Dragon Flight Read Free

ungraciously next to her on the large seat.
    “Isabelle,” he greeted her briefly.
    She nodded to him. “Zorin”
    His smile was snide as he turned his attention to his mother. “And my mother. Hello. Have any new tasks for me?”
    Amalthea rolled her eyes at him and ignored his crass nature as she had likely done so many countless times before. “You’re to be queen once I have stepped down, right Isabelle?”
    Isabelle blinked. “Yes…” she said slowly.
    “According to ancient Feeorin law there are certain criteria that a queen must possess in order to ascend the throne and take control of this great city,” Amalthea told them both with a tilt of her teacup and a soft gleam in her eye. “And do you know what those are?”
    Isabelle was become distinctly uncomfortable and the way Zorin kept glancing at her made her think that he was feeling the same way.
    “She must be a daughter of Cortisa,” Isabelle told her automatically as she wondered where this could be going.
    “And?” Amalthea continued.
    “The marriage of any possible queen’s parents had to be sanctioned before the parents of the possible queen said their vows,” Isabelle said. “And the current queen has to preside over the daughter’s naming ceremony to take place within two weeks of the girl’s birth.”
    Amalthea smiled. “And one more thing.”
    Zorin froze beside her. “Marriage. Queens have always been married to a King Consort.”
    “Yes. Very good Zorin,” Amalthea said to him. “And you’d make a fine consort.”
    Zorin growled low in his throat as his eyes narrowed on his mother. “You can’t. There’s no way. You wouldn’t.”
    “Zorin—” Isabelle began.
    He held up his hand to silence her. “No, you’ve been through enough. I won’t have this done to you as well.”
    Amalthea frowned at him. “Done to her? I’m offering the girl a kingdom. That’s hardly the death sentence you make it out to be.”
    Zorin angrily jumped to his feet. “You selfish, arrogant old hag!”
    “Enough!” Isabelle shrieked. “I just want it all to end.” She glared at Zorin until he settled himself back into the chaise beside her. He sulked as he watched her, but at least he was quiet. Amalthea looked startled, but slowly smiled across the small mahogany table at her.
    “If…” Isabelle swallowed. “If I am to agree to this, I have some demands.”
    “And what about me?” Zorin grumbled. “Am I just to be pulled along as well?”
    Isabelle met his dark gaze. “You can do whatever you want, Zorin. I trust you, for the most part at least. Better than some man that I don’t know at all and could be horribly cruel to Caden and I. You care for us. So if you’re interested in joining me for another little parade, you’re welcome. But if you’re not, that’s fine, too. I’ll forgive you of course.”
    He nodded dumbly, unable to do much else.
    “I want my own cottage,” Isabelle said as she turned to look at the queen. “Somewhere quiet, out of the way, but not too far. I don’t want any servants. Only peace. It’s been far too long for me since I was last left alone to just live life as I saw fit. Give me peace until it is time for me to take the throne and I will be any kind of queen you want.”
    “Agreed,” Zorin chimed in. “Give her peace and leave me be and I’ll do my duty as King Consort and Lord Batal.”
    “A marriage must be consummated,” Amalthea reminded them.
    Zorin hissed in disbelief.
    “After a small private ceremony, it will be,” Isabelle said for them both. “No pageantry. No massive party.”
    Amalthea nodded. “Agreed. And I do commend you for being so agreeable to this.”
    “I assume that my marriage to Faolan is over and there will be no complications with that?” Isabelle asked.
    “According to Thadius, your marriage was officially over the moment you left the mountains. Any regrets?” Amalthea asked.
    Isabelle shook her head. “I did what I had to in order to make Caden