Page 14 of Heir of Draga

“Master Calix won’t be available,” she stated.

Adelina grabbed Roxy before she could protest and pulled her into a crushing hug. “I will make them. After all, he’s the one who taught me everything I know.” The gentle, chaste kiss on her cheek made Roxy blush. It was incredibly difficult to hate the female. “Now go find some pretty thing and enjoy your night.”

Roxy wouldn’t ask how she knew. Draga royals were a species of their own. Before she left for the buffet table she squeezed Adelina’s hand. She wasn’t the best at conveying positive emotions, and physical contact still made her uncomfortable after so many cycles on the streets, but the princess had earned it. Roxy nodded and left the dance floor, immediately grabbing a drink and downing it.

“Careful darling, don’t want to get drunk before you’re presented to your future court.” Varan slid up beside her and popped a strawberry into his mouth, but he watched her closely, always the older brother.

“Mind your own damn business.”

“Testy are we?”

“I don’t like her.”

Varan poked Roxy in the ribs hard enough to bruise. “Don’t lie.”

“Fine,” she snapped. “I do like her, but I hate that she’s taking you away. This was never how it was supposed to go.”

Varan leaned against the wall next to the buffet table and watched his bride dance with her courtesan. The heat and adoration in his eyes made her feel ashamed. Roxy wanted his happiness as badly as she wanted her own. To deny him such a thing because it inconvenienced her was beyond selfish.

“I highly doubt my future wife will want to remain confined in the palace for the rest of our lives. After all, this is her home as well.” Varan ate another strawberry and the juice ran down his chin like blood.

Roxy knew he belonged with her. They were two sides of the same coin. Both were vicious, territorial, punishing, yet kind and loyal. There couldn’t be a better combination. She only wished they could be the ones to rule and not Giselle, the little twat.

Elle had been a fantastic warrior, and Giselle a soldier, but a ruler? Never. And it showed. Even Raena would have been better. Perhaps it was best they were at war after all. At the very least Giselle would be able to guide them through battle competently.

“You really think a princess will come here after her true identity has been announced?” Roxy asked. The normally sharp edge to her words was gone. If Adelina would still attend the thieves’ court even after all knew…there was something intensely respectful about that.

“I don’t think anything could stop her,” Varan smirked. “She’s been coming for five cycles. It doesn’t appear to be a fleeting flirtation.”

“Talking about me?” Adelina—Lina asked.

She didn’t touch Varan as everyone knew he was engaged, but the look in her eyes – the desire and love…Roxy breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t just an arranged marriage for them. The love wasn’t one-sided. At least her brother had that.

Because Adelina would protect him, she would kill for him. Roxy knew – she’d seen it the night she’d punished Varan for his stupidity, she’d seen it when she’d punished Hayden on the livestream. Roxy grinned. The princess would disembowel anyone if she thought they were a threat to him or her family.

And somehow now Roxy was a part of that family. It made her shiver in appreciation.

“I’m always talking about you,” Varan teased Adelina.

His fingers twitched, but he didn’t reach for her. Roxy admired his self-control. But her brother didn’t hide his look of appreciation. His emerald eyes travelled from the toes of Adelina’s knee-high boots and over the tight leather pants that were a twin to Roxy’s own. But the princess wore a loose, see-through purple blouse. The small leather harness over it was all that covered her breasts.

Roxy could see why Varan was so taken with her. She’d never admit it, but she’d had half a mind to take Lina to her own bed over the cycles.

“Are you ready for the announcement?” Varan asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Adelina admitted. Nadyah pulled the princess close and squeezed.

“You, Rox?”

She shrugged and gave him her best cocky grin. “I was born ready.”

His smile widened, showing sharp canines. “Perfect, come ladies.” Varan held out his hand, but this time it was for Roxy.

It irked her, but this was all a show. Varan loved his dramatic ensembles. Roxy took it and tossed her hair over her shoulder. It was now or never.

“Courtesans, thieves, rogues, and assassins! And of course our most honored guests from the guilds,” Varan boomed, winking at the various Justices and lesser nobles. “I have a few announcements for you on the eve of my wedding.”

Nadyah and Adelina stayed hidden among the circle of guests, but Varan had dragged Roxy out to the center of the dance floor as the music eased to silence. The utter stillness as they all focused on them made her tense.

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