She paced in the solar, Nadyah and Ian sitting on the couch nearby. Adelina wrung her hands and tried not to think of how much time had gone by. Where were her mates? Why hadn’t they called in to report?

Asher would be there by morning – only a few hours away. Adelina had waited all night to hear from them.

Were they all right?

Vitto rushed into the solar and gave her a nod, tossing an encrypted shreve to her. “The king consort has sent a transmission requesting to speak with you.”

Adelina caught it without looking and let out a breath slowly. So Varan was alive. At least there was that. She placed her golden palm on the shreve, unlocking it. A moment later Varan’s beautiful face appeared.

“Hello love,” he murmured, drinking in the sight of her.

She blinked back tears and just waited, needing the answer, but not trusting herself to ask without breaking.

The vid moved and then she saw Kaiden and Nash behind Varan.

Adelina drew in a shaky breath and closed her eyes as she let the knowledge that all three of her mates were alive and well settle. Then she opened them, glaring at Varan. “What took so damn long I thought you were dead, dear husband?”

A strange chuckle that didn’t come from any of her mates came over the transmission and both Nadyah and Ian stiffened at the somewhat familiar sound.

“It seems there is something more important to be discussed,” Adelina stated. “Your punishment for worrying me sick will have to be decided later.” She flicked the vid to the large window with Vudu Shaa visible in the background.

Varan’s grin widened and Adelina took a seat next to Nadyah, shoving down her fear and irritation. Instincts told her she was needed as queen at the moment, not wife or lover.

Her king consort placed the simulcast up on something and then stepped back so Adelina could clearly view the scene. She stiffened when a Neprijat bound to a chair came into the frame.

Adelina clasped her hands in her lap and made sure her shoulders were back. Thank the Goddess she still wore the crown she’d had on from the meeting with the Unchanged.

“Nash will explain,” Varan said, stepping back even farther to give the Corinthian prince room.

Something had changed, Adelina realized as she flicked her gaze to each of them – the males she loved so desperately. They seemed more cohesive. The three of them were working as one. She hid a smile and gave Nash a nod to explain.

“This is Sozav,” Nash said without a hint of disgust coloring his words. “He and other Neprijat have been squirreling away factories, weapons, and supplies. For you.”

Vitto spilled the tea he was pouring at the words and apologized profusely. Adelina waved off his apology – most would have done the same.

She narrowed her eyes.

The Neprijat kept his gaze down on the floor, but he didn’t look afraid. He didn’t appear vicious and violent either. He wasn’t trying to get free of the bonds.

But more than anything it was Nash who convinced her that at least this one Neprijat male meant her and her people no harm. Not only had her Corinthian referred to him as a ‘he’ instead of an ‘it,’ Nash had spoken his name.

“Elaborate,” she ordered.

So they did. And while they spoke Adelina watched each of them closely. Once she was satisfied with what her mates truly thought on the matter she fixed her gaze on the Neprijat, Sozav.

“Look at me,” she ordered, cutting off Kaiden’s explanation about the factory being reported abandoned incorrectly.

Sozav slowly lifted his gaze and met her amethyst one. He didn’t flinch, but she could tell he was uncomfortable. Those endless black eyes held more life than she’d ever seen from her enemy. The one she’d interrogated had only despair. This one though…

“What do you want from me?” Adelina demanded, ignoring the way Ian and Nadyah shifted uncomfortably.

Neither of them wanted her to entertain this idea but she was desperate.

And then there was the matter of what she’d told the Unchanged. Adelina had already decided to take the Neprijat system for her own. The Three-faced Goddess must have heard her and delivered this opportunity.

Now Adelina would have to prove she was worthy of the favor and assistance. Her first test would be to convince Ian and Nadyah that this idea was a good one. Then Asher and Veri.

She could do this.

“My queen,” Sozav murmured, bowing his head.

Adelina cocked her head to the side and studied him again. Drozer had called her that as well.

“I want you to be my queen, and the queen of my people,” Sozav finally answered.

