Adelina watched Giselle and Nash leave the breakfast table. No one paid her any mind as she followed after them. Thankfully breakfast was a relaxed affair that was more of a banquet than a proper sit down. Adelina nodded to Raena who was in the middle of a conversation with their mother.

Per her original schedule she should be assisting the staff in preparations for her coming-of-age party, but Giselle would take them her notes and plans. The housekeeper was more than capable. As she left the royal dining room Adelina passed Alpha. He was a silent shadow next to her.

Giselle had told her to meet in the library where she would pass the prince off to Adelina for the tour of the palace. Giselle had training to attend and she had to stay on top of it if she wanted to pass the physical test for entry to the Army. Their parents and Raena disapproved, but Giselle would wear them down eventually and when it finally happened she would be prepared.

As they walked through the halls, Adelina glanced over at Alpha. “Did you receive my cast?” she asked.

Alpha nodded. “I did, Princess. I still do not approve.”

She refrained from sighing. Adelina hadn’t expected Alpha to be such a pain about this. It had been six months and they both had moved on from their intense but short romance. He was still one of her best friends, but Alpha was overbearing. Ever since the bombs he’d been relentless about her safety.

“You do not have to approve to obey my request,” she said as gently as she could manage. By the way he stiffened it was clear she’d angered him. This was where they still had to improve. She commanded his life by her rank if not by her will and Adelina hardly ever used that power. But on occasion she was forced to. “I am more than capable of keeping myself safe, I do not need you to escort us both.” Adelina stopped outside the library doors and turned to face her long-time friend.

Crossing his arms, he frowned down at her. “This prince is only here out of courtesy and the wish of the King. His request for sanctuary will not be granted and your life is too valuable. Leaving you with him alone is a risk I will not take.”

How could she convince him to leave? Nash would not open up to her if Alpha trailed behind him with the glare he had on his face. She waved her hand over the pad and the doors opened, giving her time to think. “William’s eyes will be on us and I trust him,” she said quietly as they made their way to the domed center, sunlight streamed through the stained glass.

Alpha made a rude noise of disagreement. “Well I do not trust that Kharan cula-boy. For all we know he could be in league with the Neprijat.”

It took every ounce of Adelina’s control not to whip around and slap Alpha across the face as hard as she could. “Hold your tongue, or I will hold it for you,” she hissed. His look of surprise and shock snapped her out of her anger. Where the fierce protectiveness she felt came from was a mystery to her.

“Lina – I’m—I’m sorry. I only worry,” Alpha stuttered.

Guilt crashed over her and with a sigh she opened her mouth to apologize. Someone cleared their throat behind her and Adelina turned. Her face flushed with embarrassment and she dropped her eyes to the floor as Giselle studied her with amusement.

She could feel Prince Nash’s gaze on her and she looked up, and up until she finally met Prince Nash’s gorgeous green and yellow eyes. The sparkles of red had her staring for far too long before she realized her mistake, as the submissive she should have dropped her gaze long ago. The way he studied her – his eyes were sharp and intelligent. They did not allow her thoughts to reach her tongue so she could form words.

Goddess, he looked haunted.

He simply watched her without saying a word and she had no idea what went through his head. Adelina wished she could help him, but there was nothing she could do to ease his pain. It marked his face and she could see it in the way he held himself, so stiff and formal. Even the muscles in his jaw were tight.

The silence stretched.

“Adelina, Prince Nash is ready for his tour.” Giselle bowed and left her alone with both males.

Adelina curtseyed appropriately, remembering he was now the crown prince and higher than her in rank. Alpha bowed, and Nash returned the niceties though he seemed annoyed by them. His silence made her anxious. Hopefully she wouldn’t be this tense once the tour started.

She turned to Alpha and hoped he wouldn’t make this difficult. “Thank you for escorting me here,” she said as politely as she could, knowing Nash had probably overheard their furiously whispered conversation. “I will be fine from here on with the Prince as my escort.” William’s assignment also ensured the guards would watch them despite the appearance of privacy.

Alpha’s face was blank, and if she didn’t know him so well she would never have known the look was a mask for his anger. The lines around his eyes and the clenched jaw told her exactly what he thought of her subtle orders. He couldn’t outright deny her with others present without breaking protocol and suffering punishment. He bowed first to her and then to Nash before exiting the library.

She watched Alpha go with mixed feelings. Adelina didn’t like the friction between them. When she turned back to Nash she found him studying her closer than she would have liked.

What should she say? Adelina clasped her hands in front of her and stared into his gorgeous eyes as she thought. She decided she could at least let him know he was not completely alone in the palace. Quickly she wrapped her arms around his waist before she could second guess herself and gave him a hug, a small bit of comfort. She squeezed tight, her head resting on his chest – he was so tall – and then she released him before he could react; before anyone saw her transgression.

