Ever since Raena was announced to ascend the throne this cycle, Adelina and the rest of her siblings had been required to attend the council and advisor meetings. Raena wanted them all present to learn what they could and assist her when she became ruler of Draga. Adelina tapped the arm of her chair with a sharp nail and watched the proceedings with interest.

The large council room was the shape of a perfect oval on the eighth floor of the palace. The walls were plas-glass and the columns decorated in gold and black opals – the jewel of Draga. All five circles of the city were visible around the palace before the haze of the horizon contorted the view.

Everyone in her family assumed Adelina would hate the tedious task of attending council meetings, but Adelina had never been privy to the proceedings before and she’d nearly doubled the amount of information on her personal shreve since her attendance had been requested.

As the youngest female and sweetest of the royal children she was often overlooked – invisible. Adelina was there to serve and she followed any order and request her family made of her. Being invisible allowed her to see much more than anyone could imagine.

It was the second council meeting their father hadn’t attended since they'd learned of his disease. King Orion had good days and he had bad days. Some of the treatments for hypomalarya did prolong his life expectancy, but they occasionally had nasty side effects, leaving the king indisposed for weeks. Raena had been taking over more and more the last few months.

Raena inclined her raven-haired head in deference to Prince Solomon, their father’s brother. It was early enough, so he was still sober, but that wasn’t usually the case. When Prince Solomon wasn’t drinking he had a knack for diplomacy that astonished.

His suggestion to invite citizens across the galaxy to Raena’s Choosing Ball was absolutely brilliant. A lottery would make it fair, and if petitioned the royal family would pay for the travel if the winner could not afford it.

This would give the people an opportunity to be seen. Their love for the royal family would only grow. Adelina adored the idea.

“What about safety measures?” Asher snapped, his dark purple eyes flashed. “We couldn’t possibly keep an eye on so many people. The guard would be overtaxed and soldiers from the army would have to be pulled from their stations. This will be an expensive endeavor. I am not sure our treasury can handle so much with all the events planned for the next few weeks.”

Ian cleared his throat in warning, but Asher didn’t turn away from their sister.

Adelina kept her eyes down, but flicked her gaze from her brother to Raena. He did have a point.

Tensions rose and the spicy scent of the rosanera filled the room as Raena stared Asher down. Please, drop your eyes brother, Adelina prayed. Those two were too close in dominance for this to end well.

“The Master Treasurer has gone over the finances. He would be able to answer your questions, Prince Asher,” Caspian, their father’s chief advisor, said gently. He was nearing three hundred cycles and was submissive enough to soothe both her sister and her brother. “Lord Kaius, would you please make your presentation?”

Asher and Raena both watched Lord Kaius approach the center of the council room with sharp eyes. Adelina tapped her finger silently as she thought. Her brother had challenged the crown princess. He spoke out of turn and didn’t always follow protocol. If he was not careful things wouldn’t end well for him, and contention between her siblings was the last thing Adelina wanted.

Lord Kaius went over the finances, what was needed and what had been set aside cycles ago for these very events. Only a bit more than originally thought would be required. There was more than enough in the treasury and Asher looked satisfied.

There was a strange gleam in Raena’s eyes and Adelina’s nerves spiked. Asher made Raena furious on a regular basis. She had been tense lately and on edge which made her even more volatile when he irritated her. It was not a good time to poke at her patience.

Conversation moved to the next item on the docket and the scent of the dominant black rose eased as Raena focused on petitions for repairs to a few of the outer rim outposts. She signed them with a flourish and pressed her hand to the document, sealing the shreve. The gold tattoo on her palm transferred to the document as her personal seal and another councilor began the next item on the list.

Adelina glanced at her own shreve and saw they were making excellent time. Adelina looked up when the Lord High Admiral stood, waiting for her turn to speak.

Raena indicated with a wave of her hand to begin. Tamika Servalan bowed low and Adelina thought she was absolutely beautiful in the black uniform with gold trim and a cape across her shoulders. When the Lord High Admiral rose, she clasped her hands behind her back and faced Raena with a carefully neutral expression.

