Page 34 of The Flame King's Queen

Ravenna lets out a relieved sigh. “I’m glad to hear he performed his duty.”

She has a particular reason to feel relieved. She traded her freedom in exchange for us receiving Kane’s help.

“Where is Kane now?” I ask. But perhaps I shouldn’t ask in front of all these curious people, because if Ravenna has poisoned him to death, they might dislike her for it, not understanding that Kane very much deserves it.

“He’s happy with his dragons,” she replies in a mild tone.

Kane is not only alive, but happy? How disappointing.

“I didn’t know I was going to intrude on you all. When I accepted a ride from this wyvern, I wasn’t sure where it was going to take me. I was only happy to be taken away.”

Hearing this, Ashton seizes a fistful of rousta leaves, a wyvern’s favorite treat, and feeds them to Keilar. “He brought you to safety and friends. You are welcome in Lenhale for as long as you wish to stay.”

A worried line forms between Ravenna’s brows. “I don’t know. It caused you all so many problems when I stayed here last time. Your flare was attacked because of me.”

I squeeze her hand reassuringly. “Witches are protected by the king, and Omegas are protected by all of Maledin. But more than that, you are our loyal friend.”

“Then I would be happy to stay here with you. If you happen to visit your crone again, I would very much like to come with you.”

Over her shoulder, Captain Ashton is smiling and patting Keilar’s flank.

I throw my arms around Ravenna, delight blazing through me. That happy future I dreamed of before Kane took her away is coming true. “This is wonderful news. Zabriel will be thrilled, and my crone will be pleased to welcome you back.”

13

Zabriel

There’s a workshop in one of the castle’s courtyards, and it’s there I take my future queen one sunny afternoon. My hands are covering her eyes as we enter, and she’s smiling and holding my wrists so she doesn’t trip, though I would never let her fall.

“Zabriel, what is it you want to show me?”

“You’ll see.” I nod for the craftsperson to remove the cloth covering Isavelle’s surprise. As soon as we’re alone, I take my hands away from her eyes.

Isavelle gasps in pleasure at the sight before her. Standing on sawdust-strewn wooden boards is a gleaming gold-painted throne, ornately carved with dragon scales and dragon wings to match my own. While mine has red stones embedded, hers has turquoise ones to match her dragon.

“I didn’t know what to expect. It’s beautiful,” she breathes. Carefully, she touches the precious stones. “It feels far too grand for me.”

I pick Isavelle up in my arms and place her on the throne, and I go down on my knees before her. Like this, we’re almost eye to eye. “How proud I am. How beautiful you are. We haven’t yet defeated Emmeric, but I won’t keep our lives on hold a moment longer. Your family and the villagers of western Maledin are safe. The south has been recaptured. All my lands are my own again. Will you do me the greatest honor of becoming my queen?”

“Yes, Zabriel, of course I will,” Isavelle says with shining eyes. “You make me feel like your queen every day.”

I groan and press a kiss to her lips. “I can’t wait to show you off to all of Maledin on your coronation day.”

Isavelle rests her hands on my shoulders. “I think I will feel so shy with everyone’s eyes on me during the coronation. I remember how full the Great Hall was and how many people crowded within the castle walls to see you in your golden armor.”

“I was looking for only one face in the crowd. Only you mattered to me that day.”

“Will it be like a wedding day?” she asks.

I consider this. “We are already mated, but I like the idea of human marriages as you once described them to me. What do you think about promising ourselves to each other by the Font of First Flames on the morning of your coronation? Those we are closest to can be present, and we can ask the Temple Crone to lead the ceremony.”

“That sounds wonderful,” she says, stroking my face. “I love to see you smiling again.”

“I have been reminding myself that a bad-tempered king can’t serve his people well. I was disappointed after the battle to secure the southern border. Emmeric was so close, and he slipped through our fingers. I thought that meant we failed, but the people of Maledin have shown me differently. I have seen that they feel safer, so I will embrace that until the signs show that it’s time to finish Emmeric off once and for all.”

“Things feel more hopeful,” she agrees. “Ravenna returning to us has been the latest happy surprise.”

I heard all about Ravenna’s surprise arrival the previous day. “Is she well?”

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