Page 73 of Heir of Draga

Delphine nodded. “I do, but I won’t leave you, Princess. I swore an oath.”

“If me or my people can’t make it to the Ravager, leave without us. It is more important Asher stays apprised.”

When the captain agreed, Adelina felt more settled. If something did go south she didn’t think the Drakesthai would just let her leave. It would not be a simple thing to escape with her three ships. But a pirate ship would be familiar with disappearing. And Asher would know to make war plans without her or any aid she’d claimed to bring.

With everything taken care of she sat back and watched the stars once more.

Nash was on Hai Delta.

He was alive and well.

Soon she would see him and even though it hadn’t been more than a few weeks, the time apart felt like an eternity. So much had happened, so very much.

Adelina tried to sort through her raging emotions and decide what it was she planned to do about the usurped prince. She still loved him, loved him more than she thought possible, but Nash had always been wild and unpredictable. Their differences in culture caused problems and she knew it would be difficult for him when he found out about Varan.

She would have to explain about her courtesan genes, about Varan’s willingness to share so she could be who she truly was…

And there was a large possibility that once she told Nash about her true genetics he would want nothing to do with her. Her heart would break and Adelina had no inkling what would happen then. She’d keep their alliance of course…

“Princess?” Delphine asked, cutting into her thoughts. “Do you think the Drakesthai are truly here to assist us after scorning us for so many cycles?”

“Perhaps. We don’t know what life has been like for them, their politics, laws, ruling, and then the Neprijat took over…we know nothing relevant about them. There is a large chance this is all a mistake and they’ll throw me in a dungeon, but I’m willing to take that chance. Please, come with me.”

Adelina nodded to the captain and left Command for her living quarters. Per the report on her console they would reach Hai Delta shortly and she wanted to be prepared. She needed her version of armor.

Delphine watched everything with an experienced eye. And Adelina eyed the female pirate. There was so much she wanted to ask her, but they didn’t have the luxury of time for her passing curiosity. Adelina trusted her instincts regarding Delphine. They hadn’t steered her wrong yet, and something about sitting at the dominant end of the spectrum helped her trust them.

She didn’t question herself anymore and it was such a profound relief.

But she still questioned everything else.

They were silent as the lift doors opened onto her floor and Adelina led the pirate to her door, passing the training room where Varan was indeed stretching instead of working himself to death.

When she entered the living space with Delphine she didn’t hesitate. Her door was open and she could hear Nadyah rustling about in her closet. While she adored the jacket Varan had picked out, she wanted something a bit fiercer, yet regal for her reunion with Nash. Something that would show him she wasn’t the same princess he’d left on Draga Terra. She needed him to see her new strength.

While she loved Nash, Adelina was prepared to protect Varan, and she would do whatever necessary to keep her husband alive.

“Nadyah, tell me you’ve found something,” she said as she went into her room, letting a bit of her anxiety come through in her voice now that she was in her private, safe space.

Adelina didn’t want Delphine to be just an ally. She wanted her to be a friend as well, perhaps join her inner circle one day.

Nadyah came out of the closet with a grin on her face. “I knew we packed this,” she said, laying the piece out on the bed with care.

Adelina eyed the black coat. It was definitely something she’d never seen before. “Varan had this made?” she asked.

Nadyah nodded. “He added it to the list when I shared all the plans with him.” She caressed a sleeve and then flipped it over. “What do you think?”

It was darkest velvet, so black and inky one could get lost in the darkness. Adelina felt the fabric and smiled. It was rather simple except for the Draga crest embroidered on the back to match her new golden mark. The howling wolf and the rosanera glittered in gold thread. More intricate gold embroidery lined the bottom of the coat in sworls and curlicues, as well as the cuffs on the sleeves.

Adelina took off her jacket and slipped the coat on. It was heavy yet comfortable and brushed the floor with its luxurious length. “This is perfect.”

“Here, take it off for a moment,” Nadyah instructed. Then she handed it to Delphine with that way of hers. She already knew Adelina’s plans for the pirate without her having to say a word. “Put this on under that lace top, and this over it.” Then her courtesan disappeared back into the closet.

Adelina stripped without a second thought and admired Delphine’s blush from the corner of her eye. Nadyah had selected a plunging lace bra as well as an underbust corset. She grinned when she realized what her lover had planned. The bra was a deep ‘V’ that blended with the lace shirt she put back on. It did cover her breasts enough that no one would feel the need to ogle. The black corset went over the shirt, enhancing her small waist.

Then Delphine helped her put the coat back on and Adelina turned to the mirror to see the end result.

The gold buttons glittered and the entire outfit demanded one to sit up and pay attention. The gold jasmine vine tattooed on her skin was still visible through the lace, just above the small corset. The coat was open and framed her nicely with the cuffs ending right at her wrists, hiding her bracelet, but bringing attention to her wedding ring and diamond as well as the gold seal on her right palm.

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