The scents in Adelina’s suite aboard the Jasmine hit him like a brick to the face. Kaiden instantly felt his cock harden to the point it strained painfully against his pants, but his wife and mate had already disappeared into her bedroom.

He looked to Nash and couldn’t help but admire the male’s physique. It was nearly identical to a Drakesthai warrior’s minus the wings. But it was the tattoos across his chest and arms that intrigued Kaiden.

Due to the Drakesthai’s isolation from Khara and Draga – so little about the details of the Corinthian way of life and culture were known. Thanks to their intel they knew the Corinthians tattooed themselves at certain points in their lives, but they didn’t know what the marks stood for or what they meant.

“Can I assist you with something?” Nash snapped.

The tone made Kaiden bristle. “Perhaps if you weren’t so defensive all the time this would be easier. Have you thought of that possibility?”

Varan’s surprised laughter diffused his anger and Kaiden rustled his wings again so he could pull them in tight to his body. These Draga ships weren’t built with wings in mind.

“Mate, I had no idea you could be so sassy.”

Kaiden huffed but it made him smile regardless. He sat carefully on the chair Adelina had brought from the eyrie for him and his wings. “I do not believe I am…‘sassy,’ but there is an end to my patience. I was simply wondering about your marks,” he said with a jerk of his chin to Nash.

Nash didn’t bother getting dressed or getting a robe. Kaiden wondered if it was some kind of statement as the large male sat down on the empty couch and crossed one ankle over his knee. Varan pulled up his pants but didn’t bother buckling them.

Was Varan one of those males in Draga who had no sexual preference? Kaiden had seen and read about that part of the Dragan culture. They went after who they were attracted to, regardless of sex, station, and physical differences such as skin color etc.

How things were done among the Drakesthai before the females became so rare, Kaiden didn’t really know. A lot of their history was murky and things had changed so subtly. Until suddenly it changed drastically thanks to the infertility.

Many males paired up with other males, knowing how doubtful it would be to end up mated to a female. Every cycle they were presented to the females, but so few had the bond. Then there were times that the Unchanged allowed the Drakesthai males to see if any of those humans were their mate.

But still…there were so many males and they were all creatures who desired comfort and love like everyone else.

Kaiden had been with a few males over his life, but none had he loved like he did Adelina. As he considered Varan, Kaiden felt like the male could be one he could grow to love – if the king consort allowed it to happen.

Then he eyed Nash again. Yes, the Corinthian was attractive, but there was a lot for that one to work through. Unless he was interested in both sexes Kaiden doubted Nash would ever be physical with him or Varan.

He could tell from his comfort in his own skin that Nash would learn and grow and become comfortable with sharing Adelina with him, or Varan…or both of them. But he would never want to take Kaiden himself.

His gaze slid to Varan. But the consort might.

The thief’s eyes glittered as he watched Kaiden. He saw so much…

The sexual tension in the room rose exponentially and Kaiden ripped off his shirt as the heat started to make him sweat.

Adelina reemerged from the bedroom in a silk robe that did little to hide her generous curves and the scent of both males lingered on her. She hadn’t bothered to wash up more than was necessary it seemed.

His wife, mate, and queen grinned at him when she noticed he’d taken off his shirt. “Everything all right, moya lubov?”

Hearing the Drakesthai words fall from her tongue so effortlessly made Kaiden’s dick harden. ‘My love.’ She only ever said it in private, but Kaiden felt a thrill in his chest every time she called him such – it washed away the dark sadness he’d held inside for so long. The darkness that had grown and festered since the day he realized he’d most likely never have a female of his own.

“It’s just a bit warm,” Kaiden confessed, clearing his throat when she sat on his lap and put her arms around his neck. Instantly he wanted to wrap his wings around her and kiss her senseless, but he’d come here for a reason.

Adelina ran her nails down the back of his neck and then pressed a kiss to his lips. Her soft curves, scent, and gentle touch made his blood boil.

Kaiden cleared his throat again. “Kyotona, I’ve discovered a Neprijat factory I think you may want to look at. It appears they’d set one up without informing the council.”