Adelina bowed her head slightly, noting the look of shock on his face. “My condolences Prince Nash, I remember your family with fondness from the few visits we’ve had over the cycles. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make you more comfortable here.” She straightened gracefully. When she met his eyes again there was a shimmer she pretended not to see.

Still the lost prince said nothing. Adelina felt drawn to him. As if he was a planet and she the moon. The heat from his body settled in her stomach and she felt nervous. Flustered and embarrassed, Adelina turned to leave the library and lead him through the palace but the prince grasped her small hand in his large one. She turned back in surprise.

“I appreciate your kindness more than you know,” Prince Nash finally said. A dip of his head in deference to their rank and then he walked casually to the large doors of the library.

She watched his strong back before remembering she was supposed to follow him. “This is the largest library in the Draga galaxy,” she said softly, trying not to draw the ire of the head librarian, wherever he was.

Prince Nash was silent next to Adelina as they walked. She glanced sidelong at Nash and wondered if he even cared about the tour of the palace. He seemed preoccupied, lost in his own thoughts and she couldn’t blame him.

Despite the heavy silence she showed him the rest of the third level, then the offices, and the art gallery. They went down and saw the separate ballroom, the state rooms, the kitchens, and she even took him to the underground labs.

Most of the palace was busy in preparation for her coming-of-age party and she felt slightly guilty she wasn’t helping more. She sighed. Escorting the lost prince was more difficult than she had anticipated.

Adelina took him up the lift once again to the fifth level and one of her favorite places. She ignored the offices and took him straight outside. The wraparound balcony on the fifth level gave magnificent views from every angle one could possibly wish to see.

“The palace grounds cover half of the planet,” Adelina went on, gesturing to where the fields began. "The Obsidian Mountains--or Notte Ossidiana--protects the backside of the palace. Our forest is heavy with animals and the hunting games might be of interest to you over the next few weeks.” She trailed off when he didn’t even look up as they passed the gloriously dark mountains.

Perhaps if she could get him to open up to her they could find an activity he might like. “Is there anything else you would like to see?” she asked him, stopping in front of her favorite mountain peak. Adelina placed both hands on the balcony and leaned forward, breathing in the cooler air.

Nash dutifully stood next to her, staring, but not really seeing the mountain. “No, Princess. I appreciate it but I remember my way around from the last time my family and I visited the Draga Palace.” His soft words hurt her heart. It wasn’t long ago Nash and his brothers and sisters roamed the palace with them, playing games and enjoying each other’s company.

Sweat dripped down Adelina’s back and the heat of the summer sun was oppressive. She wore the lightest spidersilk she could without the dress being sheer and it had a cut that allowed her to remain as cool as possible. The halter let the wind dry her back and multiple slits in her skirts helped her legs breathe.

Nash didn’t seem affected by the heat at all. She studied him subtly and watched him tense. He knew she examined him and she blushed with embarrassment. “I apologize,” she said. “I was simply wondering what the climate was like right now on your homeworld, but I realized the question is in poor taste due to the circumstances.”

He turned to her then and his large frame dwarfed her completely. Adelina flinched as he blocked the sun and she was lost in his shadow. His large muscles intrigued her, but she also knew how strong they made him. He could easily overpower her if he wished. She shivered at the idea, liking something about the power he held in his body alone. He didn’t need his title to get someone to bend to his will.

The traditional Kharan leather pants were nearly ridiculous in the Draga heat. He had to be sweltering but personally she liked how they accentuated his ass. Adelina shook her head a tiny bit to redirect her thoughts. He wore a light shirt that looked like a normal citizen’s if it wasn’t made from the most exquisite fabric she had seen other than spidersilk. It was light and airy, with a small ‘v’ in the front displaying a mark she suspected was part of a larger tattoo hidden from view.

“It is not as warm as it is here, but as we are close to the Corinth sun it can get quite hot.” He ran his hand through his short black hair.

Adelina felt so inadequate. She was supposed to keep Nash company and entertain him, but she had no idea how to do that with the knowledge of his fate on her shoulders.

He seemed bored and aggravated. “Would you like to see the spider farms?” she asked.

Adelina was sure he had never seen the sacred spider farms before. Outsiders normally weren’t permitted, not even outside royalty. She could make an exception this one time though.

There was a spark of interest in his eyes. “Would that be allowed?” Finally, there was a bit of life in his voice and his eyes seemed more green than red.

“Come with me,” she said, beckoning him to follow. Adelina walked swiftly through the palace to the lift. The spider farms weren’t close, but they had the time to visit them with a cleared schedule. They rode in silence to the main floor. The footman opened the door for them and she strode out of the lift. The enclosed space had her skin tingling from the lost prince’s proximity and scent. Her sandals clicked against the marble floor as she quickly made her way through the main level.

