“I’m sorry about what happened with Raena,” Alpha said quietly as Adelina nodded at the passing nobles in the hall.

Thank the goddess she still had Alpha as a friend. Adelina had never felt as alone as she had after her romantic dreams of true love were stripped from her. No one had come after her despite the break in protocol when she locked herself in her rooms and refused to attend the welcome banquet.

A shower had kept the evidence of her tears from her face. She had willingly given up her right to find someone she loved, maybe even a mate. Adelina didn’t regret the choice she had made, but the loss had been harder to bear in the quiet of her rooms. Every wish and dream she ever had disappeared with her promise. Raena could marry her off tomorrow and Adelina wouldn’t be able to travel the stars until her third century.

When she had stepped out of the shower Nadyah had a bath ready for her. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice you were gone?” she had inquired with one eyebrow raised in speculation. “Get in the tub and tell me everything.”

So Adelina had spilled it all and only the courtesan’s stable presence had kept her from crying again.

“I should have known better,” Adelina said quietly to Alpha. “Raena has always been quick to anger and sly as a fox. I am not allowed to be alone with him, but that does not mean I cannot see him as long as you or Nadyah are present.” She shrugged as they ended up on the outside terrace. The meandering walk was calming and allowed her to think.

“Are you going to risk it?” Alpha asked as he helped her down the steps toward the conservatory.

She shook her head. “Not right away. I promised to help him with information. At some point I will need to relay it, and I’d rather use the chance wisely.” Confiding in Alpha that morning after their exercise had been cleansing. Adelina felt like she could breathe again and his answering hug only confirmed she had been right to tell her guard of her feelings.

It was paramount Alpha understood that her attraction and the desire to help the Corinthian Prince were not connected. The male drew her in like honeybees to roses, but doing the right thing was what drove her.

It still shocked Adelina that when their loyalty had been tested, her rulers had failed.

At least her father had an excuse.

They entered the silent conservatory and Adelina took up one of the spritzers to water her roses. She subtly tapped a scrambler so no one could overhear their conversation with any device. Nash’s stealth tech had been a wakeup call. “What do you think of the way Raena has ruled thus far?”

Red roses darker than blood were about to bloom. Adelina made sure they had enough water before choosing favorites to mark for her party. Alpha looked around for any listening ears and crossed his arms over his chest while he thought, following after her at a leisurely pace.

“From what I’ve seen the crown princess knows what she is doing. She has the training, but the way she rules is very different from the king.” He used titles in place of names, so as not to confuse their personal relationships. Adelina nodded as he continued. “She seems to be overly cautious and defensive, a ruler who still has to prove herself. Avoiding a war was a smart decision, but it was shortsighted. She was afraid to make the hard choice and create waves despite it being the right one.”

He frowned as she inspected the black roses next. “Are you asking because you worry who she will choose for you?”

Adelina considered his words. “What if a marriage might prevent war? Do you think she would take the risk?”

“A marriage to whom?”

The black roses would look lovely with the red for her party and she marked the ones ready to be cut.

“I can only think of one marriage she would consider that would prevent a war, and now she has the opportunity to use it for someone other than herself.” She shuddered at the idea. Married to a monster, but it would not surprise her.

Adelina still had time before she officially came of age to try and work another angle.

Alpha went pale under his tan. “You don’t think she would?”

The shrug she offered said more than words. She had no idea what her sister would and would not do anymore. “It’s the smart choice if she can save millions of lives to sacrifice only one.”

He hissed in a breath and grabbed her shoulders. “I promised you I would never let that happen, do you remember?”

The suffocating warmth of the conservatory was not enough to ward off the chill deep inside Adelina. She looked up into Alpha’s blue eyes. “Do you think I could ever forget?”

The morning after the first time they’d made love, and the last. The Neprijat had attacked Khara Prime and the vile, monstrous things they’d done… “Say it again,” she whispered.

Alpha crushed her to his chest. “I promised you I would kill you myself before I ever let that happen, and I reaffirm that promise.” He took the rosanera from her hand and the thorns sliced deep into his fingers. Blood dripped down the stem and into the ground. “A blood oath.”

Adelina took the sacred rose and nodded, feeling a bit better. “I will hold you to it Alpha.” She placed it on the small tea table and sat down, suddenly feeling weary. “Not many marriages are available at the moment that would help Raena and the kingdom.”

