Winter Solstice in Draga Read online

  The rogues that had been invited were there in their best formalwear. It wasn’t quite the same as the nobles’ but it was still very fine – similar to what Varan wore most days. And Roxy, she shone like a jewel among them in a ruby-colored suit in a style Nash had seen Adelina wear a few times. The pants were tight to show off her curves and the gold half-skirts that flowed from the waist really made her stand out among her court.

  It was too bad the pirate captain Delphine was busy. Nash wasn’t sure when she’d be back, but he hoped for Roxy’s sake it would be soon.

  Music started up and Varan led Adelina onto the dance floor to begin the festivities.

  All this protocol Nash used to find stifling and aggravating, but he’d learned to use it to his advantage.

  Knowing the rules and where he could bend and break them had started to become fun. Kaiden was learning just as quickly and it had been something he hadn’t realized they would bond over. As outsiders they’d both started taking up afternoon lessons learning Draga history, culture, customs, protocols, and pretty much every damn thing one could think of that a consort would need to know.

  The music lifted in celebration and that was Kaiden’s cue. The Drakesthai prince stepped onto the dancefloor as Varan spun Adelina right into Kaiden’s arms. Polite clapping filled the ballroom as they seamlessly continued the steps she and Varan had been performing.

  Against the floor to ceiling windows with snow falling…it all looked like a magical land in one of Adelina’s books.

  “His wings really add a bit of dramatic flair to the dance don’t they?” Varan whispered as he took his place beside Nash.

  He nodded. There was no doubting that they made the other warrior look fierce. Nash was a bit jealous of how people moved out of Kaiden’s way as they once had for him.

  His newfound friendship with Kaiden still teemed with competition. As the song shifted yet again and he stepped forward to take Adelina from him, Nash knew he wouldn’t have it any other way. It kept life interesting.

  He and Adelina swept across the ballroom floor and Nash stared down at her – ignoring everything else. Not long ago he’d danced with her like this, right before everything had changed.

  Now she was his wife.

  “Happy solstice,” he said, spinning Adelina before pulling her tight to his body.

  Her cheeks flushed as she felt every bit of him pressed against her. “Happy solstice, Nash,” Adelina murmured back.

  The song was nearly done. The rest of the royals joined them on the dance floor to finish it out.

  Kaiden swept his mother into the steps and Varan pulled Roxy into the dance. Then Adele and Elara, Asher and Veri, Ian and Nadyah, and William joined them as well. Nash didn’t know who the female William danced with was, but that wasn’t something he’d been told to remember.

  All he had to do was finish this dance with the queen and then attend her during the festivities. After the pageant he and Kaiden would perform their dance again, and Nash couldn’t wait until dawn when they would exchange gifts.

  He’d even gotten some for Varan and Kaiden. The presents were one of his favorite things about these solstice traditions. They didn’t ever exchange presents except on birthdays in Khara.

  “Are you happy?” he asked Adelina, studying her amethyst eyes. “Is there anything you would change about our lives?” Then Nash dipped her low and held her as the song ended, just as he had at her coming of age party.

  Adelina cupped his cheek and smiled, eyes sparkling. “I would change nothing. The last time we danced together, I never thought I could have you, or that I would be this happy.”

  Nash grinned down at her and stole a kiss. “Good.” He swept her up amid applause, smiling from ear to ear.

  The song changed and others came to join the dance. Nash started the next steps, winking at Varan and Kaiden. “Dance with me one more time before duty calls?” he asked.

  Adelina pressed against him as they performed the slow, sultry dance. Her emerald skirts swirled against his legs and Nash couldn’t help but glance down to see the curve of her breast through the see-through lace and jewels.

  “I will dance with you all night if you wish,” Adelina told him. “To hell with duty. Tonight is a celebration.”

  Nash grinned. To hell with duty.

  He couldn’t agree more.

  Chapter Eight

  Adelina

  Crystal Ballroom

  Draga Royal Palace

  The Draga System

  Even though the night was long it seemed to go by quickly. Everyone behaved themselves well and Kaiden’s father had even asked her to dance. Not once did Adelina have to throw out a rogue, or stop quarrels between Brogna, the Neprijat, or her people.

  Princess Dejah had asked her to dance as well. Adelina hadn’t the heart to deny her. The female had spent so much time practicing and was actually a beautiful leader. Then it was Sozav, Mistress Jael, Nadyah…before Adelina knew it the clock chimed the midnight hour and the dance floor was cleared.

  The pageant told the story of how the mother became the crone, and then the maiden once more when the sun rose after the longest night. It was one of Adelina’s favorites and always performed by children. This cycle the children had been chosen at random and their families brought to the palace for the honor.

  It had been one of many gifts she’d been able to give her people.

  Adelina had spent too much, she knew that. And she knew Asher would remind her of it in the following weeks – but it had been worth it.

  The people needed to be reminded that it wouldn’t be like this always. One day they would finish rebuilding and repairing. One day all four systems would be able to coexist without so much hostility.

