Page 7 of Heir of Draga

She cleared her throat. “I would be honored if you and Elara would walk me down the aisle. Together.”

The smile on Elara’s face was worth every bit of heartache. It would be the first moment in her life she could take her place as one of Adelina’s actual parents. No one would know the true meaning behind her presence, but Elara would.

“You truly want that?” Elara asked, glancing at Adele as if this request might not be real.

“If Adele agrees,” Adelina said, glancing at Nadyah.

Her courtesan kept her head down but there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Adelina had kept the majority of her emotions at arm’s length to get through the next few days. If it wasn’t positive she ignored it. Once they were in space she could mourn properly. So instead of letting tears fall that she knew would never stop, she blinked them back and smiled.

Because this entire wedding…it was Raena’s dream wedding. Adelina had switched out a few details here and there but every touch reminded her of her eldest sister, from the silverware to the rosanera bouquet.

It was…difficult not to see her sister everywhere, not when the bath in her suite was still stained with blood. Adelina wanted to rip out the whole thing and burn it clean. It made her small bit of relief and happiness abhorrent when she let the thoughts of Raena seep in.

“We would be proud to walk you down the aisle,” Adele murmured. Her mother couldn’t hide the pleased smile on her face.

At least Adelina had been able to give them that after so much grief and tragedy.

“The food is being prepared and will be ready by tomorrow,” Nadyah said, adjusting one more fold of fabric and then stepping back. “The ballroom is set up for the reception. The ragna have been left alone and are still up as you asked. The temple outside is being decorated now. Everything will be perfect. There is also no sign of rain.”

Adelina pulled Nadyah forward and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s not the Summer Solstice, but it will be a day to remember regardless. Hopefully it eases some of our people’s worry and fear. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.” And she made sure Nadyah knew she didn’t just mean the wedding. The trip to the Hai Galaxy would have been impossible without her assistance.

The door chimed and Nadyah went to answer while Gwendoline checked the hem of the dress. Adelina glanced over her shoulder when she heard Nadyah’s voice rise in protest.

“No, you can’t come in yet. Stay right there. Don’t you dare try to peek!” Nadyah shut the door so quickly she nearly snapped off Varan’s finger.

Adelina smiled and stepped behind the screen once more. It took a few minutes for Gwendoline and Nadyah to remove the dress without ruining it, but once she was free of it Adelina felt like she could breathe again.

As she stepped back into her grey mourning gown she felt her anxiety and nerves flare at the sudden thought of how permanent and unending marriage was. Her hands froze halfway to her neck and she couldn’t move as she wondered if this was the right choice.

Yes, she loved Varan. And he seemed to love her. But war was waging on their borders and Varan had an entire court of his own to look after. How would they make this work and bring their two worlds together?

“Lina?” his warm voice filled the room. Nadyah must have let him in after Gwendoline had stuffed the dress into a black bag to preserve it.

Quickly she hooked the back of her dress around her neck and adjusted it. Her concerns were groundless. Varan was an efficient male who never did anything without thinking it through first. No doubt he’d already come up with some plan before he’d ever officially danced with her at her coming-of-age party.

Adelina stepped out from behind the privacy screen and crossed the room gracefully. She held out her hands and Varan took them with a smile. She kissed his cheek and when Adelina stepped back she fixed the golden hair that had been ruffled by the tailor.

“How did your fitting go?” she asked, leading him to the couch so they could sit beside each other.

“As well as can be expected. I might even end up prettier than you,” he teased.

Adelina couldn’t help but laugh as she took the tea Nadyah had fixed. Varan was always so attuned to her. He knew without her ever having to say anything when she was sad or anxious or angry. He just knew. Then somehow he said something perfect to snap her out of it. It was a true gift.

“Perhaps you will,” she acceded, sipping the iced tea as Nadyah handed Varan his.

It was strange to see him in the royal study spending time with her family as one of them – to have Nadyah serve him. But Nadyah wasn’t a servant; she was Adelina’s courtesan and lady-in-waiting. So she made her own tea and then sat in Adelina’s usual spot.

Adele asked Varan about anything other than his work as a thief and Elara’s eyes gleamed with curiosity, but she didn’t ask the real questions. It was fluff talk that Adelina normally hated, but for once she enjoyed watching and listening. Varan fit in so seamlessly.

When she looked to Nadyah her courtesan smiled and nodded. She saw it too. Somehow, through all the chaos and fear something good and wonderful had come out of it all.

“I ran into Giselle on the way up,” Varan said when there was a break in the conversation. “She mentioned a war council?”

Adelina sighed and set her tea down. “Yes, would you like to come?”

The predatory twinkle in his eye made her grin. “I would be delighted.”

“Then walk with me outside for a bit before the meeting starts. I have a few things I’d like to ask you.” Like why he’d shared the vid to the pirates without speaking to her about it first.

To his credit Varan looked wary. He stood and held out a hand. Adelina took it, but only because others were watching. She kissed both of her mothers on the cheek and then gave Nadyah a nod on her way out.

Her courtesan knew why she wanted to talk to her fiancé alone, and she would be at the war council also, hidden where she could do the most good. After weeks together the two of them knew the other so well they hardly had to speak. Part of it was the courtesan genes and part was familiarity. Mistress Jael was the real genius. Her pairings were impeccable.

“Come Varan, let me show you the private royal gardens.” Her smile was sharp and the nails on her upturned hand were just a titch longer than normal.

To his credit Varan didn’t balk or hesitate. He took her hand and tucked her arm under his. “As you wish, my love.”

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