Her guard didn’t sit, but he stood behind her, always on the lookout. “She may withhold marriage from you as well. Perhaps she thinks loneliness would be a better punishment.”

It didn’t make sense. That would be a cruel path, but there were no other stipulations to her agreement. Adelina shook her head. “No, that would allow me any lover I choose, even with the knowledge it could be taken away at any moment. It would allow me to serve as ambassador. I don’t think she wants me miserable, but she does want me punished.”

Then Alpha came around to sit at the tea table. His arms were crossed again and he glowered. “How could she change so much in such a short time? Raena used to be the kindest person I knew other than you.”

The glass walls of the conservatory showed the nearly full moon, Mala, heavy in the sky and Adelina tried to find the words. “When we are tested, we change. Some change for the better, and some for the worse. She has the presence and dominance to rule, as does Asher. That does not mean she makes the best choices under pressure. If we had remained at peace with no threat other than the court games everyone likes to play I believe she would have been as excellent and kind as we thought she would be, even with my father’s early retirement.”

A door opened and a servant came in with a platter of tea things. He set them down on the table and left without a word.

“Is this your doing?” Adelina asked as she poured the tea.

Alpha shrugged. “I wasn’t sure how long we’d be here and didn’t think you wanted to take lunch in the palace.” As always he knew her better than she knew herself.

“I need to see Ian and then spend my required time in the Queen’s solar with our visiting nobles.” She took a bite of one sandwich and relaxed in her chair. This was much better than the possibility of running into Nash while Raena and the entire royal family watched. “I planned to skip lunch regardless, but thank you for this.”

He nodded as he stared off into nothing. Something was bothering him.

“Spit it out, Alpha.”

“Do you love this prince?”

Ah, finally he said it. Despite their rough recovery from their brief romance, they’d managed to become even closer than before. Adelina had wondered if her moving on would ever bother him.

“Love is a strong word, my friend.” She sipped at her tea and watched him closely under her lashes. Hopefully he passed the final test of their friendship.

“But you have feelings for him other than attraction, am I right? Please don’t evade me, I can see with my own eyes the way he hunts you, the way you two stare at each other.” Alpha tapped his foot with impatience.

It would dishonor their friendship to lie to him. “There is something,” she admitted. “What it is though I am not sure. Like I said earlier, there will be no way to truly know and if things had gone on it could have been disastrous. I could never marry the prince of Khara.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why not? You are third-born. It would be a good marriage to solidify the shaky alliance after he was first denied his request.”

Adelina laughed then. She couldn’t help it. It was almost ridiculous they were having this conversation. “Because, he has his people to save and then a fight to even become King. This could take cycles if it ever even happens. What then? I would be a distraction, and it would split his loyalty. I would be more alone than ever with a male who cannot devote himself to me. His oaths to his own kingdom would come first.”

The way her guard looked at her made her uncomfortable, as if he thought she was intentionally being dense. “That sounds like a lot of excuses. If he were king the same would be true, yet he still needs a queen and heirs. Why couldn’t he start that now?”

Adelina squirmed. He wasn’t wrong. “It doesn’t matter now, Raena would say no out of spite,” she snapped. Only Alpha could anger her so effectively.

Alpha stood and popped a tea sandwich in his mouth. “Just something to think about since I know how smart and cunning you can be. You’re thinking of a way around the agreement already.”

It was infuriating when he could read her so easily, though it used to be one of the traits that made her fall in love with him. Adelina stood as well and ate another sandwich before finishing her iced tea.

“I don’t love him, Alpha, and now there is no way to find out if I could. Please excuse me, I must see Ian.” She hadn’t told him her suspicions about her genes yet and didn’t plan to at the moment.

She curtseyed and he bowed.

Adelina left for the outside entrance to the kitchens, taking the servants paths to the underground laboratories where Ian studied hypomalarya day and night. Once the scanner recognized her she stepped into the massive, stone room housing cubicles and scientists. The actual labs were further underground and she kept her eyes down as she made it to Ian’s, praying as she pressed her hand to his door that he would be alone.

The soft hush of the door opening warned her brother of her presence. He turned from his lab table with heavy bags under his eyes. His normally shiny, golden locks fell lank across his face and it looked as though he may even have lost some weight.