  Adelina didn’t know if that would happen in her lifetime, but she was doing everything in her power to ensure it did.

  As the music started back up she smiled to see Ian and Vitto dancing. Then Mistress Jael danced with Nadyah. William seemed enamored with his guest. Adelina hadn’t asked too many questions. Her brother was so shy about his romance she didn’t want to press.

  But watching her mothers sweep elegantly across the floor…Adelina had to say that made her the happiest of all.

  She made her way over to Sirus and Joslynn who had danced a few times, but then had been content to sit on one of the many luxurious couches to watch the events unfold. Joslynn had a plate full of Taj’s incredible confectionary creation.

  He’d made a cake that looked like winter sprites dancing among the evergreens. It had glittered with gold and silver and tasted divine. The piece was some of his best work and Adelina knew people would talk about it for the rest of the cycle.

  “May I sit with you?” Adelina asked Joslynn.

  Joslynn grinned up at her. “Of course. How are you holding up?”

  “Just fine,” Adelina said, plopping down next to the countess. “How are you holding up?”

  “I’m a bit tired,” Joslynn admitted. “But we made it through midnight so we’ll probably retire soon.”

  Adelina pulled a small package out of her pocket. “I figured as much so I brought your solstice gift with me.”

  Sirus wrapped his arm around Joslynn’s shoulders and peered closer as she opened it. When the countess gasped, Adelina knew she’d done well. “Are these the sweets from Hai?” Joslynn asked.

  “Yes, you mentioned how much you wanted to try them so I asked my mother-in-law to bring some.” Adelina couldn’t help her smile and patted Joslynn’s belly lovingly. “Hopefully it helps with all those cravings.”

  Sirus thanked her as well and helped Joslynn stand. “We’ll see you tomorrow for lunch?” Joslynn asked.

  “Of course.” Adelina stood and gave them both a kiss on the cheek.

  Sirus was so careful with Joslynn. Adelina couldn’t have asked for better for her friend. She sat back on the couch with a contented sigh to watch everyone having fun. It was a glittering ball and the laughter and music filled the air in a wa
y that only really happened on Winter Solstice.

  “Tired already?” Veri asked, throwing herself on the couch next to Adelina.

  “A little, but dawn is only a few hours away.”

  “Brogna is getting along nicely with everyone,” Veri observed. “As are the Neprijat.”

  “I was actually more worried about the rogues,” Adelina admitted as they watched Asher and Varan chatting with Roxy. “One never knows how things will go with them. Most of the time we get along just fine, but it’s incredibly easy for one wrong thing to be said and turn it all into a disaster.”

  “I just wish Alock could be here,” Veri said. “But I’ll be seeing him soon enough.”

  Adelina didn’t know what to say to that so she took Veri’s hand in her own and squeezed. “Is royal life difficult to get used to?”

  The other female shrugged and turned to face her fully. “Yes and no. The hardest part is no longer living on the planet I grew up on – that I thought I would one day rule. But everything I do here affects them. And I hope for the better.”

  Adelina nodded and noted all the noble houses that had taken time out of their busy schedules to make an appearance. Masha of Avvis was there, as was Lucas of Treon. Some from Deytis and Ushanov were there as well. Seprilles hadn’t been able to make it. Neither had Peter of Scyria. But Adelina had sent them all gifts anyway.

  “I hope my grandmother is enjoying her solstice on Hai Delta,” Adelina mused.

  Veri snorted and then covered her mouth as she laughed. “That old witch deserves it but I daresay she’s being treated like a princess still. After all, there are so few females there.”

  “Maybe she’ll find her own mate,” Adelina whispered.

  They both laughed at that and servants brought them more spiced wine.

  When the music shifted to the song that had set her heart to pounding the night before, Adelina smiled. Kaiden and Nash’s performance was starting.

  It had made her happy to watch them work together—trusting each other. Even if it had frightened her out of her mind to see the danger they put themselves in for a performance.

  “Happy solstice,” Adelina told Veri, kissing her on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re going to be joining our family.”

  Veri squeezed her hand back. “As am I.”

  Then Adelina stood to watch two of her husbands perform a dance of trust and love.

  The sun was just starting to rise up over the horizon and Adelina watched her family go their separate ways.

  After their guests had left to their own homes for private solstice mornings, they’d all gathered in the royal study for drinks and cakes and fruit for the dawn meal then had exchanged gifts.

  It had been absolutely wonderful after the excitement of the night. Spending time with her mothers and brothers and new sisters with her husbands all at once had been a dream come true.

  Once a year they could just be a family – not royals.

  The fire crackled in the royal study and Adelina briefly touched one of the ornaments on the tree before turning to her husbands. She couldn’t wait to give them her gift. But watching as they opened gifts from each other was almost as satisfying.

  Varan had gifted the other two fancy clothes that were much like his own. Then Nash had given Varan and Kaiden knives he’d selected while they’d been in Khara. And Kaiden had cooked the males special treats from Hai.

  “Ready for your presents, kyotona?” Kaiden asked with a smile, snaking an arm around her waist to tuck her in close to his side.