Servants smiled at her and mentioned how the set up was going, a few stopped and asked if she could come by later and check the arrangements. One of her favorite footmen bowed low and asked if she liked the red roses he had picked from the gardens. He was always so sweet and polite. Adelina smiled and then smelled the bouquet he held out to her. “It’s wonderful, Liam. I love these.”

She pretended not to notice his blush as she continued out towards the back of the palace. The gardens smelled wonderful in the sun and the trees provided shade. No one said anything about the silent, hulking male next to her. As she quickly made her way down the stone steps to the fields, she glanced over her shoulder at Nash. She almost stumbled when she noticed how intently he watched her.

Adelina paused at the bottom of the stone stairs and checked the area before stopping completely. There was no one around. The stables were quite a bit further and the stable hands normally didn’t come this close to the palace except during meals. Asher usually rode his galina in the afternoon so they wouldn’t run into him either.

Nash slipped his hands into his pockets and came to a stop before her, staring down at her in a way that made Adelina feel like a tiny bug. “Is everything all right?” she asked, trying to get a sense of him without looking up into his eyes. Her instincts screamed at her he was a dominant, but his scent was too different and strange. She wasn’t quite sure how to act around him.

“Do all the servants talk to you like that?” he asked.

That was all? Adelina wondered how the servants in the Khara Prime palace acted for him to be so shocked, it had been too long for her to remember. She turned back to the mountain and walked at a good pace. It would do her good to walk so far, as Nadyah suggested. She needed to work off her extra energy as much as possible so she could gain control of her body’s desires.

“They do talk to me when I am needed. I should be helping them, directing and planning, but I handed over my documents to the housekeeper. I trust him. He does an excellent job.”

The winding path turned to dirt and the trees hung over them, creating a soothing shadow. The mountain seemed to loom heavier and heavier as they came closer. Some found it oppressive and dark compared to the bright light of Kala. The obsidian stone sucked up the light in a way that disturbed most.

There were a million questions Adelina wanted to ask Nash but most of them would be considered insensitive. She gave it a chance regardless. “What kinds of activities do you enjoy doing?” she asked him, attempting to keep her voice light. Adelina’s mind kept going back to Nadyah’s acts of subtle seduction. She should practice the arts, but she didn’t think now was the best time. Who knew how Nash would react? He wasn’t a Kalan and despite their common human heritage, the centuries had made them different enough to be foreign.

“Princess, I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I do not wish to make small talk,” Nash said in annoyance, finally fed up with her friendly attempts. “You are here as my chaperone to ensure the terrifying Corinthian prince doesn’t kill a second royal family while my reports are being vetted across the galaxies. You do not have to pretend to enjoy my presence.”

Adelina stopped abruptly under the shade of a massive leaf. “I asked to be given this assignment,” she snapped, her polite and proper mask slipping. She could have said more but she was too angry so she kept her mouth shut before she said something that could shatter his trust in her.

Nash’s eyes widened at the sudden shift in her attitude. “I thought you were a submissive.”

She waved her hand in irritation, dismissing his words. “I am, but that does not mean I cannot think for myself. If you are going to live among us, educate yourself with facts and not speculations. Being a submissive does not mean I cannot stand up for myself or say no. It simply means I serve. I am serving my future queen by escorting you safely through our home. I am ensuring your life remains intact as any fanatic assassin wouldn’t dare hurt their princess in any foolhardy attempt to murder you.” Adelina inspected him from his head to his toes and she couldn’t keep the appreciative look from her face, her mask completely gone in his presence. It was almost freeing in a way. “Not that you couldn’t take care of them yourself, but this way there is no incident on royal soil that could potentially mar Raena’s ascension during such a precarious time.” She crossed her arms and glared at him, daring him to deny any of what she said.

The prince held his hands up in surrender, eyes still wide and the yellow in them flashed under the sun. “I apologize for assuming you did not care.”

The goddess help her, he had intellect as well. Adelina decided not to respond and continued down the path to the belly of the mountain at a quicker pace. Nash had to jog to catch up with her.

“I did not mean to make you angry.”

Still she said nothing. It wasn’t his fault he was preoccupied. Or that he was male.

“Adelina, please look at me.” The almost pleading tone in his deep voice and the personal use of her name gave her pause.

She stopped and turned to him once more, neck craned up to meet his eyes. Why did he have to be so cula’ting tall? He was too beautiful and this was too dangerous. She never should have asked to escort him. Six months ago, she had thought Alpha was her true love, and she could not have been more wrong. Why would this be any different?

“Will you tell me why?” he asked, shoulders hunched as though he knew how uncomfortable his height made her.

She couldn’t decide if he intimidated her, or if she wanted to climb him and wrap her legs around his waist. Adelina cleared her throat delicately. “Why I wanted to escort you?” she asked.

He only nodded. Nash didn’t waste words when he didn’t have to it seemed.

