Asher adjusted his tunic and watched the sun set over the ocean from the balcony. Why Adelina had asked him to meet her in the study was beyond him. She’d changed so much in the last six months. He wasn’t sure what exactly had been the trigger, but ever since they found out about their father’s illness she’d been different.

At first he’d blamed Alpha, but he and his sister had remained friendly after their brief relationship ended. Asher had half a mind to say it was because of Prince Nash. He had a feeling the Corinthian prince hadn’t been the catalyst per se, but perhaps the reason for her to expose more of her true self.

Most of his life had been easy. He couldn’t deny that. Asher hadn’t realized how easy until his entire world turned upside down six months ago. What had happened to Khara, to their royal family, and right after learning the King of Draga wouldn’t live to see the end of the cycle…

His entire life he’d taken for granted how simple things were. Asher had had his own personal battles to fight, but he’d had every opportunity, he’d learned everything he’d wanted to learn and more about battle and war and fighting and taking a life, but he never thought he’d have to use it.

Tomorrow he was to leave for the border commanding the Priean forces. He was supposed to find their enemy and eradicate them completely. Asher had never killed someone before. It was strange to think after all his training, but it was true.

“Lina invited you here as well?” William asked as he entered the royal study.

Asher glanced over his shoulder at his younger brother. Nothing he’d said to him over the last few days had been able to sway William from the border. He refused to guard the shield at the core with Giselle as he was the only one actually enlisted with the army out of all the royals. So Ian would be the one to go and stay by Giselle’s side, guide her through the political side of being queen.

As a leader in the war she’d done excellent. Asher had been pleasantly surprised when she’d come up with a decent plan.

“I assume so otherwise you wouldn’t be here,” William said when he didn’t reply, joining Asher on the balcony. “You know you don’t have to be so mysterious with me. We are brothers after all.”

Asher sighed. “I wasn’t intentionally being mysterious. There is a lot on my mind at the moment.”

“At least she didn’t make us wear something awful-looking and uncomfortable,” William said, adjusting his belt around his waist. “What do you think she wants us here for? Perhaps she wants to ask us to be nice to the thief.”

Asher smirked. “I highly doubt it. Lina doesn’t care what we think about him. And based on the vid playing on the livestream she’s known him for cycles. If we aren’t at least conciliatory she might hunt us down like she did Hayden.”

William shuddered as he recalled the Game of the Wolf. Aside from Lina he was the least dominant of his siblings and as the youngest he was left out of much, forgotten or tucked away – but now he was valuable during a time when royals could be slaughtered in battle or through assassination at any moment. Many in court and among the nobles would be looking to advance their position.

Again, he wished William would have stayed with Giselle and Ian, but at least he could keep an eye on his younger brother while they were both on the front lines. The Avvis forces were being stationed next to the Priean Army.

The door opened and Asher turned, expecting to see Lina, but it was Ian. He frowned and strode back into the study. “Where is she, and why is it only the three of us? There isn’t much time before the wedding.”

Ian shrugged and plopped down on one of the overstuffed armchairs as though he were physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. Asher knew Ian had been working non-stop on a cure for the last six months. He doubted his older brother had even really slept since hearing the news about their father.

It had cost him his relationship with P’draic and Asher wished he could help somehow, but Ian was worse than he was when it came to accepting assistance.

“I don’t know where she is,” Ian said, laying his head back and closing his eyes. “But I assume she’s very aware of what time it is. It is, after all, her wedding.”

“Do you know what this is about?” Asher asked, stepping closer. Ian seemed so unconcerned.

“Even if I did I wouldn’t tell you.”

Asher glared and crossed his arms over his chest. He hated waiting, hated being in the dark. It was why he’d slowly expanded his intelligence network. There was power in knowledge.

Before he could send out a worried cast, Adelina swept into the room in nothing more than a dressing gown. It covered every inch of skin and the white fabric was thick against the coming night. “I apologize for being late,” she said, smiling at the three of them.

When she didn’t sit, neither did Asher. Whatever this was he wanted to be standing, not at a disadvantage.

Lina smiled nervously. “There has been a development over the last few months that I had to seek medical help for.”

Asher’s heart stopped for a moment. No, they’d all been tested for hypomalarya. She had to be fine, right? His frown deepened, but he waited for her to finish. William was already panicking.

“It’s nothing serious is it?”

“No! Nothing dire, I promise. It has been difficult to process…and I wasn’t sure if I should tell you. But after revealing one secret I thought I should reveal one more to those closest to me.”

