The hov-carriage pulled up to the House of Kismet and Princess Adelina looked through the clear plas-glass at the House that rivaled the palace in both size and opulence. It was perched upon a cliff above the ocean with spires and towers rising high above the city. Both structures held centuries of history and resided on the shores of their shining ocean, but the House seemed dark, mysterious, and welcoming in a contradiction to the senses.

Adelina had managed to cajole her father into agreeing to one visit to the House of Kismet before her courtesan would move to the palace and finish her training in the bedroom arts, the camerraleto.

Traditionally a royal was taught in the House, but after the bombing six months ago the king had restricted all of his children to the palace unless absolutely necessary. At first it had frustrated Adelina, as the command went against tradition, but one visit was better than none.

Each royal commenced their training when they came of age to increase their value, whether it was in service to the Crown, or to their would-be spouse. The training did not come cheap and few could afford the time and gold to obtain it.

Alpha appeared before the hov-carriage door and opened it for her. “Princess,” her royal guard and best friend said quietly. His arm rose to escort her down the steps of the elegant hov-carriage. She placed her hand over his fist and stepped down. Alpha stayed slightly behind and on her left, deferring to her higher rank despite his more dominant genetic makeup.

Gathering her spidersilk gown, she gracefully made her way through the courtyard to the massive, gold-lattice doors. Adelina stepped up the sweeping stairs before the great House. The afternoon sun shone warmly on her skin and the ocean breeze kept it from being oppressive. The exquisite architecture seemed to loom over her now that she stood in its shadow.

The moment overwhelmed her. Adelina felt as though she’d been waiting all her life for this. Despite the nights spent wondering and waiting for her camerraleto, she hesitated and one fist clutched the thin fabric of her gown tight enough to wrinkle.

Alpha gave her a sidelong glance. He knew her better than most except perhaps her sister, Giselle. He should, considering they grew up in the palace together and she’d gifted him her virginity only six months before. They were strong companions even if they were no longer lovers.

“Are you nervous?” he whispered in case of listening ears. And there always were.

She nodded so slightly. “I’m terrified,” she admitted. “What if I disappoint the courtesan assigned to me? What if whoever Mistress Jael assigned isn’t compatible?”

What if I can’t do this? Adelina kept the last concern to herself. She may have forgiven Alpha for putting their difference in rank between them, but it had not been an easy road. Now he stood here with her, knowing what was about to happen.

There was no one more supportive despite the strain this training put on their friendship.

“You have nothing to worry about, Princess,” he reassured. Alpha’s voice was firm and sure, speaking from experience it seemed.

She gave him a sly look. “Have you visited the House of Kismet as a patron?” she asked.

His infinitesimal reaction was enough. She smiled but there was a pang of sadness they couldn’t have made things work between them. It was mixed with the happiness they were able to remain friends despite everything.

Adelina pushed thoughts of the past aside and focused on what was before her. Her coming-of-age party was less than two weeks away and she couldn’t be more excited. Between that and her camerraleto there was much to look forward to.

As Adelina stared at the House the huge double doors opened and a gorgeous, exotic woman came out with arms wide in greeting. Mistress Jael herself had come to greet her. The last time Adelina had seen the female, it had been right after the bombings and Jael looked no different than she had on that sad day. She was utterly radiant and captivating.

Gathering her courage Adelina stepped forward and Alpha followed as her escort. She dropped his hand when she stood only a short distance from the magnificent female. Adelina respectfully and delicately placed her hands on Mistress Jael’s arms and leaned forward, brushing her lips across the Mistress’s in the traditional kiss of greeting.

She released Jael and then clasped her hands in front of her out of habit and looked down at a spot on the woman’s chest rather than meet her dominant gaze.

This fluidity in dominance didn’t matter when it came to Adelina. The scent of cactus blossom grew stronger as the Mistress smiled.

Adelina had been born a true submissive. There wasn’t a royal Draga who’d been born as submissive for as far back as the records went – back to the time of the ancient humans.

Before scientists had made genetic alterations to the human genes for survival there had been no such thing as dominance and submission in the same way she knew it to be. Adelina couldn’t imagine not knowing her place in society, or where she stood with those around her.