She sighed and tugged at a piece of her hair. “I know you did not murder your own family to become king.” Every muscle of his seemed to relax at those words. “I do not need proof to know this as we were friends once, or at least I’d like to think we were.” Adelina shrugged and looked away. “I want to help, but I have no idea how. It is not in my position to do anything about it, so I thought perhaps if I could talk to you…” she trailed off, not sure what else to say without sounding like a naïve fool.

“You owe me nothing,” Nash stated, eyeing her suspiciously.

The goddess give her patience, this male was actively trying to infuriate her. “I have my honor,” she stated frostily. “I have read the treaty and the alliance my grandfather made with your people over two hundred cycles ago. Because we have lived in peace it has never been tested, but I would not be a true Dragan princess if I abandoned a sworn ally in their time of need.”

She had to move. Adelina walked toward the entrance of the mountain farms briskly, leaving the prince to trail after her.

Suddenly she whirled around and jabbed her finger into his chest. “How dare you assume I have no honor?”

He winced as he removed her sharp fingernail from his chest. Nash bent down and brushed a soft kiss against her cheek. “Thank you princess, it gives me hope to know you feel so strongly on the matter. I only wish your father felt the same.”

Adelina was so shocked she could barely do more than pull away. The shadows chilled her skin and she shivered. That pull towards him worried her and she had to at least warn him. “Father and Raena are not going to grant your request,” she whispered, preparing for another change in his moods. Adelina hated having to tell him. “You will have a week before you must leave; they were going to tell you tonight after dinner.”

His sharp intake of breath was his only reaction, and then Nash let out a long, slow breath. “They are?” he asked.

The hot summer air choked her as she nodded. Adelina kept a firm grasp on her control and kept the tears from her eyes. “I do not agree with their choice, but I am nothing more than a pawn.”

His eyes sparkled as he studied her. Adelina’s cheeks flushed with heat and she knew they were red under his scrutiny. “Why are you telling me this?” he demanded.

The trees provided much needed shade and the crescent of the mother moon shone her purple form over the ocean. Adelina studied her birthright and finally met the prince’s eyes. “I will not lie after everything they are going to do to you. The chance is high you will not survive on the run no matter the tech you possess.” Her voice dropped so low he had to bend forward to hear her. “I do not want you to die.”

Only the goddess knew why she felt such a strong connection with him. Perhaps it was that she saw so many similarities between her and Nash. Without her family, she would be lost as well, but at least the prince had training as a warrior.

He traced her lips with his rough fingers, barely there and teasing. “I do not deserve someone like you. I will only bring you harm as I did with my own family.”

Adelina grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Think about my words, Prince Nash. I can help you if you let me. We can try to find a way for you to stay, but in the meantime, I can help you get what you need. Just think on it for now.” She tugged him towards the huge cavern under the mountain and then dropped his hand.

The farmhands gave her a nod of respect, glanced at the prince and turned back to their work. Adelina pointed out the massive webs covering the caverns and the fat little bodies against the glittering white threads, changing the subject before she said too much. “Here the spiders are cared for and kept for their webs.”

Prince Nash looked up and jerked back as a web directly over them housed a particularly large queen spider about the size of Adelina’s hand. He practically dragged her back before she could extricate her arm from his.

She tapped the invisible force-field and it sparked against her nail. “We can’t disturb them, and they won’t disturb us,” she promised. Adelina smiled to know such a large warrior was afraid of harmless spiders.

“I thought you wanted to see the spiders?” she teased. Adelina led him slowly into the cavern, careful of his instincts.

Nash gave her a side-long glance. “I did not expect them to be so large and so close,” he said, keeping close to her. “Are they poisonous?”

Adelina enjoyed his nearness. His arm hovered around her waist, but didn’t actually touch her. Every inch of him was a warrior on edge, ready to remove her from the danger. His protective instincts were triggered by her presence. She was intrigued and glad they weren’t so different from each other after all.

“The queens are,” she told him. “You can tell which ones are queens by their size and the purple color of their abdomens.” Adelina pointed at the round body of the queen above them. It was a rich aubergine that reminded her of Raena’s eyes. “The rest are not, but they all have beautiful webs. The farmhands swear the queens weave the strongest threads and reserve them for us to choose from.” She ran her hands over her skirts, knowing how much work went into each of her dresses.

“How are the webs harvested?” Nash asked as they walked slowly through the winding caverns, lit by dim purple lights.

“The spiders are moved into an empty cavern to start again. We leave the nursery alone though, and the farmhands wear special gear to protect them and the spiders.” Adelina stopped in front of a smaller cavern connected to the underground tunnels. It was naturally warmed by the hot springs below and the hanging sacs looked peaceful in the dim light.

Nash pressed to her side as a spider crawled sedately over the force-field directly in front of them. “How are they moved?” He shuddered as he considered the prospect.