“Your royal highness, I’ve been receiving increasing reports from the border planets and our outposts that the Neprijat are on the move again. They have claimed Khara Prime as their own but the Neprijat armies are scouring the Khara galaxy. We have not been able to get an accurate report of their numbers, but the assumption is they are up in the billions, or even trillions.” She hesitated for a moment but soldiered on with a grim set to her jaw. “Patrol ships of ours are disappearing.”

Adelina tensed at the mention of the horror she used to think was only a myth to frighten small children. The horde of monsters raped and ravaged galaxies. Barely six months ago the Neprijat had murdered the entire Corinthian royal family on Khara. Murdered was a kind word to use for what they did to them.

Giselle gave her hand a quick squeeze for reassurance and support. Adelina was grateful for the contact. Despite the warmth of the day she felt a sudden chill.

Since the news of their ally’s demise, they had scoured the galaxy for any information they could. It seemed the princes and princesses of the other planets in the Khara galaxy were ruthlessly hunted and eradicated by the Neprijat so there would be no challenge to the usurper.

A few did manage to go to ground from what she heard through her own sources and there was still the missing heir, but she doubted they would be able to find any of them.

Draga had their own galaxy to worry about now that they shared borders with monsters.

Mutters went around the room as each member of the council had something to say. Raena held up her hand for silence. Instantly she was obeyed and they all waited for her orders. “This is a matter for the war council. King Orion still reigns and he is the only one who can make such decisions, for now. I will report this to him and we will prepare for a more in depth discussion. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lord High Admiral. Please gather what information you can and be ready to present it to the king. I will send you a cast with the time. Your schedule will be taken into consideration.”

Lady Tamika bowed again and Adelina mentally noted her rank and dominance to add to her personal shreve later.

A commotion at the door drew every single person’s attention. There were shouts and guards yelled as someone tried to push their way through. Adelina clenched her hands and tried to remain seated. She refused to turn and look, to find Alpha among the other stationed guards despite how badly she wanted to. It would be against protocol to ignore Raena in such a way.

Her eldest sister’s sharp gaze swept over the room at the broken concentration and finally she waved her personal guard forward. He bowed and whispered something to her. When Raena’s eyes widened in shock Adelina’s curiosity piqued. She let herself slant a subtle glance to the door. All she could see were the uniforms of the royal guards. Too many chairs, nobles, and courtiers were in her line of sight.

Raena whispered something in response and the guard rushed to the council room doors. There was arguing and Raena put a quick end to it with a sharp command. “Now, Darius.” The captain of the guard threw the doors open and a stranger burst through.

No. Not a stranger.

Adelina’s breath caught as he stopped to assess his surroundings and those strange, glittering eyes of fire found hers. Then they slid to her sister. Prince Nash prowled towards them with purpose and his intensity made her palms sweat. Adelina released the chair and clasped her hands in her lap to hide their shaking.

Damn her for liking the way he moved. She couldn’t even manage to drop her eyes. Adelina stared at the prince – a blatant break in protocol and a crack in her submissive mask, but no one else seemed to notice as they stumbled in their own various stages of shock and surprise.

The Corinthian Royal Prince, heir to inherit Khara Prime and the entire Khara galaxy was not supposed to be alive, let alone in the royal palace on Draga.

Goddess he was large.

The Kala sun in Draga differed slightly to the Corinth sun in his galaxy. She didn’t know if his sun was the reason he was so built or if it was Khara Prime that had him an entire head taller than the tallest male in the room. He came to a precise stop right before the stairs to Raena’s throne. His eyes shifted again and pierced right through Adelina, pinning her to her seat. They were a color she had never seen before. They were like…aapoak. They flashed a bright grass green with specks of red. When the light hit his irises, the green looked almost yellow.

Adelina was entranced.

The whispers of the court became a roar until Raena snapped for silence. “What are you doing here, Prince?” she demanded with a frown.

Adelina was relieved the prince was alive, but she understood the dilemma her sister faced. If she and the king gave the true Corinthian Prince sanctuary the Neprijat would see it as a declaration of war, a clear taking of sides. No one wanted war, but should they turn away the prince? They had been at peace with the Khara galaxy for so long.

Adelina glanced sideways at Raena. Her sister would be queen soon and the decision might lie with her. Adelina pressed her nails into her palms as her muscles tensed. The pain brought back a measure of control and she released an uneasy breath. Some deep, dark instinct told her this would not end well.