How one was born was reflected in their personal and natural scent. It broadcasted their abilities to everyone around them and created a safe environment where those who were dominant protected those who served. She always knew who to defer to and how to act thanks to protocol.

As a born royal, she should have been more dominant. The royal genes were programed centuries before to always remain the most dominant so as to protect their people, though the level and intensity of the dominance could vary.

Never before had a Draga royal smelled of jasmine – the sweetest scent of them all.

“Your guard may find refreshments in the carriage house with the servants.” Mistress Jael indicated exactly where with a graceful flourish of her hand.

“Princess, please follow me.” Without waiting to see if Adelina would obey, Jael turned and disappeared back into the dark and mysterious House.

If they weren’t on House property the break in protocol would have earned the Mistress a lashing from the queen. Adelina outranked her despite their difference in dominance.

The House though, erased all rules of rank and it was a place where gold and courtesans ruled.

Glancing over her shoulder she gave Alpha one last look. His smile was a bit strained but he shooed her after the Mistress with good humor.

Adelina stepped up and into the cool hall. Mistress Jael sashayed in front of her and the dark spidersilk folds glittered in the candlelight. She was shocked at such a crude form of light when sol-power was free and plentiful. As the flame danced and waved it cast shadows on the wall and the paintings seemed to come alive in the flickers, tricking the mind into believing. She had to admit the overall effect was rather romantic and oddly soothing.

As they walked through the opulent House, Adelina took everything in with an eager eye. The carpets were plush and an indulgent blood-red to ignite the passions. The walls were covered in black velvet scrollwork when they weren’t painted with erotic scenes that made Adelina’s skin tingle with the ideas suggested by the artist.

Candlelight caught the gold in Jael’s gown, refocusing her attention. Everything about the woman screamed sex and her mere presence put flutters in Adelina’s belly. She tried not to stare at the tantalizing curves perfectly accented by a gown tailored precisely to the Mistress’s form.

They went through a large receiving room and continued through a spacious public hall towards a blinding wall of light. The silk curtains were pulled aside, framing the view of the ocean. Jael opened the terrace door for her and smiled as the princess passed.

Adelina couldn’t help the blush on her face.

“You will love the courtesan I have chosen for you, Princess,” Jael said from behind her. There was a hint of laughter in her voice as she followed Adelina onto the expansive stone courtyard.

The warm Kala sun shone down brightly. Adelina paused and closed her eyes. She tilted her head back and enjoyed how the sun felt on her skin. The salty tang of the ocean reached her nose and cleared the heady scent of cactus blossoms. Adelina breathed deeply and then opened her eyes, ready for the ceremony.

The terrace was on the very edge of the property and a marble courtyard reached all the way to the cliff hanging over the ocean far below them and then went out over nothing but air. Water went on endlessly to the east until it disappeared into the horizon. Adelina glanced north and the spires of the palace jutted into the sky with the floating ramparts hovering close, surrounded by the city streets of the capitol. The massive obsidian mountains behind the palace were a stark contrast. Bright green shone on the peaks from the rain the night before.

Taking in everything around her, she stepped forward slowly. Columns and stacked stones created a type of open window before her that allowed one to see the glistening water beyond the statues of the gods and goddesses. Trees and plants grew everywhere.

Adelina could see a pathway on either side, each leading to gardens with differing greenery. The paths most likely led to private alcoves. Adelina blushed again as she thought of what they could be used for.

Marble pillars edged the cliff and there was a small roof over the statues of the gods and goddesses. An outside temple she realized. Amora, the goddess of love and wisdom, was in the center where the three-faced goddess would normally be. Adelina wasn’t surprised considering Amora was the goddess of the courtesans.

She thought it was the most beautiful temple she had ever laid eyes on. It was simple yet exquisite. The goddess Amora faced inward with her back to the sea, but the spaces between each column created windows to the never-ending water. The bright sunlight glinted off the threads of gold in the marble and it sparkled.

