Page 3 of Heir of Draga

Her smile faltered. Adelina hoped Nash was alive and accomplishing everything he’d set out to do. With a bit more luck she may even see him in the Hai Galaxy. That reunion also made her anxious. Would he accept her proposal? Goddess, she hoped he did.

Nash – the usurped prince of Khara. The last Corinthian prince. The male Adelina had been forbidden to love, but went against her sister’s orders anyway.

“Lina, Lina,” Varan murmured. He pulled her down to sit on the bed next to him. It was as soft as it looked. “Talk to me.”

She shook her head. “Nothing is wrong. I’m simply worried about Nash.”

Varan pulled her in and held her tight. “I know you are. I wish I had word on him.”

Adelina kissed his cheek. “We will try and contact him once we cross the border. It’s the best we can do at the moment. Now what is in that box?”

“Adelina, thank you for agreeing to become my wife,” Varan said, holding it out for her.

The plain black wood was so like Varan. Innocuous and unassuming. She took it from him, holding it softly as though it might break. It wasn’t heavy which surprised her. Varan always managed to find the heaviest jewels – precious and unmatched.

When Adelina opened it she admired the black velvet that was a touch darker than the wood. But it was what he had nestled inside that took her breath away. A bracelet made of black gold with a dark, purple opal set in the band so it was nearly flush with the thick metal. She brought it up close and inspected the strange piece of jewelry.

Nothing about the purple opal was simple, but the design was elegant and minimalist though the gold was a bit thicker than it ought to be for the size of the jewel. Her expert eye found the seam and she skimmed her nail along it. The bracelet hissed and popped open. The inside was lined with glowing tech and Adelina looked up at Varan in question.

“Your Prince Nash gave you more than just schematics for a faster ship, darling,” Varan said with a heart-stopping smile. He took the bracelet from her and inspected the perfect work inside. “I commissioned the piece from Guild Master Calix. He knew what I needed and designed this. Then I gave it to Roxy. She adjusted some of the Kharan tech and put it in here.” Varan closed the bracelet and gently took her right hand. He slipped the bracelet over her wrist and snapped it in place.

Adelina stared at it in wonder. It was made to fit her wrist perfectly, no space between her skin and the gold. The jewel sat on top and winked in the sunlight. Then Varan pressed his thumb against the underside. A purple light burst from the gold and then settled against her skin, fading into nothing. But she could still feel it, tingling.

“It’s a shield, and also a weapon. All you have to do is activate the tech and a screen will pop up.” Varan took her other hand and pressed her thumb to the underside. Then he molded her right hand into a fist. A display popped up. “Wiggle your fingers, and flip through the holos to see what’s available. You can fire plasma energy at enemies among other things. There are ten shots in each selection and then it would need to be recharged. Full disclosure, I had Roxy put a tracking device on here as well.”

Adelina stared at the hologram in wonder and flicked her fingers, scrolling through. There were so many options. Then she brought her closed fist up and pointed it at the door. The sound of energy charging filled the room. Varan wasn’t nervous or concerned she would destroy any of his things. He let her play. Then she shook out her hand and the weapon deactivated.

“Place your left thumb on the bracelet. You must say ‘deactivate.’ Nothing else will turn off the shield and it’s coded to your voice only.”

Adelina did as he instructed and she shook her head, a rueful smile on her face. “I have to say that I actually don’t have anything like this.” Somehow Varan had still managed to give her a gift – a useful one she could never have anticipated, and yet it was still gorgeous and unique. “How did you and Roxy have the time for this?”

Varan shrugged and leaned back on his forearms. He looked every inch the sex god. Adelina had to stand and fix her skirts before she broke their agreement. “Despite Roxy’s bad attitude she had the design ready to go when I asked for her assistance. Her mind truly is a wonderful, irreplaceable thing. Seems she doesn’t dislike you as much as she pretends to.”

Adelina turned her wrist back and forth, watching the way the reflected sunlight glittered on the walls. She would have to thank Roxy when they got a chance. “I invited her to the wedding.”

Varan sat up straight at that. “And?”

“Per tradition I am required to have three maiden attendants. She will be in the wedding along with Veri and Nadyah.”

Varan burst out laughing. He laughed so hard tears streamed from his eyes. Adelina gave him an exasperated sigh. “It’s really not that amusing.”

“Oh my goddess Ladra, save us all. And she agreed to this?”

She glared at her soon-to-be husband and prince. “She did actually after I told her the dress was already made to her measurements.”

Varan laughed and shook his head. Then he grabbed her hand and tugged her down onto the bed next to him, turning them both so they lay on their sides, facing each other. Adelina stared into his emerald eyes, so green and dark and full of love. For her.

“Do you like your present?” Varan whispered, tracing a finger along the line of her jaw.

It sent a spark through Adelina and she licked her lips, breathing in his air. “I adore it. Where did you find black gold? It’s so rare even I have difficulty acquiring it.”

Varan’s eyes twinkled. “I paid a lot of gold to all the wrong people. Don’t worry though, it was legally purchased.”

His expression grew serious and that wandering hand moved to trace her lips. Varan’s eyes dropped to study her mouth and Adelina’s breathing sped up as anticipation filled her. “I was willing to pay anything to keep you safe. I swore to you and the goddess I’d do everything in my power to protect you. I did not take that oath lightly. But if you don’t like that there’s a tracking signal I can have it removed, though I am the only one who has access to it.”

Adelina ran her nails over his side and up his arm to his neck. “No, it is a good idea while we are traveling. Just in case. But I want one for you as well, for Roxy, Nadyah, and Joslynn. Will you share your supplier with me?” she asked, her lips brushing against his.

He inhaled sharply at the slight touch, one hand clenching tight on her hip and the other gripped her chin hard. There was just a twinge of pain and it was delicious. Instantly Adelina felt that fire in her belly, the tingle between her legs, and the ache for him to fill her.

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