Prince Nash bowed far lower than his station warranted. “Your highness, I am seeking aid from our long-time alliance in a time of tragedy. The entire royal family of Khara – my family has been murdered in a public spectacle and I am the only survivor.” He stood and Adelina squinted at him, trying to get a good sense of the kind of person he was.

Prince Nash looked each of the royal family members in the eye before continuing. “The only reason I was spared was due to the timing of my patrol. Perhaps if I had been there…” he trailed off, but they all understood the guilt he carried.

Dear gods, the details she had heard and seen on that vid displaying what the Neprijat had done…Adelina couldn’t help her reaction. She nearly gagged as she covered her mouth with her hand, feeling sick. Her eyes dropped to the floor, hiding her tears. Their allies hadn’t deserved what had befallen them.

“Curiously convenient,” Asher muttered just loud enough for the prince to hear. Raena cut off their brother with a slash of her hand and waited for the Corinthian to continue.

The pain that flashed through the Prince’s face hit Adelina and rendered her momentarily breathless. She wished she could say something, do anything to help as her stomach roiled. “I was never meant to rule,” he said quietly. “It did not matter what I did or where I went as long as I served my Queen.”

“What exactly is it you expect of us?” Raena asked after a long pause.

Prince Nash planted his feet shoulder-width apart and clasped his hands behind his back, his massive chest expanded with the movement. “I ask for sanctuary while I gather information on who remains loyal to the true royal family of the Khara galaxy. I will be contacting my armies and gathering intel so I can try to regain my kingdom. I have only the contingent of soldiers that were on patrol with me at the moment.”

Adelina could barely breathe. It was a lot to ask. The request to go to war for him was on the horizon. Even if they did not make that agreement now the Neprijat would attack anyone who threatened them. If Prince Nash had the Draga forces at his back it could help him unseat the false king.

Raena was silent as she studied the young man before her. To his credit, Prince Nash never once flinched or looked away from her sister’s intimidating gaze. “I cannot promise you anything, Prince. I will have to speak to the king about the matter and once we’ve conferred with our advisors we will have an answer for you. Until then, I’m sure you will understand why I will have to assign guards to you.”

Prince Nash nodded and bowed again.

Adelina breathed a sigh of relief. At least the crown princess hadn’t decided to arrest him on the spot, recognizing their alliance by giving him leave for the moment was a concession she hadn’t been sure Raena would make.

Raena’s face softened as she studied him. “You have my condolences, Prince Nash. I remember your family well and they will be missed.”

Adelina remembered also. They’d visited each other a handful of times and Prince Nash had always been kind to her. He’d been her protector when she was on Khara Prime alone and without Alpha. They’d played children’s games together in the strange gardens of his home, despite Nash being a few cycles older than her. There was an odd bond in the shared knowledge neither of them was as important as their older siblings.

The last time they’d visited, the Corinthian royal family had traveled to Draga Terra and it had been an entire month of revelry. They’d both been older then and Adelina had never forgotten the strange and wondrous customs or stopped hoping she could visit Khara Prime once again.

Two of the palace guards approached Prince Nash. His gaze shot to Adelina before he walked out of the throne room. She wondered if he remembered her. It had been five cycles since the last time he saw her and much had changed.

The doors closed behind him and Adelina took a deep breath. His presence had been too intense and strange.

Raena stood and the members of the council quickly got to their feet as protocol demanded. “The council is dismissed.” She beckoned Chief Advisor Caspian and her gown flared out behind her as she turned. “Caspian please inform my father his presence is required immediately in the royal study.” Without another word or a glance behind her she exited the council room.

Adelina and the rest of her siblings followed behind her, trying hard not to look like they were scrambling to keep up. Their father’s presence in the royal study was a silent command for their presence as well. This was no small matter.

The entire council waited for them to exit. Giselle followed Raena and Adelina went after her. Adelina glanced back and saw their brothers brought up the rear in proper order. The hushed conversations behind them worried her. When they reached the gilded lift, the footman opened the door for them and selected the proper floor without having to be told. A guard must have sent a cast with the information ahead of them through the implants.

Alpha came to her side and his shoulder brushed hers briefly. Adelina glanced up and he nodded at her in support. No matter what, he would always be there for her. She let her fingertips touch his hand for barely more than a breath in acknowledgement. Before she could blink he was gone.