Adelina looked to Jael who nodded. She took another step forward and dropped to her knees before the three-faced goddess first. She bowed low until her forehead touched the cold marble; the sun had yet to warm the statues in the temple. “Mia vitae se tya,” she whispered. She added a small plea. “Please give me the strength to find my path and help me through this experience. I do not want to disappoint my courtesan.”

Slowly she rose to her feet and turned to Amora. She knelt in front of her and bowed low, the folds of her spidersilk gown against the marble did nothing for her aching knees. She did not bow as low as she had for the three-faced goddess.

The goddess of the heart had a lower rank than the Mother goddess. Adelina then rose and sat back on her heels. Her fingers touched her heart for love and then her forehead for wisdom and finally her lips. “Grant me wisdom; to know my heart; to help me speak the truth,” Adelina whispered.

She stood and brushed her spotless dress to ease her nerves before turning back to Jael. The Mistress watched her intently, no hint of sexual desire or wicked fun on her face. There was only curiosity and intelligence. When Adelina reached the Mistress of the House, her nerves grew worse in the silence. Finally, the Jael said, “Amarae libertov.” ‘Love freely.’

The ceremony was complete.

The doors back into the House opened from the inside and the female who walked through those doors was taller than Adelina and had the most gorgeous sapphire eyes. They were deep, dark, and mysterious. Her hair was the color of the sun and her skin was like milk. Adelina’s breath caught and she couldn’t find the words to speak.

The female blushed prettily and smiled as she looked down. “Princess, I am Nadyah, your courtesan.” Her voice was musical. It was lovely, warm, and throaty.

She curtseyed deeply.

It took Adelina by surprise that the courtesan would act as her submissive. Never had Adelina met anyone less dominant than herself, and for a courtesan to believe that submission was what she needed? Adelina was confused, but kept the frown from her face. Mentally she shook herself and brought her shoulders back ever so slightly to regain control.

“Please rise,” she murmured, her heart beating faster as she realized this female was to be her instructor. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Nadyah.” Adelina curtseyed back, but it was only a slight dip.

The courtesan’s beauty intimidated her. Nadyah couldn’t be more than a few cycles older, but she was so much more experienced. It made Adelina’s heart flutter and her breath quicken to think about what she might teach her.

She blushed when she realized Jael watched her reaction with a keen eye. Her sisters had been surprisingly close-lipped about their experiences and as Nadyah approached her with blatant desire in her eyes, Adelina could see why. The relationship between courtesan and pupil was sacred and intense.

Nadyah held out an arm for the princess and Adelina placed her hand over it in surprise. She had not expected Nadyah to escort her as a male would either.

“Would you walk with me through the gardens? I would like for us to get to know each other better.” Nadyah’s voice was soft, like velvet. Adelina could lose herself in the courtesan’s words.

When Adelina nodded, Nadyah looked to Jael. The Mistress smiled and gave a graceful wave towards the garden path. “I hope you enjoy yourselves.” Adelina tried to ignore the way Jael watched her and the teasing in her words.

As they stepped onto the path, Nadyah led them through a copse of rare trees with blossoming fruit and the courtesan placed a hand over Adelina’s. “Relax, Princess,” Nadyah said softly.

Adelina followed her through the beautiful gardens, but she didn’t know what to do with herself. Her nervousness had every bit of training she’d ever received deserting her.

“Tell me,” Nadyah began. “How has your experience been so far?”

The question was to the point and Adelina felt her stomach tighten. How much could the courtesan possibly know about her experience or lack thereof? Was her past on display more than she knew? The royal family kept a livestream for the people that gave them all glimpses into their life and allowed the people to see how they handled the kingdom as every decision made a difference in every citizen’s life. They were then edited and the recorders were only allowed into certain areas of their private lives.

“Your guard is a very handsome one,” she said simply.

Somehow Nadyah knew.

Adelina wasn’t sure if she was angry about it or not, but this woman was to be her companion for the next cycle. It was in her best interest to confide in her. “Yes he is,” she whispered. “Briefly we were involved.”

Nadyah didn’t react to the confession in any way that could have embarrassed her which Adelina was intensely grateful for. The courtesan patted her hand gently. “Please tell me about this experience?”

