“Lina, could you bring me that box?”

Adelina wiped the sweat from her brow and lifted the heavy cargo box. Two more days and she would be heading toward the Hai Galaxy. The ships were nearly ready thanks to Roxy’s expertise. Adelina knew she never would have been able to leave on time without the brilliant engineer.

She’d have to make sure to commend the mechanic publicly whether Roxy wanted her to or not. She deserved that and so much more. Adelina was lucky Varan had officially introduced them. It never would have occurred to her to ask Varan’s adopted sister for help. The female had always been a bit prickly.

“Are there more boxes you need me to fetch?” Adelina asked Roxy.

“No, I think that’s the last of them.” The female pushed back her curly red hair and eyed the princess. “I am surprised you can do physical labor. I thought for sure you’d collapse after the first ten minutes.”

Adelina grinned and pushed her playfully. “If I didn’t know you so well I might be offended. It’s a lot of work being a royal. We have to train to protect ourselves if need be.”

The workers ran to and fro around them, desperately trying to get everything perfect by the launch date. Adelina shrugged, ignoring the cacophony of sounds and focused on the female who was quickly becoming a fast friend.

The girl hated her, or rather she hated royalty, but Adelina seemed to be growing on her.

After the king and Raena’s funeral, and then Giselle’s coronation, Adelina had needed the distraction. With one sister dead before her time and the other suddenly queen with no preparation – things had been tense at the palace. Exacerbated by Giselle’s disgust for Adelina’s true parentage.

The hard, physical work made Adelina too exhausted to think or cry. She wasn’t ready to move on from her father and Raena’s deaths, but time stood still for no one.

“Lina darling,” Varan purred, wrapping his arms around her middle. “I have to get you back to the palace soon.”

Adelina leaned back into her fiancé and closed her eyes, ignoring Roxy’s glare. “I know, but I just need a little more time.” The Prince of Thieves had always been so distractingly attractive, and soon he would be hers.

“And how goes the wedding plans?” Varan asked, spinning her around in his arms.

Adelina pressed against him, hips to hips and leaned back so she could look into his eyes. He was so tall. “It goes. I have to meet with my mothers in a bit. They’ve been working day and night to bring everything together before we leave.”

The soon to be legitimate royal prince studied her. “Are you sure you want to rush this? We have time. The wedding can wait until after the trip to the Hai Galaxy.”

Adelina shook her head. “No, I want to leave no opportunity for something to happen while I am away. If I’m married Giselle can’t sell me to another without our approval. Also, I want to marry you,” she said with a smile.

They hadn’t had the time for seduction and sex. So Adelina had asked if they could wait until their wedding night. At least then she would have time to breathe. Though the more she thought about it the more nervous she became. The anticipation was nearly unbearable. She couldn’t help wondering what sex with Varan would be like, her courtesan genes making it all the more difficult to resist him.

Especially when he stroked his hands up and down and over her hips the way he was currently doing.

“All right, Lina. I’m happy to do whatever you wish.” Varan kissed her cheek and offered her his arm. “I do have a surprise for you. Would you mind making a quick stop at my estate before we make our way back to the palace?”

“I don’t mind at all. It would be best to clean up before I head back to the palace as well.”

Varan grinned and wiped a streak of dirt from her face. “I kind of like this look on you, but the wolves at court would eat you alive.” He escorted her out of the massive warehouse that held hundreds of workers and her three starships.

Adelina glanced sideways at her fiancé and couldn’t quite believe he was about to be her husband. One more day and he would be hers forever. The goddess’s plans never ceased to surprise her when they were fully revealed.

Never in a million cycles would Adelina have thought the prince of thieves could love her. Never would she have thought an arranged marriage could be so full of love, joy, and adoration despite being surrounded by darkness, despair, and grief.

She knew he would be the reason she survived the war with her soul intact. Varan was dedicated, adoring, and strong. Everything she needed to get through what came next.

The streets were full of people. They smiled and greeted Varan with respect and love. Most of the warehouses and public docks were part of his territory. The surrounding streets, businesses, and housing were as well. The male had certainly expanded over the cycles.