The doors closed and slowly they descended. The silence felt thick and suffocating. Adelina half expected someone to say something, but they wouldn’t in front of the footman. Normally they weren’t so careful, but this was a sensitive subject and if the footman passed the news on it could spread like wildfire before anything could be decided. The people would clamor at their gates for war or mercy.

The footman opened the door for the fifth level of the palace and Raena walked out into the east wing – the private residence of the royal family – with her head held high. Giselle gave Adelina a worried look. Her nearly-brown black hair whispered over her shoulders as she shook her head and sighed, following their sister. Giselle wanted to say something, but it wasn’t the time. They would have to find an excuse to talk later. Adelina tried to remember what was on her schedule for the rest of the day, but Prince Nash had scattered her thoughts.

A pair of guards opened the door to the private study and Raena swept in, sitting down in her favorite chair near their father’s. The family wing connected to the study and went on east in a maze of hallways and doors. The study was one of Adelina’s favorite places, but she couldn’t enjoy the floor-to-ceiling shelves chock full of books or the view of the ocean as she normally did.

Then their parents walked in and she watched as her mother helped her father sit in his large, comfortable chair before the fireplace. William rushed to start the fire and Ian called for some of his curative tea. P’draic came in with a steaming cup a few seconds later. Her brother’s lover must have been in Ian’s rooms to arrive so quickly.

Their father waved his hand in annoyance at their fussing and finally their mother sat near him. Adelina plopped down near the window and winced as she felt her mother’s gaze whip towards her. Giselle sank far more gracefully into the adjacent chair. The rest of her siblings settled and everyone was silent as they waited. For what, Adelina wasn’t sure. That they were even in the study instead of the receiving room was not a part of the day’s plan.

“Alright children, tell me what is so important.” King Orion sipped at Ian’s tea and tried to hide his grimace at the bitter taste.

Quickly Raena filled in their father and Adelina watched their mother’s face closely. Queen Adele’s sharp intake of breath was more than she would ever allow outside their private rooms. The sheen of tears in her mother’s eyes gave Adelina hope. Hope that she would press for upholding their alliance. Yes, their people would be in danger, but so would their honor if they did nothing.

William’s face was whiter than normal under his golden skin. His lilac-purple eyes were troubled and as a soldier in the Draga Army he could be deployed much sooner than any of them anticipated. He had only just joined seven months before when he turned eighteen cycles old.

Ian didn’t look any better. He frowned as he stared out the window, tapping his long fingers as he thought. His blond hair was a contrast to them all and the only obvious sign he was their half-brother, a bastard and not a full-blooded royal. He must have felt her eyes on him because Ian turned towards her and his Draga eyes looked haunted. As a scientist and physician, he would not see battle, but he knew as well as they all did that war touched every part of the galaxy.

Asher glowered. Adelina knew he didn’t think they should support Prince Nash and it bothered her more than she cared to admit. Asher was only a cycle younger than her, but he was her opposite in every way. His obsidian hair and near-black purple eyes always put her on edge. He was as dominant as she was submissive and his intensity frightened her at times. She wished he would smile more, be happier. Something always bothered him and she could never figure out what exactly it was.

He looked at her then and Asher’s frown softened. Despite all this she knew he loved her. They were closer in age than any of the others, except Giselle and Ian who were born in the same month. Her submissive nature always triggered the protective side of him and Asher looked out for her. She just wished they could have been closer growing up as she and Alpha had been.

“All right, this issue is too volatile to simply make a unilateral decision,” King Orion stated after setting down his cup. “I would like to hear every single one of your opinions on the matter. We have had a very fruitful alliance for many decades with the Khara galaxy and now the Neprijat rule. Discuss.”

Adelina didn’t know what to think. She couldn’t remember a time when the king cared what she thought in regards to the state of the kingdom of the Draga galaxy. She was supposed to ensure she succeeded at whatever she chose to do in life and remain as ladylike and respectful as possible. She was a reflection of her family and Adelina had to keep the Draga honor intact.

That was all.

Adelina didn’t want to speak first. She waited as her brothers and sisters eyed each other. Someone had to take the plunge into this unknown territory.

“I’m glad he is still alive despite the complicated nature of it all,” Giselle said quietly, always the courageous one.

