Nadyah nodded in agreement. “I know what clothes you will need. All your jewels and items in the panels of your closet have been brought here by Varan’s spies.”
Adelina turned to the Sealer and hugged him, slipping a trinket she’d made into his robe. “I will never forget what you did for me,” she told him.
The Sealer packed up his tools. “Bring back the dragons and the debt will be repaid.” He inclined his head to her and then Nadyah escorted him out of the warehouse.
Varan helped Adelina to stand. Her skin felt taut and awkward. Any movement sent pain up and down her spine. Her breasts rubbed the mark on her front if she moved too quickly. Adelina felt ancient as she had to move so slowly and carefully.
“The rest of the weapons will arrive here tomorrow,” Varan told her, careful of her red skin. He deactivated the chair and offered her his arm. “I’ve even managed to get my hands on a few worldbreakers.” He glanced at Sirus. “Which I hear is all that will take down a Neprijat ship.”
She took the prince’s arm, trying not to think about the corded muscles under her hand.
“As far as we know,” Sirus agreed, taking another step closer to Joslynn. He frowned at the thief but didn’t ask how he’d acquired the destructive weapons.
“I wanted to apologize for my behavior,” Joslynn said. For the first time since the Game of the Wolf she didn’t sound afraid.
Adelina studied the countess, hoping they could come back from the rift that had been created. “What behavior exactly?” she asked. As a countess she had done nothing wrong. But as a friend?
“I apologize for being afraid of your wolf,” Joslynn told her, wringing her hands together. “I knew it was there, but still…I wasn’t prepared and even though I’m still afraid you’ve never given me a reason to be, so I’m sorry. I accept your terms, and if it’s possible I’d like to try and repair the damage I’ve caused between us as friends.” The countess took a step forward and Varan subtly placed his body between Adelina and Joslynn.
Varan was a very effective male. Never once did he try to protect her in a way that was overbearing or dominating. He simply did what was necessary, giving her the option to take care of herself if she wanted. Adelina squeezed his arm. His viciously protective instincts were right there on the surface and she could smell the winterflowers.
“It will take some time, Joslynn, but I think it is possible. I enjoyed how close we became.” Adelina had never had a female friend outside of Giselle, and the hurt was still there, shoved down with everything else that wasn’t important at the moment. She shook her head. “I wish I didn’t frighten you, but I can’t help what I am.”
Joslynn took another step forward and gave Adelina a tiny hug. “I know, and I hate my reaction, but I’m not used to such violence. I will learn, I swear it.”
Adelina returned the hug. She felt relieved they’d finally been able to talk. The hurt and sadness was still there, but Adelina knew Joslynn was stubborn. The countess would make it work for her, and that was more than enough.
Joslynn stepped back and gave her a shaky smile. “If you will have me I will be ready at a moment’s notice.” She glanced at Roxy again, but left it at that.
“Then send everything here. Nadyah can help you coordinate. I’ll see you at the coronation tomorrow.”
Adelina slipped on her ring and activated the disguise program.
Both Sirus and Joslynn flinched at the change.
Varan only grinned before he escorted her out of the warehouse to the Ladrole. “Your flair for the dramatic is improving,” he said. “Learning just the right amount is not simple.”
Adelina leaned into him as they walked, soaking up his warmth. Varan wrapped an arm around her waist to keep the back of her shirt closed and hide the mark. “Is that why you decided to take eyes as payment?” Adelina asked.
He nodded. “It was very symbolic. I’ve also taken one eye before and never had a problem again. It came from this ancient saying I read in a book long ago – ‘an eye for an eye.’ Meaning you get what you deserve.”
“I’ve heard that before,” Adelina said, taking each step up the stairs of the Ladrole slowly. “But I didn’t know what it meant.”
His office was quiet and Varan helped her sit before he went to his desk. The tin of salve was pungent when he opened it, but not unpleasant. Adelina liked the sharp scent of tea tree. Varan sat beside her on the couch and rubbed the salve into her back and instantly there was relief.
Adelina sighed with pleasure and leaned back against the thief, careful of the mark. He hesitated and she arched a little, giving him permission. Then Varan rubbed the salve so, so carefully across the mark under her breasts. Not once did his hand touch the curves, but still her skin tingled.
It was enough to make her breath catch.
“Thank you, Varan. I needed that.” The salve and the touch – touch was vital to healing and Adelina had been so isolated lately she craved the feel of another.
She turned to face Varan and studied the dark green of his eyes. Nothing about him reminded her of Nash, and Adelina was glad for it so she would never mistake one for the other. They both complemented her in completely different ways.
Her eyes trailed over his messy golden hair, the high cheekbones, and the scruff across his jaw and chin. Varan had wide shoulders thick with muscle. He was large and strong if not as tall and built as Nash. His shirt hugged his frame, showing off every muscle of his abs all the way to the seam of his pants.
Varan let her look at him, let Adelina assess what she liked and what she found attractive.
Raena liked this male. If she agreed to his diamond then Varan would be her husband and they’d be engaged as Joslynn and Sirus were.
Nash was across the galaxy, and he’d crossed into the Drakesthai territory. The Corinthian’s had secured the border once they had Princess Kaita and then simply vanished. There was still no word from him, but Adelina knew they would find each other again. There was a bond between her and Nash, she would instantly know if something had happened to him – if he were hurt and killed Adelina would feel it in her soul.
The same bond she felt growing with Varan.
“What are you thinking?” Varan asked, breaking her contemplative silence.
What should she tell him? Adelina wasn’t even sure Varan had feelings for her beyond friendship despite how she felt. He’d made an offer for her hand and until it was denied he saw her as his. That was why he’d been more protective, and why he’d touched her more than he usually did. Adelina knew that was the case, yet she still wished he saw her as more than the young female she’d once been, or the submissive princess she always was on the livestream.
“I was thinking,” she murmured. “That a love built on friendship might be stronger than a love built on passion.”
Varan’s eyes widened but he said nothing.