Page 84 of Heir of Draga

“It turns out my mother, Adele, and Elara are mated. I am the result of a desire for a child borne of them and my father. A physician deactivated the gene that bound my body and soul to another after intercourse while I was still in Adele’s womb. So I chose not to have anyone tested, not wanting to live my life that way. But it does mean I possess the same needs as the courtesans without a possible mate bond to tie me to one and only one.”

Adelina held out her hand for Nadyah and instantly she rose to come to her side. Nadyah took her hand and kissed her cheek. She needed her courtesan’s strength now more than ever because she could see Nash shutting down as he finally started to truly understand who and what she was.

“Finding out I could move up and down the dominance spectrum as a courtesan could have awakened the wolf inside that I’d long since denied. I’d shoved her down so deep I’d convinced myself I was indeed a true submissive and only that. But in fact I can be that and a true dominant – as dominant as, or more, than Asher even.” Adelina smiled a little when she remembered the way her brother had deferred to her out of respect and love.

She’d gained so much…if Nash couldn’t handle it all then at least she would still have the people she’d brought into her inner circle. A broken heart could easily be healed with the love of a male like Varan and a female such as Nadyah.

“The Games released my wolf and forced me to use every skill I possessed. Then all knew I was a true Draga Royal.” A simple flick and her claws extended. She’d been practicing the control of her claws so she could have them on demand, or not. Then they eased back into her hand and both Kaita and Nash looked intrigued. “I don’t know if your people have similar features but in Draga only the royals can shift. Others are capable if they have strong enough wolves, but they don’t possess the same length a royal does.”

Roxy flicked her own fingers and revealed the same claws Adelina had, but only half the length. Then they were gone and the engineer looked bored once more, having done her part.

Nadyah took the coat from Adelina’s shoulders and laid it across the back of a chair before leading her to the armchair she’d been in before. And Adelina let her. She felt wrung out and exhausted after revealing so many truths. Then Nadyah brought her some hot tea and Varan crossed the room to stand by her side, but he said nothing and never once took his eyes off Prince Nash.

Roxy ate as though none of it mattered to her at all, and it probably didn’t; not really. But the way she kept Kaita in her sights eased some of Adelina’s anxiety. She had good people around her she could trust, she could rely on. There was nothing more she could have asked for during a trip to another galaxy while war waged and so few could be trusted.

“Now, as my mate bond will never be activated it means I am not built for monogamy. There is a pull I feel that I can’t deny, and my heart needs the connection I have with Varan…with you. Please, before you decide…think about what I said, about our proposal? I know it is not customary for your people to share, to be wedded to more than one person, but you would only be marrying me. You would not be required to do anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

Adelina looked up at Varan then and finally he looked at her, ripping his feral gaze from Nash. His nod was more than enough. It filled her with warmth and happiness and she smiled. This male was truly a soul mate in every way. She supposed she would find out if Nash was as well.

The silence between them wasn’t as awkward as before, but it was thicker and tenser if that were even possible. Kaita stared at her in disbelief and shook her head. Nash didn’t reveal anything though. He just gave her a brisk nod and headed for the door with Kaita following close behind.

A piece of her heart broke as she watched him go. Adelina didn’t try to stop him. She didn’t try to force an answer from him. Everything she revealed needed time to be absorbed. Her proposal went against his very nature and Nash had to decide for himself. If he wasn’t one hundred percent sure of his own choice he would resent her. And no matter how hard it was to let him go, she knew it was the right choice.

Adelina slumped into her chair and propped her chin on her hand to stare into the fire. She was exhausted, straining her dominance and strength to the breaking point. A move like she’d done with Nash was a lucky, one time deal. Never again could she pull a stunt like that with him. He was stronger and only the surprise had forced his body to the ground.

She started to shake as the nerves and the release of so much power took her. It was too much strain and she was so very tired.

“Lina, darling, please…look at me love.”

Her weary eyes found Varan’s and she smiled weakly at him. “What would I do without you?”

“Are you all right?” he asked, touching her face briefly and frowning when he found her clammy. “Here eat something.” He took the plate from Nadyah and tried to hand her a morsel.

Adelina smiled slightly and pushed it away. “If you don’t mind I’m going to take a walk.” She kissed him softly on the lips and stood. “I need time to think.”

Varan didn’t look happy about it but he nodded, putting a hand on Nadyah’s shoulder to cut off her protests. “Whatever you need, darling.”

Adelina flashed him the bracelet he’d gifted her. “Don’t worry; you’ll know exactly where I am.” She slipped on her jacket and left the room, taking the shreve Kaiden had left with her.

The corridor was filled with more Drakesthai than she’d expected, but Adelina ignored them all as she took in the carvings on the stone and the windows that looked out over a fiery, barren landscape.

Nash had been so careful to keep his thoughts and emotions from his face, no doubt knowing she could probably read him as Nadyah could. He’d purposefully cut her off and Adelina was frightened that it could really be over, that love wasn’t enough in this instance.

Because she knew he loved her, knew he wanted her. That kiss before he’d scented Varan had been more than enough to reconfirm their attraction and desire – and the pain of their separation.

Now…she simply had to wait for him to make his choice.

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