Page 10 of Heir of Draga

Adelina took a moment to study the holos as Varan leaned in closer too, subtly staking his claim while getting a better look at the set up. It looked like the people of Seprilles and Treon would both be sheltered on Ushanov as the populations were much smaller. Scyria would go to Priea as most of them were warriors and could survive the harsh conditions. Then Pedranus would be hosted by Avvis. It was a solid plan.

“And the new shields?” Adelina asked.

“The shield around the core will be completed in five solar days,” Asher replied. He pulled at the holo and it grew so she could see where each of the host outposts were. “The shield around Draga Terra will be up four solar days after that. Any refugees from Khara or Hai will be hosted on Draga Terra and Deytis.”

Adelina nodded. “May I have a copy of this sent to my shreve? I will also need updates while I’m away.”

“Of course,” Asher said. He tapped his shreve and the answering ping on her own settled some nerves.

Everyone else was quiet, but Adelina knew better. They wanted to know why she was there, what she planned to do after they’d all seen the vid, and then they were no doubt curious how Giselle would take everything.

The nobles who lived at court were the most keen to see the obvious dissonance between her and Giselle. Adelina took too much power during a council meeting she’d never been able to attend previously, and yet neither Giselle nor Asher challenged her. But it was clear from the look of annoyance on Giselle’s face and the constant irritation in her voice that she wasn’t pleased with her last remaining sister.

So many clearly wanted to know the secret drama. Adelina caught their stares and returned them until she won the small dominance contest when they looked away. More than a few looked surprised, but their looks also turned into something close to respect.

The only one who didn’t challenge her was Joslynn. She slid her eyes to the floor with an encouraging smile the second Adelina looked at her.

“My queen, when will the orders be sent out?” Lord Lucas asked, glancing at Adelina and Asher before focusing on Giselle.

“As soon as this meeting has concluded,” Giselle replied. “As for the pirates turned privateers we will leave them be if they fly a royal flag. The evacuation should go off without a hitch and the shield will be up in time to protect everyone from the Neprijat.”

Adelina wasn’t sure about that as the monsters had tech they couldn’t possibly understand. But she left it alone. Pushing Giselle so early in her reign and publicly would not be an intelligent move. At least she’d conceded to the plan Varan had concocted and Adelina had agreed to.

“Thanks to everyone at this table we have accurate numbers for each army.” Giselle pulled up the display that showed names, noble houses, numbers, each squad’s specialty, the weapons, and the ships available.

Without asking, her shreve pinged again with the intel and Adelina squeezed Asher’s hand in silent thanks.

General Tamika took over and described where each army was to be deployed, who would be paired with who, and the strategy to search and destroy any Neprijat within the first shield. Adelina wasn’t as knowledgeable about war strategy and tactics, but she could see the patterns and intentions as the pieces on the holos were moved around.

Varan studied the map with intensity and Adelina knew he saw more than she did. There was something she wasn’t seeing, but the strategy seemed sound. The warriors from Priea would be led by Asher, and William would help lead the Avvis Army since Masha had no previous experience. Lucas would stay by William’s side as a mentor with what little of his loyal forces remained.

As they were the largest forces they would go to the border and search in intersecting patterns while the rest of the noble armies protected the shield that separated the core from the outer rim. Three quarters of the forces would stay outside that shield and the rest in. The Draga Royal Army would stay in the core as well; ready to defend if another evacuation was required.

It would be relatively easy to push forward or retreat depending on what was needed. There would always be a layer of protection in the Draga Galaxy and if Adelina could bring another billion fighters to the front lines, skipping from Hai into Khara; it would ease the strain on her brothers and Veri.

Because the female warrior wouldn’t let Asher go alone. Adelina saw it in the way Veri watched the dark prince, hanging on his every word as he spoke and directed with Tamika.

Adelina memorized the map and the small bit of intel they had on Neprijat forces in Khara, though they were woefully behind. There was almost no intel on the enemy and that alone could ruin them all. It didn’t matter how well they planned and strategized. If the Neprijat had double the Draga forces, with tech they couldn’t match – it would be a slaughter.

The cloaking tech alone meant there could be entire legions hiding in Draga space and no one would know.

“Have the scientists been able to use the tech Prince Nash gave us to detect the Neprijat?” Adelina asked.

From the sudden silence and the looks on everyone’s face it seemed no one had thought to check up on that. Even Asher frowned. Adelina didn’t blame anyone. After Raena’s last council meeting and the unexpected deaths, a lot had fallen to the wayside.

“Caspian?” Giselle demanded. He was the head advisor after all. He should have updated her when the power had transferred.

Even the royal guard surrounding them shifted uncomfortably at the tone in her voice.

“My—my queen,” he stuttered, stepping forward.

Adelina noted her cousins Ajax and Vasara among the war council and then noted Ajax’s name with her brothers in the deployment orders. Vasara would be stationed with the forces on the outside of the outer rim shield to assist with the evacuation. Adelina didn’t think it was smart to have so many royals on the front lines, but her uncle’s name was on the list of soldiers already at the border. Solomon may be a drunk, but he was a warrior through and through. He would help protect her family.

And it would show the galaxy the Draga’s weren’t some stuffy, spoiled little brats. They would fight and bleed and perhaps even die for their people. Adelina knew in her heart Raena had already bled and died for them. Her sister was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a coward.

Even Giselle’s name was up there but she was staying at the outside of the core’s shield. Fear stabbed Adelina’s heart. It didn’t matter her sister thought she was a genetic monster. After so many cycles of love and friendship – Adelina wanted her to come home safe.

It was clear the Neprijat wanted a way into their royal family, and Giselle wouldn’t be as protected at the core’s border as she would be on Draga Terra. But her sister had never cared about her safety, about being royalty. Being queen now only made it so she could do whatever she wished. There was no one to tell her no any longer, not when she was the one who made the final decisions.

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