“Do you have a moment Ian?” she asked softly.

It seemed like only a few hours ago they all stood in that private parlor as Raena rained her displeasure on them all.

His tired look turned to one of concern. “Of course, little sister. Come sit with me.” Ian patted the stool next to him and turned back to his work. “What can I do for you?”

It was a small mercy he said nothing of what had happened, or tried to console her. They all knew living as a royal came with risks. That Raena was now one of those risks had hit them all hard.

Ian pointed to a sharp tool and she handed it to him, the motions familiar and relaxing. “Can you keep a secret?” she whispered. They would hear if anyone else entered the lab thanks to the settings Ian had on his door.

Her brother looked sharply at her before going back to the magnifier. He made some notes as he considered the seriousness of her words. “I will keep your secret for as long as it does not endanger our family or our kingdom.”

It was all she could hope for from him. “Thank you,” Adelina said. She took a deep breath to gather the courage, fighting the nervous flutter in her breast. “I need you to do a very private, secure, and thorough workup of my genetic profile.”

The clatter of his tool on the table was loud in the heavy silence. “Is something wrong?” Ian demanded. “Why would you need this?”

She had to tell him the truth of her suspicions. “After talking with Nadyah we decided we should postpone the camerraleto until this is done. There are too many traits that align with hers for either of us to be comfortable continuing.”

Ian set down his tools and faced her fully. Nothing in his eyes or face told her what he thought on the matter. “Go on.”

Her nails bit into her palms as she said the most damning suspicion of all. “I believe we may be more than half-brother and sister.”

Ian sat slack-jawed and simply stared. As a scientist there was only one way to find out for sure and he had no reason to deny her. “If that were true there would be much to explain,” he managed. “How would that be possible when my mother was only pregnant full term the one time? Why hide your true mother from us when I am fully accepted as I am?”

Adelina stood from the stool and paced. “These are all things I’ve wondered myself, but there are also things I can’t explain about myself and I’m a true submissive Ian, a Draga submissive. That should not be genetically possible. The only explanation for the pregnancy would be to implant the fertilized egg and sperm into the queen for the legitimacy. They could easily ensure my hair was black and my eyes the true purple as the genes are already there through Father. As to hiding it all I wouldn’t know, but it’s been eating at me. The truth is all that matters. The rest can be explained once we have the proof.”

His long body hunched over as he contemplated her features, no doubt comparing them to his own. Ian rested his chin on his hand and was silent for a few moments. “If you’re part courtesan you could be mated. Is this why you’re so keen on answers?”

Ian was too smart for his own good. She nodded. It was also something he’d had to live with himself.

“Are you mated to P’draic?” Adelina asked.

Sadly Ian shook his head. “I do not know if it is because he is not my mate, or because I do not possess the gene to mate. I’ve studied my own genetics enough to know either is possible, but neither is sure. We half-breeds are a rarity. Then it’s entirely possible the dormant gene could be triggered by something. It’s smart to know this for sure,” he agreed. “I will do the work up and keep it on a private, secure device. Anything I find will be brought to you first and then we can decide what to do with it.”

Adelina sighed in relief. Ian was one of the nicest people. He was shy and rather introverted when it came to the royal lifestyle, but they had always been close and friendly despite the age difference. Knowing he would support her in this and keep her secret lifted a huge weight from her shoulders. They all had to stick together now when no one was sure what Raena’s temper would do to them next. “Thank you so much, Ian. You have no idea how much this means to me. Having these suspicions has been…troublesome.”

The lab door slid open and she tried not to flinch as the fear rippled through her. Thank goodness for the soundproofing tech on each lab.

Alpha looked harried as he rushed inside. “The Prince of Thieves is at the palace gate requesting entrance for him and a prisoner.”

Her heart dropped into her stomach and she glanced at Ian. The prisoner she’d terrified was finally being presented. Adelina prayed Mala would keep her safe, to see Varan now after everything that had occurred the night before? It was too much.

Nadyah ran into the lab a half second later. Her curtsey was abrupt. “The thief is requesting you, Princess. He says he will only speak to you and the king.” The worried look in her courtesan’s eyes told her enough.

