Varan leaned back in his chair at his unofficial table. The Ladrole was packed despite the early hour. Many were there to eat and drink the day away while they watched the infamous Games at the palace. The bets alone would pad his income for months.

Every year the people participated in their own Games. The winner in each category or game won gold and popularity. They could take weeks to complete when hosted on each planet for the people. But when the royals threw their own version for celebration, it was an extravagant event where one could watch their favorite nobles and see what they were like under pressure, what skills they possessed, and see who would let out the Wolf.

He’d seen them a few times, but not often. There had been a set of Games to celebrate King Orion and Queen Adele’s wedding in the weeks leading up to their wedding, but he’d been very small and didn’t remember much. The royal Games held for the king’s brother was cycles later and that had been a sight to behold.

Varan was sad his friend, King Orion, wouldn’t be able to participate. The last time he’d seen the male compete he’d won in almost every category and event.

The Prince of Thieves had been invited to participate this time, but Varan had politely declined. His head was not where it should be. He’d been contemplating the diamond in his desk for the last week.

Varan rubbed his chin, feeling the scruff he liked to keep and watched the recorders zoom around the palace, the shots broken with a stream of one of the royal publicists talking over the footage, and then cuts to old footage from previous royal Games. Orion had been a beast the last time.

Something about the king’s illness didn’t sit right, but Varan didn’t have enough information to take a guess. Prince Ian didn’t allow servants in his lab and he was the only one with full access to the king’s files as well as his own studies. The bastard prince was too smart for his own good.

Most in the tavern didn’t serve in his court, but they were patrons and citizens who lived or worked in the area. He tapped his fingers on the metal of the table and watched his rogues as they blended in seamlessly to ensure safety and prevent unsanctioned pickpockets.

“Varan, are you going to glower all day?” Roxy asked, reaching to snatch a bit of food off his plate.

He grabbed her wrist and snarled. Varan was not in the mood to play or share. “Get your own.”

“Fine, you ass. I will,” Roxy snapped, yanking her wrist from his grip. She jerked to her feet and glared daggers at him the entire way to the bar.

Varan sighed and raked his hand through his hair, rolling his neck to ease some of the tension. Despite the frivolity of the Games, emotions were high and the atmosphere in Stella di Draga was tense. Everyone was on edge. The events of the morning had been a shock to the entire galaxy. It wasn’t only the sight of the Neprijat King up close and personal for the first time, but the events that unfolded like a rotten flower, oozing poison.

The second his wall-to-wall display had flickered to life on its own that morning – an utter, dreadful silence had filled his tavern; never had there been such quiet before. The Neprijat King made goose-pimples rise along Varan’s skin and the hair at the nape of his neck rose, like hackles on a wolf. The Neprijat male looked almost normal except those depthless, soulless black eyes. No, it was the way he spoke and how those black teeth glittered and shone like a feral monster’s. Each and every one of those teeth was sharp as a dagger.

For Princess Raena to offer up someone as innocent and helpless as Adelina to that monster, it had sickened him. Varan doubted she would have turned Adelina over to the Neprijat, but maybe if she was desperate enough she would have given in. Rage had boiled so hot Varan had nearly done something unforgivable.

To keep from committing treason he’d stayed as still as his patrons and rogues as they watched the events unfold.

Now he was about to change his entire life to save an innocent. Getting Raena to agree to let him marry Adelina would prevent any future issues. He felt guilty about it, but had he delivered a diamond days ago instead of hesitating, would she have even offered Adelina to the Neprijat?

Varan felt guilty for not bringing the diamond sooner. Nash was his friend. He’d just reached the border and was far away. But the bloke had asked him to keep Adelina safe…how was he supposed to do that without marrying her?

Would the Corinthian male still want Adelina as a wife? It wasn’t unusual to have multiple spouses, especially for a royal. King Orion’s father had three wives. But the culture in the Khara galaxy was so different. It was a tossup.

