Page 31 of Heir of Draga

Chapter Nine

Adelina

Crystal Ballroom

Draga Royal Palace

Planet Draga Terra

The ballroom was full of laughter and chatter and hundreds of people enjoying themselves. There’d been a few murmurs when they’d all seen her new marks, but if they disapproved they kept it to themselves. Adelina was proud of her personal Draga seal on her back, and the vine of jasmine on her front. They were a symbol – a mark to remind everyone who she truly was.

Guests came up to congratulate her and Varan, and to comment on the rare beauty of the tattoos. It had pleased her to no end to start this new chapter of her life by ripping off the submissive, meek mask for good.

Adelina stopped to catch her breath when the song ended and Varan grabbed two goblets of water off a passing tray without her having to ask.

The actual wedding ceremony had been a blur. All Adelina had been able to focus on was Varan and his emerald gaze, the tears she saw there for her, and the love she could feel surrounding her as he slipped the ring on her finger and recited the words with her.

That he’d somehow convinced Calix to make a rush order…Adelina knew without a doubt Varan was a soul mate, utterly made for her in every way. It was clear in every touch, in every look, and the way he seemed to orbit her constantly, never straying too far – as if it physically hurt him to leave her side.

After the ceremony Adelina had greeted the guests with her new husband, accepted the gift from her queen, and then danced their first dance together as a wedded couple. With her duties complete she couldn’t help but glance at the massive floating clock in the corner, quietly ticking away the hours.

Adelina wondered how soon was too soon to leave her own wedding ball. Her husband tempted her, and had for a while. She wanted to rip his clothes off and make him beg.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Varan asked. His grin was infectious and hadn’t left his face since the ceremony.

“I am, but I do wonder when it would be appropriate to leave.”

Instantly heat filled his eyes and they became hooded as he looked her up and down. “Five minutes?”

Adelina grinned and sipped her iced water, feeling her skin slowly flush and tingle. She wondered what sinful things that tongue of his could do other than speak those wicked sharp words of his.

“Princess, may I have this dance?”

Adelina looked up and saw Alpha standing before her. It was like a splash of cold water on her face, but she nodded and took his outstretched hand, feeling Varan’s burning gaze on her back.

As the music swirled around them, Alpha swept her into the familiar steps as he had a thousand times before when he was her learning partner and escort over the cycles. “I wanted to apologize – for not warning you about the council meeting.”

Adelina looked over his shoulder, avoiding his intense gaze. It was a subject they hadn’t had time to discuss and she didn’t particularly want to, especially on her wedding day. “Leave it, Alpha. What’s done is done.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Alpha asked, tipping her chin towards him gently.

Something about his touch felt cold and foreign and Adelina pulled back, glaring at him. “Don’t presume I want you to touch me like we are as close as we once were. You betrayed me.”

His grip on her waist tightened and then released. “For that I am sorry. I only wished to keep you safe. Had you not been there – I feared what Raena would have done.”

“It no longer matters because she’s dead.” Again Adelina felt the hurt from Alpha’s lie of omission as if it had just happened. All his plans to keep her safe, ruining their lifelong friendship, knowing she wouldn’t forgive him for such a lie…it was all for nothing and she hated him for it.

Alpha stopped dancing and bowed despite the song still playing. “It will be my lifelong endeavor to regain your trust, if not your friendship. But I don’t regret the decisions I made. They were all for you. No one here truly understands your value. And no matter what happens, know that my life is and always has been yours.”

Then her once childhood friend and adolescent crush left the dance floor and the ballroom altogether. Adelina didn’t know how to feel about his words, or his apology.

Elara saved her from more embarrassment by sweeping Adelina back into the dance. “Everything all right?” she asked, her court smile pasted on her face.

Adelina gave her a real smile in return, relieved and happy to spend quality time with her other biological mother. “Everything is perfect. It’s all more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed. I’m very lucky.”

“I was so afraid for you,” Elara admitted, expertly spinning Adelina before pulling her back in. “Raena – the Three-Faced Goddess watch over her soul – was terrifying in the small time she reigned as proxy, but in the end she came through for you. We can never forget that Raena gave you this gift.” Elara kissed Adelina’s tear from her cheek and tucked a curl back into her updo. “Don’t forget your sister loved you, despite everything.”

Adelina felt more tears fall and she smiled, no longer trying to hide them. “I only wish she and father could have been here for this.”

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