Winter Solstice in Draga Read online

  Soon she would need an heir, but for now Asher would do. Adelina wanted a bit more time to settle things and enjoy her husbands. After all, they had plenty of time and she was still young.

  There would be time for children yet, and until then Adelina was going to enjoy herself as much as she could. After all, she’d earned it.

  Chapter Two

  Adelina

  Queen’s Solar

  Draga Royal Palace

  The Draga System

  The snow fell in waves, blowing against the windows of the Queen’s Solar. Adelina smiled up at one of the new servants. She couldn’t remember her name, but she would get there.

  Normally Elara would serve them, or Nadyah. But Nadyah was officially engaged to Ian and would soon be a princess. And Elara had married her mother, Adele, in a quiet ceremony after Adelina’s coronation. So Adelina had given Elara the title of princess as a wedding gift.

  It seemed only fitting for her other mother.

  That particular secret was still only known by a handful of people, and as Adelina took a sip of her tea she wondered if it would ever be revealed. Perhaps one day, but the potential consequences no longer frightened her as they used to.

  “So, how are the people accepting the Neprijat?” Joslynn asked in Ilashyan, quietly thanking the other servant for her tea.

  Nadyah gave Adelina one of her knowing smiles and winked. “Oh, about as well as you can expect, but I believe they’re all getting used to it. Princess Dejah is a force to be reckoned with.”

  Adelina laughed and rolled her eyes. “Nadyah insists I should marry Dejah.”

  Veri grinned. “She is rather magnanimous. You have to admit, you would look lovely on her arm.”

  That she’d seriously considered the idea was something Adelina wasn’t ready to talk about, but she’d never been able to hide anything from Nadyah. “This doesn’t leave this room,” Adelina told them. “I don’t need rumors spreading to my husbands.”

  Joslynn nodded. “Of course, my queen. Do you think a marriage to her is even a possibility?”

  Adelina considered whether she should answer. The Neprijat princess had made herself available to her at every opportunity, asking what she could do for her – how she could help. She stayed in the palace in her own set of rooms and Adelina had been shocked at how quickly she’d taken to the Draga culture.

  Dejah dressed in Neprijat clothes, but she had made sure to teach those who wished to learn the Neprijat language, culture, and history. After all, Adelina had asked for her to bring books about her people and start educating scholars and teachers so the knowledge could be implemented in the school curriculums.

  Knowledge would prevent ignorance.

  And the same was being done with the Drakesthai, the Unchanged, and Brogna.

  It was a lot of work, but work that made Adelina happy.

  That Nadyah had pointed out Dejah’s subtle flirtations was still something she hadn’t come to terms with yet – not that the female wasn’t attractive. She definitely was.

  But there was still so much work to do, so much time she wanted to spend getting used to having three husbands and what it would mean for them to be a family in peacetime.

  “It’s something I might consider a few cycles from now,” Adelina said lightly. “After all, the people are still getting used to the spouses I have now. We haven’t had a female ruler with sole power since Warrior Queen Artemisia from two thousand years ago. There’s a lot they’re still getting used to.”

  Joslynn smiled slightly and sipped her tea, peridot eyes sparkling in the light from the fire. “Like your mistress?”

  Veri laughed out loud. “Oh, you should have seen the council’s faces when they found out a few days after it was made known Nadyah was officially engaged to Ian. I would pay idiotic sums of gold to see it again.”

  “It was really quite funny,” Nadyah admitted. “Then word of Ian’s new male mistress got out as well. Vitto has been a truly wonderful addition to our relationship, but most of Draga considers us all quite scandalous.”

  The two servants stood quietly on either side of the fireplace and Adelina knew two of the Queen’s Guard stood outside the door to the solar. They could all understand Ilashyan, but none would dare spill the information spoken in this room. Especially since Adelina was the one paying for the information they gathered.

  “Vitto, the servant from the Jasmine?” Joslynn asked with raised eyebrows. “I feel like I’ve missed so much.”