His house was on a street with apartment buildings he owned, but it was clear which was his. Rogues guarded the house. They were on the roofs, in the alleys, and guarding each entry and exit. They gave him a quick salute as he passed.

Adelina had to ignore all the eyes. The engagement had been broadcast on the livestream and they’d had an interview that morning to tell the people how excited they were to be wed and how she was keeping Raena’s memory alive by marrying the male her sister had liked the best out of all Adelina’s suitors.

It had been exhausting and despite all her cycles of practice and control, she’d still gotten choked up when she’d told the journalist that she was using Raena’s wedding plans, simply moving up the date before her departure.

The discussion had been long and tiring. The new Queen Mother Adele wanted Giselle to pick Alock and marry him as Raena should have, but Giselle had put her foot down and refused. No one could make her do anything now that she was queen and held so much power.

Asher hadn’t bothered to argue the point as the most dominant of the royal children. He didn’t particularly care and no one seemed to mind that Adelina was the Heir to Draga. But there had to be a wedding to further the royal line. Pushing up Adelina’s marriage to Varan made the most sense as they had the only official engagement.

Giselle was happy to shove the responsibility onto Adelina and declared any children Adelina bore would be recognized as official heirs as well. The crown would still go to Asher if Adelina died, but if Giselle had children the crown would go to them before Adelina.

She sighed. The conversation had been difficult to say the least. Another royal death was far too real at the moment and discussing the line of succession had broken her heart. Adelina’s relationship with Giselle may be fractured and broken, but she was still her sister. It didn’t matter if they ever repaired the bond.

Blood was thick.

Still, none of them could pretend they would all survive the upcoming war. It was unlikely to say the least.

Varan led her up the cream-colored steps. The midday sun was oppressive. The heat made sweat trickle down her spine and the nearly healed mark tingled. Adelina let Varan open the door for her and chewed on her lip as she wondered how everyone would react when they saw the golden tattoos in her wedding dress.

The idea of them all seeing the Master Sealer’s forbidden work made Adelina nervous, but she was ready to complete her transformation. They all knew how fierce her wolf was and now she would remind them she wasn’t helpless at all. She was ready to take control of her future and her position.

Adelina looked up as they entered Varan’s spacious house. The skylights let in so much natural light when she’d thought it would be dark inside. The first floor was completely open, only a divider here and there. The white walls and blue painted-lattice windows calmed Adelina.

She’d never been in his personal home before even if she did know where it was. He’d invited her to parties many times, but Adelina had never been able to attend. They were legendary among the thieves and rogues.

“It’s very nice,” she murmured. “I wish I’d been able to see what a party here looked like over the cycles.”

Varan tucked her into his side and nodded at the servants they passed. “You and me both, my love.” Smoothly he slipped his arm from hers and used just his hand to lead her up the sweeping staircase.

Adelina grew curious about this so-called surprise. “You really didn’t need to get me a wedding present,” she protested. “We have so much already.”

“You think I’d pass up an opportunity to add another treasure to your trove?” Varan’s eyebrow quirked up as he led her down a long hall. He placed his palm on the door at the end and it slid open without a sound.

The room inside was a reflection of Varan’s personality. Adelina stepped in and studied the space. The first impression was rugged comfort, minimalistic style, and then as she looked closer she could see the pops of his personality.

The massive bed in the center of the room was the focal point. It was piled high with fluffy white pillows and a comforter she could drown in. Adelina wanted to throw herself on the bed but then her eye caught on the wall full of books.

“Your library wasn’t enough?” she teased. The shelves downstairs had displayed thousands of books like the treasures they were.

“These are books I don’t want people to touch,” Varan explained. “First editions, signed, banned, or the original before a revision was done to suit delicate sensibilities. I also possess books the courtesans don’t know I have and I intend to keep it that way. Then there are a few from the Hai Galaxy, and prints of digital copies from the Khara Galaxy. Anything you could possibly want that might be considered taboo, rare, or illegal.”

Adelina laughed and went to inspect the various titles. “When we redesign our suite in the palace I’ll make sure to add plans for your books.”