“By marrying your king?” she asked.

The Neprijat bared his teeth in disgust and nearly snarled, but he caught himself. His entire body had strained though, as if he wanted to get as far away from the suggestion as he physically could.

“No,” Sozav spat. “The king is the worst of us. I would ask that you cull those who cannot find empathy and rid them from our people. They are a poison. They have destroyed us and our females. I want them gone so we may start fresh, the infection cleansed.”

Adelina considered his words carefully. “Were you aware that there is an armada of Neprijat arriving from your home system? It will be here in a week. Maybe two.”

Sozav tensed, but said nothing.

“There are females and children aboard some of the ships. I assume they are coming to colonize Khara, and then Draga and Hai.”

“Adelina,” Nadyah murmured, placing a hand on her thigh. “I don’t believe this is the route we’re supposed to take.”

“If you are speaking to me as my advisor, then I will consider your suggestion,” Adelina replied without looking at the other female. “If you are speaking as my friend then forgive me for ignoring you. Sozav, I do not want to harm the females or the children.”

The Neprijat sagged in his bonds and the relief was palpable even through the vid.

“But I cannot let my people suffer for that decision. Tell me how to save them.”

“And then?” he asked.

She smiled and glanced at Nadyah. “It was always in my plans to take your system and people for Draga.”

Kaiden’s wings fluttered nervously. She’d startled him. Nash tensed, but then he nodded as if it made complete sense – no doubt he remembered their conversation where she’d threatened their alliance if he tried to exterminate the Neprijat.

Varan…Varan laughed.

Adelina couldn’t help her small smile. “You taught me well, my love.”

Indeed, all those weeks where he’d worked on her reputation she’d been taking mental notes. Varan had made it clear she was loved in the underworld when she’d been named his princess of thieves. Then again with the pirates and the promise to legalize them.

Why couldn’t she do the same with their enemy?

Sozav grinned wide and it was the first time she’d ever seen…joy, on one of their faces.

“Our system is not far from yours,” Sozav said. “I can give you anything you need to know to win this war.”

Adelina nodded. “Give me what you can and I will start corroborating. You will need to stay on my flagship while I speak with everyone. But what I actually need from you Sozav is a way to save the innocents. Think on that while you travel here.”

Then she looked to her mates, settling her gaze on Varan. “Bring him back now; leave your squadron there to handle the busy work. I will send out other squads from our fleet to check on the information.”

“We can go,” Kaiden offered. “We can do that for you, kyotona.”

She smiled, feeling the warmth of their love even so far away. “Asher will be at the coordinates I sent to him in a few hours. Come back to me before then so we may convince him of this plan together. I need you three here. With me.”

They all nodded before she terminated the transmission.

A gift from the Three-faced Goddess it seemed, but only if the data checked out. There was a lot of risk, but if it saved her people? Adelina would take the brunt of their hate for the decision to trust a Neprijat – to bring them into the fold.

“This is a terribly dangerous idea,” Nadyah murmured.

Adelina got up and started to pace, ignoring how pale Nadyah was. Ian put his arm around her shoulders to comfort her. The two of them seemed so perfect for each other now that she could see them openly together. It embarrassed her she’d somehow missed it – assuming they were simply good friends.

“I think it is the smartest choice available,” Ian murmured, mostly to Nadyah. “We cannot commit genocide on an entire people for attacking us and our allies. But we also cannot leave them be without supervision. Doubtful there will be much mixing. That will take time no doubt.”

Her brother, always the pragmatist.

Soon Adelina would have William and Asher back…and she supposed Giselle.

She stopped before the vast window and studied Vudu Shaa – the last planet in the Hai System. It was so large that it was easy to see even from the Khara border. The Outpost Base was currently invisible as they orbited around the massive structure anchored in space.

Thus far they’d managed to avoid detection and now Adelina wondered if that was due to the Neprijat who had secretly been working for her.

Adelina wasn’t sure how she felt about that yet, but knowing they wanted her as queen felt different than having to convince her own people she could rule. She’d done nothing but prove herself since the very beginning.

