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“Eat before you go,” Kaiden insisted.
Adelina nodded, taking the plate he offered. She would eat. Because her gut was telling her there wouldn’t be much time to do so later.
The recording from her mother wasn’t what made her stomach roil in anticipation though. Something else was waiting for her.
And she would be as ready as she could when it finally came.
Chapter Sixteen
Adelina
The Jasmine
Khara/Hai/Draga Border
The Hai System
She stood in the War Room aboard her flagship, theJasmine, and watched as her mother explained what she’d found in the royal library – the proof corroborating the story the Drakesthai had told her, including livestream footage that had been deleted from the public’s eye and then hidden.
It was important, but the information wasn’t as useful at that moment as Adelina had originally assumed it might be. Presented with the Neprijat, her people had no qualms with the Drakesthai.
But it would be useful when they finished this and went back home to rebuild.
Whennot if, she reminded herself.
Something else to add to her endless list of things she needed to address once she could be a real queen instead of having to rule in a constant state of damage control.
Asher stood beside her with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring as they absorbed the information. All the lords, ladies, advisors, and councilors Asher had brought with him were there, as were the Drakesthai council, the Unchanged, the Chancellor of Brogna, and Sozav.
Everyone had glared at Sozav until the recording had begun and the queen mother Adele had appeared above the massive table as a holo. Adelina purposely had Sozav stand behind her, at her back – proving that she trusted him not to slide a blade between her ribs or slit her throat.
Varan and Nash flanked him on either side with Kaiden standing behind the Neprijat rebel, wings spread as wide as they could go. No doubt they looked unapproachable – which was what she’d wanted.
Nadyah was on her left and slightly behind. She didn’t have Asher’s rank, but she was still one of Adelina’s personal advisors. As was Veri who’d signed the necessary paperwork and had sent it back in record time. Veri stood slightly behind Asher on his right, a mirror to Ian behind Nadyah.
Despite his rank as prince she’d given him the title of Royal Scientist. He advised her on all tech and medicine as well as ran the team of physicians still working on the Drakesthai cure. He had told her moments before the recording had begun that a young female, Chiara, had found a breakthrough and they should be able to begin widespread testing soon.
Adelina missed having Roxy with them, but the female was off doing important work – protecting the pirate female no doubt as she helped Kaita.
The hair on the back of her neck still prickled though. This message wasn’t what had her instincts roaring, putting her on edge.
She’d had this feeling once before – when she’d been at Varan’s tavern with Nadyah. Her courtesan had also confessed there was something in the air—something that did not bode well. And they hadn’t been wrong.
The queen mother finished her report and Adelina watched as her mother’s eyes softened. An ache in her chest threatened tears but her eyes remained dry. “I hope this information is what you needed, and I wish you well my daughter, my queen.” Adele bowed and the recording ended.
The silence that followed was potent. Everyone had something to say, but it was not about the information revealed. So Adelina spoke before someone else could open their stupid mouth and she’d be forced to put them in their place.
“Serilda, a formal apology from Draga. I wish we’d known sooner so the reparations could have started before the Neprijat came to your system,” Adelina stated, loud and clear – ignoring the way Sozav shifted behind her, clearly uncomfortable.
The old Drakesthai female stepped forward and bowed –bowedto her. “Apology accepted. The past is forgiven, if not forgotten. And with our alliance I hope we can rebuild together once this bit of nastiness is taken care of.”
Adelina couldn’t help her smile. She loved that the old dragon spoke like this war was simply an inconvenience, easily overcome. Adelina nodded and before she could dismiss the meeting to avoid more arguments about the Neprijat, a communications tech rushed into the War Room.
That feeling that had been riding her all day spiked and her stomach flipped so hard Adelina felt like she may actually be sick. “Yes?” she asked, trying to keep her voice from trembling in front ofeveryone.
“A request to speak with you, your majesty, from the Neprijat king.”
Her blood ran cold as the words registered.
