Page 62 of Heir of Draga

Chapter Seventeen

Nadyah

The Jasmine

Outer Rim

Draga Galaxy Border

Nadyah settled on the couch across from Varan and Adelina. The princess had the personnel files on holographic display in the center of their living space. Roxy sat next to her on the couch with a healthy distance between them.

She found it adorable and endearing that the engineer tried so hard to resist her, though she didn’t blame Roxy. Nadyah hadn’t known about Jael, but so many things made sense now, especially the distance Jael had put between her and Nadyah.

She glanced at Roxy again and wondered what Jael had seen in Roxy, how they’d met, and what Roxy saw in Jael. Nadyah wasn’t jealous – simply confused that the two would have had a serious relationship. They were nothing alike.

“What do you think, Varan?” Adelina asked, but it was a general question to the room.

Varan shrugged. “I have a soft spot for pirates.”

Nadyah rolled her eyes and leaned forward to inspect the captain’s profile. “Of course you do.”

Delphine had quite the record, and cross-referenced with what the Crown had on her…at least she hadn’t lied or tried to hide everything she’d done.

“The Captain Delphine managed to steal all of the nanodiamonds in the Zhaan asteroid belt last cycle. Then she sold them all to our sister system Brogna. Apparently she’s been charged with three counts of murder in that system,” Adelina said, skimming most of the report.

“Killing someone isn’t illegal,” Roxy protested.

“It is in Brogna,” Adelina corrected.

Brogna mostly kept to themselves. The Draga’s allowed them to rule themselves for the most part, but they were required to pay taxes to Draga and fell under their wing as they shared the same galaxy. Nadyah wondered if half the nobles even remembered the system existed. Trade was mostly decent and exclusive to Draga Terra, but Brogna had no fighting force so most didn’t even bother with them. It was a ‘poor’ system and not worthy of their attention.

“Strange, what do they do if someone attacks them and the attacker dies?” Roxy asked.

“Then the person who murdered the attacker is arrested,” Nadyah explained. Courtesans were required to learn everything they possibly could, but even the Houses didn’t care too much about Brogna. So her information was limited.

“What else does her file say?” Varan asked.

“She’s wanted in the Khara Galaxy for the theft of merchant goods and the destruction of their ships. A few other galaxies and systems are listed here, but not the Hai Galaxy conveniently enough.”

“Hm, perhaps that is why she wishes to go,” Varan mused. He stood and went to the food processor, selecting a few options. A full tea service popped up.

Nadyah watched him hand them each some warm tea to ward against the cool interior of the ship. The title of true royal prince seemed to suit him. “What about the others onboard the Ravager?” Nadyah asked, thanking Varan for the tea.

“They all have similar records. There are no counts of rape or killing of children or spouses. Nothing that would make me hunt them down for their eyes,” Varan said. “I say bring her along, but only because we could use the extra reinforcement in a galaxy where my spies rarely report back.”

Adelina didn’t respond. She simply stared at the picture of the purple-haired captain.

“I know I don’t always approve of adding strangers to our group,” Nadyah said slowly, stirring the milk into her tea. “But I like Delphine. I can’t say why, but my instincts are saying I can trust her to follow you with honor and loyalty.”

Adelina caught her gaze and held it. Then she nodded. “I have the same feeling – a rightness in my chest.”

“Courtesan instincts are rarely wrong,” Roxy stated, sipping on her tea. “Do it then, and perhaps ask to have a small meet with the captain here to sign an accord. Nothing is binding to a thief or rogue if it doesn’t have their DNA holding them to their word. And even then it’s merely a suggestion.”

Varan grinned. “I’d love to meet Delphine. I’ve heard of the Ravager, but not much about its captain or crew.”

“All right, it’s decided. Would you like to accompany me to Command?” Adelina asked her husband.

Nadyah observed the way Varan anticipated every single one of Adelina’s needs. The newly wedded couple had been a sight to behold over the last few days.

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