It had done some good at least. The Goddess had rewarded her hard work through the Neprijat…testing her one last time to make sure she deserved this.

Now Adelina had to convince the rest of the galaxy.

How was she going to convince Asher this was a good idea? Perhaps if she could convince Veri first, Adelina could then use her to help bring Asher around to the idea. If Nash could have his opinion changed…then so could her brother.

At least she had Ian on her side.

“It’s still extremely dangerous,” Nadyah said softly. “Why didn’t you tell anyone of your plans?”

Adelina inspected her nails, but didn’t turn around. This was one of those moments she wished she could lie, but she’d promised herself that’s not how she would rule. “I did not wish to bring it up until it was clear we would win this war, or had the chance to. Our energy had to be focused—united. We cannot afford dissent and distraction over something that perhaps would never happen.”

If they lost…her decision wouldn’t matter then.

“And what if the information is correct?” Nadyah asked, standing from the couch, Adelina could tell by the way her skirts rustled. Those silent footsteps were like imprints on her soul until the courtesan stood shoulder to shoulder with her and looked out at the planet as well.

Was she trying to guess what Adelina was thinking, or did she already know?

“Then we will make the alliance.”

“And I will support your decision,” Nadyah stated.

Adelina turned and looked up at her ex-courtesan, but friend forever. “You would do that? Why?”

Nadyah gave her a smile. It was genuine but there was still fear there under the surface. “I trust you. And you will need all the support you can get when it comes time to tell the people. This will be a difficult alliance to sell.”

“I’m not asking them to forgive the Neprijat.” Adelina sighed and removed the crown pressing into her skull. “But I will be asking them to treat them with common sense. Not every one of those people is like the king.”

“Time will be needed,” Ian said from the couch, eyeing Vitto as the servant started clearing the tea service. “But I still think it’s the smartest choice. You have my support as well sister.”

Adelina gave both of them grateful smiles. “I suppose we will see how Asher takes the news.”

Ian flicked her a look. “As well as he takes anything I suppose.”

The dark prince would not be pleased, but Adelina knew he had the best military mind of all of them. Even if she couldn’t appeal to his mercy, she could push the advantage it would give them in the war.

A few more hours and she would see her younger brothers again. Adelina closed her eyes and held the relief she felt close to her chest. They’d made it this far. She’d ensure they made it through the next phase as well.

It was dark in her room, but still she couldn’t sleep. A nap seemed like a fruitless endeavor now that she laid there in the vast bed, alone. Varan’s warmth was missing and it left her cold even under the heavy blankets.

She’d already sent scouts to scope out the coordinates Varan had sent her over an encrypted cast – he’d used one of his favorite codes. Adelina suspected only a handful of people in the entire galaxy could crack it.

Rolling over she sighed, reaching out for the empty space beside her. The silk was cool under her hand and Adelina tried to shove down the worry that kept rising up to choke her. It pushed at that old anxiety she’d always had, teasing it.

But Adelina refused to give in. She assumed if Varan, Kaiden, or Nash had died she would know through the mate bond. But Adelina worried about everything that could occur before then. What if something happened to them on the way back to the Jasmine? What if they weren’t killed, but captured?

Would she know if it was only one of her mates who perished – and who?

There were too many questions and the only way to quiet them—prevent them from drowning her was by silencing her mind. Nothing was allowed to surface and if it tried to, she buried it.

It helped keep other thoughts about Roxy, Delphine, and Kaita, and the danger they were in, at bay. The horde…all of it was shoved down so she could breathe a little longer.

Once Sozav arrived she could work with him on a way to save the innocents and then she had to find a way to wipe the enemy out without sacrificing everyone.

“Adelina?” the deep voice wasn’t Varan’s, but Kaiden’s.

She looked up with tears of relief in her eyes. “Are you all right?” she asked, reaching out for him. Adelina didn’t want to be alone anymore.