“Out with it, Lina,” Asher growled.

She gave him that patient smile she always did when he was being ‘the dark prince.’ It was a nickname he wasn’t overly fond of, but the reputation did him more good than bad so he’d embraced it.

“Ian ran a few tests and we discovered I have abnormal DNA.” Adelina clasped her hands together, wringing them slightly.

If Asher didn’t know her slight tells he would never know how nervous she actually was. Her face was perfect calm.

“As father and mother’s child I have the Draga genes, but I also possess courtesan genes. It seems Elara’s DNA was mixed with mine and that is why I am this way.” She glanced between William and Asher, smiling nervously. “Giselle already knows as she snooped it out, and she reacted badly. I only hope this doesn’t change our relationships.”

Ah, that explained so much. Asher eased the frown from his face as he contemplated his sister. They’d always been close as they were barely a cycle apart in age, but their relationship was built on quiet strength and support and not the friendship she’d had with Giselle and Raena.

Asher’s instincts had always raged at him to protect her, but if she was a courtesan as well as a royal…he looked to Ian. The male did a fabulous job of irking him on occasion, but their studious brother never would have outed Adelina. He was loyal that way and Asher respected that more than anything.

“What exactly does that mean?” William asked. His face was fearful, but not disgusted.

Adelina seemed relieved to see it as well and Ian was no doubt pleased to have a sibling that was more than half related to him.

“It means that I am still a true royal, but there are a few oddities. I can move my dominance up and down the spectrum. The rest is negligible.”

Asher’s eyes widened in shock. “Yet your scent is the jasmine?”

“Yes, though I don’t know why.”

His mind raced as he started to put together every little thing that had never made sense, every bit of Adelina that had seemed like she’d had some sort of split personality, but she’d hid it so well. Though if he thought about it there were those that seemed to gravitate to her, to notice that she was different; special. Like the thief.

“And do you plan on telling anyone else?” Asher asked. If the people found out...

“No, only family. After what happened with Giselle I thought I should find out if I disgust anyone else.” Her tone and smile made it sound as though she were joking, laughing off the insult, but the white of her knuckles said otherwise.

“Dear sister, you are not disgusting and never have been,” Asher told her. “Giselle hasn’t been right since she came back from the border. If anything this is an asset. You are the hidden gem among the royals. None will expect you to have strength. I’m sure you already know that and have used it to your advantage.”

Adelina blushed and Asher was glad he could reassure his sister, but inside he was frightened. There was so much negativity towards ‘tube babies’ and he wasn’t sure if she was one or not. If the people found out they could make her life miserable with their hate and discrimination.

But…perhaps they wouldn’t. The vid of her revealing her life among the thieves had been surprisingly well received despite the panic it had caused Asher that morning.

“So, Elara is also your mother?” William asked.

She smiled at him and nodded. “She gave me her DNA, so yes, though mother carried and birthed me.”

William was the first to cross the room and hug Lina. She was so small in his large arms. He may be the youngest but he’d been training to be a soldier his entire life. Asher let them have their words.

He glanced at Ian and his half-brother gave him a little smirk. “Glad you have some sense in you.”

Asher rolled his eyes. “I may not wear my heart on my sleeve brother, but I would die for our sister. A little extra DNA doesn’t change that.”

Small arms wrapped around his neck and the familiar scent of jasmine filled his nose. Now that he knew what to look for he could scent the difference. It wasn’t quite the same as a true submissive…it was deeper somehow, more layered and complicated than the simple flower suggested.

“You don’t need to die for me, Asher. You could simply say you love me.” Her teasing grin made him lift the corner of his mouth up, his version of a smile.

“I love you Adelina, even if you are a strange little thing.”

She laughed and poked him in the ribs. “Call me strange again and I’ll make you regret it.”

Asher grinned at that. “Yes, you may very well be able to do that.” The thought pleased him.

“I’ll see you out there,” Adelina said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Ian shrugged and gave Asher a smile before following after Adelina.

“Well,” William said, stuffing his hands in his pockets and staring at the door Adelina had disappeared through. “I wasn’t expecting that, but it makes sense. I never thought she’d be able to take down Hayden and yet…she dominated him. It’s a bit relieving to know exactly what she’s capable of.”

Asher nodded and clenched his teeth as he contemplated. He turned to face the balcony, studying the ocean as William quietly left the study. Oh, the dragons had no idea what they were about to get on their doorstep.