The weight of sadness settled over Adelina like a cloak and she shouldered it with familiarity. “Six months ago, I was finally able to confess my feelings to him after cycles of pining.” She hated the word but it was true. With a sigh Adelina trailed her fingertips over the black roses her father had gifted to the House, the sacred rosanera. The rose garden perfumed the warm summer air and she breathed it in. “After the tour of the galaxy was cut short I kissed him.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at Nadyah yet.

The garden path took them out to the edge of the cliff and the view was spectacular. A bench was in the perfect position to watch the waves down below, to enjoy the ocean, and the feel of the sun. Adelina sat delicately on the hard stone bench and Nadyah lounged next to her. One arm went over the back and she propped her head on her hand, turning her body to face Adelina. She had the courtesan’s undivided attention and it unnerved her.

Adelina picked at the folds of her skirt, keeping her head down. It was difficult for her to talk about. “He was my first and only,” she finally managed. “I loved him and he loved me. The night after I gave him my virginity we discovered the Neprijat had attacked our Corinthian allies in the Khara galaxy.” Adelina shuddered as she remembered the vid and waved her hand indicating Nadyah knew the rest of the events that day.

The Neprijat had ravaged the Khara royal family in unspeakable ways. Then later that very same day the Draga royal announcement of King Orion’s retirement, and Raena’s coronation fifty cycles earlier than expected were made. The State Balcony had been bombed during the announcements. Adelina was unaware if Nadyah knew she had almost died that day.

It had been too close.

Alpha was so shaken he had blamed himself – and her.

“He ended the relationship because he was distracted by me. Alpha felt as though he might have noticed something earlier, seen something not quite right before the bombs went off. He said he should have gotten to me sooner at the very least.” Adelina shrugged.

Alpha had saved her life.

“It didn’t matter to him we loved each other. The possibility of a promotion to prince never even occurred to him.” Then she looked up at Nadyah. “Because of that I let him go.”

As her father had said, she needed someone she didn’t have to convince to be with her.

There were tears in Nadyah’s eyes and she cupped Adelina’s cheek gently. “I apologize, Princess. I’m a terrible romantic and your story makes my heart ache.”

When it happened, Adelina had only cried the once. Her eyes had been dry ever since, but seeing Nadyah’s tears caused a knot to form in her throat. She hated crying. It was shameful, and more emotion than she was ever allowed to express publicly.

Nadyah gave her a quick little hug before sitting back to look at her. “Would the king have allowed the marriage?” she asked, wiping the wetness from her cheeks.

Adelina nodded. “Even if Alpha hadn’t grown up in the palace with me, even if my father hadn’t taken him on as a ward after his parents died, the king would have allowed me to marry a guard. Who I married didn’t matter to him then, as long as I was happy.” The sound of the crashing waves soothed her heart and Adelina took a deep breath of the salty ocean air to clear her head.

Nadyah missed nothing. “At the time,” she murmured. “But now?”

“Now he is dying,” Adelina whispered.

Still hardly able to admit it to herself, she couldn’t deny the clear evidence of what her eyes saw. Every day it looked as though the king wasted away a bit more and soon there would be nothing left of him.

“Raena will be queen in a matter of weeks and she has no children of her own. That makes the rest of us her heirs.”

The courtesan composed herself and her expression became thoughtful as she tapped the bench with one lacquered nail. Adelina wondered how she got them to stay so dark and blue. “Because you will become the second in line to the throne, your options will need to be open and the possibility of matches for the benefit of the kingdom will be required.”

Adelina nodded. “Raena promised I would be able to choose, but what will be allowed might be limited.” She shook her head, the annoyance raged to the surface before she could squash it. “Our father always allowed us the opportunity to find love. I never wanted to marry for political gain. My dream was to find real and lasting love, someone who I could spend the next two or three hundred cycles with if the three-faced goddess was generous.”

She breathed deep and tried to remind herself her parents had an arranged marriage and now they were deeply in love.

Love freely.

Anything was possible.

