Chapter LXIV: Beasts
Isabella woke up in the king's bed, alone and naked. The remnants of the previous night’s festivities lingered in the air, and her head throbbed from the wine she had consumed. The room was a mess, with the torn red roses from her dress scattered across the floor like the aftermath of a storm.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as the memories of the night flooded back. Slowly, she pushed herself up and reached for a robe, the cool fabric a stark contrast to the warmth of the bed she had just left. Wrapping it around herself, she took a moment to gather her thoughts before heading back to her own chambers.
As she walked through the palace corridors, the early morning light filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow on the stone walls. Her mind was focused on one thing: checking on her son. The events of the night seemed distant and dreamlike now, her steps guided by a mother’s instinct.
Upon entering her room, Isabella’s heart skipped a beat as she realized it was empty. Prince Ikkar and Alicent, who was supposed to be tending to him, were nowhere to be found. The absence of her son made her pulse quicken with anxiety. Alicent wouldn’t take him for a stroll without her permission, especially before his morning feed.
Panic began to rise within her as she quickly left her room, her robe fluttering behind her. She hurried down the corridor and approached the nearest guards, her voice urgent and strained. “Where is Prince Ikkar?” she demanded.
The guards exchanged brief glances before one of them replied, “The king took him early this morning, my lady.”
Isabella's heart pounded in her chest, a whirlwind of fear and anxiety gripping her. Would the king be so cruel as to take her son away to teach her a lesson? The thought gnawed at her, making her steps hurried and unsteady as she navigated the palace hallways. All she wanted was to have her son back in her arms; nothing else mattered in that moment.
Determined to confront the king, she made her way back to the royal hall. The aftermath of the festival was evident, with servants bustling around, cleaning up the mess from the night's revelry. Her mind raced with a mix of anger and desperation as she hurried through the hall.
As she passed by a large window overlooking the main courtyard, a sight stopped her in her tracks. Her heart, which had been racing with anxiety, suddenly calmed. There, in the courtyard, she saw the king holding Ikkar, showing him the dragons. The majestic creatures, their scales glinting in the morning light, were an awe-inspiring sight, and her son’s eyes were wide with wonder.
The tension drained from her body, replaced by a wave of relief. She watched them for a moment, a soft smile tugging at her lips. Despite her fears, the king wasn’t being cruel; he was sharing a moment with their son. Isabella felt a renewed sense of calm and purpose as she took a deep breath and headed outside to join them.
As she neared, Prince Ikkar's eyes lit up, and he began to point at her, making excited baby sounds. The king turned, a warm smile spreading across his face as he saw her.
"Good morning," he said, his voice a mix of tenderness and authority.
Isabella returned the smile, her heart swelling with relief and love. "Good morning," she replied, reaching out to take Ikkar from his arms. "I was worried when I couldn't find Ikkar in my bedroom," Isabella admitted, her voice tinged with concern.
The king's smile softened. "I wanted to bring him to see the dragons," he explained. "I didn't want to wake you up."
Isabella glanced at the dragons, their scales glistening in the morning light. The sight was both majestic and intimidating. "They're magnificent," she said, her voice filled with awe.
The king nodded, his gaze shifting from the dragons to his son. "One day, Ikkar will tame one of them and become a dragon rider himself," he declared, a note of pride in his voice.
Isabella's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she admired the dragons. "I haven’t seen these ones before. What are their names?" she asked, glancing back at the king.
The king smiled, pleased by her interest. "The black one is Drakkor," he began, pointing to the largest dragon, its scales glinting ominously in the sunlight. "The silver one is Sylphara," he continued, gesturing towards the sleek dragon whose movements were as fluid as water. "And the green one is Verdath," he finished, nodding towards the dragon with emerald scales and a steady, watchful gaze.
Isabella noticed that the dragons were much smaller than Thanatos and Kallirion, the king’s battle dragons. "Are they new?" she asked, her eyes lingering on their youthful forms.
The king nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at the dragons. "They hatched less than a year ago in Hzama. I brought them to the capital because I want Ikkar to grow up with them," he explained, his voice filled with a rare tenderness. "They are my Alduramend gift to him."
Isabella felt her heart warm at his words. "It's a wonderful gift," she said, looking at Ikkar, who was reaching out towards the dragons with wide, curious eyes. "My little dragon…"
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of alarm bells ringing throughout the palace. Panic rippled through the crowds as soldiers rushed to their posts, their swords drawn and faces grim with determination. The king's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the chaos, his mind already calculating the best course of action, even though he didn’t know what was happening yet.
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