Their father nodded and Asher’s frown deepened again. “I don’t think having him here is good for our kingdom,” he said. For once Adelina wished he would keep his doubts to himself.

William shrugged. “The Neprijat will come for us either way. I will fight against them no matter what is chosen.” Her brother was always the warrior. He took after Giselle that way and his blunt honesty was refreshing.

Ian shook his head as they all looked to him. “I should not have a say.”

Their father grunted in annoyance. “Boy, answer the damn question.”

Adelina hid a smile by looking out the window. The bright sun glittered on the water of the ocean. Ian always tried to put distance between him and the rest of the family but their parents never let him. The king’s mistress, Elara, had been an unforeseen addition to the royal family. She had been her father’s courtesan, training him in the camerraleto and then her mother as well. Adelina suspected the subtle ties to each other are what gave Ian so much more power than a normal half-prince.

Ian sighed at the old argument. “I fear what war will do to the kingdom, but I am not naïve enough to believe they will stop with the Khara galaxy. Eventually they will turn to us. They are devourers and conquerors; they will not be satisfied with their conquest for long.”

There was a pang in Adelina’s chest at his words and they all turned to her. She looked at Raena instead of their parents. It was a matter of weeks before the crown would officially be hers and she was the one who would have to deal with the ramifications. “Imagine if only one of us survived an attack,” she said quietly. “They are our allies and our peace has made us strong. I would want them to assist us if the situation were reversed.”

Raena seemed surprised, but she nodded. “I agree with Adelina. Prince Nash has lost his entire family and now holds the weight of his enslaved people on his shoulders. But I don’t think it is wise for us to draw this line. There is a good chance the Neprijat will leave the Draga galaxy alone. Sheltering a prince of Khara would only aggravate them and drag us into a war we don’t want,” she said, shaking her head.

Adelina’s nails pierced the cushion of her chair as she barely contained her trembling. How could her sister be so callous? An alliance was upheld and followed to the letter, not dropped when suddenly inconvenient.

Barely holding her tongue she glanced at Giselle who frowned but said nothing. They had all said their piece. It was up to her father now.

If Prince Nash was turned away he would no doubt be killed. It was only a matter of time with so few resources unless he fled to a galaxy far from the Neprijat. Adelina wanted to help him. He deserved their help. Honor was only a part of the reason.

Why she felt so drawn to him was a completely different problem she wasn’t yet sure how to approach. Not only was he a foreign prince, but he was now the crown prince and heir apparent of the Khara galaxy – unless he lost the sacred challenge. But with no other princes or princesses to fight him for the crown?

Adelina knew why Asher suspected the lost prince’s intentions.

King Orion nodded slowly as he considered their words. “Normally I would take any decision I’ve come to, to our advisors, but this is such a sensitive matter I believe the weight of this decision should be on the royal family and the royal family alone.”

He looked at each of them and Adelina dropped her eyes after he acknowledged her. Her father was still the dominant and when he spoke as king she felt the full weight of it.

‘Our advisors,’ her father was already mentally moving on from his position as king and it hurt Adelina to hear the words. It reminded her they didn’t have much time left with him.

Asher cleared his throat and Adelina shot him a glare, her submissive mask slipping away momentarily. Unless he had legitimate and helpful concerns he could keep his damn mouth shut on the matter. His surprised look reminded her she’d challenged him. Adelina quirked an eyebrow which raised a corner of Asher’s mouth – his version of a smile – before she dropped her eyes to the floor.

“Prince Nash declared the contingent of soldiers he’d been on patrol with is here with him. We know Nash personally,” Asher said thoughtfully. Adelina peeked at him. Asher had actually taken her direction and it shocked her. “We will need to have his soldiers interviewed and take inventory of everything he brought with him. We were not nearly careful enough with our security six months ago and I for one do not wish to see the palace bombed again.”

Their father nodded in agreement. “We will interview him and his patrol. Guards will track his movements and he can stay for a week, but Prince Nash cannot stay on Draga Terra if we have any hope of peace for our people.”

Adelina felt devastated but she understood her father’s position even if she did not agree with it. How was Nash to survive?

“What about our alliance?” Giselle asked. “The contract clearly states in times of war either side will send aid.”