Adelina would make them all bend the knee. He had no doubt. Asher grinned and went to find Veri.

* * *

“You’re all packed?” Asher asked, yanking the corset strings tighter.

She made a pleasant noise of agreement, keeping her eyes closed. There was something erotic about Asher doing up her laces. It made Veri want to bend over a bit more and let him take her. But unfortunately they didn’t have the time.

“Everything is on the starship and ready for our deployment tomorrow,” Veri reassured.

“Good, because we leave only moments after Adelina.”

“I’m aware,” Veri teased. Asher finished tying off the laces and she reached for her dress. “Are you all packed, mia principe?”

“Well enough,” he said, turning to the mirror and fixing his hair for the fifth time.

She stepped into her gown but kept an eye on Asher. “What has you so nervous?” she asked.

Never had she seen Asher so on edge…not anger or irritation, but some version of fear? The smell was so odd on him. It made her heart pound as she considered the millions of different reasons her dark prince would be afraid.

Even when he’d found Raena with her wrists slit there had been no fear, only sadness and suspicion. The idea of a killer loose in the palace hadn’t frightened him either.

Asher turned to her, slipped his hands into his pockets, and narrowed his eyes. “If I tell you something, do you swear an oath not to tell another living soul?”

This was deadly serious. Asher knew he could trust her, but this was something he trusted no one with.

“If you swear and betray me, it’s your life Veri.”

She nodded; aware her prince never toyed with death threats. They were earned if he doled out the ultimate punishment. “I swear on my life, and my brother’s,” she whispered, leaving the gown on the floor and crossing the floor of her rooms to reach Asher’s side.

Asher nodded, wrapping one arm around her waist and tucking her into his side. “Adelina called an emergency family meeting today. When I arrived in the royal study it was just me, Ian, and William. Giselle wasn’t there and neither was our mother.”

Veri frowned but stayed silent. What could the youngest princess need to tell just her brothers? After everything she’d learned about Adelina during her time at court Veri knew the female had secrets, but which would she deem necessary to tell before she left Draga Terra? Before they all shipped off to war?

“Based on some medical concerns, Adelina had Ian run a genetic test. They found something odd.” Asher glared at nothing in particular, but it was a front. Veri could feel his heart through his shirt.

“Is she all right? She doesn’t have hypomalarya does she?” Oh sweet goddess, Veri hoped not.

“She’s healthy as a galina actually. But it appears she has three parents not two. Adelina possesses Elara’s genes as well as our parents.”

Veri stepped back with a frown, trying to understand. She didn’t know much about the why of science or medicine beyond what was required to keep someone alive long enough for a physician to help them. “How?”

“Gene-mixing somehow, I don’t know the details.” Asher shrugged and grabbed her gown from the floor. He snapped it straight and held it out.

Veri stepped into it, feeling dazed. She had to hold onto Asher’s shoulders as she absorbed the information. “Elara is a courtesan.”

“Exactly.” Asher turned her and did up the back. The blue lace over the turquoise lining set off Veri’s blue hair quite nicely but she couldn’t bring herself to care. “Apparently she can shift her dominance up and down the spectrum exactly like a courtesan can, though the scent remains jasmine. It simply shifts to match the equivalent. The sweeter the scent the more submissive. It makes sense if you consider that she’s been surrounded by dominants her entire life. There’s been no reason for her to challenge anyone until recently.”

Veri nodded as every strange thing she’d ever observed about the gentle princess started to click.

“That’s not all.”

She had to laugh and sit on the bed. “How could there possibly be more?”

“A vid has been circulating on the livestream this morning. I’ve done everything I could to keep it from Giselle, but after what I learned I have a feeling she was in on the secret.” Asher drifted to her vanity and went through her gems and jewels until he found what he wanted.

Her dark prince selected the necklace of aquamarines he’d gifted her, a slight smile on his face. Veri accommodated him and turned. They both knew she could dress herself, but somehow assisting her was allowing Asher the time he needed to think and it kept his hands busy.

“Apparently Adelina admitted to the thieves’ court last night at Varan’s celebration that she’d been a princess all along. Five cycles, Veri. Five cycles she’s been sneaking out which means longer than even Alpha was aware. And a jewel thief? I’ve looked into her persona as Lina. She’s not just a jewel thief. She’s registered with the Jeweler’s Guild and takes commissions. She has a cula’ting apartment in the warehouse district!”