Roxy slammed a plate on the table and glared at him while she shoveled food into her mouth. The two had been friends since childhood and Varan was used to her impressive temper after so many cycles. But she was also the most loyal and trustworthy person he’d ever met. Once Roxy decided she liked someone that was it. She would die for them.

“Look, Rox, I’m sorry. It’s been a rough day.” It was a shit apology, but better than nothing. Varan couldn’t work up the energy to try harder when he had so much dumped on his plate.

The request to serve Princess Adelina had been one he’d gladly accepted. Hell, he’d offered almost anything when he’d first sent the transmission to her. Those sacred words spoke volumes. He didn’t regret it, but the rage had ridden him hard until he had to do something.

“Varan, we’ve all had a rough day. Eat some food, and maybe you’ll feel a little less bitchy,” Roxy said, jabbing her fork at his untouched plate.

He glared at the food, but ate a bite, and then another. Had he really had nothing to eat all day? After the council meeting was displayed for everyone to see and judge, Varan hadn’t had an appetite for anything but vengeance and blood. After the third bite he felt a tad more in control.

“I am most definitely not ‘bitchy,’” he grumbled.

“The bitchiest,” Roxy said, snorting into her food. “You’re a right snobby little princess when you haven’t eaten.”

“You still manage to out-bitch me when you’re hungry,” Varan teased.

Roxy threw her hair over her shoulder and looked down her nose at him, impressive really given how small she was. “Oh, we both know I’m the queen bitch.”

Varan flicked her nose and finished the rest of his food. Thank the gods for heated plates.

As he ate he contemplated the reaction he’d had to Raena’s offer to the Neprijat. It had been a surprise. The way the princess Adelina had fallen to her knees when the Neprijat King set his eyes on her had set off every single protective instinct he’d possessed.

As one of the most dominant in society, the instinct triggered hard. Only the royals were more dominant than he, and then only the ones who possessed the rosanera scent.

That instinct had nearly sent him running towards the palace, and he had no idea why. Perhaps it was the oath he’d sworn to her the night he found out she was a royal, perhaps it was that Varan knew she was still his friend Lina under all that princess nonsense.

Varan still felt that Princess Adelina was not Lina the thief. He couldn’t reconcile the two massively different people as one in his head. He’d seen it with his own damn eyes, but it was still impossible for him to believe – as if it had all been a dream…but he’d seen a flash of his Lina when he danced with Princess Adelina at her party, and she’d given him that grin he knew so well. The one that always warned him she was about to get him in trouble.

Lina had always been one he’d had his eye on. So many times over the cycles he’d asked her to join his inner circle and she’d always denied him, saying how she preferred to freelance. It never occurred to him to question her, because he could feel the truth in her words. She’d never once lied and the skill to manage that while keeping her other life a secret fascinated him. She was even registered in the jeweler’s guild and owned her own apartment in the third-circle of the capitol city. Varan had checked into her like he did all the people he considered for a position.

Everything had been perfectly set up, and she’d passed his inspection with flying colors.

Wanting her came with the territory as Lina was vivacious, fun, teasing, and had a sharp intelligence he admired. Varan had only asked her to bed him once a cycle or so ago, but she’d laughed him off and said she had a lover, so he’d left it alone.

But Princess Adelina was nothing to him. He rarely ever noticed her on the livestream. For some reason Varan’s eyes always slid from Giselle to Asher in the lineup and he wondered how she’d managed to stay so invisible for so many cycles, and why. The first time he’d ever really noticed her was the day the Announcements Balcony had exploded, crumbling into a million pieces. He’d watched helplessly as she’d nearly fallen to her death.

Any royal death was a terrible thing and every citizen of Draga felt it as though it were a death in their own family. The royals were theirs to serve and protect. Watching them all their lives led to a familiarity that was difficult to describe.

But when Adelina had walked among the rubble and the citizens, helping in any way she could – that was when he’d first seen her as more than a vapid, unintelligent creature. He’d always felt bad for her, a true submissive among royals.

