Page 82 of Fate of Draga

“Focus,” Adelina snapped, pushing Nash aside. “We don’t have the time to waste. We need to get to Kaita. If we’re too late…”

Nash nodded and pushed the door open farther.

Still nothing.

Adelina flicked her blades and rotated them, easing the strain in her wrists. Her thumbs slid over the button and the crackle of plasma sent a signal to the rest of the legion.

The sound filled his head as Nash held up his rifle again, stepping over bodies as they made their way through the foyer. Ian and Nadyah followed behind Varan and Peyton stayed right behind them with the rest of the Queen’s Guard.

“Where is the beacon?” Adelina asked, pressing close, eying the bodies everywhere. “Holy hells this was a bloodbath.”

Nadyah stopped and knelt before one of the fallen Neprijat. “This one wears your crest. It appears the rebels made it inside.”

“And this is one of Kaita’s warriors,” Nash said, crouching down to close the eyes of the male he vaguely knew from Kaita’s visits and his family’s to Arcadius. “The beacon is in the throne room and it’s still lit, but for how long I’m not sure.”

“Lead the way, prince,” Adelina said. Those blazing amethyst eyes met his.

She knew.

His mate knew how hard this was for him.

But his queen was demanding his unwavering obedience.

And Nash wanted the Neprijat king’s head. He wanted to watch the blood drain from his body and see the life leave those hungry eyes. If Kaita hadn’t managed it already…he hoped she would let him at least help take vengeance from the male who owed his family so much.

“The horde is on their way,” Adelina reminded him. “They will be here sooner than we’ll be ready for. If the king can stop them…we have to try.”

Nadyah shook her head. “The only thing that might stop them is the king’s death. He would never order them to stand down – no matter what is threatened or promised. That’s what Sozav told me.”

Adelina nodded. “You and Ian guard our exit. Make sure theJasminecan land as close to us as possible. As soon as the king is dead I need to take to the skies.”

Varan frowned at Adelina but didn’t question her. No one did.

“Everyone but Peyton, Diego, and Angelo go with Prince Ian and Nadyah. Clear the royal landing pad.” Adelina marked the holomap and shared it with everyone in the Queen’s Legion. “This is the throne room where we’ll be coming from.”

The guards nodded and peeled off with Nadyah and Ian.

Nash just stared at the female he knew he couldn’t live without. The female he was so in love with he had given up everything he knew for a life with her. And it was worth it. Seeing her now, seeing her lead – it sent chills down his spine and gave him courage to do what needed to be done.

Nash led the way to the throne room, the path so familiar he felt it wear on him – too many memories to count. How often had he walked this path, thinking that one day that throne would be his?

He shook his head. It didn’t matter now. Nash had a different throne. Not quite what he had imagined, but it would be better. All he had to do was get them through this part. Then they could face the horde together.

Thank Fate they’d found those weapons.

Adelina slid past him and sped up. Nash cursed and ran after her, Varan hot on his heels.

The frantic urgency had been too much for her, and Nash didn’t understand courtesan genes but he trusted Adelina’s instincts.

Something very bad was happening.

He tried to stop her, but she burst through the doors of the throne room without taking a moment to evaluate the situation. Nash scanned the room and flicked out the data to the others, hoping that it would be enough.

The scan didn’t show who was armed and who wasn’t. All he could see was the number of people. Six females. Only one Neprijat.

The king.

Nash came in a split second behind Adelina rifle up and instantly evaluated the situation.

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