Dragon Wife

By Angela B. Mortimer

Dalziel has run away to be with her uncle as she is forbidden to marry her love, Lesta, the king’s eldest son. Her Uncle Quikso believes she is his daughter, but her mother knows the truth, for her father, is a Varan – Donas, a son of Doella and Carnos. However, Dalziel isn’t safe with her uncle, for the ruler of his kingdom is evil and although Dalziel hides in her uncle’s tower, King Presnol finds and desires her. Presnol outwits them, marries Dalziel, and sends his first wife into exile. They conspire to escape, and then Lesta and Dalziel’s mother arrive. Her mother is aware of her daughter’s latent power, and the more she makes use of it, the stronger it grows. Finally, through the use of her power, she and Lesta escape to her uncle’s friend, Salumestra, who lives in an old fortress across the desert. Salumestra is a good man and he helps Dalziel. However, also hiding in the fortress is a dragon son of Doella and Wylar, banished there as punishment by his mother for eating a human. This changes everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela B. Mortimer
• Release date: Aug 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463555903

Angela B. Mortimer

Born in the UK, married a gorgeous Aussie and have been living happily here ever since. Attended West of England college of art. Love reading sci-fi, fantasy and my fav subjects like genetics, planet sciences, philosophy, history - especially ancient, and of course space. I dreamt of being an astronaut. I've been writing since I could and painting for as long.I love the outdoors and gazing at the stars and wondering what might be out there.

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Dragon Wife

A Varan Tale

Dragon Wife.

A Varan Tale.

PUBLISHED BY:

Angela B. Mortimer at Smashwords

Copyright © 2019 by Angela B. Mortimer

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, or places, events, or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

*****

Dragon Wife

A Varan Tale

By

Angela B. Mortimer

Chapter 1

Quikso left the security of the tower room and made his way to the main gate. Dalziel was close, speaking into his mind from a distance. The girl’s mother might be an able witch, with foresight second to none, but her daughter Dalziel could do many things. Charlea said the girl lifted a huge bed high into the air, just by imagining it. Quikso was proud of his niece; he last saw her six years ago, he was pleased when a messenger called with a letter from his sister to say she was coming to visit.

A solitary, slight figure swathed in shawls and riding a chestnut mare came towards him. Behind trotted six burly men, from their dress they must be mercenaries. Charlea had no fear anyone might harm her daughter, no one would dare cross the witch.

Dalziel reined her horse. A mercenary rode forward and she handed over their earnings. The man thanked her and followed his comrades into the city.

Few recognised Quikso, he usually kept to the tower, and when in public he hid his face with a deep hood. Without a word, he took hold of the reins and led her to the stables. Bright, green eyes peered from the shadows of the fine shawl that covered her face. The horse must have been hers ‒ it was a first-rate animal.

She answered, her voice sounded like the low trill of a cal-pipe. ‘Yes, the mare is mine. My belongings will follow in the next trading caravan; the ride is faster than waiting for the wagons.’

‘A pleasure to see you, Dalziel, it has been too long, but travel is becoming more dangerous. Stay on the horse; it’s a long way to the castle stables.’

‘Is anyone aware I’m coming?’

‘Only the steward, he knows I’m having a family member to stay, he has to arrange extra food and other necessities.’

‘Dear uncle; I’ve no wish to disturb you.’

‘It will be pleasant to have a visitor.’

The Dapal family had been the leading wizards or witches in the Three Kingdoms for millennia. Quikso had forgotten to marry and now at fifty considered himself too old. If anyone wanted him when young and handsome, it was doubtful he noticed. Dalziel was the child of the famous Charlea, his sister. She never married either, although her beauty was still legendary. No one knew Dalziel’s father. The horse’s metal hooves echoed as they entered the paved yard to the stables. With surprising agility, Dalziel leapt from the saddle and levitated to the ground.

The groom saw Quikso and hurried to help. He handed the reins to the youth as his niece removed a satchel from the saddle. The boy led the animal into the warmth of the stable as Quikso took the bag from his niece.

She looked around, pleased the yard was swept and clean. ‘So this is Brathes. Mother said it was almost as fine as Caldalil. She says the kingdoms are alike.’

‘Not much difference in appearance, but it’s cooler here than in Valais or Brathes.’

‘And you have lived in all of them?’

‘Yes, they are as alike, as they are different.’

Dalziel laughed ‒ another delightful trilling sound. ‘Only a wizard would put it that way.’

The wind blew bitterly cold, and Quikso was glad to get inside the tower. Dalziel’s thick, black, travel cloak was covered