  “Well, you’ve certainly been busy,” Adelina teased, taking a small sandwich from the table. She was starving after working all morning. It had been hours since breakfast. But the break from all the paperwork had been worth it.

  “How are things on Pedranus?” Veri asked, taking a bite of the small cake in her hand. “Priea is about to enter our summer and I’ll have to return shortly to help Alock with the transition.”

  Joslynn shrugged and took the food Veri offered. “We were luckier than most. The damage from the small battle during our evacuation was quickly repaired. There are fewer citizens after the war, so there is a surplus of food and water. We’ve sent as much as we can out to the border planets. Otherwise, I run Pedranus while Sirus works with the Scyrian Army. He also helps Peter with anything he can.”

  Adelina stirred her tea absently as she considered Joslynn’s words.

  There were fewer citizens across the galaxy as a whole thanks to the war, but there were still so many mouths to feed. And with so many homes destroyed there were even fewer beds. Refugees had been welcomed wherever there was room, but they all needed a sense of normalcy – they needed a place of their own soon.

  Khara was the worst off out of them all. Adelina planned to spend half the cycle there after the Winter Solstice. Before that she would visit the Jatan System of the Neprijat. Something no one liked, but after she’d replaced most of her advisors and fired even more from their positions, they’d all been content to follow her lead.

  Adelina was confident who she’d hired would speak up if they needed to. For example, Veri would never allow her to do something risky if the outcome was not worth it.

  And none were louder than her husbands.

  “So, when is the wedding?” Joslynn asked, interrupting Adelina’s thoughts. “Either of them.”

  Both Nadyah and Veri shared a look. “It’s an expense that throws Asher into fits,” Veri admitted with a smirk. “So as long as I keep mentioning the cost of various things I’d like to have for the event, he won’t push me into setting a date.”

  Adelina chuckled. “You handle him well.”

  Veri shrugged. “Despite being the dark prince, he is not as terrifying as people like to claim.”

  “The true rosanera dominance is what frightens people,” Adelina murmured. “It’s not easy to avoid, even if one is not exactly frightening themselves.”

  Everyone grew silent at her admission.

  It was something Adelina was trying to come to terms with and something she hadn’t anticipated. Not when the war had been won with the help of her dominance. Not when everyone had looked to her – relied on her because of it.

  The Queen’s Solar was silent as they took that in – the only females in the galaxy she felt comfortable admitting that too.

  “Well, just make them piss their pants,” Veri finally said with a toss of her gorgeous blue hair. “They all need to realize things are no longer as they were, and it’s for the better.”

  Nadyah snorted. “Careful, or they may actually wet themselves though. I think the fact that you’ve taken to wearing your canines all the time is quite perfect. Asher has as well I’ve noticed.”

  Adelina smiled and sipped her tea. “Yes, it reminds them. They cannot forget that we nearly didn’t win because we lost our way.”

  So very, very nearly.

  If the king’s persuasion had worked on her, or the hounds had overwhelmed their forces, if the Neprijat rebels hadn’t existed, or the weapons hadn’t been in the cach
es…if P’draic’s weapon of mass destruction had failed – or the shields had faltered…

  Everything that could have gone wrong haunted her sometimes and Adelina still woke up from night terrors where she heard the screams of fear from the people she’d been forced to sacrifice when she’d unleashed that weapon.

  “Oh goodness,” Joslynn exclaimed, looking out the windows. “What are they up to now?”

  Glad for the distraction from her morbid thoughts, Adelina looked outside to see Varan, Nash, Kaiden, Asher, and Sirus out on the palace grounds in the snow. She frowned as they all stood there, pointing. She and the others went to the plas-glass out of curiosity.

  “Do you think they’re setting something up for the Winter Solstice?” Veri asked.

  “There’s nothing on the list for outside,” Adelina said, shaking her head. “Maybe it’s a gift they’re planning?”