Varan grinned and caught her hand, spinning her around so quick she gasped as she was pressed up against the shelves. “I love when you talk like that.”

“Like what?” she breathed.

“When you talk about our future together with so much joy – even now. It reminds me how fortunate I am that fate pushed us together. I am the luckiest male alive.” Varan buried his face in her neck and breathed deep.

Adelina’s eyelashes fluttered as his winterflower scent permeated her whole world. She had to shake her head to regain her senses. Every day they were together it became more difficult to resist him.

He growled in frustration and whipped around, adjusting the obvious bulge in his pants. Adelina didn’t bother to hide her pleased smile. He wasn’t the only lucky one. Raena holding her marriage rights could have ended very, very badly. Instead she had Varan and was given the gift of his love.

No one was luckier than she.

“Let me get cleaned up and out of these work clothes,” she told him. “Then you can show me the surprise.”

Varan nodded and waved his hand at the washroom. It took only a few moments for Adelina to wash and change into the spidersilk gown she’d brought along. When she came out Varan stood inspecting the books on his shelves.

When he heard her he smiled and turned from the bookshelf with a box in his hand. It reminded her so much of Nash’s carved, black-wood box that there was a pang in her chest.

Her smile faltered. Adelina hoped Nash was alive and accomplishing everything he’d set out to do. With a bit more luck she may even see him in the Hai Galaxy. That reunion also made her anxious. Would he accept her proposal? Goddess, she hoped he did.

Nash – the usurped prince of Khara. The last Corinthian prince. The male Adelina had been forbidden to love, but went against her sister’s orders anyway.

“Lina, Lina,” Varan murmured. He pulled her down to sit on the bed next to him. It was as soft as it looked. “Talk to me.”

She shook her head. “Nothing is wrong. I’m simply worried about Nash.”

Varan pulled her in and held her tight. “I know you are. I wish I had word on him.”

Adelina kissed his cheek. “We will try and contact him once we cross the border. It’s the best we can do at the moment. Now what is in that box?”

“Adelina, thank you for agreeing to become my wife,” Varan said, holding it out for her.

The plain black wood was so like Varan. Innocuous and unassuming. She took it from him, holding it softly as though it might break. It wasn’t heavy which surprised her. Varan always managed to find the heaviest jewels – precious and unmatched.

When Adelina opened it she admired the black velvet that was a touch darker than the wood. But it was what he had nestled inside that took her breath away. A bracelet made of black gold with a dark, purple opal set in the band so it was nearly flush with the thick metal. She brought it up close and inspected the strange piece of jewelry.

Nothing about the purple opal was simple, but the design was elegant and minimalist though the gold was a bit thicker than it ought to be for the size of the jewel. Her expert eye found the seam and she skimmed her nail along it. The bracelet hissed and popped open. The inside was lined with glowing tech and Adelina looked up at Varan in question.

“Your Prince Nash gave you more than just schematics for a faster ship, darling,” Varan said with a heart-stopping smile. He took the bracelet from her and inspected the perfect work inside. “I commissioned the piece from Guild Master Calix. He knew what I needed and designed this. Then I gave it to Roxy. She adjusted some of the Kharan tech and put it in here.” Varan closed the bracelet and gently took her right hand. He slipped the bracelet over her wrist and snapped it in place.

Adelina stared at it in wonder. It was made to fit her wrist perfectly, no space between her skin and the gold. The jewel sat on top and winked in the sunlight. Then Varan pressed his thumb against the underside. A purple light burst from the gold and then settled against her skin, fading into nothing. But she could still feel it, tingling.

“It’s a shield, and also a weapon. All you have to do is activate the tech and a screen will pop up.” Varan took her other hand and pressed her thumb to the underside. Then he molded her right hand into a fist. A display popped up. “Wiggle your fingers, and flip through the holos to see what’s available. You can fire plasma energy at enemies among other things. There are ten shots in each selection and then it would need to be recharged. Full disclosure, I had Roxy put a tracking device on here as well.”