“A non-toxic mist of mint and a slight sedative are used to make them sleepy. They do not like the smell of mint and move away from the area to a new one, leaving the webs free for us to harvest.” Adelina continued on the main path and the light turned to orange. Thousands of farmhands harvested caverns empty of spiders and she turned down a smaller path.

The path took them through occupied caverns and then out into the spidersilk factory. “The spiders need the cool darkness of the mountain so once the webs are harvested we take them here to clean them, spin them into silk, dye them, and then weave them into bolts of fabric.”

The main floor of the factory dyed the fabrics and she walked straight through with Nash by her side. None of the workers looked up. Adelina made her way to the floor manager at the other side of the factory. The woman bowed and checked her work shreve. “Princess, how may I help you?”

Adelina clasped her hands before her and turned to survey the massive floor that went on for acres. “I would like to see the quarterly reports if you don’t mind?”

The manager raised an eyebrow at her, but Adelina’s visits weren’t unexpected. The spider farms were one of her favorite tasks. “Would you like to go through my shreve?” She handed the metal and plas-glass device over to the princess and left the floor for her connecting office.

Adelina scrolled through the accounting documents and the standard contracts. Nash was a constant, silent presence she ignored for the time being. She sent the documents to herself to look over in more detail at a later time then went into the manager’s office with a tiny bow. “Thank you, mistress,” she said in deference to the woman’s dominance. “I appreciate you accommodating me.”

“Would you like to see some of the newest creations, your highness?” the manager asked, swirling a cup of tea before taking a sip.

Adelina brightened at the idea and then glanced at Nash. She doubted it was something he would enjoy. “Perhaps another time, mistress, but I appreciate the offer.”

Nash nudged her. “Go, we have nothing pressing to attend.”

She shook her head. “I can’t leave you,” Adelina said with a small shrug of apology.

He gave her a rueful smile. “It will not kill me to look through fabrics. It will be enlightening after that rather terrifying tour.”

She couldn’t help the laugh that spilled out. A warrior who openly admitted his fear of something so much smaller than him was rare indeed. “All right, let’s take a look prince, perhaps you will see something I might miss on my own.”

They took the open platform to the third floor where the dyed silk was woven into bolts. The entire floor was full of looms and men and women hard at work to the rhythm of the music playing over the amplifiers. Adelina stopped to inspect a young girl’s piece; she couldn’t have been much younger than Adelina herself. “This is wonderful,” she said as she passed, tapping the frame in appreciation.

The girl beamed at her, then looked surprised to see Nash follow behind. “They weave the silk by hand?” he inquired, looking doubtful.

Adelina bent down to take a look at a male’s piece. He used multiple colors and the effect was exquisite. “We do for spidersilk, Prince. The material is too delicate for machines.” She turned to the man weaving and smiled. “Did you create this pattern?” she asked.

He nodded with a shy smile. “Yes, your highness. The floor manager filed the design for me and added the bonus to my income.”

“Very good,” Adelina said. “If you would let me know when the bolt is completed I would love to purchase it. Just have your manager send me a cast and I’ll come for it myself.”

The male stammered his thanks and tried to force it as a gift, but she shook her head. When they finally reached the back room, she took in the floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall display of spidersilk. The colors ranged from light to dark, but she loved them all. It was the lightest, most breathable fabric, and the most expensive. Very few could afford it, but the quality was worth its weight in gold.

Adelina fingered a glittery black she knew she would be able to use for something. “Do you see something you like?” she asked the prince. “Do you have something to wear to my party?” She eyed him from under her eyelashes. He was so tall she could only see his trim waist and part of his chest. His hands were in his pockets and she admired the warm glow to his skin. It was brown instead of the golden tone of her own skin, but it was beautiful in its difference.

“I didn’t realize I was invited,” he stated, touching a white so pure it reminded her of the snow on Scyria.

She refrained from making a rude noise, but just barely. “Of course, you are. It is my party and I want you to be there, therefore you are invited.” Adelina pulled a bolt of amethyst purple and eyed it. The party was well within his week on Draga Terra, but she knew that inviting him was against her sister and father’s wishes, even if they hadn’t outright stated he could not attend.

It was a risk she was willing to take if she could get her father to uphold their agreement. “Would you pick one you like for me? I’m curious as to your tastes.” Adelina watched him look over the colors once more and knew she wondered about more than his taste in color and fabric. Something about his unique eyes drew her in like a predator’s trap. His scent eluded her, but it also appealed to her senses. It reminded her of cinnamon, but less like baked goods and more like the tree itself, sharp and defined.

Prince Nash tapped three different bolts and then stood back with a nod. He didn’t waste time either it seemed. Nash was efficient and didn’t dawdle, but would he in other activities?

Adelina scanned his three bolts with her simulcast, and then the three she had chosen with a note about the unique pattern still being woven. Then sent the cast with the information to the manager and turned to leave the factory. It seemed all was well with her assigned department.