She paused in her attentions. “What sort of factory?”

Searching her face, Kaiden saw the threads of who she was woven into a gorgeous pattern. She may shed masks, or roles, like a snake could shed skin, but she was all of those things and they made her stronger – uniquely suited to her position.

“It appears to be a factory that produced warships.”

“How did you discover it?” Nash asked warily, setting his foot down so he could lean forward, propping his forearms on his knees.

“We’ve been combing the Neprijat databases,” Kaiden said. “The coordinates were there along with a list of other production sites. Such as mining, storage locations, supplies, and the like.”

Varan grinned. “So we’ve discovered the Neprijat caches in the Hai System. This is good news, mate,” he said, buckling his pants. “We should analyze this list and leave immediately to see what we can find.”

Nash nodded and stood. Kaiden couldn’t help but admire the size of him yet again. “I agree. Let me get changed.” The Corinthian strode for his newly assigned bedroom and kissed Adelina on the top of the head as he passed.

The king consort did the same and disappeared into the room he shared with Adelina.

It left him alone with her and she gave him a rueful smile. “I wish I could go.”

Kaiden shook his head. “No, we can take care of this for you. I’ll make sure a team comes with us in case we find what we need. But even if we do, figuring out how it works will take time.”

She nodded. “Which we don’t have a lot of, but there are a few who’ve become quite familiar with Neprijat tech and then there are a few of your people who can speak the Neprijat tongue. Between all of us I believe we can make this work.”

He remained silent as she looked past him. There was nothing there but the door, and Kaiden knew she was lost in her thoughts seeing things he could only guess at. “I will do anything I can to assist you,” he murmured, stroking her disheveled curls. “I’ve been speaking to the dragon trainers.”

“Oh?” she asked with a smile, tilting her head so he could kiss her neck. Her wild scent was strongest there and he breathed it in deep.

“Mhm,” he murmured, rubbing his nose from her collarbone to her earlobe. “There aren’t many of them left, but they can tear apart ships and patrol the borders…tell me what you want me to do with them and it will be done.”

She gasped when he nibbled her delicate skin. The urge to claim her was so strong he almost gave in, but they had work to do yet.

“May I come to you tonight?” Kaiden asked. His voice was hoarse as his desire threatened to choke him.

Adelina’s nails pricked his bare shoulders and then she held him tight, hugging him. “Yes,” she whispered. “We will find a way for all of us to mesh together over time. I promise.”

Kaiden nodded, not concerned in the slightest. There was always an adjustment period any time a new mate was added to the female’s harem – at least that was what he’d been told by the few males he knew who’d been mated.

And in this situation, two more had been added quickly. Finding their place and rhythm would take time, especially since all three of them were so different. Nash and Varan hadn’t been raised in a society where males expected to share – where they were equally as interested in each other. Well, most of them. There were a rare few who were not attracted to the same sex.

“What will you do while we’re away?” Kaiden asked, holding her tightly. He wished he never had to let her go – that he could win this war tomorrow for her so they could live their lives together as a family without the threat looming over them like a blade ready to fall at any moment.

“I will meet with the scientists, and then spend some time with the Unchanged.” Adelina sighed and then pulled back so she could study his face. A sharp nail gently traced the line of his jaw and Kaiden gritted his teeth to keep from tasting her.

“When we win this war, I don’t want things to go back to the way they were,” she confessed. “I want our alliances to hold. I want to open up our borders for trade and learning and sharing our knowledge…I want to be better than our forefathers.”

Kaiden looked into her amethyst eyes, so mesmerizing as the color darkened and lightened to accommodate her moods. Even though he’d doubted at first, the universe had known she was his – had known she would be perfect for him.

Adelina was a wonder and a gift.

“I’m sure you will accomplish all of this and more,” he murmured, unable to resist kissing her—softly, gently…as if they had all the time in the world.

“Gear up, mate,” Varan ordered, stalking out of the bedroom like some sort of feline predator.