Thank the goddess for her sister and her warrior’s honor. Adelina fluttered a hand and tucked a piece of hair back into place, letting her sister know how grateful she was.

Raena frowned. “Giselle, as second-born you simply don’t understand the gravity of these decisions.”

Adelina’s mouth dropped open in shock at her sister’s carelessly vicious words. She knew Raena would change under the weight of the crown, but not like this.

“If we shelter and aid Prince Nash it’s a call to arms, a declaration of war to the Neprijat,” Raena said. “The Khara galaxy has far more advanced tech than we do and they were slaughtered and enslaved within a day. What do you think would happen to our people here in the Draga galaxy?”

Giselle shook her head as Raena spoke, her cheeks growing red in anger.

“Enough!” the king roared, silencing any thoughts of arguments from them all.

Her fingers trembled as she hid her hands in her lap. Adelina couldn’t even bring her head up from the demand in her father’s voice. They would do as he said and there was no way to question the command.

The fire crackled, the only sound in the silent room as they all waited for his judgment.

“We will give him one week to gather what he can and refuel his starships, and then Prince Nash must leave. His presence will be kept to a minimum with no official announcement and nothing on the livestream.”

William nodded in agreement. “His movements will need to be monitored, but that will be easy enough. As a soldier, I can be assigned to him and assist him in searching for his people. He will require help gathering what remains of his forces, if it is even possible.”

The king waved his hand at their mother who pulled her simulcast out to write down notes. “William, I will have you reassigned immediately until further notice so your superior is aware. I want you to report directly to the Lord High Admiral, myself, or Raena and no one else. Gather what information you can, but be discreet. Giselle, I want you to be his escort.”

Adelina felt a strange pang and her stomach dropped. She glanced at Giselle and her sister’s face was carefully blank. “Yes, father.”

She and her sister needed to speak privately and soon. Adelina ‘accidentally’ brushed her foot against Giselle’s when she uncrossed and then re-crossed her legs. Giselle glanced at her as their father moved on to Raena, giving her instructions on moving their forces defensively. Adelina adjusted an earring and fluttered her hand in a very careful gesture before placing it back in her lap.

Giselle nodded, agreeing to the request. As they grew up the two of them had slowly added to their tiny hand gestures, silently speaking when needed without anyone else the wiser. After the family meeting was over Giselle would meet with Adelina in her rooms.

Their father dismissed the meeting and Adelina stood with Raena. She gave her father and mother a quick kiss on the cheek then left the study. Still angry, but cycles of practice made it easy to hide.

Her simulcast chimed and reminded her of the appointment with the dressmaker.

Slowly Adelina made her way through the halls of the east wing to her rooms. How could her father and sister go back on an agreement they’d upheld for so long? The alliance was made for peace and strength, it was made knowing that one day war may come to their doorstep and they could be called to help. It hurt to know the Corinthians wouldn’t have turned their backs on Draga.

The end of the hall was empty. Adelina’s rooms were near her sisters and the ocean. Their parent’s room was even deeper in the palace on the floor above and towards the center.

She placed her hand on the door and the scan identified her genes. Then she slipped into her sitting room and crossed to her bedroom, still shaking with her anger. Adelina almost let herself lose control but the open door to the adjoining bedroom shocked her and instantly she stilled. The door had been closed the last time she’d been in her rooms.

Then she remembered Nadyah.

Her golden head poked out of the consort’s room and smiled at her. “Good morning, Princess. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Adelina studied her courtesan and thoughts flashed by so quickly she was frozen in place. Could she trust her courtesan with her secrets – all of them? Wasn’t she supposed to? Nadyah was to be a type of lady-in-waiting, a loyal friend and confidante as well as her camerraleto courtesan.

“Can I trust you?” she asked bluntly.

Nadyah’s face would have been comical if the matter weren’t so serious. She came out of her room and approached Adelina slowly, her face grave. She paused, clasped her hands before her, and bowed low. “I swear on the maiden, the mother, and the crone I am loyal to the Draga royal family, to you before the rest. Your secrets are my secrets, your highness.”

Adelina found the order of loyalty interesting. The courtesan’s words were sincere and she’d invoked a sacred oath. If she broke that oath her life would be Adelina’s to take.

“I am going to hold you to that Nadyah. Anything you hear or see will need to be kept private.”

