The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 100

LIRA

I woke up to a bright light.

For a moment, I thought I was back in my room.

I blinked slowly.

White ceiling, a clean white room.

The faint smell of herbs.

The quiet murmur of voices beyond a curtain.

The infirmary.

Why?

My brows pulled together.

“What…?”

My voice came out hoarse, unfamiliar.

The last thing I remembered was… Elora.

We had been talking.

Laughing.

And then....

Nothing.

A hollow space in my memory.

I pushed myself up slightly, wincing at the dull ache in my head.

The physician immediately appeared at my side.

“Ah,” he said, relief softening his features. “You’re awake.”

“What happened?” I asked, my voice steadier this time. “Why am I here?”

He exchanged a brief look with someone behind him before answering carefully.

“You were found unconscious shortly after you left.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

"You were posioned.”

The word landed heavily.

“…Poisoned?”

“Yes.”

I stared at him.

“That’s not possible.”

“It is.”

“I didn’t drink anything strange. I didn’t..." I stopped, frowning. “I don’t remember anything.”

“That is not uncommon,” he said gently. “The poison can affect memory.”

I swallowed.

“So someone… tried to kill me?”

He hesitated.

“…Yes.”

A strange calm settled over me.

Not fear.

Not shock.

Just… clarity.

Of course.

Of course someone did. I had been snooping around too much.

I sank back slightly against the pillows.

“And I lived.”

“You did,” he said, almost in disbelief. “Remarkably so.”

I let out a small breath.

“Then they must be disappointed.”

The physician didn’t respond.

****************************

They came soon after.

My instructors.

Two of them.

Faces tight with concern and something else.

Suspicion.

“Lady Lira,” one of them said, stepping forward. “We are glad to see you awake.”

“I’m sure,” I replied quietly.

They exchanged a glance.

“You were poisoned,” the second said.

“So I’ve been told.”

“Do you remember anything?”

“No.”

“Nothing at all?”

I shook my head.

“I remember being with Elora. After that… nothing.”

They studied me carefully.

“As per Her Majesty’s instructions", the first continued, “we are to investigate this thoroughly.”

“I would hope so.”

“Think carefully, Lady Lira. Did you notice anything unusual? Anyone acting strangely?”

I held their gaze.

“No.”

A pause.

“You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

They didn’t believe me.

I could see it in their eyes.

But they had nothing.

And neither did I; I couldn't remember anything useful.

“Very well,” one of them said finally. “If you remember anything, you are to report it immediately.”

“Of course.”

They nodded and left.

The moment they were gone, I exhaled slowly.

My fingers curled slightly into the sheets.

Poisoned.

Someone had tried to kill me.

And I didn’t even remember how.

The door opened again.

“Elora.”

Her name left my lips before I could stop it.

She rushed toward me, eyes bright with relief.

“You’re awake!”

Before I could react, she wrapped her arms around me.

I froze for a second...

Then slowly hugged her back.

“I was so worried,” she said softly. “They said it was the same poison that almost killed Lenora. We were all so scared.”

“I’m fine,” I murmured.

“You don’t look fine.”

“I feel fine.”

She pulled back, studying my face.

“You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.”

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

“You always do this.”

“Do what?”

“Put yourself in some sort of trouble"

I huffed a weak laugh.

“I’ll try to stop.”

“You’d better.”

We sat in silence for a moment before she spoke again.

“You missed a lot.”

“Oh?”

“Elimination.”

My chest tightened slightly.

“Who?”

"Juliette"

I blinked.

“Juliette?”

“Yes.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“I know,” Elora said. “Everyone thought it would be you.”

I looked away.

“I’m sure they did.”

“But you’re still here.”

I forced a small smile.

“Yes.”

I’m still here because the Queen needs me.

Because I made myself useful.

Because I lied well enough to survive.

But I didn’t say any of that.

Instead, I just nodded.

Elora squeezed my hand.

“I’m glad you are.”

Before I could respond, the door opened again.

Evander.

Of course.

“Lira!”

He crossed the room in seconds.

“You’re awake again. You fell asleep right after you first woke up. The physician said it was fatigue. Are you well?"

“I am.”

He reached for my hand.

“Are you hurt? Do you feel weak? Did they...”

“Evander.”

He stopped.

“I’m fine.”

He searched my face.

“…You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

A pause.

Then he sighed.

“You frightened me.”

“I’m sorry.”

He lingered a moment longer before finally stepping back.

“I’ll let you rest.”

“Thank you.”

He nodded and left.

I watched the door close behind him.

Then looked away.

My mind drifted.

To dark eyes.

To quiet intensity.

To the one person who hadn’t come.

Cassian.

He hadn’t been here.

Hadn’t come to see me.

Hadn’t even sent word.

A small, unexpected ache settled in my chest.

“…Of course,” I murmured to myself.

Why would he?

What did I expect?

Elora squeezed my hand again.

“You should rest.”

“I’m tired of resting.”

The physician returned not long after.

After more tests, too many tests, he stepped back with a satisfied nod.

“You are… remarkably well.”

“I told you.”

“I would still prefer to keep you here for observation.”

“For how long?”

“Another day.”

“No.”

He blinked.

“No?”

“I’m tired of lying down here.”

“Lady Lira...”

“I’m fine.”

“You were poisoned.”

“And I feel perfectly fine.”

“That does not mean...”

“I’m not staying here another day,” I said firmly.

He hesitated.

Then sighed.

“…Very well.”

I smiled faintly.

“Thank you.”

“But you will return for daily checkups.”

“I will.”

*********************

The moment I stepped out of the infirmary, I felt it.

Her.

The dragon.

Not distant.

Not faint.

Strong.

Too strong.

My breath hitched.

“…No.”

The voice slammed into my mind.

Lira.

I staggered.

“Stop....”

Come to me.

“I can’t...”

Now.

The world tilted.

My vision blurred.

My knees buckled.

And everything went dark.

When I woke again....

It was night. I was in the infirmary.

“…Seriously?” I muttered weakly.

“You’re awake.”

I froze.

That voice.

I turned.

Cassian.

He stood beside my bed, his expression unreadable, but his eyes...

His eyes gave him away.

Worry. Real worry. He looked so worried.

“You fainted,” he said.

“I gathered.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know.”

A lie.

But I didn’t have the strength to explain.

Or the courage.

He stepped closer.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

Silence stretched between us.

Then....

Lira.

The voice again.

Stronger.

Urgent.

It’s time.

My breath hitched.

I swung my legs off the bed.

Cassian frowned.

“What are you doing?”

“I need air.”

“You just fainted.”

“I’m fine.”

“You said that last time.”

I ignored him and stood.

The pull was stronger now.

Calling me.

Dragging me.

I walked toward the window.

Cassian followed.

“Lira..."

Then I saw it.

My breath left me.

A streak of red.

Blazing across the night sky.

It was Veyraxis.

My lips parted.

“She did it…”

“What?” Cassian asked sharply.

Before I could answer....

Screams erupted across the palace.

“Dragon!”

“What is that?!”

“Sound the alarm!”

Guards rushed.

Torches flared.

Chaos.

Cassian’s head snapped toward the sky.

His expression changed instantly.

“Stay here,” he ordered.

“I’m not...”

“Stay.”

Then he moved.

Fast.

Out the door.

“Taheer!” he shouted into the night.

Calling his dragon.

I didn’t follow.

I couldn’t.

I just stood there.

Watching.

Veyraxis soared across the sky, her red scales blazing like fire.

And beside her...

A tiny shape.

White.

Bright.

Luna.

My heart swelled.

A slow smile spread across my lips.

“She’s finally free…”