Page 63 of Fate of Draga

Her hour was nearly up. Soon Adelina would have to put that crown back on and deal with everyone who looked to her. Closing the case she stood, making sure her legs were steady once more. Then she took the case and entered her closet.

The time for gowns was done. At least for now. Adelina could not afford any more frippery when her instincts were telling her that soon…sooner than all of them probably expected, it would be time.

She placed her golden palm on the door to her inner vault and it slid aside with a hiss, revealing other cases full of jewels and valuables. Adelina hadn’t brought much – most of it she’d left with her new mother-in-law on Anarr for safekeeping.

Then she slipped off her wedding rings – all three of them. Adelina had left the diamond Nash had given her in its raw form. Smoothing those edges…that wasn’t how Nash was. His edges would never be smoothed, but he was devotedly hers and the diamond still sparkled with the same shining love he possessed for her.

The blue diamond Kaiden had given her went next to it, and then she paused longest on the emerald shaped diamond Varan had given her on that balcony when they both thought they’d only live together as friends, tolerating the marriage they’d felt forced into by honor and circumstance.

That one sparkled the most. Varan had Calix cut it no doubt. No other had the skill to make it glow with the same inner fire in such a difficult shape.

Adelina would not lose her mates in this war. She wouldnot.

Her signet ring came off next and went into the official blackwood box with the royal crest carved into it.

A flick of her nails and the clasps on her gown came undone. All she had left were her golden marks that now graced her spine with room to tell the tale of this war if they managed to survive. The marriage bands on her arm – not just for Nash, but also for Kaiden and Varan.

Those two had gotten them as well. Each even sported a thin band representing the other two males – signifying their bond through her.

Tears filled her eyes and she slipped on the silk footed-leggings, and then the tight breast band that would hold them down as she fought in battle.

Her personal crest on her back had been her first symbol of independence, as had the vine of jasmine framing her breasts in the same glittering gold – a testament to how far she’d come.

Then she put on the long-sleeved silk shirt. The layer under her armor would keep her warm and protect her skin. Adelina took her specially made spidersilk armor from the hanger and stepped into it, avoiding her reflection in the long mirror at the end of the closet.

She ignored what felt like endless frilly gowns she adored – that she may never get to wear again.

The armor hung loosely on her frame until she tapped the crest on her breast, activating it. The entire thing shrunk to hug every curve, conforming perfectly. The tech in her armor scanned her body and then adjusted the position of the reinforced panels to protect her vital organs and weak spots.

Adelina stepped into her boots and clicked her heels so those would seal to her armor. Adjusting the bracelet to fit over the wrist of her suit she nodded to herself, satisfied with the position. The gauntlet was on her left arm instead of the right as she’d requested. Tapping in her code it connected her to all the other active suits of armor being worn, asking her if she’d like to connect to any of the available casts.

Flicking her finger to decline, Adelina finally turned to the mirror and inspected her appearance as she gathered her mass of hair, twisting it into a tight, efficient braid that would hold regardless of what she was doing and fit into her helmet when it was activated.

The spidersilk armor was purest black with gold accents. The scrollwork featured wolves and roses, but they weren’t the gentle creatures seen on so many royal outfits. They were snarling, vicious, and full of teeth. The rose petals had sharp edges and the thorns appeared deadly.

But that wasn’t the most glorious aspect of the armor created for her. They’d taken time out from producing non-stop to outfit all their allies, replace mechas, and repair everything needed to wage war for her to make a masterpiece.

What was truly awe-inspiring was the crown they’d created for her. It was a magnificent piece of tech hidden in a spiky, gold crown that wrapped around her head. The crown glittered in the same gold that marked her forehead. That shone on her suit of armor. But the brutality of its design was made for war.

The helmet, when activated, would seal around her head, allowing the crown to remain while still protecting her from the vacuum of space and any Neprijat trying to command her will.

No jewels. No frills.

Just her armor and a sharp, brutal crown to indicate her rank.

Battle was upon them.

And she was ready for it.

“Adelina?” Nash asked from her doorway. She could tell by his voice something had happened.

“Yes?” she asked, grabbing her gloves and tucking them in one of the hidden pockets.

Adelina reached for her plasma blades next and the armor clicked as they settled into place on her back. The rest of her weapons snicked into place at her hips. A particularly nasty set of knives attached to her boots.

“A recording from your mother has arrived.”

When she entered her room all three of her mates stood in her doorway.

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