  Veri tilted her head. “Should we pretend we didn’t see them then?”

  “Where’s Ian?” Joslynn asked Nadyah. “I’d have thought he would be out there with them.”

  “Ian is still currently working on the cure for the Drakesthai. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. He’s become obsessed,” Nadyah explained.

  “And William isn’t out there,” Adelina noticed. “He’s been training hard to escort me on the upcoming tours. He made commodore recently.”

  “Good for him,” Joslynn murmured.

  Then Asher unsheathed his sword and pointed at Sirus.

  Veri rolled her eyes. “Males can be so stupid. Do they not realize how cold it is outside?” Coming from a jungle planet – the winter had been hard on her.

  “Ten gold pieces it’s because he wants to see if he can fight the Scyrian in the cold,” Adelina said. “As for my husbands, they’re worse than children when it comes to an opportunity to fight, or to take bets on someone else’s fight.”

  Joslynn laughed at that and Adelina smiled. She’d missed her friend.

  “If you weren’t pregnant, I’d invite you to come with me to Hai,” Adelina told Joslynn. “Perhaps next time.”

  “I really did enjoy the time we spent on Anarr for your wedding to Kaiden,” Joslynn admitted. “It was the first time I’d traveled outside the Draga System. Khara was beautiful as well. How are your mothers? They seemed to enjoy both systems.”

  They turned away when Asher and Sirus started sparring, kicking up waves of snow.

  The fire was warm and the evergreens decorating the solar comforting. Adelina had no desire to go outside though she would need to check on the ragna later. They always lost spiders in the winter no matter how hard she tried to keep them warm.

  “They’re well,” Adelina said, standing before the largest fireplace in the solar. She extended her hands toward the heat. “They’re currently doing most of the planning and organizing for the Winter Solstice and its ball – in between checking on the food and decorating they’ve been greeting guests and getting them settled.”

  “This ball is a good idea,” Joslynn murmured, coming to stand next to her while Nadyah and Veri muttered about the males outside. “It’s a good way to bring everyone together again – give them a break from all the hard work they’ve been doing.”

  Adelina couldn’t wait for Winter Solstice morning when it would be just her and her new family, but being able to see Joslynn…it was worth all the extra work. “I thought the same. Even for those who couldn’t attend I’ve sent out Winter Solstice gifts. There will be parties across the system.”

  “And in Hai?”

  Adelina shrugged one shoulder delicately and then slipped her hands into her gown’s pockets. “They don’t celebrate solstices in Hai and the Unchanged don’t celebrate anything though I invited everyone. The only ones who agreed to attend are my in-laws and Brogna. Kalene, Serilda, and Kaita couldn’t make it. It’s difficult when there’s so much to be done. Perhaps next Winter Solstice.”

  Joslynn put a comforting arm around her waist. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing wonderfully. You’ll have to visit me on your way back from Khara. Perhaps the babe will be born by then.”

  Adelina smiled and put her arm around Joslynn’s waist as well. The curve of her belly was so mysterious with the life it sheltered inside. “I would love to. Even if she hasn’t made her grand appearance, I’ll come by. Our friendship is important to me.”

  After everything they’d been through to get back to this point, Adelina didn’t want distance to be the reason they grew apart. Now that technology was being shared the travel time had been cut down drastically.

  She could fly to Pedranus and be there in the same 24 hours she’d left. Before the war it had taken weeks…the thought that she could visit as much as she liked was mind boggling. But it was also a severe relief. Adelina wouldn’t have to lose anyone because of the distance even though she was queen.

  The galaxy was hers and she was going to take advantage of it.

  Chapter Three

  Varan

  The Queen’s Suite

  Draga Royal Palace

  The Draga System

  Varan shook the snow off his coat as he made his way into the royal wing. A nice hot bath would help remove the chill from his bones. He chuckled as he thought of how Sirus had put Asher in the snow over and over again.

