Page 102 of Fate of Draga

VERI

Veri watched as the shield around the Core dissolved and the fleet pushed forward. They were making record time. With the new engines and tech they would reach Draga Terra only two days after leaving Khara Prime.

It felt surreal to watch the stars and planets fly by so quickly so they were nothing but streaks of color. But now they approached Draga Terra, sections of their fleet breaking off to head to their new assignments.

They would guard the border until they found the time to rebuild and secure their kingdom once more.

Asher wrapped his arm around her waist as they flew toward Draga Terra. The patrols in the Core were lined up on either side all the way to the capitol to honor them for what they’d done.

Veri was still trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened and everything that would happen.

No one had bothered the queen for the last two days after she’d locked herself in her rooms on theJasminewith her husbands. Veri couldn’t help her smile. She’d done much the same with Asher after the physicians patched her up better than new. And now here she stood, watching as Draga Terra grew closer and closer in armor polished brighter than a jewel.

She would return as a warrior—a huntress. Asher had insisted she wore the crown of the Queen of the Hunt. It was hard to resist him when he was so persuasive. The bone and ruby reminded her of what it had felt like to spend time with the royals.

That was going to be her life now.

Asher silently led her through the warship to the hangar where they would exit after Adelina. Already vids showed the streets packed with their people awaiting their return. The fanfare was mind boggling.

Then Adelina would be crowned at midnight.

Veri considered everything that would need to be done, everything she had to do yet before she could move forward toward her future with Asher. Alock would need her for a bit. He had no formal training to rule and they weren’t apprised of the current events on Priea.

What were the creatures up to?

It was winter now. They were hibernating. But when summer came in a few months – the fights would begin anew. She had to make sure Alock was prepared.

Perhaps they could find a way to end the war with the creatures once and for all.

Veri figured anything was possible after watching Adelina turn their enemy into her lapdogs. That would be a fun transition for their people…

She couldn’t wait.

TheRoyal Rosaneralanded on the heels of theJasmine. Then the ramp lowered to the sounds of millions of cheers. Veri looked up at Asher and smiled. She hadn’t been sure they would make it to this point, but they had. And he was hers from now until the end.

Asher smiled slightly at her. “Would you like to get married tomorrow?”

She laughed as he escorted her down the ramp. They waved to the people crushed around them. With so many ships they’d been forced to land at the docks. It would be a long ride to the palace.

Veri accepted the reins of thegalinafrom the hostler and climbed up into the saddle. “No,mia principe. I don’t want to get married tomorrow.”

Asher scowled as he pulled himself up on top of hisgalinawith an impressive show of strength. “Oh? And why is that, pray tell?”

The two great cats fell into step next to each other, just behind Adelina in her battle armor. The queen wore that brutal crown to remind everyone how far she’d come and what she’d accomplished.

Veri glanced back at Ian and Nadyah behind them. “I have a feeling there will be many weddings in the coming months. I want ours to be something to remember. Also…I think making you wait will be quite fun.”

He growled and gripped the back of her neck hard, pulling her in for a vicious kiss. “You’re such a tease.”

She grinned and gave him a wink. “You wouldn’t have it any other way.”

ASHER

His fiancée would be the death of him.

But she was right. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Asher grinned as they waved and waved until the palace rose before them.

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