The male had washed if the scent of soap was right. He still had Adelina’s scent twined in his, but Kaiden knew that it was the mating bond – irrevocably changing his very biology for the female currently on his lap.

The king consort was suited up in his royal spidersilk armor and Kaiden instantly stood, lifting Adelina up with him. She laughed and slid down the length of his body, teasing until her feet hit the floor.

Kaiden shuddered, but kissed her cheek and turned to his own bedroom – the one Adelina had assigned to him. It was identical to Nash’s and roomy enough he had no issues moving around with his wings.

His mate had commissioned armor for him as well. When she’d done it he had no idea, but it had been waiting for him when he first stepped foot in his new room.

As he slid it from the display, Kaiden promised himself he would find her what she needed. If Adelina needed weapons he would drop them at her feet like roses. If she wanted a Neprijat warship he would take one and present it to her.

Stepping into the armor he checked his reflection. As it conformed to his body, making room for his wings, Kaiden admired the black and gold – similar but different to Varan’s with his rank and name indicated on his chest. The royal crest was on his right arm and his family’s crest on the other.

Adelina was trying to blend their lives, he knew. She would not let his past or Nash’s become erased despite their new lives. Kaiden knew that Adelina would never make him shed his customs for hers, even when they lived in the Draga Royal Palace.

“Ready to go?” Nash yelled from the main room. “Let’s get this done already.”

Kaiden adjusted his armor and stepped into the boots. A prince of Khara was somehow mated to the same female he was. That was something he’d never expected. Kaiden wondered if the universe or Fate had a sense of humor and wanted to test his patience.

Stepping out of the room Kaiden realized how small the differences between the three of them were. In the same armor their similarities shined. Nash’s dusky brown skin was just a shade different than Kaiden’s own – more caramel than chocolate as Adelina would say. The male was built almost identically and they were both unusually tall.

Varan was the most different but even he had wide shoulders and that same golden skin that Adelina had. His blond hair and green eyes set him apart but the color was a reflection of Kaiden’s. Blue and green compared to Nash’s brown. But it wasn’t the coloring, the tattoos, or the differences in how each had their hair.

It was the shape of their faces, the bone structure, and the musculature. Each was a version of the other. Give Varan a bit more height and he would be the same as Nash and Kaiden.

They really were from the same people – even if Kaiden had wings and Varan could summon claws and fangs, and Nash…he could rip someone apart with his bare hands and was ungodly fast for someone of his size.

“The factory was abandoned a cycle ago,” Kaiden told them. “There shouldn’t be any Neprijat remaining, but we’ll need to be careful. Any other locations that were hidden from us might still have Neprijat as well.”

“Would they have known about the coup?” Adelina asked, frowning as she considered. “Do you think they’ve reported to Khara?”

Kaiden tucked his wings in closer and grabbed his blades and weapons from the wall near the door. After the last battle Adelina had removed the art and set up the display so their weapons were easily available. It was smart during wartime. How she even thought of such things he didn’t know…she’d grown up in peace.

“If they have…” Varan shook his head. “We can’t risk informing Kaita if they have. It would only endanger her more. If they have not, we’ll get rid of them before they can. After all we’ve kept up appearances quite well. No patrols have missed reporting in to the Neprijat king.”

Their mate nodded, wrapping her silk robe around her even tighter. “Go, and come back to me soon.”

Varan kissed her, lingering with a hand on her lower back. “We’ll be back before you know it,” he murmured against her lips before walking out of their living quarters.

Kaiden gave her a quick kiss as he followed Varan. “We’ll report in as soon as we know anything, kyotona.” Then he followed Varan and they stood in the hall waiting for Nash.

The Corinthian prince held Adelina’s face gently and kissed her forehead. It always shocked Kaiden how the male softened for her – how he became gentle and loving. “I wish you could come with us, milchka.”

“As do I,” she whispered. “Come back to me in one piece.” Adelina met each of their eyes. “All of you.”

Nash joined them and they all looked back at her one last time – reminding themselves what they were fighting for.

“As you wish,” Varan told her. Kaiden and Nash grinned in agreement.

Then they walked to the lift as one.