Page 19 of Heir of Draga

“I’ll see you out there,” Adelina said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Ian shrugged and gave Asher a smile before following after Adelina.

“Well,” William said, stuffing his hands in his pockets and staring at the door Adelina had disappeared through. “I wasn’t expecting that, but it makes sense. I never thought she’d be able to take down Hayden and yet…she dominated him. It’s a bit relieving to know exactly what she’s capable of.”

Asher nodded and clenched his teeth as he contemplated. He turned to face the balcony, studying the ocean as William quietly left the study. Oh, the dragons had no idea what they were about to get on their doorstep.

Adelina would make them all bend the knee. He had no doubt. Asher grinned and went to find Veri.

* * *

Veri

Priea Suite

Draga Royal Palace

Planet Draga Terra

“You’re all packed?” Asher asked, yanking the corset strings tighter.

She made a pleasant noise of agreement, keeping her eyes closed. There was something erotic about Asher doing up her laces. It made Veri want to bend over a bit more and let him take her. But unfortunately they didn’t have the time.

“Everything is on the starship and ready for our deployment tomorrow,” Veri reassured.

“Good, because we leave only moments after Adelina.”

“I’m aware,” Veri teased. Asher finished tying off the laces and she reached for her dress. “Are you all packed, mia principe?”

“Well enough,” he said, turning to the mirror and fixing his hair for the fifth time.

She stepped into her gown but kept an eye on Asher. “What has you so nervous?” she asked.

Never had she seen Asher so on edge…not anger or irritation, but some version of fear? The smell was so odd on him. It made her heart pound as she considered the millions of different reasons her dark prince would be afraid.

Even when he’d found Raena with her wrists slit there had been no fear, only sadness and suspicion. The idea of a killer loose in the palace hadn’t frightened him either.

Asher turned to her, slipped his hands into his pockets, and narrowed his eyes. “If I tell you something, do you swear an oath not to tell another living soul?”

This was deadly serious. Asher knew he could trust her, but this was something he trusted no one with.

“If you swear and betray me, it’s your life Veri.”

She nodded; aware her prince never toyed with death threats. They were earned if he doled out the ultimate punishment. “I swear on my life, and my brother’s,” she whispered, leaving the gown on the floor and crossing the floor of her rooms to reach Asher’s side.

Asher nodded, wrapping one arm around her waist and tucking her into his side. “Adelina called an emergency family meeting today. When I arrived in the royal study it was just me, Ian, and William. Giselle wasn’t there and neither was our mother.”

Veri frowned but stayed silent. What could the youngest princess need to tell just her brothers? After everything she’d learned about Adelina during her time at court Veri knew the female had secrets, but which would she deem necessary to tell before she left Draga Terra? Before they all shipped off to war?

“Based on some medical concerns, Adelina had Ian run a genetic test. They found something odd.” Asher glared at nothing in particular, but it was a front. Veri could feel his heart through his shirt.

“Is she all right? She doesn’t have hypomalarya does she?” Oh sweet goddess, Veri hoped not.

“She’s healthy as a galina actually. But it appears she has three parents not two. Adelina possesses Elara’s genes as well as our parents.”

Veri stepped back with a frown, trying to understand. She didn’t know much about the why of science or medicine beyond what was required to keep someone alive long enough for a physician to help them. “How?”

“Gene-mixing somehow, I don’t know the details.” Asher shrugged and grabbed her gown from the floor. He snapped it straight and held it out.

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