Kaiden nodded and stripped. Then he climbed into her bed, wings spread for balance. Her fingers trailed down the hard ridge of his right wing and then back up to caress the deadly talon at the apex. Kaiden shuddered as she moved on to the left one.

Then his hands were on her face and he was kissing her.

His lips were soft and full, but Adelina could taste his desperate need. She could taste his desire that laced through him, body tense and cock already rock hard against her. Without a word she kicked off the blankets, exposing her naked body.

Kaiden’s growl set her on fire and she could not get him inside her fast enough.

Nothing about this was gentle or beautiful. It wasn’t making love like they had in the past. This was a passionate, rough joining of bodies to remind each other that they were still there – alive and well.

That they had each other for a little while longer.

Kaiden thrust all the way into her, so hard she cried out – the pleasure sharp. It was almost painful, but not quite. Not enough to tell him to stop, even if she’d wanted to. No, Adelina needed him to take her hard.

Her nails dug into his ass, urging him on while she lifted her hips to meet his thrusts. Adelina groaned into his mouth as his tongue danced with hers.

She’d been hoping they would make it back before Asher, the Draga Royal Army, and its fleet arrived.

They needed to steal as much time together as they could. Adelina wanted to memorize these moments for when she needed them most, when she needed to be reminded what they were fighting for.

So she kept her eyes open and imprinted the vision of Kaiden above her, wings spread wide like a blanket. His blue eyes blazed like shining stars in her dark room, light spilling in from the living space. The warm brown of his skin was gilded by that light and Adelina arched up against his chest to memorize how his skin felt against hers.

Adelina came right before he did, skin flushed, head thrown back, and nails gripping him hard. Kaiden roared as she clenched around him, forcing him to orgasm. The hot seed filled her and instantly Adelina felt content as his body warmed hers.

“I love you,” she murmured against his lips, caressing the muscles in his back. “So much, moya lubov.”

Her Drakesthai mate rested his forehead against hers, making sure to keep most of his weight off of her. “I love you more than the number of stars in the sky.”

She smiled at that and held him close.

Then the bed dipped and Adelina looked up to see Varan…and Nash.

Her eyebrows rose in surprise.

“I’m not ready yet for many things,” Nash said, his voice hoarse. “But I need you more right now than I care about these two watching me.”

Kaiden rolled off of her and instantly Adelina felt chilled.

Nash pulled her close and Varan…Varan went to Kaiden.

“My love, would you mind?” Varan asked, trailing a finger down Kaiden’s wing, a mirror to what she’d done only moments before.

Adelina ran her hand down Nash’s chest, and then lower. Lower until her hand wrapped around that hard length of him as she eyed Kaiden, gauging his desire and willingness. Her eyes caught on the way he seemed to lean into Varan’s touch even though he hadn’t once moved, waiting for her response.

“If Kaiden wishes it,” she said breathily, desire rising yet again as she watched Varan kiss the Drakesthai prince’s neck. “Then I do not mind at all.”

Before either could do anything, Adelina reached out and gripped the back of Kaiden’s neck, yanking him down hard to press a vicious kiss to his lips. “But don’t forget. You are mine.”

Kaiden and Varan groaned at the dominance in her tone – the blatant possessiveness.

Then Varan ran his hand down Kaiden’s spine and Adelina shivered as if he’d done that to her.

Nash kissed the back of her neck and pressed himself against her ass while they both watched to see how this new revelation would unfold.

Varan and Nash were already naked, having stripped at some point while Kaiden had been inside her. Nash’s hard cock left a brand on her ass while Varan pushed Kaiden down onto his chest.

The ache between her legs grew and she couldn’t take it any longer. She pulled Nash over her until he too was on his back, opposite of Kaiden. The move placed her on top of Nash, straddling him. It also allowed her to face Varan so she could watch him take Kaiden.

Varan leaned over while running a hand between Kaiden’s legs and kissed her – slow and gentle. “I am yours,” he whispered.

It was exactly what she needed to hear.

