Page 44 of Heir of Draga

Chapter Twelve

Adelina

The Jasmine

The Draga Galaxy

Adelina wandered the corridors aimlessly, checking the schematics on her simulcast every so often to ensure she didn’t get lost. Joslynn walked in amiable silence beside her. They hadn’t had much opportunity to chat since Joslynn had come to Varan’s warehouse except that small moment before the wedding.

They finally had some time to relax and catch their breath.

Adelina had spent the entire first day of their trip locked in her quarters with Varan after Nadyah had left to seek out Roxy. They stopped only to eat or sleep and it was exactly the wedding holiday Adelina had wanted it to be.

After so many days and nights without sleep she hadn’t woken up until late this morning. It had felt so wrong and luxurious to wake when she felt like it, knowing there was nothing she had to do unless she wanted.

“Are you happy to be headed home?” Adelina asked, attempting some form of chitchat to ease the bit of awkwardness between them. She nodded to two crew members as they walked by. Protocol was loosely instated on her ship. It was preferable that way.

“I am, but I am not pleased with the reason. It worries me to leave Pedranus barren and unprotected.” Joslynn crossed her arms over her chest and glared at nothing in particular.

The female was in a relatively casual dress. It was apparent she hadn’t brought much comfortable clothing, having expected to spend all her time at court.

“It is unfortunate,” Adelina said. “But I hope you will leave with your people to Avvis. You are welcome to stay at the palace if you prefer. It will always be available if you wish it.”

They stopped before another floor to ceiling window. The views of space were absolutely breathtaking. The starships were so fast the stars were mostly a blur, but it was still beautiful to watch them fly by like snow. Occasionally there was a flash of color from various different stars, the planets, and the occasional space dust.

Joslynn tugged on her red hair. It was the only thing she’d let go after they’d left court. The curls draped down her shoulders and back exactly as Roxy’s did. “You have no idea what that means to me. I might actually take you up on your offer. It depends on how Masha has handled her new rule of Avvis. She is so young and inexperienced to be Archduchess.”

Adelina clasped her hands before her, glad to be in her hunting boots and leather pants. Her elegant sweater kept the chill at bay. The climate controlled interior of the ship was worlds apart from the heat she was used to.

“She’s no younger than you were when you became countess. Older even, I’d say,” Adelina reminded her. It was odd how uncomfortable Joslynn was about Masha.

“True. She doesn’t have the benefit of my training though. I doubt anyone thought she would ever rule. Indra only planned to marry her off for the most advantageous alliance.” The glare on Joslynn’s face deepened. “Goddess help me, but I’m glad that female is dead where she can no longer harm anyone. She always was a snake.”

Adelina nodded and turned away from the window to inspect the countess. Joslynn looked a bit off. Her skin wasn’t the same creamy pale it normally was. There was even a greenish tint to it. She breathed in and even Joslynn’s scent was different – deeper somehow.

“You’re pregnant,” Adelina said in Ilashyan, noticing the differences in the countess – the flurry of emotions Joslynn hid so well that her courtesan genes gave her the power to see.

Joslynn’s eyes widened in shock as she turned to Adelina and one hand went to her belly. “How did you know? Is that a royal skill?”

Adelina shrugged one shoulder delicately as she tried to decide how to handle the matter. “Perhaps it’s my mixed genes. Courtesans are incredibly empathetic and perceptive, and as a royal I’m closer to my wolf. I can smell it on you if the other signs weren’t apparent.”

Joslynn nodded and looked out the window again at the streaking white stars. She didn’t smile and she didn’t seem pleased about the situation despite Adelina knowing it was something she’d wanted.

“Is it the war?” Adelina asked, placing a hand on Joslynn’s elbow so they could walk through the starship.

Already Adelina’s protective instincts were kicking in. The current status of their personal relationship didn’t matter. Her wolf demanded she get Joslynn back to their living space and feed her something. Pregnancy was such a delicate time regardless of the advancements in medicine.

“It’s the war, the evacuation, that I didn’t find out until this morning and as such I haven’t even told Sirus. I wasn’t sure I was going to,” Joslynn admitted.

They passed the training room on Adelina’s top floor. There were grunts and smacks as Roxy and Varan trained. He’d been at it all morning. When Adelina had asked he’d said he needed to train Roxy within an inch of her life so she could win the competition. She knew it wasn’t just that, but she left it alone.

Then they were at her personal quarters and Adelina placed her hand on the door as she considered Joslynn’s words.

Her reasons were the very same as Adelina’s. It was why she hadn’t activated her fertility yet despite being the heir. If she did end up with child she couldn’t hide it from Varan or Nadyah. They would instantly know without her having to say a word.

Adelina was about to enter a galaxy no one in Draga had been able to see in far too long. She was about to wage war on the Neprijat and rip them from the Khara throne, hopefully with Nash and Kaita at her side.

She had no doubt in her mind she could be just as vicious and cruel and cunning and violent as she needed to be, even carrying a child – but what would that do to Varan? To Nadyah? They would be too worried about her and that would put them in danger and could risk their lives. Adelina couldn’t afford to stay in her gilded cage, or constantly be easing their concerns when she needed to make an alliance and then shred the Neprijat to pieces.

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