Free Dragon Flight by Caitlin Ricci

he had meant to stop there all along. His gaze turned watchful and wary as Amalthea turned to her.
    “Now, for today I want you only to observe this meeting. Everyone will be introduced by Zorin. He is the mediator and is the only being that you will see able to act with force. If you should feel threatened in any way you let him know. You know how to mind speak correct?”
    Isabelle gave her a quick nod.
    Amalthea cupped her cheeks and gave her a quick pat.
    Isabelle had a warm rush of being cared for as her mother had done so many years ago, but it was over all too soon as Amalthea pulled away.
    “That is good. Very good. You learn quickly.”
    Isabelle wasn’t about to mention that it had taken Zorin almost a week straight and she could only send messages to him and then only just barely. Or the fact that he had to be almost within touching distance for her to be able to pull it off.
    For someone without magic, getting to do this at all is damn near impossible. So don’t feel too badly that Caden mastered it inside of a day.
    She squeaked in outrage which earned her another exasperated look from Amalthea.
    “Both of you….” she shook her head as she looked between Isabelle and Zorin. “I’ve led Feeorin for centuries. Do you have any concept of that?”
    Zorin opened his mouth as if to assure her that, yes, he most certainly knew what that felt like since he was only a few centuries younger than her.
    But she cut him off with a sharp flick of her wrist. “No, you don’t know, my son. Your philandering hardly counts. And, Isabelle, you’re hardly an adult. And neither of you are prepared for this. How could you be? But I can’t rule anymore. This kingdom needs someone new. I’m too old, too set in my ways. And, Isabelle, you’re human. There’s never been a human ruler here. And, Zorin, you’re half human. You’ve been called an abomination for centuries. And I’m sorry you were born to that. But now I need you both to grow up and be unified as we face this first hurdle together. Can you do that? Both of you working together?”
    Isabelle could only stare at her. Amalthea trusted her that much? How had she ever thought that she could just leave Zorin to handle this all on his own? She had no idea that she was actually needed.
    “You balance my power, Isabelle,” Zorin told her, catching a hint of her thoughts.
    She blushed at the realization.
    “Sorry, your worries were loud enough that I couldn’t ignore them.” At least he looked sheepish about it.
    “So we need to rule together?” she asked him, trepidation lacing her words.
    “Afraid of me, little girl?” he lightly teased her.
    She rolled her eyes at him and shoved him playfully away. They both knew she was more afraid of not being a great queen than anything he could ever threaten her with.
    “You will still get your freedom. I promised you that. As long as you don’t disgrace me or Feeorin you can have whatever freedom you desire. With protection of course.”
    She frowned at him and stepped away. “You never mentioned a constant bodyguard.”
    He grinned at her, showing a flash of white teeth. “My magic will protect you better than any human soldier ever could. You will be safe no matter where you choose to live.”
    “You seem pretty sure of yourself,” she challenged him. “Will it hold up against anything?”
    “No creature in the world will be able to harm you once I bind my magic to yours,” he assured her with a confident nod.
    Amalthea, who had been quickly looking over her nails while they spoke, spun toward him. “You can’t!”
    Isabelle thought it was anger that first screamed in the queen’s porcelain features. But it was a fear so deep it tore at her.
    Zorin growled at her. “I can and will. My magic is mine to do with as I wish.”
    “But a binding? Zorin! Be reasonable here,” she pleaded.
    Isabelle cleared her throat. “Binding would be what now?”
    Amalthea turned accusing eyes on her as if she had any