Page 1 of Heir of Draga

Chapter One

Adelina

Varan’s Warehouse

Planet Draga Terra

“Lina, could you bring me that box?”

Adelina wiped the sweat from her brow and lifted the heavy cargo box. Two more days and she would be heading toward the Hai Galaxy. The ships were nearly ready thanks to Roxy’s expertise. Adelina knew she never would have been able to leave on time without the brilliant engineer.

She’d have to make sure to commend the mechanic publicly whether Roxy wanted her to or not. She deserved that and so much more. Adelina was lucky Varan had officially introduced them. It never would have occurred to her to ask Varan’s adopted sister for help. The female had always been a bit prickly.

“Are there more boxes you need me to fetch?” Adelina asked Roxy.

“No, I think that’s the last of them.” The female pushed back her curly red hair and eyed the princess. “I am surprised you can do physical labor. I thought for sure you’d collapse after the first ten minutes.”

Adelina grinned and pushed her playfully. “If I didn’t know you so well I might be offended. It’s a lot of work being a royal. We have to train to protect ourselves if need be.”

The workers ran to and fro around them, desperately trying to get everything perfect by the launch date. Adelina shrugged, ignoring the cacophony of sounds and focused on the female who was quickly becoming a fast friend.

The girl hated her, or rather she hated royalty, but Adelina seemed to be growing on her.

After the king and Raena’s funeral, and then Giselle’s coronation, Adelina had needed the distraction. With one sister dead before her time and the other suddenly queen with no preparation – things had been tense at the palace. Exacerbated by Giselle’s disgust for Adelina’s true parentage.

The hard, physical work made Adelina too exhausted to think or cry. She wasn’t ready to move on from her father and Raena’s deaths, but time stood still for no one.

“Lina darling,” Varan purred, wrapping his arms around her middle. “I have to get you back to the palace soon.”

Adelina leaned back into her fiancé and closed her eyes, ignoring Roxy’s glare. “I know, but I just need a little more time.” The Prince of Thieves had always been so distractingly attractive, and soon he would be hers.

“And how goes the wedding plans?” Varan asked, spinning her around in his arms.

Adelina pressed against him, hips to hips and leaned back so she could look into his eyes. He was so tall. “It goes. I have to meet with my mothers in a bit. They’ve been working day and night to bring everything together before we leave.”

The soon to be legitimate royal prince studied her. “Are you sure you want to rush this? We have time. The wedding can wait until after the trip to the Hai Galaxy.”

Adelina shook her head. “No, I want to leave no opportunity for something to happen while I am away. If I’m married Giselle can’t sell me to another without our approval. Also, I want to marry you,” she said with a smile.

They hadn’t had the time for seduction and sex. So Adelina had asked if they could wait until their wedding night. At least then she would have time to breathe. Though the more she thought about it the more nervous she became. The anticipation was nearly unbearable. She couldn’t help wondering what sex with Varan would be like, her courtesan genes making it all the more difficult to resist him.

Especially when he stroked his hands up and down and over her hips the way he was currently doing.

“All right, Lina. I’m happy to do whatever you wish.” Varan kissed her cheek and offered her his arm. “I do have a surprise for you. Would you mind making a quick stop at my estate before we make our way back to the palace?”

“I don’t mind at all. It would be best to clean up before I head back to the palace as well.”

Varan grinned and wiped a streak of dirt from her face. “I kind of like this look on you, but the wolves at court would eat you alive.” He escorted her out of the massive warehouse that held hundreds of workers and her three starships.

Adelina glanced sideways at her fiancé and couldn’t quite believe he was about to be her husband. One more day and he would be hers forever. The goddess’s plans never ceased to surprise her when they were fully revealed.

Never in a million cycles would Adelina have thought the prince of thieves could love her. Never would she have thought an arranged marriage could be so full of love, joy, and adoration despite being surrounded by darkness, despair, and grief.

She knew he would be the reason she survived the war with her soul intact. Varan was dedicated, adoring, and strong. Everything she needed to get through what came next.

The streets were full of people. They smiled and greeted Varan with respect and love. Most of the warehouses and public docks were part of his territory. The surrounding streets, businesses, and housing were as well. The male had certainly expanded over the cycles.

His house was on a street with apartment buildings he owned, but it was clear which was his. Rogues guarded the house. They were on the roofs, in the alleys, and guarding each entry and exit. They gave him a quick salute as he passed.

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