Asher turned and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I didn’t say anything to her. But I was sure to tell her she had my support and love. Still, I feel like a terrible brother. So much about the sister I adore was unknown to me.”

Veri had to bite her cheek to keep from laughing. Males could be so blind when they wanted to be. Adelina had shown them all what they’d wanted to see for cycles and no one had questioned it. She’d become invisible, and that camouflage had allowed her the life she’d wanted.

She did feel sorry for Asher. The princess was the best dissembler she’d ever met. His ignorance wasn’t his fault.

It was impressive really that the princess had never been caught. It seemed Alpha had found out at some point, but that was a mighty fine track record. And somehow Adelina had convinced Alpha to keep it quiet for the most part. If he hadn’t tried to get her back he never would have breathed a word, of that Veri was sure.

“Why are you upset? If the people love her even more – which I honestly didn’t think was possible – why are you angry about it?”

Asher whirled around and glared at her. He may be dense where Adelina was concerned but he was far too attuned to Veri. “This is no laughing matter.”

“Of course not, my prince.” She still couldn’t help her smile. “But it makes her marriage to the prince of thieves all the more romantic though, does it not?”

Asher sighed and slumped onto the bed. Veri sat down delicately next to him, trying not to wrinkle her dress.

“Yes, it does,” he admitted. “But I’m ashamed. I’ve prided myself on knowing everything there is to know. I’ve trained to see what isn’t there, to hear what isn’t said, and then trained even harder as a warrior. The Assassin’s Guild has helped me become who I am, and yet I still missed the signs.”

“Everyone did,” Veri reassured him, taking one of his hands in hers. “She’s very, very skilled at hiding what she doesn’t want seen.”

“Did you know?” Asher asked, finally looking into her eyes. The dark Draga purple seemed so dull compared to the life she usually saw there.

“No, my love. But I did know there was something she was hiding, I just didn’t know what.”

“How could you tell?”

Veri gave him a playful grin and tugged on the hair at the nape of his neck. “Because I do it every time I have to leave my home. It’s like slipping on a mask. But with you…it was the first time I wanted to take it off.” She wrapped her arms around his middle and rested her head on his shoulder. “Why do her genetics frighten you?”

Another massive sigh from her prince. “What if the people find out that she was created in a tube?”

“Was she though? Or did they do the alterations after the natural implantation?”

Asher cocked his head at that and then a wide smile broke out and it altered his entire face. Her prince was so incredibly beautiful. He kissed the top of her head and tapped her nose. “It doesn’t matter, because if anyone finds out that is what we are telling them. That father agreed to Elara’s genetics being added because of the love she and my mother have together. You are truly a wonder, Veri.”

She bit his finger gently and then stood. “I’m glad I could be of assistance. But we don’t have much time before the wedding, and I’m supposed to go assist your sister soon.”

“Before you go, I have something for you.” Asher stood and pulled a little black box out of his pocket.

Veri went to the mirror and made sure her hair was still in place and that her makeup was perfect. “You spoil me, principe.”

One of his large, warm hands slid up her spine and the other held out the box. Veri took it and Asher pulled her against him, kissing her neck in a way that made heat pool between her legs and her brain leave her body.

“You’re distracting me,” she muttered opening the box.

Then she saw what was inside. The dangling earrings were a perfect match to the necklace wrapped around her throat. The aquamarines were just as flawless and blue as her eyes. “I love them,” she whispered.

“Good, then wear them and think of me.”

She turned in his arms to face him, staring up into his eyes as she put on the earrings. “It’ll be hard to forget as you will be the one escorting me down the aisle.”

“A bit prophetic don’t you think?” Asher asked, leaning forward with that vicious grin of his she loved so much.

“Is it?” she asked playfully, raising an eyebrow in question.

Her prince didn’t bother to reply. Instead he traced the curve of her eyebrow. “I will never get used to how gorgeous you are, or the intensity of your blue hair.”

Veri bumped him with her hip. “Hm, sounds like something that might take a lifetime to achieve.”

Asher slipped his hands into his pockets as she headed toward the door. “Perhaps.” The smoldering look he gave her made it difficult to breathe.

“I’ll see you soon,” Veri said as she left. “Then tomorrow we’ll leave for war.”

They were headed for the front lines where her hunting skills would finally come in handy.

Tonight Veri would dance and drink and celebrate, but then she’d change her dress for armor and hunt those monsters down before they could reach her people. Nothing and no one would ever hurt them, or Asher. She’d make damn sure of it.