“Of course, Princess.”

With those final words Adelina was satisfied for the time being, but she planned to keep a close eye on her courtesan. It was prudent to be suspicious. “They are sending the prince away; his request for sanctuary has been denied,” Adelina said.

There was no reaction from the courtesan but a slight tightening around her eyes. “You don’t agree?”

There was a slight knock at the door and she was saved from having to answer.

Nadyah rushed to the door before Adelina could and she realized this was what her life would be like for a while. She had never had a lady-in-waiting. There were maids and servants, but not a private attendant as Raena had – not for a third-born not yet of age. Nadyah bowed as she opened the door and Giselle came in with her hands in her dress pockets.

Her sister looked serious and there was no hint of a smile as there usually was. “What is it, Lina?” The familiar nickname waved protocol aside and Adelina shook her skirts out to give herself a few more seconds.

Instantly Adelina dropped the mask she kept in place for the recorders, the nobles, the courtiers, and the family members who simply wouldn’t understand who she really was, or approve of her true nature.

“Would you mind coming to my fitting with me in a few minutes?”

Finally, Giselle smiled. Ever since Raena’s coronation was drastically moved up, Adelina had lost Raena as her extremely feminine companion and Giselle knew how much she missed her and the little things they’d done together.

“Of course little sister, I would love to.” Giselle came into the bedroom and sat on Adelina’s bed.

Nadyah disappeared into the consort’s room to give them some sense of privacy. Giselle crossed her legs, propped her elbow on her knee, and rested her chin on her hand. She gave Adelina her full attention and Adelina wilted under the weight of it. She began to pace instead of meeting that gaze and shook her hands out to relieve some of the nerves.

Why was she so anxious to speak to Giselle about this? She was never nervous around Giselle despite their difference in dominance. They had always been close and kept each other’s secrets, and there were a lot of them.

“Spit it out, Lina.”

“Do you think I could be the one to escort Prince Nash?” Adelina glanced at her sister but kept pacing. She had too much energy to stand still.

Giselle’s shocked look could be for a few different reasons. Adelina waited for the answer. “Do you like him, Lina?” Giselle asked instead.

After everything that had happened with Alpha Giselle had been sweet and supportive, always saying Adelina would find someone when the time was right. She knew Giselle spoke the truth, but had doubted on occasion.

Now there was this strange feeling and she wasn’t even sure what she actually felt for Nash. She wasn’t even sure what she wanted to accomplish by escorting him, but Adelina felt as though she had to do something.

Adelina threw her hands up in exasperation. “I don’t know. I feel…like a fluttering moth to the flame. He draws me in, but I can’t say if I feel anything at all other than sympathy and the desire to help him. That father and Raena outright denied the alliance agreement…” She stopped and crossed her arms as she studied Giselle. “I need to speak with him privately. There is no other way. Finding out the truth is what is important, and if I can convince father he is trustworthy and honorable perhaps it will get him to reconsider his denial.”

Adelina knew Nash hadn’t killed his own family. The male she’d spent time with only a few cycles ago didn’t have an evil bone in his body. But her father needed to be convinced this was the right choice, the honorable one. If she couldn’t convince the king, then she would have to do whatever she could to aid him on her own.

She felt called and she would not deny a nudge from the goddess.

Giselle waved her hand in annoyance. “There is no real risk for father and Raena to deny him. There is almost no chance he would ever get his kingdom back, and even then he’d have to fight any remaining princes and princesses for the right to rule.”

Adelina tapped her fingers on her arm in contemplation. “Yes, there is that strange custom.” She frowned. “Even so, the new ruler would remember and call for justice. If not the Corinthians then it would be the Neprijat.”

Giselle’s face paled at the thought of those monsters entering their borders. “There is nothing we can do. The decision has been made by those who wield much more power than we, but I can pass on escort duty to you. As long as the work is done Father won’t mind who does it. Write your little reports on your shreve and send it to me. I will pass them along. It’s as simple as that.”

Adelina flopped back on her bed and stared at her painted ceiling; galinas on the prowl for their prey. “How could they do this?” she whispered.