  Adelina nodded, resting her head on Kaiden’s shoulder. It had truly been the perfect Winter Solstice.

  “All three of us picked out the gifts,” Nash told her with a grin, crossing his arms over his chest.

  Varan gave her a wink and crossed the room to a closet door and then flung it open. Wrapped boxes were stacked in there and her husbands started pulling them out.

  She went to one and carefully pulled back the delicate paper, frowning. “What did you lot buy?” she asked. How were there so many boxes?

  “Open it,” Varan teased.

  Adelina carefully lifted the lid of the first box and then gasped. “Books?” she asked, picking one up. It wasn’t in the Draga tongue or even the Ancient one. It was in Ilashyan. And then another was in the Drakesthai tongue. “What are these?”

  “We asked for every rare book we could find across four systems,” Nash told her, pushing the next box at her. “Everything the Neprijat had as well as Brogna, Hai, and Khara. Oh, and Kaita told me to tell you the box from Khara is from her.” He rolled his eyes, but Nash smiled wide. “She made sure to get you all the digital copies we had since there aren’t many physical ones.”

  Adelina opened the second box to see it was full of discs and her eyes filled with tears of happiness. “I suppose our shelves will fill up faster than I anticipated,” she told Varan.

  The thief just shrugged and grinned. “They’re all for you darling. A wealth of knowledge to do with what you wish.”

  “Oh it’s perfect,” she said, throwing her arms around Nash and kissing him thoroughly. Then she did the same to Kaiden and Varan, laughing and crying the whole time.

  “My gift isn’t nearly as useful,” she told them. “But it’s for all of you.”

  Adelina took all three of their hands and pulled them with her. They pushed and prodded and begged her to explain the whole time she led them through the palace, but Adelina just smiled until they reached the door to the conservatory.

  They frowned in confusion but she pulled them in to the warmth and led them to the center. “It’s a project I’ve been working on for a while,” she admitted. “One that I had help with.”

  She pulled the sheet off the small tree and took a step back. “Happy solstice, my loves.”

  All three of them stepped forward to inspect the tree that was barely two meters high.

  “Is this…this branch is from the trees around my home on Anarr,” Kaiden said, inspecting the tree closely.

  “And this is from Khara Prime,” Nash murmured, inspecting another. “Did you have them grafted on?”

  Adelina nodded and looked to Varan. “Branches of trees from Khara and Hai were sent to me. The head gardener helped me graft them onto a winterflower tree.” She reached out and touched one of the white flowers. “In the spring I will plant it in the main courtyard for all to see – to represent our unions. And…to remind each of you of home, of the new home we’ve created together.”

  The three of them were speechless as they stared at the fledgling tree that would grow big and strong over time. It would bear fruit and flowers from three different systems. It wasn’t just winterflowers, but Draga apples, Kharan pears, and Hai cherry blossoms to name a few.

  “It is the perfect gift,” Varan said. “And how you even thought of such a thing…you truly are a wonder.”

  Her mates stood close, all of them touching her in some way. They all looked at the tree and what it represented as the sun rose on a new cycle.

  Adelina held on to each of them. She couldn’t be happier. The four of them knew it wasn’t just a tree before them, but a symbol of what would come – what they hoped would be. Together they would build a future for the children they would one day have.

  A future full of hope and peace.

  Want to read more in the Draga Universe?

  Check out my Drakesthai novella in Hunters and Prey.

  Warrior Prince of Hai

  Roman is one of the last winged males in the galaxy. His entire life changed the moment he set eyes on the female sent to cure his people.

  Other Books by Emma Dean

  The Draga Court Series (Polyam/RH)

  Princess of Draga

  Crown of Draga

  Jasmine of Draga

  Heir of Draga

  Queen of Draga

  Fate of Draga

  Royal Guard of Draga

  - Prequel Novella

  Winter Solstice in Draga

  -
Christmas Epilogue Novella

  Warrior Prince of Hai

  -A Hai Standalone

  Reverse Harem Shifter Romance*

  Spotted Her First (Standalone)

  Cirque de Nuit Pride

  Vaudeville Runaway

  The Chaos of Foxes

  For Fox Sake

  All Foxed Up

  What the Fox

  Blue Mountain Wolf Pack (M/F)

  Alpha Wolf

  Broken Wolf

  Wolf Moon

  *Can be read as a standalone before or after Princess of Draga, but in the timeline takes place before Princess.

  *All paranormal stories are in the same world - the Council of Paranormals.

  Want updates on when the books are released and my

  progress with them?

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  Dominance

  From most dominant to least

  Each Kalan is born with a scent marker that identifies their level of dominance. There is also a spectrum within each level. Two people who are at the same level, such as the black rose - rosanera, can have a different amount of dominance.

  The spectrum within each scent is spicier/muskier means more dominant. Sweeter is more submissive.

  The genetic alterations used these scent markers to reflect ability and position in a pack or society like the Ancient wolves.

  Black Rose/Rosanera

  Winter-flowers

  Orange Blossom