Nadyah said nothing. She didn’t even move. Those deep sapphire eyes simply watched her – studying, assessing, and measuring. “So you gave your guard your virginity but it didn’t work out romantically which means you’ve only had intercourse the one time. You are still friends, yes?”

Adelina remembered this was Nadyah’s profession. She was supposed to know these things in detail. She nodded in confirmation. “I have no experience other than Alpha.”

It was strange to think about it so clinically. It never occurred to her to play like her sisters and brothers did. She’d loved Alpha for so many cycles she never had eyes for anyone else.

The last six months had been an ongoing nightmare and she had very little time to consider any other lovers. At least in that time she had been able to repair her friendship with her guard. She would have been truly heartbroken if she’d lost her best friend.

Nadyah’s soothing cactus blossom sent washed over her as the courtesan stood and offered her hand to Adelina. “Come with me,” she said. “You need to relax and get comfortable so we can continue our conversation.” Her gentle smile eased some of Adelina’s stress.

She placed her hand in the courtesan’s and let her lead them back to the House. Nadyah navigated the shadowy halls without hesitation. They passed a dining room with guests who came to enjoy the meals. There was an entertainment room, a ladies’ solar, and a gentlemen’s parlor. Adelina caught sight of the library and nearly pulled her courtesan to a stop, but she was too curious to spend the little time she had in the House with books she was sure they had at the palace.

Perhaps Nadyah could bring a few to the palace that they might not have, and she could always come back. Adelina knew if her father didn’t consent there were ways around the orders.

Her thoughts had distracted her long enough to get her to Nadyah’s room without fainting. The second the door closed behind them her heart pounded hard enough to make breathing difficult.

Adelina clasped her hands in front of her to hide the trembling in her hands, but Nadyah was too well trained and she saw everything. “Relax,” she whispered. “You have nothing to fear here, or from me. You are the one in control. I am under your command.” Nadyah sank to her knees before Adelina in demonstration, submissive and demure.

For the first time in her life someone knelt before her. Adelina felt a spark of desire burn away some of her anxiety. The reaction shocked her. Adelina was a true submissive. Being in a dominant position should have made her uncomfortable. It usually did, enough to give her a panic attack. But in the safety of Nadyah’s room she had no one else to compete with.

Adelina gently touched the golden head and Nadyah looked up with a small smile. “May I stand?” she asked.

The spark turned into a flame at her words. Silently Adelina nodded, shocked at her own reaction.

Nadyah stood and kept her eyes down. The courtesan smiled softly as she walked around Adelina. Gently her delicate fingers brushed the back of Adelina’s neck and the princess shivered. A molten fire began to rage within her and the anticipation made her tremble. Finally, she would learn the secrets of the camerraleto and this beautiful woman would show her. The thought struck her with lightning and her body responded. The fire in her stomach spread to between her legs. Nadyah’s fingers trailed along her shoulders and down her back to briefly brush Adelina’s ass. She gasped in surprise. She wanted Nadyah to touch her and the realization left her slick.

Then the courtesan led the princess to the massive bed in the adjoining room. “Lie face down,” she murmured.

Adelina did as she asked, resting her head on her pillowed arms. Nadyah slowly, seductively undid each button and then pulled her dress down – down until she heard the spidersilk pool on the floor. Goose-pimples ran over her skin in anticipation and she clenched her legs as the fire seemed to grow.

“May I help you relax, Princess?” Nadyah asked. Her sweet, sultry voice was right next to Adelina’s ear. Her breath tickled and Adelina couldn’t help the tiny gasp.

It was all she could do to nod in acceptance, wondering what a courtesan considered relaxed. There was a tiny clink of glass and the scent of peppermint reached Adelina’s nose. Nadyah’s soft, warm hands stroked her back and shoulders, working the tight muscles. Adelina sighed and closed her eyes in bliss. This was not what she had expected but she enjoyed it immensely.

The tight muscles started to loosen under the expert touch. While Nadyah massaged her shoulders and back. Adelina sighed as she memorized everything she’d seen. Nadyah’s hands on her back made her almost sleepy. She couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so relaxed.

“Were you born to this House?” Adelina asked.