Adelina turned to look down at Nash and then pulled his hair out of the tie so it was wild and all over the place. She smiled, brushing it back from his face; fingers trailing over the ridge of his eyebrow and down to brush his full lips.

Nash simply laid there; letting her touch him, memorize him.

It was strange to be looking down at him, but Adelina loved the way his powerful body felt underneath hers. She loved that Nash was willing to be here with her, despite the other two in the massive bed with them.

She gave Nash the courtesy of focusing her full attention on him and leaned down to give him a soft kiss. “Are you sure you’re comfortable? You don’t need to do this to prove anything to me.”

Nash grabbed her hips and lifted her whole body up until the head of his cock was pressed against her, right where she needed him to be. “I don’t care about them. I only care that you enjoy watching them. But remember, my cock is the one filling you right now,” he growled, thrusting inside of her.

Adelina gasped, hands splayed on his chest. She threw her head back at the sensation of stretching and being complete once more. Then she started riding him, opening her eyes so she could watch him watching her.

She took him slower, but still Adelina’s pace picked up whether she meant to or not. It wasn’t just the delicious sensation of how slick she was. Nash slid in and out and then back in to hit that glorious spot inside.

No, it was the way Varan gripped himself as he watched her – the way Kaiden watched her. Then Varan reached out and slid his fingers between her legs, causing her to slow down. Adelina watched—transfixed as Varan rubbed her, soaking his hand.

Then he slid that hand between Kaiden’s legs and used it to lubricate him, sliding a finger into his ass gently, and then two as Kaiden groaned.

Adelina bucked against Nash, that ache building hard and fast. The pressure under her skin made her feel taut and close to bursting. Nash sat up and took her nipple into his mouth, teeth grazing the sensitive flesh and she moaned in tandem with Kaiden.

It was the best kind of torture to watch the males she loved taking comfort in each other.

She took the image of Varan placing his cock to Kaiden and slowly, so slowly, pressing himself inside. Adelina tucked that image away with all the other memories she’d been saving. This was a blissful moment she wanted to remember whilst they survived hell.

Even in the darkest of times they’d managed to find love and tenderness. They’d found time to remind each other who they were and that love still existed despite everything.

So much love had flourished despite the war and Adelina felt hope. Hope that Roxy and Delphine would have their romance. She hoped to see Ian and Nadyah with little ones. And that Joslynn would come to visit her in the palace often, or Adelina visit Pedranus.

Adelina also hoped that she would have the time to learn how to live with these three males as a family, with their own children. She wanted that more than she’d ever admitted to anyone before, even herself.

It had been too dangerous to hope for something as precious as that when Adelina hadn’t been sure she’d make it through the next day let alone the next cycle.

All thanks to a Neprijat.

Nash turned his attention to her other nipple and Adelina rocked against him, burying her hands in his hair. The scent of him was spice and home. She moaned when his teeth nipped her and rode him harder.

Varan stroking in and out of Kaiden slowly so the winged male could get used to the size of him made Adelina smile. Kaiden’s hands fisted the silk sheets and Adelina nearly lost all sense of control at that.

She shoved Nash down and took him hard, panting as her orgasm grew closer and closer. Her skin felt tighter and tighter until finally, it burst. The pleasure washed through her so hard she screamed.

Both Varan and Kaiden cursed at the sound. Kaiden pushed back against Varan in silent demand and they picked up the pace—desperate.

Collapsing on top of Nash was all she could do. Her entire body trembled at the strength of that pleasure, still pulsing through her. Before she knew it she was on her back and Nash was thrusting into her hard and fast, prolonging her orgasm.

Adelina’s back arched so hard she bowed off the bed. So much sensation and pleasure. Kaiden reached out and took her hand in his.

When Nash found his release, he groaned. Adelina thought the sound was one of the sexiest things she’d ever heard. He shook while holding himself over her, gazing down with dark eyes full of lust and love.

The kisses Nash pressed to her forehead then her cheek were only reminders. When he found her lips Adelina wrapped her legs around him, holding her warrior brute as close to her as she could.