Adelina stared at the hologram in wonder and flicked her fingers, scrolling through. There were so many options. Then she brought her closed fist up and pointed it at the door. The sound of energy charging filled the room. Varan wasn’t nervous or concerned she would destroy any of his things. He let her play. Then she shook out her hand and the weapon deactivated.

“Place your left thumb on the bracelet. You must say ‘deactivate.’ Nothing else will turn off the shield and it’s coded to your voice only.”

Adelina did as he instructed and she shook her head, a rueful smile on her face. “I have to say that I actually don’t have anything like this.” Somehow Varan had still managed to give her a gift – a useful one she could never have anticipated, and yet it was still gorgeous and unique. “How did you and Roxy have the time for this?”

Varan shrugged and leaned back on his forearms. He looked every inch the sex god. Adelina had to stand and fix her skirts before she broke their agreement. “Despite Roxy’s bad attitude she had the design ready to go when I asked for her assistance. Her mind truly is a wonderful, irreplaceable thing. Seems she doesn’t dislike you as much as she pretends to.”

Adelina turned her wrist back and forth, watching the way the reflected sunlight glittered on the walls. She would have to thank Roxy when they got a chance. “I invited her to the wedding.”

Varan sat up straight at that. “And?”

“Per tradition I am required to have three maiden attendants. She will be in the wedding along with Veri and Nadyah.”

Varan burst out laughing. He laughed so hard tears streamed from his eyes. Adelina gave him an exasperated sigh. “It’s really not that amusing.”

“Oh my goddess Ladra, save us all. And she agreed to this?”

She glared at her soon-to-be husband and prince. “She did actually after I told her the dress was already made to her measurements.”

Varan laughed and shook his head. Then he grabbed her hand and tugged her down onto the bed next to him, turning them both so they lay on their sides, facing each other. Adelina stared into his emerald eyes, so green and dark and full of love. For her.

“Do you like your present?” Varan whispered, tracing a finger along the line of her jaw.

It sent a spark through Adelina and she licked her lips, breathing in his air. “I adore it. Where did you find black gold? It’s so rare even I have difficulty acquiring it.”

Varan’s eyes twinkled. “I paid a lot of gold to all the wrong people. Don’t worry though, it was legally purchased.”

His expression grew serious and that wandering hand moved to trace her lips. Varan’s eyes dropped to study her mouth and Adelina’s breathing sped up as anticipation filled her. “I was willing to pay anything to keep you safe. I swore to you and the goddess I’d do everything in my power to protect you. I did not take that oath lightly. But if you don’t like that there’s a tracking signal I can have it removed, though I am the only one who has access to it.”

Adelina ran her nails over his side and up his arm to his neck. “No, it is a good idea while we are traveling. Just in case. But I want one for you as well, for Roxy, Nadyah, and Joslynn. Will you share your supplier with me?” she asked, her lips brushing against his.

He inhaled sharply at the slight touch, one hand clenching tight on her hip and the other gripped her chin hard. There was just a twinge of pain and it was delicious. Instantly Adelina felt that fire in her belly, the tingle between her legs, and the ache for him to fill her.

Kissing him was the last thing she should do if she wanted to hold onto that last shred of control, but Adelina didn’t care. She wanted to taste him. Her tongue ran over his bottom lip and he immediately took her mouth, opening to taste her as she did with him. It was hungry and passionate, deep and burning.

Adelina wanted him to devour her.

Varan pulled away suddenly, breathing hard as he sat up. He ran his hand through his hair and gave her a look. “Don’t tempt me, darling. You’re testing a very thin amount of patience. But for that kiss? I’ll share whatever supplier you want.”

Adelina touched her lips, still swollen and tingling from his rough kiss. “Have them send it to the ship and I’ll repay you. It will fill Roxy’s time while we’re traveling.”

Her fiancé got to his feet and then tugged her to hers. “I need to get you back to the palace before I rip this from your skin,” he rumbled, one finger trailing the underside of the thin strap of her spidersilk gown.

Adelina shivered at the promise in his voice. “Yes, I’m sure Elara and Adele are wondering where I am.”

“We both have tailors to see.” Varan offered her his arm. “And then tomorrow you will officially be mine.”