Adelina smiled wide enough to hide the fearful anticipation, to look innocent and naïve enough Raena wouldn’t think twice about Varan. Adelina made sure the smile wasn’t too wide or too naïve as the tone in those around her was enough to warn anyone. Then she let it fill her eyes, completing her mask. She could feel Varan’s gaze on her and knew pieces clicked into place at the transformation.

“Escort me to my chair,” she whispered, nodding at a few nobles who turned to watch her enter. Hayden she ignored completely.

Varan did exactly as she instructed, bowing when she sat with her gown flaring around her knees, and then he disappeared behind the black-wood chair. She could feel him listening and watching, could feel everyone else in the room listening, watching, and waiting. They flicked small glances and looks at her, wondering if they would see more of her wolf today. Adelina knew they would always be looking at her now and she stared ahead at nothing, ignoring them all.

Giselle, Raena, and Ian were missing as well as their parents. It was odd to see so many royal thrones empty. Soon Giselle would be home…and then Adelina would be leaving. They would have such little time together before they were separated again and her heart ached.

The doors crashed open and Raena came into the council room like a tropical storm off the sea. She held up her skirts delicately as she gracefully made her way up the stairs and then sat in the king’s throne. The gold spidersilk fluttered, but her sister did not look as radiant as she had during breakfast, there was a tightness around her eyes that worried Adelina.

Caspian rang the bells and the council meeting commenced.

So many lives had been affected and changed in such a short period of time.

Adelina saw Masha quietly sitting next to her brother Hayden and could only thank the goddess the ball and coronation had brought so many of the noble families to Draga Terra.

But their people were still on the planets, vulnerable and exposed until the shield was closed – in a matter of days now. Those people would be the first to die if the Neprijat attacked, if they managed to break through their shield. Something had to be done, perhaps an evacuation to the core. Her studies had presented a few strategies, but there weren’t many invasions to use as a reference.

“Princess Giselle has made it back from the border,” Raena announced.

Every single muscle in Adelina’s body tightened. Why hadn’t her sister come to see her? When did she even arrive? She’d received no word at all.

Giselle came through those doors a second later with Lord Sirus slightly behind her. She dropped to one knee in front of Raena and Sirus followed suit. Adelina inspected her sister for injuries, scars; something that told her how things had gone on the border.

“Crown Princess,” Giselle said, rising from her knee with one hand on her pistol. “The Neprijat were ready and waiting for us. They engaged us on Treon and the casualties were nearly insurmountable. We did manage to beat them back and secure our prey. Also we were able to bring back one of their ships to study. Someone leaked information to the enemy. We received intel with proof from Prince Asher during our return on who ratted to the Neprijat and gathered what was requested as such.”

Something about the careful wording sent Adelina’s heart into her throat.

“The Archduchess Indra,” Giselle said, stepping to the side.

Adelina gripped the arms of her chair so hard the wood creaked. The archduchess was brought into the council room, shackled with plasma cuffs. The soldiers threw her to the ground in front of Raena and the recorders zoomed in like flies on a carcass.

“Indra,” Raena said loud and clear.

No one in the council room moved as they stared at the archduchess in shock.

“Do you deny any of this?” Raena asked, waving her hand.

Data flooded the livestream and pinged everyone’s simulcast with the messages between Avvis and the Neprijat, the damning proof for all to see.

“No,” Indra said, her chin lifting in defiance. “I deny nothing. Avvis should rule Draga, not someone as spineless and worthless as you.” She spat on the floor, practically snarling as the soldiers held her back.

Raena simply looked bored and waved her hand. “Your crime is treason and you are sentenced to death. No Justice Keeper would dare deny the damning proof.”

At her signal Darius, her royal guard, stepped forward.

“The punishment for traitors, as we all know, is beheading,” Raena declared.

Without hesitation Darius unsheathed his sword and swung. The motion was so quick and so precise a second of silent shock filled the room and even Indra looked surprised. Then her head slid from her neck and fell to the floor with a meaty smack.

Adelina flinched at the sound and smell of blood, but she kept her eyes on the ground as she usually did. The horrified gasps and murmurs were drowned out by Masha’s sobbing. Adelina was too shocked to comprehend what she’d just seen.

The body was removed within moments.

“Bring Hayden and Masha forward,” Raena ordered, waving at the son and daughter of Avvis.