These were the moments she wanted to remember forever.

Kaiden squeezed her hand hard enough bones ground together. His loud moan cut through her post-orgasm haze. She and Nash turned to watch Varan dominate Kaiden, thrusting faster now as his eyes caught and held hers, glittering in the warmth of the dark.

When Nash’s cock twitched inside her Adelina smiled, but said nothing about his reaction to watching the other two. She would keep his secret until he was ready.

Varan came hard and fast. Kaiden thrust into the bed, hand wrapped around his cock. Seed spilled out onto the sheets from Kaiden when Varan kept thrusting through his orgasm. Adelina felt the walls of her vagina clench around Nash.

Goddess, so much pleasure and she still wanted more.

Was this what it was going to be like forever?

Secretly, Adelina hoped so.

“Are you too tired to help me wash up?” she asked Varan, her voice husky as he kissed the base of Kaiden’s spine before pulling out.

The thief gave her a heated look and Adelina knew he was not. He needed to touch her just as much as she needed to touch him.

So much was at risk. She refused to waste the time they had together.

Without a word Nash rolled onto his back and Varan scooped her up – as though all four of them had done this a million times. Adelina let Varan hold her against his chest as he carried her to the washroom.

Before he closed the door behind them, she glanced over his shoulder and saw neither Nash nor Kaiden had moved from the bed. They’d both fallen asleep in a matter of seconds, taking advantage of the time to rest while they could.

“They’re adorable aren’t they?” Varan asked with a chuckle, holding her up with one hand as he keyed in the command to the bath and then closed the door. “Especially Nash. He tries so hard to overcome his upbringing. I’m proud of him.”

“So am I,” Adelina murmured, kissing Varan’s shoulder. “I think whatever he can feel from the two of you is helping as well.”

Carefully Varan placed her into the bath and started the gloriously hot water. Adelina couldn’t help but remember the last time he’d done this – before she ever considered her arranged marriage could be a love match.

“We’ve come so far,” she said, pouring oil into the bath. Adelina swirled it around on the surface of the water with her nails.

Varan stepped in and slowly eased himself into the water as well. He took her foot and started massaging it gently. “Further than I ever could have imagined,” he agreed. “But I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”

“It’s been a beautiful hell,” Adelina admitted, thinking of how much she’d gained despite everything she’d lost. So much death and despair and still she had more than she’d ever thought she could possess in her life as a third-born princess.

Varan’s hand went to her calf and started kneading the tired muscles there. “You are what has been beautiful,” he told her, kissing her ankle as his hands went up to her thigh. Adelina shivered in anticipation. “And now we have a chance to preserve everything we’ve worked so hard for.”

Adelina nodded, closing her eyes as those sinful hands of his reached the apex of her thighs.

“How are you feeling?” Varan asked, slipping a finger inside her.

“Like you enjoy teasing me far too much,” she said with a gasp.

“Not too sore?”

She shook her head.

Varan pulled her towards him in the large bath that could easily fit three. His arms went around her waist and Adelina wrapped hers around his neck. Already he was hard for her and so soon after.

“I want you,” she murmured into his ear. “So much that I’m willing to give up precious sleep for you.”

Those massive hands guided her floating body to the right position and then he pushed her down, impaling her with his cock. She groaned as the aftershocks from the last orgasm with Nash rippled through her.

“You are everything to me,” Varan whispered, holding her gaze as he moved inside her. She nodded, knowing he needed to remind her as much as she needed to hear it. “I would do anything for you.”

Biting her lip, Adelina let him guide her. She let him direct their bodies – giving Varan the control he so desperately needed in that moment. And as she looked into those emerald green eyes she’d fallen so hard for, Adelina knew she would do anything to keep him from giving up everything for her.

She would do anything for the three of them.

Everything—she’d do anything and everything to keep them safe.

They held each other close as they found their release together – memorizing this moment and tucking it away with all the others.

So when she needed it Adelina would remember that there was hope even in hell.