Nadyah’s words seemed to caress her skin as she spoke. “I was born in this city, the Stella di Draga – the shining star of our planet,” she said. “Stella di Draga has been my home my entire life.”

The courtesan was silent for a moment. “Do you have any expectations for our time together? Any specific skills you had in mind to acquire?”

Adelina shook her head. She had very little experience. “I have none, only the need to know what can help me gather the information I might need to serve the Crown, and maybe enough to help me with a future spouse.”

Nadyah’s hands stilled at her words and Adelina’s eyes flew open as she wondered what she had said to set her off. She tensed as she waited for a response. She was a royal courtesan, which meant she had to know what was expected of Adelina, right?

“You mean to seduce someone for information?” Nadyah clarified.

Adelina glanced over her shoulder at the courtesan and studied her for a moment but the woman kept her eyes down and resumed her work. Adelina lay her head back on her arms and decided it wouldn’t hurt to answer. Every courtesan was required to sign a contract with a promise to keep royal secrets to themselves. “If I need to, yes. I hope to travel as an ambassador and report back what I can.”

The smell of peppermint cleansed the air of the strong cactus blossom scent. “I can teach you everything you need to know and more.”

Nadyah moved slightly, kneading Adelina’s shoulders as she leaned forward and Adelina felt her courtesan’s breasts press into her bare skin.

Those silky hands stroked downwards and this time they didn’t stop when they reached the small of her back. Her hands trailed over Adelina’s ass and down the inside of her thighs to innocently massage the back of her legs. Desire rippled through Adelina like wildfire.

There was an ache and her clit pulsed. She shuddered, partially in pleasure and partially in embarrassment. It had been months and she’d nearly forgotten how intense her reaction to desire could be.

Nadyah massaged her thighs, getting closer and closer to where Adelina needed her to be. She tried not to clench her thighs together as it would be a tell-tale sign.

“You are beautiful, Princess. You are powerful and anyone would be lucky to have your attentions,” Nadyah said as she worked Adelina’s tense muscles.

A feather-touch of Nadyah’s finger to her slick folds was so brief Adelina wondered if she had imagined it, but her skin burned in response and she nearly couldn’t resist her own wanton desire.

Nadyah moved on to her calves and the innocent touches were almost unbearable. She wanted Nadyah to take her. Adelina wanted to flip over and give herself to the woman’s expertise.

“I may outrank anyone but my family,” Adelina managed to say, breathing slowly to try and control her reaction. “But I am not a powerful person. I am the most submissive there is.”

Nadyah was silent for a moment. “Sometimes the submissives are the ones with the most power. They draw strong dominants to them, incite the age-old instinct to protect and defend. You do not have to be the strongest or the most dominant to wield those who are. Have you ever done something you haven’t wanted to do without good reason?”

Her words jolted Adelina out of her sudden need, enough to clear her head. “No, I haven’t,” she admitted slowly. Could submissives really hold their own, more subtle power?

“Not all strength looks the same.” Nadyah then started a foot massage.

Her quiet work allowed Adelina to seriously reconsider her life. It was so simple, how could she have overlooked something so obvious?

“We can start with subtle seduction,” Nadyah said. Her timing was so perfect it was eerie. She always knew exactly when to stay silent and when to speak. “Body language is the most important part of this seduction. The rest is simple enough. How to dress, how to make yourself up to incite the response you are looking for is all a part of the subtlety. There is always the dance of dominance and rank. As you will outrank everyone this will be simple enough, but the dance among other royals is a bit more dangerous. They will all identify your lack of dominance through your scent.”

Nadyah slid off the bed, slinky and graceful. Her fingertips trailed up Adelina’s leg, over the curve of her ass, and up her back. “I’ve never smelled jasmine so sweet.” Her courtesan brushed her lips over Adelina’s forehead.

Adelina shivered. This woman had her acting like a lovesick male.

With genuine care the courtesan brushed the princess’s hair back from her face. “I assume you understand from your training as princess how to properly interact with those who are more dominant than you are, and how to properly hold your position.”

She nodded. It was no easy thing to uphold her rank over someone she wanted to submit to. Adelina had worked hard to keep her shy nature from hindering her job.