Varan had always wondered if the king and queen had been disappointed with her lack of dominance.

But she wasn’t really submissive either, not when he knew her as Lina. Her scent was submissive, but there was something extremely odd about it.

He loved Lina, but Princess Adelina was still no more than a stranger to him and he’d hesitated. That was why Varan hadn’t delivered the diamond sooner. Despite all his intel Varan couldn’t have anticipated the Neprijat King’s actions, not in a million cycles. Now he would deliver the diamond to protect his princess.

He shook his head as he watched the display, the publicist on the livestream going on about the different Games that would be played and who would be playing. Nowhere did he see Nadyah or Adelina’s name listed as contenders.

The next few days would hold different events, but the main ones that day would be the swords, a race, the ancient tradition of the Wolf, and the Hunt. The Game of the Wolf was played every Winter Solstice at the palace, but he didn’t think he’d ever seen Adelina play.

Varan knew the day would be long, but he always enjoyed watching the events. There was so much to learn when nobles and royals were put into positions they normally wouldn’t be in.

He sighed when he wondered if Nadyah would play the Wolf. The rift between him and Nadyah – Varan wished it could be repaired. She’d denied him after leading him on for cycles. Varan had watched how the courtesan flirted and touched him. She gave him every cue she was interested and still he’d waited to make sure she had actual feelings for him, and not just lust from her genetics. Then she’d turned him down in no uncertain terms, telling him it would never happen.

Now he just wanted his friend back, and Varan had no idea how to accomplish that. He missed Nadyah sneaking into his tavern to have a few drinks with him to gossip about her clients.

“Your highness?”

Varan blinked and looked up at one of his spies from the palace, a plain-looking servant. She hid the most cunning mind behind that humble face. “What is it?” His stomach turned and he regretted eating that food Roxy had pushed on him.

The servant was dressed as any other citizen, but she slipped a disc to him and bowed. “My weekly report, your highness. It’s my day off.”

Varan nodded. The schedule he kept in his mind had gone to shit after that morning. He needed to get it together. He only had two weeks to get things under control. Varan had never left Draga Terra while he was the Prince of Thieves and he was concerned about what trouble his rogues might cause in his absence.

The disc slid into his shreve and he glanced through the reports. His mind knew the code by heart and he didn’t even have to decode it anymore. Nothing was amiss, only a report of the reactions from the staff and nobles after the council meeting. Many were outraged, and others grumbled about Raena becoming queen.

He raked his fingers through his hair again, making it all stick up straight. Varan couldn’t care less. If Raena didn’t do something and soon, the people would be against her as their ruler and that would only spell disaster for them all. They did not need a civil war on top of an invasion.

“Thank you, good work as usual,” Varan said. “Keep an eye out and send me a cast immediately if you see anything strange, any inkling that what transpired today will come to fruition.”

The female bowed again and disappeared among the patrons. No doubt she’d stay to watch the Games. The Ladrole was the only place he didn’t have to worry about his underhanded dealings. His rogues and programs always kept a watchful eye out for Law Enforcers and palace guards.

“So what exactly was that vid-cast earlier about?” Roxy asked.

The Games were gearing up and bets were displayed on the adjacent wall to the livestream. Varan caught a glimpse of Princess Adelina and the red-headed Countess who could be his friend’s twin. He hadn’t been aware those two were friends.

Roxy had put money on one of the citizens, a Stefano it seemed. She always favored the blue-haired Prieans.

“I was asked to serve,” Varan said after a pause. He didn’t have to say more than that; there was only one family he’d ever serve.

He shrugged and went through his shreve again. There was an ever-growing list of tasks he needed to accomplish. Messages were already pouring in from his favorite mercenary companies, the various warrior teams he knew of, and his own personal contacts that had served him at one point or another. The rogues on Draga Terra would handle the business and his assets.