There was something beautiful about the spiders none of her siblings seemed to see or understand. All of them felt similarly to Nash which was why Raena gladly gave her the most sacred and profitable department without argument. As a child, she used to watch the spider queens weave their webs for hours when she wanted to be alone. Not even Alpha had followed her into the Night Mountains.

Once they were out of the factory and back on the palace grounds, surrounded by tall palms with leaves the size of Adelina’s body and heavy with fragrant fruit, she let the silence settle comfortably between them. She needed to think of what questions she could ask without upsetting him or causing too much suspicion.

Nash’s arm brushed against hers and that spark flared inside of her once again. It wasn’t unbearable but her awareness sharpened. The sensation of the wind across her skin, the heat from his body, how he looked against the bright blue sky with a hint of green from the ever present second moon were suddenly enhanced.

Adelina was short and the top of her head barely reached Nash’s chest. She couldn’t help wondering what sex would be like with him, if the difference in their height would cause problems or not. She could always ride him; the difference wouldn’t matter then.

Nash glanced at her and she felt herself blush furiously. Adelina hated the embarrassment that followed. What was wrong with her? She didn’t know him well and she was already contemplating taking him to her bed?

Those broad shoulders and tapered waist suggested there was nothing wrong with her; she was simply reacting to the pure maleness of him.

“Were you being truthful when you said you would like to help me?” Nash asked, pulling her out of those dangerous thoughts.

Brushing a palm leaf from her path she looked up at the lost prince and nodded. “I would never say anything I did not mean.”

He stopped in the middle of the path with the large palms obscuring their view of the palace, the stables, and the forest. In turn, they were hidden from anyone’s prying eyes. “I need access to my equipment. I need to be able to check my transmissions. There might still be princes and princesses alive and in hiding who need me to rescue them. They could have access to their armies. I also need intel on the state of my galaxy, the planets, and the people.” Nash shrugged and looked up at the green moon. “Without knowing any of those things I cannot form a plan to regain my kingdom. Traditionally I would challenge the Neprijat King, but he does not follow our ways.”

Adelina squinted at him, curious about the ways of his people. She understood the mechanics and what she could read about it, but the methods seemed barbaric. “You truly fight every single eligible person to rule?” she asked.

Nash held out an arm for the first time that day and she gladly took it. He escorted her, incorrectly on the submissive side. “You should be on my right, you are more dominant and have a higher rank,” she whispered teasingly.

The lost prince gave her a look that made her legs suddenly feel unstable. “I am a displaced prince who has yet to prove I am truly the heir, thus you rank higher than I do. What makes you think I’m more dominant than you?”

Adelina didn’t want to tell him she’d already smelled him. “I simply know. Everyone is more dominant than I am.”

Nash raised an eyebrow but didn’t say any more on the matter, but he also didn’t change positions. “We do not have nobles such as you do,” he explained. “All those with the royal genes rule and are called ‘prince’ or ‘princess.’ Each prince and princess enters the arena when the previous ruler dies or retires and they fight until there is one victor. The victor and their family become the ruling family of the Khara galaxy and move to the palace on Khara Prime. The victor is either light, or dark. You would say submissive or dominant, but it is not quite the same thing. This is of course measured scientifically and they must choose the opposite as their spouse. There must always be balance.”

Adelina frowned. “You’ve had submissive, or rather light rulers?” she asked. “How did they keep control of the kingdom?”

It was strange how each race descended from the ancient humans developed their own method to ensure balance and to try and reign in their natural chaos as much as possible, though the Drakesthai were said to be nothing but chaos. Hai galaxy was closer to the Corinth sun, but the edge of their galaxy butted up against Draga. They were an extremely private race she had never met, or even had contact with.

Nash looked at her again. “Yes, we have had light rulers. The light has always attracted the dark. The dark seeks the light to balance out their instincts. In return they are fierce warriors, protectors, and intensely loyal. Conversely dark rulers attract those who serve. The light serves the purposes of the Crown and once the ruler has been established as the strongest warrior no other dark contestants have reason to question their place.”

Adelina chewed on her lip as she thought. It was a disgusting habit she’d broken herself of cycles ago, but it helped her concentrate. Had the Draga galaxy ever had a submissive king or queen? Could a submissive also be a fierce warrior strong enough to beat a dominant warrior? Could that even be possible?

She supposed one didn’t need to be dominant to have skill as a warrior. But to lead an entire galaxy? She shuddered at the idea. Adelina could never hold so many dominant leashes. If what Nash said was true for her people as well, she wouldn’t have to. The dominants closest to her would hold the leashes for her. “Thank the goddess I never have to be queen,” she said with a laugh.

Nash only shrugged and they continued down the path and came out into the beginning of the cultivated gardens.