Varan was making waves and he was dragging her down with him without realizing it. Why should a thief request the third-born? All it would do was cast suspicion on them all. She clenched her hands. Adelina wanted to slap the male hard enough to leave a mark for his stupidity.

“I will schedule another time with you brother,” she managed before she rushed off. Her father would not ask questions, but Raena would. Oh, not right away. She would have to watch herself. No doubt her sister would have her followed from now on.

The labs and scientists were a blur as she ran. Nadyah and Alpha kept pace with her, thundering up the stairs to the main level of the palace. The moment they hit the populated hallways they slowed down. Adelina walked so fast courtiers turned to stare. She had to get to the gate before her sister, who no doubt would show up with their father.

When she burst out of the palace into the front courtyard the heat of the Kala sun had her sweating. Her skirts only got in the way as Adelina tried to keep up the appearance of grace. Not for the first time she wished she could wear pants more often. Guards let her pass without question. She could see the gate from the outer courtyard. A group of soldiers stood with their weapons pointed at Varan.

The thief had the audacity to lounge against the gate with his eyeless prisoner in chains. Finally Adelina slowed her pace when she saw she was the first to arrive. She smoothed her hair and then clasped her hands before her, slipping on the small smile that everyone adored.

“Who is this?” she demanded of the guards. Better to play stupid than dig herself further in the hole.

“He says he’s the Prince of Thieves,” one answered gruffly, moving aside so she could see.

“The Prince of Thieves?” she asked, arching a brow in question. “What does a thief want with me?”

Varan bowed low, sweeping his arm and grinning like an idiot. It seemed to make the guards nervous as they shuffled and made sure their weapons aimed true.

“What is the meaning of this?” Raena demanded, pushing past Adelina to inspect the strange scene before them.

“Prince Varan?” her father’s voice sounded surprised, but not angry. Adelina turned to watch her father approach with an entire squadron of soldiers. “It has been quite a long time since your last gift.” The wry smile on his tired face had Raena stepping back, rethinking her strategy.

Adelina stayed behind her father in the submissive position on his left, but she stood much closer than was proper. At the moment she didn’t care. She needed to hear what Varan said in front of her father and sister. With Nadyah and Alpha at her back she felt less afraid. They would protect her against anything.

Again the sweeping bow and Varan stood with that mocking grin of his. “Your majesty, I have brought the man who let the bombers into the palace. He has confessed. I’ve already taken my trophies as you can see. What you do with him now is up to you.”

The man whimpered as Varan passed the chains to one of the guards.

Instantly her father stood straighter, taller. The King stood before them and suddenly he was large and impressive. He waved his hand. “Take him to the dungeons and put a watch on him. This prisoner will not die before I have questioned him.”

Five guards broke off and took the man with the gaping eye-holes towards the palace. Adelina couldn’t help her shudder. Varan was vicious and she could never forget that part of him.

“I appreciate your assistance as always…Prince.” Her father actually acknowledged his title and rank.

Adelina practically stared until she heard her own name.

“What is it you want with the Princess Adelina?” Raena asked, not as angry as before but still suspicious.

Varan turned and took a step toward Adelina. He took her hand, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. It took everything she had to keep that stupid smile on her face and not snarl at him. The control required to stay as still as a statue was nearly too much when something small and cold was slipped into her palm.

“Congratulations on your upcoming birth celebration. I was honored to receive an invitation from the royal family and wanted to ensure you knew I planned to attend.” Varan stepped back and released her hand as the guards bristled.

Raena smiled pleasantly but she watched the two of them too closely for Adelina’s comfort. “I’d forgotten you’d sent him an invitation,” she said with a trilling laugh.

The sound made goose-pimples rise across her arms.

“Yes, the Prince’s rank and service to the Crown warranted it.” Adelina curtseyed, slipping the disc into her pocket before anyone could see or notice the flash of metal from the sun. “I appreciate the response.”

The king laughed and held out his hand for Varan to shake. “I look forward to seeing you in a few days Varan.”

Adelina was dying to see what was on the disc, but she couldn’t risk leaving just yet.

Varan smiled at Adelina and her heart leapt into her throat. What did this fool male have planned? “If you require an escort, please let me know.” Then the thief bowed to Raena, the king, and then left with the guards following him until he reached the streets of the first-circle.

