Adelina was relieved they would move to defend their people and their galaxy. It frustrated her it took warning from their nobles on Treon to spur them into action, but better late than never. Her finger tapped on her chair as she thought.

This would be the perfect opportunity. There was no risk for her father to agree to let Prince Nash stay if the Neprijat already planned to attack. Butterflies roiled in her stomach so violently she thought she might faint.

Her hand curled into a fist as she steeled her resolve. No, she had to use what skills she possessed to make them all see reason. “What about the Corinthian Prince?” Adelina asked. Her soft voice curled around the room like smoke. It was subtle enough no one noticed she had spoken until her scent reached their nose.

As one her family turned to her in disbelief. “What did you say?” William asked, as gentle and sweet as ever.

The look on Raena’s face was ugly. Oh, her sister had heard her but she would say the words again. “What about the Corinthian prince? The Neprijat plan to attack and have already secured allies within our borders. What is the risk to granting him sanctuary now? It looks cowardly only to offer it after we have been threatened, but it is better than forsaking our honor completely.” This request required Adelina to tap into her hidden strength, and the crack in her mask stunned them all.

Not even Asher dared breathe a word.

Giselle gave her an apologetic look. Finally, Giselle had what she wanted and she would not risk it for a male, maybe not even if Adelina begged her. Raena’s face grew red as she snapped a glance at the king. Their father looked thoughtful which only infuriated Raena more.

Adelina refrained from tapping her nail. She wondered why daring to make the request made her eldest sister so mad. Perhaps Raena had denied sanctuary because she had been afraid. Adelina was through being a pushover. She was about to be of age and it was time she made the transition. The Crown had no use for a princess who could not stand her ground when needed to properly serve. Pushing against Raena now could save their alliance with the true heir of the Khara galaxy.

She had continued her studies far past what was required to serve the Crown. To be an ambassador had been Adelina’s only dream and the hours spent learning, the secret time spent spying, and the nights spent among their people hidden and cloaked were all for the Crown. She had a wealth of information no one even knew she possessed. It was time to put it to use and stop hiding behind her submissive nature.

She could still serve and submit without letting it ruin her integrity. Adelina served the Crown and Draga, not Raena or her father alone and she would make them see reason.

“Adelina, do you accuse me of cowardice?” Raena’s voice held the promise of pain.

The direct question was difficult to avoid and her sister knew it. “I am only saying denying our ally what we owed him was an act of cowardice. As that decision was made by the entire family I am calling us all cowards.” It wasn’t much better as anyone in that room could call for punishment now, but Adelina had to trust her instincts and pray to Mala that her other siblings would keep quiet.

“You are right, Adelina,” her father said, silencing whatever Raena may have said.

There was a glimmer in his eye and she knew her father had always seen through her mask of sweet subservience. Father had known who she was all along and had waited cycles for her to finally come to terms with it.

“Your harsh words are nothing but the truth,” King Orion said. “Perhaps we made a mistake in refusing the prince.”

No one dared breathe as Raena paled. The king had taken sides.

“We will grant the prince sanctuary and make a public announcement tomorrow. After which we will inform our people of the shield and the new travel laws that will be sent out to everyone on their simulcast.” Suddenly Father’s eyes hardened and Adelina knew she was in trouble. He had to support his heir. “Raena, as you believe there has been an offense you may request payment for this acquiescence.”

Adelina felt like she would vomit then and there. Only once had she ever been punished. Her knees hit the floor hard as she slid from her seat. With eyes downcast she kept her face blank and placed her hands on the tops of her thighs. She would take whatever punishment was deemed fit. After all, she had gotten what she wanted.

Somehow, she had succeeded if only because her father felt gracious.

“Someone fetch Prince Nash.” Raena’s voice cracked like a whip and William scurried out to do as she bid.

Shame heated Adelina’s cheeks. She had been close with Raena once and her sister knew her too well. She knew how much Adelina would hate to have Nash witness her punishment.

“I want you to stay away from him, Adelina. After tonight you will never see him alone again. Do you understand me?” Raena paced in front of her and clenched her hands into fists. Somehow without ever telling Raena, she knew Adelina was attracted to the foreign prince.

Adelina cursed ever confiding in her sister. This was not the queen she thought her sister would be. Her eyes stayed glued to the floor. Adelina didn’t nod, didn’t say a word as she waited to hear what her punishment would be. Ten lashes? Would she have to bleed for the gods in the temple from midnight until dawn? Strikes on the palms with a wooden rod or something else entirely?

This was not normal. She hadn’t outright broken protocol. It was nothing but a slight; though for whatever reason her sister had taken serious offense.

The doors opened and two sets of feet walked in. Adelina couldn’t help her flinch, but otherwise held her position. Nash froze as he took in the scene.

“Sit and witness Prince Nash,” Raena demanded.

It was almost too much. Adelina could feel tears building but she blinked them back. It had been the right thing. That knowledge was all that consoled her, for what was about to come would not be pleasant.

Nash sat with William at his side, holding Nash down with barely more than a hand on his shoulder as a reminder it would only be worse if he moved to interfere.

“What would you give up, little sister?” Raena asked, prowling in front of her. “What would you sacrifice for your request?”

Not pain then, humiliation.

“Anything,” she whispered. What could Raena ask of her that she would not be willing to give? Adelina did not possess anything of true value except her mind.

“Anything?” Raena confirmed.

She could almost feel the cruel smile, like a knife pressed to her flesh.

“Whatever you ask of me, sister.” Adelina dared look up, dared stare into her sister’s eyes so she could drive her point home. She was not afraid of Raena; not afraid of the consequences.

“In exchange for granting your request I demand your agreement to any marriage I see fit.”

There was a sharp inhale of breath and Adelina knew she had been wrong to forget how cunning her sister was. Not even the king could deny this as he’d given her leave to demand payment.

“No!” Nash sounded outraged but she didn’t dare look. Adelina prayed William could keep him under control.

“Rae, this is madness!” Giselle yelled, trying to get their sister to see reason. “Why would you take the one thing father gifted us?”

Raena knelt in front of Adelina and grabbed her chin. No, this was no longer the sister she knew and loved. That sweet Raena was gone. Adelina only hoped she would rule with grace when it came to their people if she couldn’t with her family.

“Because Giselle, it is the one thing Adelina wants more than anything. Our little sister has always dreamed of finding love, ever the romantic.”

Adelina finally looked at Nash. His face was full of horror and despair. She knew he was conflicted. Only William’s hand kept the prince in his place. Adelina smiled at him, those gorgeous eyes of his entrancing as always. “I keep my promises,” she said with conviction.

There was nothing for him to feel guilty about, nothing he should risk his entire kingdom for as this had been the plan all along, if not necessarily the way she’d imagined. Adelina had promised to help and now she finally could.

“In payment, I take Adelina’s right to wed. Who she marries and when will be at my discretion and for the good of the kingdom.” Raena held out her hand to help Adelina rise. “You also promised to support me sister. Remember that next time you think you know better.”

Six months ago, she had made that promise, but she hadn’t realized what kind of person Raena would turn into. Adelina nodded in understanding. She would not soon forget.

“Justice has been served,” Raena stated with a flick of her wrist. “Everyone is dismissed.”

No one moved. Adelina took the first step, then a second. She kissed her father’s cheek and wiped away his tear. “Thank you for upholding our honor,” she whispered.

Then Adelina left. The moment she was alone she ran.