She had come to a decision. “I can get you the access you need, and if I can’t as princess without endangering myself I can get it through other means,” Adelina said softly. She smiled shyly and placed her other hand over Nash’s as well, pressing into him ever so slightly. Anyone looking at them would think she whispered something sweet and flirtatious.

He looked down at her in surprise. “How would you manage that?”

“I have my ways.” Adelina needed to send a cast to Giselle. It looked like they were going out into the city that night to call in a favor. As princess she couldn’t order the access or ask for it herself without raising suspicions. As Lina the jeweler, she could accomplish a lot more. “It might not be right away, but I’ll get the information you need.”

She looked up into his eyes. Adelina studied those confusing depths of green, red, and yellow. Nash’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight and she felt dazzled. They told her nothing. If she were making a mistake she would never know it. “Swear I am not committing treason,” she whispered, placing both hands on his biceps and leaning in slightly. The scent of cinnamon grew stronger and Adelina had to remind herself this was a game. She couldn’t ruin it by running her hands under his shirt to feel the strong muscles of his abdomen.

Nash smiled and instantly the spark flared into a flame that settled deep in her belly. Her clit pulsed in time with her heartbeat as the feeling inside grew of its own accord. He briefly touched a curl and let his hands lightly fall on her waist. They made a pretty picture together. “I would never put you in that position. We were friends once,” he said, echoing her words.

Slowly she let out a shuddering breath as she yanked back on her self-control. Adelina felt the familiar stirrings that told her she would quickly do something she wasn’t ready for if she didn’t back off. Nash was such a wonderful male specimen though. She wondered what he looked like under his shirt. What did that wonderfully dark tattoo form?

A rough fingertip raised her chin, forcing her eyes from his chest to his face. The smile there made the pulse between her legs pound harder and she gasped. Adelina was a slave to the sensations. The dominance in his eyes was so gentle she wanted to give him everything. Her hands gripped his arms tighter as she fought off the tingling running over her skin like fire. Her nails dug into him and she couldn’t tear her gaze away from his.

Nash studied her with narrowed eyes. “Are you all right?” he asked. The genuine care in his voice triggered the darker side she hadn’t known she possessed until recently.

Did she have real feelings for this prince, or did she simply want him for his beauty? “Will you spar with me?” she asked through gritted teeth. “I could use some exercise.” Thank the three-faced goddess they did not have courtesans in the Khara galaxy so Nash would not be familiar with their ways.

The look on his face changed from one of concern to one of wary confusion. Nash looked her up and down. “I’m not sure that would be a good idea. I do not wish to hurt you.”

Adelina hissed in a breath and clamped down on his arms with her nails, hard enough to pierce through layers of skin. “I promise you; that isn’t the reason why it would not be a good idea.” She whirled around and made her way to the palace gymnasium. At least it was cool in there. Adelina didn’t check to see if Nash followed her.

She knew he would, if only out of curiosity.

Adelina changed into her exercise gear in the luxurious washroom and relished the feel of her bare feet on the tile. They would spar until the raw sensations were gone and she was exhausted enough to feel confident of her control once again. Now that she knew what to keep an eye out for it was easier to brace herself and resist.

There was just something about Nash that called to the very core of her and it was more difficult to hold back than she had anticipated. Perhaps it was the way he held himself, the barely restrained violence she could feel simmering under his skin in combination with the gentleness he always showed her. Adelina wanted to unlace those leather pants and place her mouth around his cock more than she would have thought possible. She wanted to know if she could take him in her mouth or if she would have to use her hands as well. The use of her tongue would only drive him mad. It would never release him the way he needed. To be inside her was the only way to truly possess her and Adelina wanted it.

She rolled her neck and closed her eyes. These thoughts weren’t helping.

Would Nadyah be there the first time to show her how to please him?

Adelina curled her fingers inward, pressing her sharp nails into her tender skin until she felt the telltale sting. The scent of blood filled the air and the pain released some of the painful tingling of pleasure and desire. She took a slow, deep breath and refocused her thoughts.

Exercise and work until she was exhausted. That, she could manage.

Adelina stepped into the palace gymnasium and the feel of the cushioned, springboard floor relaxed her further. She was here to spar, to learn, and to gain some insight into the lost prince. Escorting him had been her idea and she was going to make sure there was nothing about him that could threaten her family, that her choice to help him was indeed the right one.

The second her foot entered the large sparring circle she bowed to the waiting prince and waited for him to do the same. Adelina would uphold her family’s honor and help him go back home. He was adrift and bereft of the one place he could call his among a different culture and essential strangers.

Feet spread into position and knees bent. Palms flat against each other as she said a silent prayer to Katsia, goddess of war and cunning. She slid through the prayer into the first position, hands slightly curled into claws facing outwards. She was small, but stronger than she appeared. Her eyes opened and met the prince’s. Here in the circle there was no submissive and no dominant. There was only the strongest, most fierce warrior. A ripple settled over her as it did every time she shed the part of her that was Princess Adelina, one layer closer to her true self.

