In the Labyrinth of Drakes - Marie Brennan 
 Rating: 
 (view spoiler)[While Scirland is secretly continuing the research into dragonbone synthesis, Isabella and Tom are appointed by the Royal Scirling Army to run a breeding operation in Akhia. To prevent further scandals while travelling across the deserts with Suhail (who's brother is the local sheik), Isabella proposes to him and they marry. While exploring the Draconean ruins in the Labyrinth of Drakes with Suhail, Tom and Andrew, she discovers an intact hatching chamber, later known as the Watchers' Heart. (hide spoiler)] 
 This volume contained everything that I wanted from this series. More than ever, Isabella was a champion for women and, although she didn't succeed in breeding captive desert drakes, she made other contributions to her field (egg incubation). I was touched by Tom's loyalty and their joined effort to ensure the continuity of the House of Dragons after the withdrawal of the Scirland army. Her brother Andrew was a great companion and I was glad to see Suhail again. Isabella's proposal was so sweet, but the best part was definitely the archeological discovery, which gave me chills. 
 "People will forgive a slip, a weakness, a minor personal folly--when it comes from a man. [...] 
 "If I misstep, it goes far beyond me. Errors on my part are proof that women are unsuited to professional work[...] My flaws are not merely my own. And so I cannot permit myself to indulge in anything that might validate the assumptions people have already formed--about me, and all my sex." 
 Chapter 11