Joslynn slammed her palm on her door and it opened too slowly. She slid in and then stopped in the center of her sitting room. There was so much to do, so much to think about she felt frozen and helpless, not knowing what to do first while her fiancé was in the wolf’s den no doubt fighting for their peoples’ rights.
The message to Colin had been sent. Raena was supposed to release the evacuation destinations after the War Council per the new, rote message on her simulcast. Her people had to start packing now. If the inner shield went up there would be only a few places where they could file into the core and each ship would have to be vetted. It would leave them all vulnerable to easy attacks from pirates or the Neprijat.
She tapped out another quick message about the evacuation.
Joslynn slumped into a chair after sending it. There would be a delay and Colin wouldn’t receive the messages for hours. Then hours for her to get his response. She needed to go home; she needed to be with her people. Joslynn didn’t care that she was the last of her line. She had distant cousins on Pedranus and as long as one of them made it out of this war alive, her planet would not suffer more than any other. There would be no anarchy or a random assignment of a new noble house from Raena.
Goddess, who would the Crown Princess even choose to replace a family that had ruled Pedranus since its founding?
Joslynn shook her head to rid herself of the morbid thoughts.
There was only one person she knew who could help her. Joslynn’s fingers shook as she selected their device and started the call.
What she had seen during the Game of the Wolf…Joslynn was afraid of her. She’d avoided the princess because she needed time to gather her wits about her. After everything, and even knowing there was something under that mask…Joslynn hadn’t realized there would be more hidden under the surface – a creature so savage and dangerous her hands wouldn’t stop trembling.
The way she’d bit Hayden…
But her fear did not take precedence over her people.
“Joslynn, what can I help you with?” Adelina’s sweet, perfectly polite voice asked. It had a tinny sound to it. The video of the princess’s face jostled and there were buildings behind her, the sun, and the clear blue sky.
Joslynn swallowed nervously, suddenly wishing she had a glass of water to drink from. She had known this war would strip that mask from Adelina – known it, and still she hadn’t been prepared for what was underneath.
“You are leaving in three days. Would you have the space on your starship and the time to drop me off on Pedranus before reaching the border?” Joslynn asked, keeping her voice as neutral as possible.
The princess’s eyes shuttered and she suddenly looked distant and aloof. The change in her was still a massive shock to Joslynn and she would never, never forget the way Hayden’s blood had dripped down her chin with that chilling smile.
Or the way she’d curled her lip at Raena with no emotion whatsoever on her face, blood spattered on her skin after the executions. At this point, Joslynn had no idea what was really Adelina and what was a ruse – a part of the game. The princess was strong, vicious, and far more powerful than anyone could ever have known.
The skill required to keep that power hidden for so long – that scared Joslynn more than the power itself.
“I could on one condition Joslynn,” Adelina stated. “It is up to you if you want to agree to it or not, if you think you can handle it. I’m sending you the coordinates where I’d like you to meet me in a few hours. Tell Sirus not to bring a carriage. Hire a taxi and keep his weapons hidden. Wear something…less formal.”
Joslynn flinched. She supposed she deserved that little quip.
None of what Adelina said made any sense to Joslynn, but it didn’t really matter. She needed off this planet as quickly as possible and she didn’t think Sirus would be able to take her back to Pedranus. No doubt he would be roped into something else by Raena. She had to take this lifeline and use it to her advantage.
Joslynn chewed on her lip. Should she even take Sirus with her?
“I can meet you myself,” she said. Her voice was clearer and stronger than she actually felt. Asking for help after everything was rude beyond compare, but if there was a chance Joslynn could learn to come to terms with Adelina’s true nature and come back to the friendship they had…this would be her test.
“No,” Adelina snapped. “You need someone you trust to protect you. It’s not...safe,” she said. “You’ll understand when you arrive. I’m sending a time with the coordinates. Don’t be late.”
The call ended abruptly and Joslynn felt shaken as she set down her simulcast. What in the bloody hells was this crazy female up to? She got up and went to her room, shaking her head. In all honesty she didn’t want to know. Adelina kneeling in that blood like it was an everyday occurrence – maybe this had been a bad idea.
No, she reprimanded herself. She needed to stop being afraid. Adelina had never hurt her, and deep down she knew the princess never would.
Joslynn threw open her armoire doors and considered the clothes she’d brought with her. There was only one outfit that she would consider ‘not fancy.’ It was the one she’d brought that she wore when working out in the mines or the fields. Would that be too drab?
It didn’t really matter, did it? Adelina did not want her to wear a gown so the princess had to deal with the consequences of her request. Joslynn yanked out the items she needed and threw them on the bed. She took her jewelry off and set those in their boxes carefully. No doubt if it wasn’t safe, she shouldn’t be dripping in gems and jewels.
Joslynn sighed. It would still be four days until she could get off this blasted planet. Everything about this trip had gone upside down. She turned and selected the gown she’d brought specifically for the coronation and hung it on the dress form to hold the shape. Joslynn draped the proper jewels around the neck and took a step back.
The emerald gown was strapless and would hug every curve until it reached her waist. The skirts were folds and folds of the dark green silk that created a full skirt. They would trail along the floor a bit with the small train. Her matching slippers would keep her frame small. Heels were not something she enjoyed wearing.
The necklace itself was more stunning than the dress. It had rows of peridot and diamonds that would hug her throat and drape down to her cleavage. The earrings would contrast with her hair perfectly and properly represent the colors of Pedranus. Joslynn was quite proud of finding the peridot gems that matched her eyes so perfectly. She hadn’t been sure she would find enough to create the necklace.
The door to her sitting room opened and despite how much she missed Sirus, Joslynn didn’t turn. She was still angry with him.
Four days total until she could leave Draga Terra and be among her people again. Joslynn pulled out the exact clothes she would need for four days and then began packing the rest of them, completely ignoring Sirus.
His footsteps halted at the threshold to her bedroom and she almost regretted approving his DNA to open her doors.