Page 8 of Crown of Draga

Adelina blushed under Nadyah’s obvious attraction. She turned to inspect the flowing garment. Gwendolyn had outdone herself. The dress on the mannequin practically beckoned her forward. Nadyah pulled the dress up and held it out, careful of the delicate spidersilk as Adelina stepped into it. She slipped her arms into the sheer, wrist-length sleeves and waited patiently as Nadyah did the line of buttons up her back. The courtesan’s eyes were fixated on her task.

“Princess, there is something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

Adelina shot a look at Nadyah. The use of her title claimed her attention completely. Silently she waited for her to speak.

“Elara showed me a secret alcove hidden behind a tapestry,” she said as she worked on the tiny buttons down Adelina’s back. “It’s situated where the Throne Room’s parlor is and we watched the meeting after Lord Lucas arrived.”

Adelina looked at her courtesan in alarm. Had she seen that fateful night when Raena had ripped her marriage rights from her? Had Nadyah witnessed her punishment? The courtesan still wouldn’t meet her eyes. “And?” Adelina prompted.

Nadyah shook her head. “No, we left before everything with Nash occurred. I’m glad I did otherwise I don’t think I could have stayed silent.” No longer able to remain still, Nadyah started to pace.

Adelina watched her closely through the mirrors. Nadyah was loyal. Adelina had made sure of that which is why she also knew the courtesan was a spy working for the Spider. The Spymistress also happened to be Mistress Jael of the House of Kismet, the best courtesan House on Draga Terra. Thank goodness the Spider worked for the royal family, because Mistress Jael terrified Adelina with her intensity and dominance.

Nadyah continued as she paced. “The reason I mention this is not for the reason you think. Elara told me there are records from King Beo’s reign that explain his dealings with the Neprijat and how he fought them back.” Nadyah turned to Adelina then and went back to buttoning her dress. “She says there is a royal library that only a true royal can access. Your genetics are the key to opening the secret library. Your mother would not be able to open the door, and I am not sure about Ian.”

Adelina contemplated this as she waited for Nadyah to finish. She had never heard of a secret library, but that was no surprise. It could be reserved until a royal came of age. There was also the possibility it wasn’t meant for anyone but the ruler and their heir. Part of the secret could be the genetics, but another was most likely the seal.

Her right palm was bare and Adelina stared at it. Within a few days she would have her seal tattooed with gold onto her palm for her official documents and signatures. It prevented forgery and if her hand was cut off the seal would disappear. The tattoo was only bonded to living flesh. Nothing and no one could steal her identity.

It would be problematic to hide if she ever left the palace again to walk the streets and mingle with her people as Lina. She would need to tweak her disguise program. “I don’t even know where this royal library is,” Adelina admitted. “I’ve never heard of it. I’m not even sure as third-born that I’m allowed to enter.”

Nadyah tapped a shoulder to let her know she was finished and then bent to pick up the skirts trailing on the ground; they would brush against Adelina’s toes once her shoes were on. The courtesan led her to the comfortable cushion in the center of the closet and helped Adelina to sit. “I can ask the Spider if she knows of its location from her little spiderlings,” her courtesan offered.

Adelina watched Nadyah rush over to where the black stilettos sat under the mannequin and considered it. Giselle might not know, and she was not comfortable asking Raena. Her father might tell her its location. King Orion had bent the rules for Adelina more times than she could count, but occasionally he would put his foot down and once that had been decided he was immovable. If the king refused to let her in the secret library, sneaking into it would be treason.

“Yes, speak to the Spider first,” Adelina said. “I will ask Giselle if she knows of it. King Orion will be the last resort to stay on the safe side.”

Nadyah slid her heels on and they were sinfully comfortable despite how they looked. They were sharp and tall, and Adelina loved how they clicked against the marble floor. The stilettos were an utter indulgence.

Slowly Adelina walked to the dais and stood before her mirrors as though she had dressed for battle, and in a way, she had.

The dress was extremely form-fitting and flattered her tiny waist. The slip and corset underneath gave her modesty, but the deep sweetheart neckline allowed the sheer layer to show more than she had ever dared before. The embroidery covered her nipples, but the curve of her breast was obvious even in dim light. The sheer material went all the way up to her throat and clasped at the back of her neck with the last of a hundred tiny buttons. Gwendolyn had somehow found a lace-like design woven with spidersilk. It was one Adelina was determined to find the designer of. The black kohl around her eyes glittered ever so slightly under the light and the skirts just barely brushed the floor.

She was ready.

A sweet chime from the floating time-keeper warned Adelina. Not even a second later there was a polite knock on her door. Butterflies instantly beat against her stomach hard enough she felt the echo in her chest. Adelina felt panicky. Not for her party, but for Nash to see her. To see how he would act as escort, and the reaction she knew she would get from her family. She looked at Nadyah pleadingly.

Instantly her courtesan placed her hands on Adelina’s shoulders and gave her a brief kiss on the lips for courage. “This is not a mistake.” Her words had so much conviction some of the butterflies eased and Adelina took a long, slow breath.

Her courtesan disappeared into her sitting room and Adelina looked at herself one last time. She would never wear armor like Giselle, or a crown to rule like Raena, but she had something all her own. Adelina murmured a prayer to the god of science. She only asked for more time. More time for what, she still needed to figure out. If Kienz heard her there was no sign of it.

Adelina pulled her shoulders back, walked through her bedchamber, and into her sitting room.

Prince Nash was at the threshold to her balcony with his back to her. His broad shoulders begged to be touched in that jacket. When he heard the sound of her heels on the marble floor Nash turned. His eyes widened as he took her in and his lips parted ever so slightly. Adelina didn’t think she would have noticed if she hadn’t been looking for it. His reaction pleased her and more of those butterflies settled. “Thank you for being so prompt.”

He crossed the room with a prowl that made her heart leap into her throat. Just barely did she resist taking a step back. Nash stopped only a foot from her and then bowed too low for his rank or dominance. One hand held out a small, carved black box. Carefully Adelina took it. How had he managed this so far from his home with so few resources?

“What is this?” she asked, turning the small box in her hands.

Nash straightened and slipped his hands into his pockets. It went against protocol but Adelina didn’t mind. She liked his quirks and the reminder he was from a completely different galaxy.

“It is a present for your birthday.”

“Birthday?” she asked, opening the lid of the wooden box.

“That is what we call it in Khara.” His foot shifted.

Adelina glanced up. Was he just as nervous as she? For some reason that comforted her. She lifted up the scrap of silk and gasped. There was a small circlet just big enough to fit over her wrist. It was made of black-wood, darker than a full solar eclipse. Adelina picked up the piece and studied it. There were miniscule carvings around the entire bracelet, roses if she wasn’t mistaken. “Did you make this?” she asked.

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