Page 72 of Heir of Draga

What could Adelina possibly do to help from her current position?

“And what did you advise?” she asked, sitting back on her console chair as plans whizzed through her head.

“I advised we hold the line.”

“And the queen?”

“We are still waiting for word from the core’s shield,” Asher stated, his frown deepening as he crossed his arms over his chest.

She nodded. All was not lost then. “My plan is still to head for Draga’s border once business here is conducted. I am currently in the Hai Galaxy with a Drakesthai escort to the capitol. It seems Prince Nash has kindly paved the way for me.”

Asher’s frown eased at that news. Adelina knew him well enough to be able to see the shadow of hope deep in his eyes. “Congratulations sister, you are the first of us to see the Drakesthai in more than a hundred cycles.”

Adelina let a small smile play at her lips. Yes, she was, and it would do to remember that. She was strong and determined. Adelina would not fail her people. “I will be uploading a vid to the livestream soon, most likely at the end of my day. Our people will know not all is lost. Please inform the queen of the new developments as well?”

Asher dipped his head ever so slightly in a bow, deferring to her for the first time in their lives. She’d always had a bit more rank than him, but his dominance had always overshadowed hers. Now…now her dark brother saw her as equal in dominance, recognizing her higher rank on top of that made her more powerful than him for the first time ever.

Somehow Adelina kept the shock from her face, but the others on Command could not.

“I will tell Queen Giselle of your progress. And I will send another update tomorrow, live if at all possible. We will stay on the border until I receive word from you. May your hunt end in blood and victory.”

“May yours as well, brother.”

The vid chat ended and Adelina drummed her fingers on the console as she thought, the stars streaking past them. If Giselle pulled all the forces back Adelina would have to go to the border without backup. She would have to start the search and destroy mission from scratch. Perhaps once their space was safe again she could convince Giselle an attack was necessary.

Adelina sighed. Her sister was the warrior, the brave one. Why was she so afraid now? Was she frightened of failure? It would make sense as everyone in Draga now depended on her. Giselle didn’t like such responsibility and never had. A fight? That was fine. But a war perhaps was too much.

Though with General Tamika’s help she should have plenty of sound advice, so why was she running scared with her tail tucked between her legs?

“My love,” Varan whispered, placing a warm hand on her shoulder. “I’m going to train a bit before we arrive.”

Adelina didn’t even look up at him, so lost in her own mind, the plots and strategies… “I understand your reasoning, husband, but I would suggest you keep it to a light workout. Limber up and stretch, warm up your muscles. Nothing more.”

“Lina…” he protested.

Then she stared up into those emerald green eyes of his. Adelina flexed her newfound dominance. “That’s an order, Prince.”

Varan’s nostrils flared in annoyance, but he bowed before leaving Command, taking Roxy with him. His adopted sister nodded to her. She would keep Varan from overworking himself.

His feelings may be hurt that she pulled rank, but Adelina refused to let him train until he was exhausted. He could hurt himself or worse, be too worn out to hold up against Nash. And she knew he was stronger than the Corinthian now. Varan deserved to find that out for himself and not cripple his chances.

She loved him so, but Adelina also considered her reaction to the Drakesthai prince. There was a connection she had with him she didn’t quite understand. Kaiden answered a question she didn’t know she had. What that question was though Adelina was still figuring out.

“Princess, would you like me to find something for you to wear to the Council meeting?” Nadyah asked, keeping her eyes on the floor.

Adelina looked to her friend and lover and realized she’d stayed at the top of the dominance spectrum. It was almost effortless now and she eased up a bit so the others on Command could breathe a bit easier.

Then she looked to the pirate captain. Delphine arched a brow and crossed her arms over her chest. The female was resplendent in her coat and leather trousers. The boots though were truly wondrous with their buckles all the way to her knees.

“Do I happen to have a coat like hers?” she asked, inclining her head towards Delphine.

It looked a lot like the one Varan favored, but cinched at the waist to show how small it was. The fabric flared out at the hips and went to her knees. The sharp lines and long sleeves suited Delphine so well Adelina felt the way it gave the captain that extra boost in confidence.

Nadyah smiled. “I believe your husband actually put such a thing in your wardrobe request.” Her courtesan studied the pirate for a moment and then Adelina. “I know what you need. When you are ready come to the living quarters.”

Then it was just Delphine and Adelina while the crew worked. She held out her hand for the captain and Delphine hesitated before she placed her hand in Adelina’s. She pulled the female closer and tugged her down.

“When we arrive on Hai Delta I want you to stay with your ship, monitor the area, patrol, and gather whatever intel you can. Send your little sparrows and spies to gather whatever seeds are out there. No stealing, and no killing. I’ve no idea what the updated laws in Hai are. I will ensure to pay you all for your time. Worst case scenario you will evacuate and go straight to Asher. Do you understand me?”

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