Guards rushed to do her bidding. Adelina felt hot and sick, sweat beaded on her hairline and the back of her neck as she watched the girl she’d grown to like tremble in front of her sister.

“Place the truth device on Hayden.”

More movement, but Adelina could hardly focus. The ringing in her ears was too loud and the panic started to rise up from deep within her as the smell of blood permeated the room. Some poor soul opened a door, but the salty ocean breeze did nothing to eradicate it, if anything it enhanced the coppery tang.

Soldiers placed the device around Hayden’s throat. It flickered to life and the sound of his heartbeat was fast and loud. A Justice Keeper stood next to him, reading the device’s output.

“Hayden d’Avvis, did you know of your mother’s plans?” Raena asked.

“I did your majesty.” At least he didn’t try to lie and insult them all.

Raena looked like she sucked on a lemon when the device didn’t react. “You are stripped of all titles and lands,” she said with vicious efficiency. “Send him to the prison. I’ll decide what to do with him later.”

Giselle watched him dragged off by more guards with a nasty satisfaction on her face. Adelina knew the treason had nearly cost her sister her life but – she hardly recognized Giselle.

“Now Masha,” Raena instructed.

Tears ran down the girl’s face and Adelina wanted to run to her, hold her close, and tell her everything was going to be all right. Masha was a bright star in the dark sky, and seeing her subjected to this was heartbreaking, but if she knew…Adelina blinked and reminded herself what her place was in this madness.

“I swear I didn’t know majesty,” Masha pleaded for understanding. “She mentioned it one time as a joke and I thought nothing of it. I didn’t think she’d truly be so stupid.” Masha glanced at the bloodstain on the floor with regret and grief.

Indra was still her mother.

“She’s telling the truth,” the Justice Keeper reported.

Raena nodded and the device was removed. Then Masha was helped to her feet and Adelina breathed a silent sigh of relief. She held so incredibly still. Nothing about this meeting had been on the docket, and Alpha hadn’t warned her. He hadn’t warned her any of this would happen. Why?

“Lady Masha, as your mother is no longer able to hold her title and Hayden has been stripped of his rights, you are now the Archduchess of Avvis. The contracts will be signed after the meeting and I suggest you gather your people and investigate who else might be a part of this conspiracy,” Raena instructed.

Masha bowed her head low and Adelina’s heart ached for her. The girl couldn’t look away from the blood on the floor and Adelina would never forget the way Indra’s head had slid from her neck, never in a million cycles would she forget.

Her nails pierced the arms of her throne as she held onto her control with vicious cruelty. Indra was a traitor, she was a traitor and that’s why she’d died…but Raena didn’t have to do it in the council room.

It seemed she wanted to remind everyone what happened to traitors.

Giselle clasped her hands behind her back and turned to face Raena once more. Her boot stepped into the blood, but Giselle didn’t notice or didn’t care. Sirus looked straight ahead at the banner behind the thrones with a neutral expression. Adelina wondered if she was the only one silently screaming inside.

A quick glance at Joslynn and she only had eyes for Sirus though her face was whiter than snow and there was a green tinge to it Adelina didn’t like.

This was not how things were done. Yes, war was upon them and they needed to ensure those who fought for them, who stayed close, were loyal and would fight for Draga – but this was barbaric.

“The Treon traitors,” Giselle said simply, and stepped aside.

Four of Giselle’s soldiers came in, dragging Lucas’s father and brother. They were shoved to the floor before Raena. No one moved, no one breathed as they waited for what the Crown Princess would do next.

“Peter and Grady of Treon, you’ve been stripped of your titles and lands. As such Treon is now ruled by the Lord Lucas. You’ve committed treason and allied with the Neprijat,” Raena declared. The power in her voice weighed heavily on Adelina and she couldn’t help the way her head bowed. “As traitors of your house and traitors of the crown you are sentenced to death.”

Adelina kept her face a blank mask. She didn’t dare show emotion, not when the recorders watched them all so closely. Nobles hadn’t been put to death in a generation – and now three in one day?

Raena waved her jewel-covered hand.

Two royal guards came up behind Peter and Grady. One of them was Alpha and the other was Raena’s guard, Darius.

That sick feeling in Adelina’s stomach flared and she froze.

Two swords were unsheathed in tandem; the razor-sharp blades glinted in the morning sun. As one they swung without hesitation or deliberation – and sliced through the necks of both men in half a second.

Blood sprayed and Adelina felt the red mist hit her cheek.

