash was officially recognized. Adelina searched the ballroom until she found him standing a head taller than everyone else and watching her like a hawk. “I’m not sure. What else are they saying on the borders?” she asked.

Lucas gave her a grudging look of appreciation. No doubt he didn’t realize she had a brain under all her quiet, shy submission and pretty clothes. “The outposts selected to host the shield are powered up and ready to go. Some of the other outposts have seen nothing. Then there is one or two that have mentioned strange ships, black as space. They suck in all the light around them. They never cross the border, but they sit there, waiting and watching.”

Adelina shuddered. Those monsters were watching their prey, learning their weaknesses and waiting for the perfect moment to strike – when they were at their weakest and most vulnerable. “Why would they wait? Do they not know about the shield? Once the shield is anchored there will be no way for them to enter the Draga galaxy,” Adelina mused.

The song finished and Lord Lucas bowed. “I do not know, Princess, but it makes me as uneasy as you. I have the documented reports if you’d like them.”

She curtseyed and gave him her sweet smile. “Please send me copies. Do not mention this to anyone unless directly asked by a higher rank.”

They stared at each other for a moment as he considered the implications of her command and then he nodded with a grave face. “I appreciate this, your highness.” Then Lord Lucas disappeared among the guests.

Adelina had to talk to Nash. He would know more than anyone what they could be facing. She turned and Lord Marcus stepped in front of her, blocking her path. Adelina glanced at Alpha on the sidelines in a plea for help. Instantly he moved toward her, but the possessive grasp on her hand was too quick.

“Dance with me.” It was a command and not a request.

Adelina kept her eyes on the floor. Her submissive nature wouldn’t allow her to refuse. Marcus hadn’t asked and she was made to serve no matter how she felt about it. Despite all she’d learned and everything she told Nash, when a person with such a high level of dominance used that power over her she had to bend or she would break. It was the command and the fear combined with her desire to submit that made it impossible to refuse.

Marcus’s grip tightened and he pulled her towards him. Adelina’s eyes watered at the pain in her wrist and then the fear rose higher, stronger than the desire to submit. She tried to pull away, but he was too strong and Adelina was afraid to make a scene after taking such a risk with Nash as her escort.

“I believe I had the next dance.” Nash’s sharp words had never been more welcome. The prince removed the grip from her arm and practically lifted her off her feet as he moved them across the ballroom floor and away from Lord Marcus, skillfully avoiding the other dancers. “Are you all right?” he hissed.

The barely contained anger and violence in his voice made her shudder, but not with fear. Adelina leaned into his chest and again felt grateful she had listened to her instincts. Nash was the perfect escort.

“I am better now,” she replied. It was strange how true the statement was. Instantly her nerves were quelled and the fear she had felt when Marcus had touched her disappeared.

“You should have told him no,” Nash snapped, still angry but she knew it wasn’t directed at her.

The music slowed and Nash adjusted with barely a blink. He was an exquisite dancer and Adelina enjoyed the excuse to feel the muscles under his suit. His hips led her in a dance of seduction. Her eyes flew open when she realized that perhaps they should have left the dance floor before this song had started.

Adelina pulled back to look up into Nash’s mesmerizing eyes. “You know I am not dominant enough to say no to him.”

The arm around her waist tightened and she was pressed against him fully. Nash claimed her. The possessive movements were a declaration, but he was still so furious she doubted he was even aware of it.

“Nash, would you like to take a walk with me?” She needed to help him calm down before he snarled at another male which might include her father. He couldn’t afford to make that mistake right now, no matter how hard his instincts were riding him.

He looked down at her and tightened his grip on her hand. “No, I wouldn’t,” he growled.

Perhaps he was aware of his possession. Adelina nearly gasped as he rolled his hips against her. The skirts of her dress swirled as he turned the both of them. Her nipples tightened against his chest and she wondered if he could feel the hard points. There was a hungry look in his eyes and he led her through professional level steps with a skill she could barely understand. Every twist and bend echoed what it would be like for him to take her to his bed. Nash never let her mind wander. His eyes held her with just as much possession and heat as his hands did.

The blush rising up her cheeks was a warning she couldn’t ignore. Adelina stopped mid-step and pulled her hand out of his grip, never forgetting he allowed her to do so. With a tiny curtsey she walked off the dance floor and out of the ballroom with a brisk step. Adelina simply left him with no explanation at all.

The tingling across her body was almost too much. The ballroom felt hot and sweat dripped down her neck. Adelina’s heart pounded with the pulsing ache between her legs. Another few moments and she would have begged him to take her right there on the dance floor in front of everyone.

The second the cool night air hit her skin Adelina took a deep breath and didn’t stop moving. She walked until she hit the stone rail of the terrace. Another deep breath and her skin cooled. The inner fire died down and she felt herself regain the careful and delicate control over her instincts and desire.

Until Nash grabbed her arm and whirled her around.

Before Adelina could say a word, his mouth was on hers and his arms wrapped around her. He kissed her roughly, shoving his tongue in her mouth only to then dance delicately against hers. Adelina could barely breathe as her fragile control shattered like glass against marble. Her nails dug into his shoulders and her knees weakened. Nash caught her before she fell and placed her on top of the railing. One large hand rested on her ankle and slid up her leg into her skirts. Adelina trembled at the gentle touch so at odds with his rough possession of her body.

There was nothing more she wanted than to part her thighs and let him enter her. She was already slick and needed him inside her. But there was a reason she couldn’t. Adelina tried to remember what it was as she lost herself in that sweet, spicy scent of his. The sheer power of his body intoxicated her and she bit his bottom lip as desire overwhelmed her.

His answering growl brought her senses back and she shoved him away as hard as she could. “No,” she gasped.

Her ‘no’ stopped him instantly. Nash didn’t protest or try to force himself. He simply took a step back and breathed hard. His incredulous look would have been amusing if the matter wasn’t so serious. Adelina couldn’t help noticing his massive erection pressing against his pants and her eyes lingered longer than they should have.

Adelina breathed hard and she counted backwards as Nadyah had taught her, yanking hard on the leash of control she’d created for herself. “I need help getting down.” She was frightened what his touch would start again, but she was currently stuck on the railing with no way to get down without ruining her dress.

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