“How is that addition to the engines coming along?” Varan asked, walking around the work table to put it between him and the females. He admired Roxy’s handiwork. It was confusing and completely foreign to him, but it looked complex and he was proud of what she was able to accomplish.
“I’ll be done with that one tonight,” Roxy said. “Hopefully the other two will be easier. If I cannot get them finished faster, nothing will get us off this planet before they’re ready.” She shrugged and turned back to her work. “Don’t bother me and I’ll get more done.”
“May I have a worktable nearby?” Adelina asked. “I have a few things I need to work on as well.”
Varan studied his two favorite people. Lina knew the warehouse was Roxy’s territory at the moment and asking permission was a large step towards his childhood friend accepting that Lina also happened to be a royal.
“Fine, but don’t bug me and the music is mine to choose.” Roxy grabbed one of her tools and went back to work, flipping her goggles down and the magnifier over her left eye. Her red hair was a stark contrast to the dank and dark warehouse.
Roxy had always been a fire blazing in the night.
Adelina looked to Varan and he jerked into motion. Right, he was the host. It took only seconds to activate the other worktable in the floor and then he waited, feeling useless. Varan had no idea what Adelina needed from him. Normally he could anticipate everything, but at the moment he was still numb from the council meeting and all he’d learned from his day at the palace.
“Tell me what you need and I’ll make it happen,” Varan said. He shrugged and slipped his hands into his pockets, waiting for the princess to make use of him.
“Food Varan,” Nadyah said. “The workers will need food; we will all need to eat. We’re hosting a countess and a lord as well as the Master Sealer. If this is the base of operations it needs to be secured.” She stomped on the ground and a chair unfolded from the ground next to Adelina’s.
The princess set that strange case on the table and opened it with care. Even Roxy stopped what she was doing to watch. Adelina then pulled out her own goggles and pulled them over her head to hang from her neck. Without a word she began to set up delicate tools, a portable magnifier, gold, gems, and a small box with a diamond. Adelina ignored everyone as she slid the goggles on and set the fat diamond into a brace. She began cutting into it, carefully and delicately, pausing to check a note before continuing again.
“What are you doing?” Roxy asked.
Varan had never seen Adelina work before, but he was familiar with the finished projects. He leaned in to study the design on the note. Another love match then, she adored those. “This is for Joslynn?” he asked.
“I’m finishing the ring Lord Sirus designed for Countess Joslynn. I agreed to do the work before Joslynn became – afraid. If we cannot rectify things today, it would be best to sever our friendship and go our separate ways outside what is required of our titles,” Adelina explained, sparks fluttering in the air as she worked.
A ping on his simulcast alerted him of a new presence in the docks. “It looks like the Master Sealer is here.” Varan tapped out a dozen casts to a dozen people and checked his surveillance system. Three more casts and he doubled the guards in the area. Then he left the ladies to go fetch the Sealer.
It was difficult to believe that a man such as the Sealer would come to a place like the docks for a royal mark. Varan had heard the male was nearing three hundred cycles. Asher already had a piece from him, but his seal on the palm might have to be done by one of the Sealer’s apprentices.
“Hello there,” Varan said, grinning at the crotchety old man. He’d never seen the male in person before, but he’d heard stories.
“Take me to the princess,” the Sealer grumbled.
Varan offered him an arm but he shook him off and pushed past him into the warehouse. The Sealer was stronger than he looked and Varan couldn’t help his smile. He trotted after the old man, hoping to get some answers.
“So, why come all the way out here, mate? I’ve heard you’re rather particular.” They avoided the workers buzzing about like bees and ducked under one of the ships.
Adelina and Roxy worked in silence while Nadyah’s face was practically glued to her simulcast. Varan glanced at the male again, wondering if he would get a response.
The Sealer glanced at him. “A mark is more than the gold and more than the job. Adelina needs this, so I will give it to her. The marks will be a representation of what she is, and I believe the worlds need to see it.”
Varan considered his words as they approached the tables. Nadyah stood and curtseyed but the Sealer waved her off. Adelina gave him a hug, but they didn’t exchange words.
“Do you need somewhere private?” Varan asked. He’d never witnessed a mark being performed before, even with all his spies and programs.
“No, if the Sealer can work here then we will be fine.”
Servants began to fill the warehouse, carrying armfuls of food and drinks. They set up tables in the back of the warehouse and laid everything out. Varan gave them a nod of thanks as they filed out.
He stayed close to Adelina, curious about the process. Nadyah looked concerned and he signaled for a servant to bring them a pitcher of cold water. They could all stand to be a bit more hydrated in the heat.
When Adelina stripped off her shirt, he blinked. In front of everyone she wore nothing but a breast band and he couldn’t help himself. Varan took in every inch of bare skin and then realized he probably wasn’t the only one looking.
Roxy beat him to it though. She whirled around and snarled at anyone not working. “Keep your damn eyes to yourself or the prince will snatch them from your head.”
No one looked a second time.
Varan grinned. He would gladly take any eyes Adelina asked for.
“Is there another table?” the Sealer asked.
Varan activated it and Adelina climbed up, lying on her back. He frowned. This must be the other mark she’d mentioned, the one that should be forbidden. It was not his place to question the princess though; it was her body as she’d said.
The Master Sealer began his work, carving into the flesh right underneath her breasts. Only once did she flinch when the laser first touched her, melding the gold and stitching it into the skin. The scent of burning flesh was repugnant and Varan wrinkled his nose.
Still, he angled himself to watch the work and was surprised at how gorgeous the design was. The Master Sealer didn’t work with a stencil as he’d seen other artists do with ink in his territory. The Sealer worked precisely, but freehanded.
“Are you all right?” Nadyah asked. There was a look of concern on her face.
“Yes Nadyah,” Adelina said. “It’s not as bad when I know what to expect.”
The first time must have been brutal.
Another chime on his simulcast and Varan read the messages. “The mercs were able to move up the meeting to tonight if you like,” he told the princess.