Adelina stood with her father and sister, not daring to move before she was dismissed. When Varan disappeared from sight King Orion turned to her and offered his arm. “Your party is only a few days away, do you have an escort yet?” he asked.

Adelina took his arm and watched her sister from the corner of her eyes. Raena followed on the king’s right and he never questioned it. He recognized Raena as the dominant now and it made Adelina more nervous than before. Her blank face didn’t fool Raena and she felt ridiculous to be so afraid of her sister, but after the other night…it was smart to be afraid. Raena had become unpredictable.

Nadyah and Alpha trailed behind them and Adelina slipped her unoccupied hand into her pocket, feeling the small disc. “I do not, Father. There are a few I’ve considered, but no one I have officially asked to escort me.” Alpha had been on the list, but she wasn’t sure if that would be a good idea when most knew they used to be lovers.

“Remember you have the freedom to choose whoever you like for your coming-of-age party. There are certain rules that are left behind on such a momentous celebration. Have you scheduled your seal?”

Adelina looked up sharply, inspecting her father’s face for some sign he meant what he said. That playful glitter was in his eyes as he looked down at her with affection. But there was also the look cautioning her to think before she chose. King Orion was a true romantic at heart and Adelina got the feeling he wanted her to choose the escort she wanted, not one that would be deemed appropriate. It was a risk, but she wouldn’t be breaking any rules.

She shook her head as they sedately made their way back into the cool palace. “I have not, but it will be done by tomorrow. I very much look forward to having my own seal.” The gold tattoo would hurt worse than anything she’d ever felt before, but it was another symbol of her individuality, the small freedoms she would have now that she would finally be of age.

They stopped just inside the main foyer of the palace and her father turned, patting the top of her hand. “I trust you have much to do for your celebration. Don’t forget your mother is expecting you to attend the Queen’s tea.” He bent and kissed her on the cheek before slowly making his way to the lift.

Adelina hoped he would rest for a while before the announcement.

Raena turned to her and there was a strange look on her face. They stared at each other and Adelina could feel Alpha inch closer while Nadyah wandered off. Her courtesan looked bored, but Adelina knew better. Her auditory implant was no doubt cranked to the highest setting as she stared out the massive windows towards the gardens.

Courtiers passed them by and Raena shrugged apologetically. “My temper last night was disgraceful,” she said in Ilashyan to keep as many ears from listening as possible. “I wanted to apologize, Lina.”

Despite the familiar nickname Adelina didn’t relax. Her sister meant every word, but it could easily happen again.

Raena sighed and tipped her head. “I only want to keep you safe, little sister. Prince Nash is dangerous. He represents war and a life that is full of violence. I would never want that for you. This is all in your best interests. If there is a male you consider attractive and you think the match would be good for our kingdom I would like to hear the proposition. Taking away a free marriage was the only way to keep you from making a mistake.”

Adelina was too shocked to reply. How could her sister be so mistaken? She had done what she had out of love, but it was still a terrible betrayal. As she walked with her sister to the Queen’s solar, Adelina listened to Raena’s explanation.

“Please, Lina. I still want us to be friends. I know my demands as queen will be difficult at times, but I will always keep you safe. As a true submissive, Khara would be the last place you’d want to be. Nash still has to fight for his right to rule as king. How barbaric.”

It only proved how little Raena really knew her. Adelina had so many people close to her now, she did not have to constantly pretend, but when Raena was queen it would be best to continue her charade. Once she left Draga Terra she could have the freedom to be herself. Adelina held in the sigh as she didn’t want to anger her sister again.

This shaky truce only drove the phantom knife into her side deeper, but Adelina would take what she could get. Raena held too much power for her to ruffle her feathers. “Thank you, Raena. I appreciate you looking out for me.” Adelina kept her voice light and airy.

Inside, she was screaming.

“Now, let’s meet these noble ladies visiting us.”

She let Raena enter the solar before her. It gave Adelina a moment to breathe, to still her shaking hands. Alpha brushed against her as he positioned himself with the other guards outside the solar doors. Adelina gave him a grateful look. One glance at Nadyah and the courtesan nodded.

Adelina stepped over the threshold and into the Queen’s solar, smiling softly at her mother as she wrapped her submissive mask around her like a cloak on a chilly evening.