She held herself rigid, only a blink gave away the storm raging inside, the silent screaming in her head that wouldn’t end. The sick, wet thud of each head on the floor made Adelina gag but somehow she kept it in, keeping her face blank by sheer will alone. Her claws dug into the arms of her chair hard enough she could feel the wood splinter and her sharp canines pierced her lip.

All Adelina could do as blood oozed from the heads and gushed from the necks was to stare at Giselle, unblinking. The bodies slumped over in the deafening silence. Her sister’s face was as blank as her own, but there was something dead in her eyes. Whatever she’d seen on the borders, whatever she’d dealt with had changed her.

Giselle turned back to Raena and every single person in the council room looked sick. The executions had been very public, very…shocking and Adelina supposed that had been the point, because neither of her sisters was quite done.

“Crown Princess,” Giselle said with one hand on her pistol. “We need to prepare. The Neprijat are already within our borders. The shield is secure and will delay them, but we will have to hunt down every single one in the outer rim to provide safety for our people.”

Raena nodded, ignoring the guards who dragged away the bodies. Adelina flinched when the doors closed behind Alpha. It was the only reaction she hadn’t been able to hide and her only mistake.

“Princess Adelina,” Raena practically trilled. “What do you suggest we do?”

Those careful breathing exercises were worth cula’ting shikta at the moment and it was all she could do not to hurl onto the marble floor where the stained glass shone in a riot of colors. All those hours studying had prepared her though, had readied her for this moment if not for the situation.

No, Adelina had been studying war and their enemy day and night since Nash left.

She was of age now, she was supposed to be an ambassador, and she had already showed her Wolf to the world; and now Raena wanted her to show them all again when it really mattered. Instead of a mask being put into place, she had to take one off to do what her sister required of her.

Adelina didn’t smile. The executions were abhorrent enough she refused. Instead she slid her gaze to her sister and lifted the corner of her lips just enough to show the canine matching Raena’s own, knowing what it would look like with the blood dripping down her cheek.

Her voice was clear and strong as it carried throughout the council room, but still soft enough to remind them of how sweet she’d been for so many cycles. “The schematics for the shield can be used to build a second shield around the core of the Draga galaxy. We evacuate everyone in the outer rim planets to the core and hunt the monsters down mercilessly. Once we’ve eradicated the threat within our borders we can begin our preparation to attack as well as defend.”

Giselle nodded in agreement. There was a small spark in her eyes of curiosity at the change between Adelina and Raena.

“Very good, little sister.” Raena patted her hand and the hair on her arms rose in warning.

There was something else. Another piece was in play and Adelina couldn’t guess what it was, not while she couldn’t stop thinking about the blood as servants came to mop it up. The pungent tang of copper was heavy on her tongue and she was acutely aware of the hot wet drops that slowly cooled on her arms and face.

“Caspian set up the evacuation and coordinate with the ruling nobility of all core planets to take the refugees,” Raena ordered. “Then we will set up the second shield immediately. We will also build a third around Draga Terra.”

In case there was a final stand.

Adelina wanted to run away as far as she could, but this was her life and there was nowhere to go.

“Set up a meeting with the Generals,” Raena instructed.

Then she stared at everyone as if daring them to bring up another matter. Raena was about to pounce, Adelina could feel it. Slowly she released her nails from the wood and leaned forward ever so slightly. Instinct told her to get ready, for what though was the question.

“King Orion has taken a turn for the worst,” Raena said with real regret. “The physicians said he only has days, perhaps a week. As such the coronation will be moved up to tomorrow.”

Holy goddess…

Adelina couldn’t breathe.

Murmurs, but no one outright questioned her, not after that carefully planned display of power. The blood on the floor was difficult to ignore. There was so much of it the servants struggled to get it up and smeared it across the white marble instead.

The thought nearly made Adelina lose what little control she had left. She didn’t dare pierce her palms with her nails; the scent of royal blood on the air would only make things worse. There was only one way she could leave, could run away to re-gather her thoughts and she had to take advantage, no matter how much she wanted to lose herself in the panic raging inside, waiting for one small slip up to take her down.

With a small hand signal she asked Raena if she could make a request and her sister waved her forward, leaning back against her throne casually, as though their father wasn’t on his deathbed and blood wasn’t still on the floor.

Alpha had outright lied to Adelina’s face about it too. He’d known.