The various lists he shuffled them into would help when choosing where to put them. A few would be perfect for Adelina’s personal ship, but one company he didn’t want anywhere near her.

The mechanic that Adelina needed though…well, she was right next to him and Varan still hadn’t figured out how to broach the topic. Roxy hated royalty. Maybe he could just throw her into the meeting without any warning. She’d be annoyed, but it wouldn’t give her a chance to say no before someone could explain.

“Sire, here is the information you requested from our latest reports,” Felix said, sliding another disc toward him. His Second was a quiet man, but he got the job done and was fiercely loyal. The citizens would obey him in Varan’s absence.

“Thank you, Felix. Have you managed to gather anything else?” Varan switched the discs and found the coordinates he needed.

Three starships were needed, and Adelina might only get one from the palace. Varan had started his search the second the vid-call had ended. Then there was the matter of everything else she would need for such a journey. How they were going to manage was beyond him. Hopefully Felix had pulled through.

“Yes, your majesty, I’ve gotten a few good leads. I’ll send you the information in a cast.”

Varan nodded and indicated his Second and friend should eat with them. “Will you be able to manage while I’m gone?”

“You’re leaving?” Roxy hissed. At least she had the good sense not to shout it to the world.

Varan shot her a look. “Yes, I told you I was asked to serve. I’m needed for a mission that may actually make a difference in this war.”

She huffed and crossed her arms, pushing those massive breasts out even farther. Felix’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “I don’t like it, Varan. If you leave, your throne will be open and you will not be here to accept a challenge. Anyone could take it.”

He bared his teeth in a feral smile. “Then I suppose those who are loyal to me will have to defend it, and keep that from happening, hm?”

“You risk too much for these royals who know nothing of our lives.” Roxy threw back another drink and turned back to the Games.

Varan ignored her and studied the map he’d been given from every angle, compared the two sets of coordinates and chose one. The best point of entry to the Hai galaxy would be one with the least amount of Neprijat present, and the most civil of the Drakesthai. There weren’t many options, but the second choice was closest to the Drakesthai’s ruling planet. The least amount of resistance would be best.

If the Neprijat realized they carried a royal Draga onboard…he was terrified to find out what they would do. If they did get their claws on her Varan supposed they’d kill Raena and Giselle, or use her as ransom, maybe kill Adelina as a warning to them all.

Well, they’d have to get through him and every single warrior he could scrounge up. A ship with top-notch defenses and weapons wouldn’t hurt either. He glanced at Roxy again and prayed to Ladra Roxy would help him. Because Varan was no fool, if they didn’t succeed the Neprijat would tear their galaxy to shreds.

“Who do you think will win the Hunt?” Roxy asked.

Varan sent out another request and hoped the assassins would respond. “Either Raena or that Priea lady, Veri, I believe,” he muttered as he tapped out the message. “Never have I seen so many bloodthirsty females in one place in all my life.”

“You think I could win the Hunt?” Roxy asked, tilting her head in question and Felix stared at her long neck.

Varan kicked his Second under the table. Felix could never get the courage up to ask Roxy if he could court her, and mooning over her only made him look ridiculous. Felix was nearly as submissive as Adelina, but he was big, strong, and loyal. He would serve well and protect Varan’s throne while he was away.

Varan shook his head with a rueful smile. “Darling, I know you could win the Hunt, you’re the most bloodthirsty of them all.”

He wondered what it said about him that he liked to surround himself with vicious women who wouldn’t even blink at tearing his throat out if he crossed a line.

Probably nothing good.

He switched over to another report. Varan had sent a few of his spies a cast when Prince Nash had left. They’d notified him the second he’d appeared in the area. Thanks to the big brute they’d been able to hold the border against skirmishes and protect the outposts, but there was nothing to explain what had happened after the attack that morning.

His spies were silent as the dead and it worried him.

Varan sent out another cast and then contacted some of the guards he knew at the Seprilles Family Seat. He grimaced and set down his device to focus on the Games.

Ladra protect his people.