  He’d won thirty gold pieces from Nash and Kaiden thanks to his brother-in-law.

  The gold seal on his palm opened the doors to the brand new queen’s suite and Varan stepped in.

  The suite had been designed by all four of them. Adelina had wanted all the rooms to connect but still give everyone privacy if they wished. There were multiple washrooms, but one very large one with a bath the size of a small pool.

  It could easily fit five or six people so there was plenty of room for Kaiden’s wings.

  Adelina had also asked for multiple rooms – not just four. There was even one for Nadyah when she felt like it – it was small and bare of personalization still. More of a guest room than anything.

  Then there were a few other rooms that were currently empty.

  Adelina had designed certain parts of the suite to honor her father. The main living space was private for the four of them, or five if Nadyah felt like joining, to enjoy after working all day. It was cozy and warm in the winter and would be light and airy in the summer. She’d insisted on the balcony despite centuries of fear regarding assassinations.

  But the security was top notch, and with their improvements in tech Varan wasn’t concerned.

  There was the Queen’s Study attached to the main living room. It was where Adelina worked most of the day – and that was attached to the Royal Study her father had liked so much as well as the hidden Royal Library.

  Going through the books and such in the secret library was on a long list of projects they’d been adding to, but for the time being Adelina had extended access to him, Nash, and Kaiden as well as Ian, Nadyah, Asher, and Veri.

  The royal cousins were still being considered. Most of her life she’d been kept separate from them due to the rivalry, so Varan understood the slow progress on that front. Vasara and Ajax were just as wary.

  The decorations and various stylings Adelina had done with Veri and Nadyah’s assistance. She’d left them to do their own rooms, and true to her word, she’d made room for Varan’s books. Not just in the consort’s suite, but in their main living room as well. Three out of four walls had built in shelves.

  Varan had placed his favorites on the shelves. The rare ones were being copied to add to the library, and the banned ones were proudly displayed. An entire wall and a half of shelves was empty – waiting to be filled over the cycles.

  He had been nothing more than a rogue living on the streets most of his life, and now he lived in the Draga Royal Palace. It was still difficult to believe sometimes, but Adelina had managed to make it feel like home.

  Varan paused in the living room when he realized he wasn’t alone. Adelina had a blanket wrapped around her
as she stood on the vast balcony overlooking the ocean in the cold. Snowflakes dusted her night-black hair and shoulders.

  His footsteps were silent as he approached her. She didn’t react when the door slid open either and Varan frowned in concern. He stepped forward and placed his hands on her waist. Adelina didn’t even jump – she’d been aware of his approach the whole time.

  The Wolf of Draga.

  “Everything all right, love?” Varan asked as he pressed his lips to the bare skin of her throat – the only bit of her still exposed.

  “Joslynn asked me when we would have an heir,” Adelina said – looking up at the snow covered mountains.

  Varan’s heart clenched and he stilled. This was a sensitive topic and not really something they’d discussed since their wedding. Not even a hint of the conversation after Nash and Kaiden’s weddings either. He’d figured she would tell him when she was ready and he hadn’t pressed her about it, but…

  Children had been on his mind. He wouldn’t lie. Surviving everything they had – it was something he couldn’t help but think about. To celebrate life in such a way…Varan had left the subject alone though. As queen, she would have them at some point. And with their long lives there was no rush.

  “What did you tell her?” Varan asked carefully, wrapping his arms around her to keep the blanket closed and secure – even if he wanted to go back inside their suite to escape the blasted frigid air. Adelina needed him and he would be there as he would for the rest of their lives.

  Even when she insisted on staying where his balls would freeze clean off.

  “I told her I wanted time with you. With Kaiden and Nash. We’ve barely begun to navigate how to be a family together. And there’s still so much work to do…I’m not ready.” Adelina leaned back into him and sighed wearily.

  Relief and disappointment warred in his heart. “There is a lot of work to do before Kaiden and Nash are housetrained,” Varan agreed.