The small smile on Nash’s face instantly dropped. She didn’t know what change he saw in her, but suddenly his demeanor was all business.

“It is tradition for the challenger to allow the challenged to attack first,” Adelina stated. Her words echoed against the empty gymnasium. The white marble columns gave an airy feel to the massive place, but she was glad no one was there to witness them spar.

Nash attacked so hard and so fast she didn’t even see him move. Adelina trusted her instincts and slid. Her extended leg remained to trip him up if he was not quick enough. Nash followed as she dipped, swayed, and danced out of his path. She did not have to be strong to wear down her opponent with exhaustion.

The prince thought he had her back up against the figurative wall of the circle and he grinned, sweat dripping from his forehead. Adelina dove through his legs, the wide stance a disadvantage when it came to speed. She somersaulted and jumped up. The air around her shifted and she dropped into a push up position. The heel of his boot brushed her hair. With a quick roll and a flip she was back on her feet, facing him.

Nash’s smile lit up his whole face and the reason they sparred in the first place hit her like a punch to the gut. Adelina was breathless and trembling. She just barely missed his strike with an outward spin. Fourth position to eighth, she told herself. The elaborate jump was more for show, but Nash had extremely high kicks and a moving target was more difficult to hit.

A spinning jump placed her behind Nash, a move she had only mastered a few months before. With a dance move that would make her mistress weep with joy, Adelina swept her foot out in a wide half-circle, catching him at the ankles. It was precisely when he stepped to turn and the strike threw him off balance.

Without hesitation, she struck palm up and hit precisely where his diaphragm should be. Nash coughed and stepped back in surprise. With a laugh, he grabbed her still out-stretched wrist and pulled her forward. Adelina was off balance and suddenly in his arms. He looked down at her with a grin that made her stomach flutter and she could feel the hard muscles against her soft curves. She stared at him for a nanosecond too long, enjoying the way he felt against her. Adelina blinked and knew she was in trouble.

Without thought she struggled to free herself. There was no finesse, no beauty or grace. Adelina simply had to get away from his intoxicating scent before she did something stupid.

“You’ve got fire, little cat!” Nash exclaimed. “I am glad you proved me wrong, but I am still stronger than you are. The gravity on my planet is denser.”

“Fire,” she muttered, thinking of the roaring inferno he’d lit inside her. “You could call it that.” Her heel came down hard on his instep and he yelped, releasing her in surprise and pain. Once she was a safe distance from him she glared at Nash. “I do not know what cats you have on your planet, but they are not little here.”

“Will you ride with me?” Prince Nash asked, taking a step towards her. The smile on his face was gone and his eyes sparkled.

“You wish to ride the galinas?” she asked, stepping back. “Do you remember what happened the last time you tried? One nearly gutted you.”

Nash followed her step for step until her back was against a column and Adelina had nowhere else to run. “I want to see you ride,” he said, voice deep and guttural.

An image of her riding him flashed across her mind and the tingling was back in full force. Oh how she wanted to play. How Adelina wanted to tell him he could see her ride his cock only if he begged for it.

Her fingernails bit the flesh of her palms again. Nash’s eyes flashed green and his nostrils flared. He grabbed her wrist and inspected the welling blood in her palm. “I thought I smelled the blood of a royal. Explain this to me,” he demanded, shaking her hand. His whole body was tensed, ready for war.

“Explain what, Prince Nash?”

His aapoak eyes sparked fire at her and he brought her hand up to his mouth and she watched with wide eyes, too shocked to stop him. Nash licked the blood from her palm slowly, gently, and with enough passion in his eyes to make her wonder how his tongue might feel on her elsewhere.

“Don’t play games with me little princess. I do not appreciate you hurting yourself. Tell me what is wrong or this sparring session is over.”

Adelina’s mouth dropped open. Never had she had someone quite so aware of her before. She shook her head. “I can’t.” There was no way to explain to him what was wrong without bringing up speculations about her genetics.

Was she even her mother’s child?

If Nadyah was right and her genes were those of a courtesan’s the only sensible explanation was Elara. If Elara was her mother, why would they keep it a secret when Ian was still a legitimate heir? She shook her head again as his eyes hardened into cold gems. Adelina could tell no one until she knew the truth for herself. Then she would have to decide what she would do with that truth.

Prince Nash turned and left the gymnasium without another word and Adelina couldn’t look away from his strong back. When he was out of sight she could finally breathe again.

Her hands trembled and she looked at the palm of her left hand, the one he had caressed so gently with his tongue. Adelina’s eyes widened and she brought her hand closer to her face, inspecting the perfectly smooth skin.

She turned both hands palms up. They shook harder as she held them side by side. The left was completely healed, no trace of the damage she’d done with her nails. The right bled freely. Adelina looked up searching for Prince Nash, but he was nowhere to be seen.