Adelina stood as she had only a day ago – only a day. Then stepped, eyes facing forward instead of down, and when she hit the marble floor she couldn’t avoid the blood. It was placed right in front of Raena for a reason, for any who dared make a request. They would have to kneel in it.

Would she curtsey instead? That was the question all those eyes were asking as they stared at her.

Giselle had kneeled.

Rank and protocol dictated she didn’t have to, but Raena watched her with a sparkle in her eyes that Adelina didn’t want to test. She went to one knee and bowed her head in proper deference to the difference in their rank and dominance. The blood on the floor was ice cold against her skin and her balance grew shaky when she nearly slipped. Then Adelina stood.

“I would like to request my trip to the Hai galaxy be moved. It would be prudent I leave after the coronation. The sooner we can gather allies, the sooner we can attack the Neprijat and eradicate their threat.”

Standing before her brothers and sisters this way allowed Adelina to see William’s face which was practically green, and Asher’s. Asher frowned at her, but it wasn’t because of her words. His eyes were fixated on the blood staining her knee, spreading through the fabric. Raena gave Adelina a soft smile and a nod of approval.

“Excellent idea, Adelina. I approve this request. Will you have everything ready in time?”

Another test; another game.

Adelina dared a look to Varan, the only person in that room other than Asher she felt like she could trust, she could rely on. There was something dark in those emerald eyes, but the thief dipped his chin in the tiniest nod. He would help her make it happen no matter what. She’d given Roxy five days…

“I can have everything ready to leave three days after the coronation, Crown Princess.”

Raena’s smile widened, she was pleased with Adelina’s new backbone…so far. “I’ve been looking over your reports, I’m glad to see you were able to work within the budget.”

It took effort not to swallow, to fold her hands in front of her instead of curl them into fists and press her nails to her palms, piercing deep enough to focus. “Yes, it was difficult, but I’ve managed.” If Raena knew about the mercenaries, the two other ships – she didn’t show it, didn’t show on her face if she was aware that Adelina had claimed her starship from the royal fleet.

“Thank you, Princess. Do you have the necklace for the coronation ready?”

Fear ate at her insides and she dared a look at Joslynn. The Countess refused to meet her gaze. “My apologies, Crown Princess, it is not ready.” Adelina would never give her sister that necklace in a million cycles, not anymore. It would be a disgrace to the jewels.

“It’s no matter. I have something else to wear. You may be seated.” Adelina moved toward her chair. The sharp smell of the blood on the floor was thick and her instincts roared at her to run, the spots on her knee wet and the gown stuck to her legs awkwardly. Instead she sat gracefully on her small throne as if she wasn’t covered in gore.

She would have to burn the dress.

“Caspian, call the War Council immediately. Anyone who is not a part of this meeting leaves. Any other issues on the docket will be addressed tomorrow.” Raena glared at everyone in the room as they silently – so, so silently filed out of the council room.

Asher and William stayed, as did Giselle and Sirus. Raena glanced at Adelina and smiled wide. “I appreciate your advice, it’s going to help tremendously, but I don’t think you’re quite ready for the details of the War Council.”

Another show of her power.

Adelina bowed her head and stood. Asher gave her a nod; he would do what he could for their people.

Without having to be told Varan appeared at her side, bowed and offered Adelina his arm. Gratefully she took it, fingers trembling. Nobles and courtiers stepped aside so she could pass, their eyes on the blood staining her once beautiful gown, the drops congealing on her face and arms.

Adelina could barely think. She could barely put one foot in front of the other.

Varan was steady as a rock beside her. He never once let her stumble or fall, and he was close enough to shield her from any questions that could be asked – as if she’d somehow known all that horror was going to happen.

She stopped before Masha and took her hand gently. Adelina said nothing as she kissed the girl’s cheek. Masha was no longer a girl, she was an archduchess and she’d lost a mother and a brother that day.

“Send me a cast and I will do what I can,” Adelina whispered before she pulled away.

Then she went to Lucas. The male didn’t look angry or sad, he simply looked – vacant. Adelina kissed both of his cheeks in consolation. It was all she could give him. More families would be torn apart before the end; she only hoped they could all recover.

“Varan, please take me to my rooms.” Her words were stronger than she thought they’d be. Without a word he followed her command, wrapping one arm around her waist as he directed her.

As though he could feel her internal struggle – as though he could feel how she broke apart inside.

“As you wish,” Varan murmured.