Descendant Read Online Free PDF Page B

day. Right now, I can’t move, can’t feel my arms or legs or anything but the pounding in my head as I watch the vision unfold, like a movie on a screen.
    A small woman with blue-green eyes smoothes her hair and straightens her skirt before gliding down the stairs to rejoin her son’swedding party. As she descends, she catches the eye of the captain of her Warrior Guards and murmurs his name, “Rhys.” His eyebrows rise in appreciation.
    The laces on her silver-trimmed gown are pulled tight, making breathing difficult. She hides her struggle by tossing loose strands of golden curls over her shoulder and patting the pile of them atop her head. The emeralds at her throat sparkle in the bright light of thousands of candles. She picks up her skirts and cuts through the dance floor. The crowd parts, and she glides to the empty throne next to the king. Rhys stands just behind and to her right, acting as bodyguard.
    “Damon,” she says to her husband. “Have you seen Theron and his new bride?”
    The king chuckles wickedly. “Of course not, my dear Isleen. Our son is too smart to waste his wedding night socializing with commoners and snobs.”
    “Well, where is he then?” She perches on her throne.
    “Where do you think, darling? I imagine Theron and Raina have already given great efforts toward the creation of an heir.”
    A blush creeps across Isleen’s cheeks. “Someone should rouse them every so often. After all, this is their party.”
    Damon motions to Rhys. “Captain, if you had the choice between spending the evening in the privacy of your bedchamber with your new bride or rubbing elbows with a ballroom full of courtiers, which would you choose?”
    Rhys smiles, avoiding the queen’s gaze. “Privacy, Your Majesty. Of course.”
    “He could at least show his face every few hours or so.” Isleen leans against the throne as far as her full dress will allow. “I grow weary of making his excuses.”
    “Shall we send everyone away?” Damon sips from a silver goblet to hide his smile.
    “Not yet.” Isleen turns to Rhys. “Captain, fetch Theron. Inform him that I shall retire soon and expect his goodnight wishes immediately.”
    Damon snorts. “Surely you do not mean to interrupt the boy?”
    “Damon! The Prince has been raised to respect his mother.”
    Rhys bites back a smile.
    “Shall I bring him here or have him meet you at your chambers?”
    The smile Isleen turns on her bodyguard is intimate. “My chambers will be fine. Thank you, Captain.”
    Rhys doesn’t smile, but his expression betrays a hint of adoration as he bows. “Anything for you, Majesty.”
    T he buzzing doorbell startles me awake. Was I really asleep? It’s late afternoon, nearly dinnertime. None of my visions has ever lasted so long, and they usually involve a blue-eyed boy. Maybe it was a dream.
    Erda barks as I trip to the door, stub my toe on the entry table, and bang my elbow against the wall. On the stoop, Rose and Jen are bundled in heavy coats and snow boots. Jen’s eyes are hidden behind a pair of wrap-around sunglasses, which she shoves in her hair as she follows Rose in from the blinding sunshine.
    Rose wastes no time getting to the point. “Did you really faint in the hall?”
    I pull my fingers through my tangled nest of hair with a groan. “I guess the whole school knows by now.” Especially since Rose has—no doubt—spread the whole embellished story through the grapevine.
    Jen says, “You’re under way too much stress. You probably need a break.”
    “She definitely needs a break. A sleepover of epic proportions.” Rose shoves past me and into the living room. She drops her coat on the floor and plops in the recliner, reaching out to scratch Erda’s head. “You’re coming with us on this trip. No more arguing.”
    “Make yourself at home.” Shaking my head, I close the door. I haven’t argued so much as flat-out told them no—no fewer than twelve times. And the three of us have only been hanging out