Nadyah held out a hand and Adelina took it, trusting the courtesan completely. She led Adelina to stand before her. “As females we may be naturally, physically weaker than males, but we have silent strengths and one of them is the ability to control males.” She gave the princess a quick look. “Even if you prefer females you will need to deal with the males at court and as an ambassador.”

Adelina stood naked before the courtesan and refrained from crossing her arms over her breasts. Her nipples hardened under Nadyah’s scrutiny and she reminded herself to pay attention.

“My lovely,” Nadyah murmured as her eyes trailed from Adelina’s head to her toes and back again. “You are exquisite.” She pulled Adelina’s shoulders back. “Not only does this make you appear more confident, it pushes your breasts out. Despite how irritating it is that males are so distracted by them, use it to your advantage. It sometimes pays for them to be addle-minded.”

She nodded in response to the courtesan’s words. These were all things she’d been taught before, but never for these reasons. Nadyah trailed her fingers along the princess’s collarbone and pressed her lips to the hollow between Adelina’s neck and shoulder before pulling back to search her purple eyes.

“You are a princess. You know what you want and what you do not.”

Nadyah turned her to face the large mirror in her closet. Adelina knew this would be the most important part of her camerraleto. She was shy and nervous and she needed to come into her own. Not shedding a skin exactly, but building a second one.

“Being shy is one thing, but feeling self-conscious is something else entirely,” Nadyah said. “If you feel shy, use it to your advantage. Keep your voice low enough they have to lean in to hear you, as if you were telling them a secret,” she explained with a wicked grin. Adelina’s eyes widened as the courtesan drew closer, her voice lowering in example. “Touch lightly, but briefly.” Her fingers skimmed the inside of the princess’s wrist for a second before she withdrew.

She circled Adelina and tipped up her chin. “The key is eye contact when you can manage it. Eye contact alone will make you seem more confident. Be comfortable with who you are and make no apology for your feelings.” Nadyah stopped in front of Adelina, blocking the mirror so she had to look at her. Gently Nadyah kissed her cheek.

Adelina took in her words and made them her own, wrapping them around her like silk.

“I am going to pick something for you to wear. Your gowns are beautiful, but they are sweet and demure. We want to remind everyone you will be of age.”

Nadyah tucked a golden strand of hair behind her ear and went into her closet. She rifled through what seemed like endless dresses and finally chose something. It was a magnificent gold spidersilk dress that would enhance her golden tan and blacker-than-night hair.

“Put that on. I have something that will pair beautifully with it.” Nadyah started looking through her drawers and Adelina turned to the mirror.

The dress slid over her legs like water as she pulled it up over her hips. The material clung to her waist and Adelina slipped her arms through the sleeves. The wider straps gave more support so that the plunging V-neck draped just right over her breasts. The V ended just above her navel and Adelina felt nerves gather. Never had she worn something so daring, so sexual.

Yet, the spidersilk was the perfect gold and the skirts draped and billowed in all the right places. There was a subtle slit that went all the way up to her thigh, but only a small flash of skin would show as she walked unless she crossed her legs. It suited her despite everything. She pulled her shoulders back and there was a slight curve of her breast showing.

Amora save her, Nadyah knew exactly what she was doing.

The courtesan gave her a knowing smile as she came out of her closet with something glittering in her palm. “That dress has never suited me. I am almost positive that client is colorblind. I am too fair for such a thing, but on you? Darling your guard will be wishing he’d never said such foolish things to break your heart.”

She smiled back at Nadyah and felt better about the amount of skin showing for all the world to see. The slippers she wore wouldn’t suit, but this was a dress she would want to wear with heels to add height to her small frame. For the first time in her life she wished she had larger breasts to fill out such a dress, but the goddess knew she didn’t really want them. Raena never stopped complaining about the back pain.

“I want you to have this,” Nadyah said, holding out a glittering strand of gold with a fat gem hanging from it. “Think of it as my coming-of-age present to you.”