Giselle rolled over onto her stomach and gave Adelina a look. “Sweet sister, have you not learned that the path of least resistance is the easiest? I agree granting sanctuary would put our people in danger, but they’re already in danger. It’s foolish to think otherwise. Father has an excuse, his sickness and meds muddle his mind, but Raena? I never thought she would take the coward’s way.” Giselle shook her head. “Perhaps it is too early, the strain of ruling too much for her.”

There was nothing to say. Giselle said exactly what Adelina had been thinking. “At least Mother hasn’t suggested you marry him, Father might actually consider that.”

Giselle snorted. “I already have someone I plan to marry.”

Adelina shot up and nearly smashed her head into her sister’s. “Really? Who is it?” she demanded. “How could you not tell me you were involved with someone?” Her voice rose to a near shriek.

Her sister shrugged and inspected her fingernails. “You know as well as I do my endeavors are not approved by the family. I want to become an officer in the Army. I want to fight for Draga and serve that way. Because I can bear children I am considered too valuable and my rights stripped. William is cycles younger and he already serves in the Army. No one cares about his seed.”

Adelina made a face. “You know he’s already donated his seed to the physicians for safe-keeping and you have your eggs with them as well. Anyone can bear your children.”

It was Giselle’s turn to make a face at her. “Royals need natural born and bred children to be considered legitimate. The samples are kept for the records only and in case of a disaster. No one else has the genes dominant enough to rule an entire galaxy if we are all wiped out.”

The words were a reminder of what happened to Nash’s family and the possibility was very real. Adelina redirected the conversation in a more pleasant direction. “So, who have you been secretly seeing?”

“I’m not ready to say yet,” Giselle said.

Her words hurt Adelina, but she wouldn’t press.

Her sister must have sensed a change in her mood because she turned and gave her a small smile. “I promise when I can you will be the first to know. My lover isn’t ready for me to say and I want to respect their wishes. It’s not easy being in a relationship with a royal.” Giselle shrugged her apology.

“I understand,” Adelina told her. Their lives were very restrictive.

Then there was still the matter of the lost prince. “Send me the schedule father sent you?”

Giselle pulled her simulcast out of her pocket and tapped a quick message before sending out the cast. Adelina’s chimed in response. “It’s quite simple. You join him for each meal, and he joins you for most of your activities. In the hours he cannot accompany you, you must set up something to occupy his time. Don’t worry though; William has a few of his hours starting the day after tomorrow.”

Adelina tensed. “So, I would be with him all day tomorrow?”

The answering laugh didn’t make her feel better. “Yes,” Giselle replied. “I will send a cast to Raena notifying the crown princess of the change. I’m going to say you volunteered so that you could contribute.”

Adelina nodded. “Of course.” She would not be the reason her sister earned another punishment. “What activities is he supposed to attend? How will this allow him to search for his people?”

Giselle shrugged. “I believe the idea is to hobble him.”

Hobbling the prince would only anger him. Adelina wondered who thought it was the best choice, their father or Raena.

“I might have to rearrange my schedule and activities.” Her day was so full already with lessons and planning the upcoming events she hardly had time to breathe let alone think. She would have to notify her instructors of the change in her schedule.

She and Giselle needed a break from all the rules and expectations. “Would you like to escape?” Adelina whispered.

Her sister’s answering grin was infectious. “I thought you would never ask,” her sister said. She inclined her head in question towards the consort’s suite. “Are we bringing anyone else along?”

Adelina looked at the open doorway and considered the ramifications. It was all or nothing. Adelina nodded, they could trust Nadyah.

“I believe Nadyah might enjoy such an excursion. After all courtesans are trained in more than the bedroom arts.” They both waited and looked to the courtesan’s room.

Nadyah’s sultry voice came through the door. “That is correct, we are also trained in defense; the perfect hidden escort.”

Adelina grinned.

“Don’t you have a dress appointment?” Giselle asked.

Adelina cursed as she jumped up from the bed. “I have to leave now if I want to be on time.” The appointment was clear across the palace and in a separate building. Giselle followed after her, nearly banging into her when she stopped at the door. “Nadyah, would you mind coming?”

Nadyah came out of her room smiling. “I would love to help ensure you will be the shining jewel of your party, your highness.” There was a wicked gleam in her eye and Adelina knew she would push and cajole the tailor for a more daring fit.

Adelina shivered in anticipation. Living with Nadyah in the palace would be quite a change.