Adelina’s eyes widened when she saw the octagonal amethyst precisely the color of her eyes. “I can’t possibly accept such a gift,” she stammered. The piece was perfect and worth more than Nadyah could know. Adelina would never take advantage of her; she of all people knew exactly what gems were worth.

“Darling I have jewels and gems enough to rival you and your family. My patrons are generous.” Her smile was wicked and she placed the necklace on Adelina, clasping it before she could protest further.

Adelina watched in the mirror as the gold chain formed a choker around her neck and a single strand fell from the hollow of her throat, leaving the amethyst nestled between her breasts. It accented the gown and her coloring perfectly. Her mouth dropped open in shock and her hand went to the glittering rock. The rope chain had to have three or four strands twisted to hold the five karat amethyst, but the work was so well done she couldn’t see the separate strands with her naked eye.

Nadyah looked unsure for the first time since she had met her. “You probably already have plans for the upcoming events but perhaps we can recreate your wardrobe in time. We will begin practicing immediately and I want to help you go through your clothes and jewels to properly showcase your assets. For the most part we will keep the changes subtle. You can wear this on a romantic evening or even for the noble’s reception.” She tapped her lower lip with one of her lacquered nails. “What do you think?”

Adelina always prided herself on her work and was unsure this change would be for the best. “I design most of my own wardrobe,” she admitted. She was hesitant to tell Nadyah. No one but her siblings really knew about her hobbies. She liked to keep them off the livestream when she could.

Nadyah’s face lit up. “This is wonderful! Let’s see what we can do to open you up a bit more.” Her wink eased some of Adelina’s fears and she felt closer to Nadyah than she thought she would on their first meeting.

“I will show you my work when you arrive at the palace tomorrow. Father has given you a room adjoining mine. It was originally for my spouse, but we both agreed this made sense.” Adelina was nervous about the accommodations. Never had a courtesan lived at the palace aside from Elara.

As she removed the dress, Adelina checked the time-keeper on the nightstand. Their time at the House was almost up. She had one last question to ask Nadyah that she hadn’t had the courage to ask until now. She slipped on her own gown and watched as Nadyah packed the dress and a few others into a beautiful box.

“May I ask you something?”

Instantly Nadyah focused on her. “You may ask me anything, Princess.”

Adelina pulled at her dress until it fell as it should and then picked at her fingernails. How would she explain? “The few times Alpha and I were…intimate I had a curious reaction,” she managed. She could feel the heat on her cheeks and hated it in that moment. She threw up her hands in exasperation at herself. “I lost all control. I could not stop myself from reacting in a way no virgin would have. My skin itched terribly and I wanted him more than I wanted anything else. At the time I did not care if we were in public or not. I have never heard of something like this, but I thought there might be a chance you would know.”

A courtesan would know more about desire and physical reactions than anyone else on Draga Terra.

Nadyah frowned and Adelina’s heart sank. What would she do if her courtesan did not have an answer for her?

“Did this same feeling occur earlier during the massage?”

Adelina couldn’t hold her gaze. Her eyes dropped to the floor and she blushed furiously. This was a clinical question though and not a conquest. “Yes.”

The intense speculation on Nadyah’s face worried her. She studied Adelina so closely for a brief second it left her breathless.

“No control whatsoever?”

At Adelina’s nod she made a small noise as she contemplated. “I will look into this. It is unusual, but there should be an answer in the library. If not Mistress Jael will know where I can find what I need.”

“Thank you, Nadyah.” Adelina whispered.

Perhaps there was something wrong with her genetics. After all, she was a submissive royal – which shouldn’t be possible. Her genes were bred into her, designed centuries ago by the Ancients – the humans of old.

It was part of their animalistic nature brought back in force, designed to create a wolf-like nature. She had always wondered how terrible things must have gotten for the ancient humans to create such a design. Then she always wondered how she could possibly have genes that would set her so far apart from her family. Adelina wasn’t even on the Draga royal spectrum of dominance.

“Let us get you dressed and then we will have a small meal before our departure.” Nadyah was smiling again, but her sexual intensity was subdued.

Adelina only hoped the trust she’d bestowed on the courtesan hadn’t been a terrible mistake.