The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 107

LIRA

"...She really tried to kill me."

The words slipped out in a whisper, barely audible over the faint dripping of water. For a long moment, I simply stood there, staring at nothing.

Then slowly, I sank down, the water rising to my shoulders as my body gave way to the weight of it all.I should have been furious. I should have been shaking with rage.

But instead,  I felt... still.

Because the truth was worse than anger.

I couldn't do anything. If I accused her no one would believe me. I could be risking everything I had worked for. It would be my word against hers with witnesses. 

But I still wanted her to pay. 

My jaw tightened.

"Fine," I murmured under my breath. "You tried to kill me, Calista."

My fingers curled slightly in the water.

"But you won't get that chance again."

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

By the time I dressed and left my room, I had tried to look peaceful and composed. 

The palace was different now. The air itself seemed to hum with tension. Guards stood at every corridor. Servants whispered.

And everywhere, everywhere, there was talk of the dragon.

I kept my head down as I walked, my escort close behind me, Cassian's guard.

I could feel his eyes on me even when I didn't turn. Even though he made me  uncomfortable, I was determined not to let it show. 

The dining hall was already alive when I arrived.

Voices overlapped. Nervous laughter. Immediately I sat down the voices died down. 

I took my seat quietly beside Elora, who immediately turned to me with relief written all over her face.

"Lira," she breathed, reaching for my hand. "You made it."

"I told you I would be fine," I said softly.

"You almost died."

"But I didn’t."

"That's not the point."

I offered her a small smile.

"I'm here now."

Elora studied me for a moment longer before exhaling.

"...You look stronger."

"I feel stronger."

That much, at least, was true.

Stronger... and far more dangerous.

Across the table, Vivienne leaned forward, her expression soft with concern.

"We were all so worried about you," she said. "It's... horrifying, what happened. I’m so sorry.” 

"Horrifying?" Amara scoffed lightly. "Oh please..” 

Vivienne frowned. "Amara…” 

"What?" Amara shrugged. "We're in the middle of a selection, a dragon escapes, and now people are getting poisoned? Forgive me if I'm thinking about other important things."

"That is important," Vivienne snapped. "Someone tried to kill her."

"And failed and she’s alive," Amara replied coolly.

Beside her, Evadne leaned in with a smirk.

"Who knows? Maybe whoever did it will try again."

Elora stiffened. "That's not even funny Evadne.” 

"I'm not even joking. We are also in as much danger as she is.” 

I said nothing.

"Oh, enough."

The voice was soft. It was the voice of the witch Calista. 

"I think we've all had quite enough cruelty for one week," she said, her tone laced with gentle disapproval.

I lifted my gaze.

She was looking directly at Amara.

"You should be ashamed," Calista continued. "Lira has just recovered from something dreadful. We should be helping her recover.” 

Amara rolled her eyes. "Please…” 

"No," Calista cut in sharply. "If you have nothing kind to say, say nothing at all."

Silence followed.

And then, slowly, Calista turned to me.

Her expression softened.

"Lira," she said warmly, "I am so terribly sorry for what happened to you."

For a moment, I almost believed her.

"I appreciate your concern. Thank you," I said evenly.

Her smile deepened.

"Of course."

Liar.

My fingers tightened slightly around my cup.

But my face betrayed nothing.

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

The conversation shifted quickly after that.

Back to the dragon.

"I heard it was massive," Vivienne whispered.

"It came from underneath the palace," Elora added quietly.

"That makes no sense," Evadne said. "How would a dragon even be inside the palace?"

"Maybe it was hiding," Amara muttered.

"For that kind?" Evadne scoffed.

"They say it was Ruby red," Vivienne said softly.

"Red dragons are rare," Elora added.

"No, red dragons are dangerous," Amara corrected.

I stared down at my plate.

The darkness of the underground had hidden her true form. Her scales had appeared black, but they were actually red.

"She'll come back. I heard the guards talking about it," Evadne said suddenly.

"Don't say that," Elora whispered.

"She will," Amara agreed. "She’ll come back for revenge."

"Yes," I said softly before I could stop myself.

They all looked at me.

“Revenge?" Vivienne asked.

I lifted my gaze slowly.

"Yes."

"Why revenge ?" Elora asked.

I held her eyes for a moment.

Then I smiled faintly.

"Because she was terribly wronged."

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

After breakfast, Elora touched my arm gently.

"Come with me," she said.

"Where?"

"I want you to meet someone."

I hesitated.

Then nodded.

"Alright."

We walked through the corridors together, her steps lighter now, more hopeful.

"My father came to see me," she said.

"Oh?"

"Yes. After the council meeting."

I stiffened slightly.

"The council?" I asked carefully.

"They're talking about the dragon," she said. "About what to do."

Of course they were.

"And your father?"

"He insisted on seeing me," she said with a small smile. "He worries too much."

We stopped outside a chamber.

Elora straightened, then pushed the door open.

Inside stood a man, tall, composed, with kind eyes that immediately softened when he saw her.

"My princess."

"Daddy!"

She rushed into his arms, and he embraced her warmly.

"I'm glad you're safe," he murmured.

"I am."

Then she turned, pulling me forward.

"This is Lady Lira Vale. She is my friend."

His gaze shifted to me.

"Ah," he said. "The friend I've heard so much about. My daughter always mentions him in her letters.” 

I bowed slightly.

"It's an honor Lord Dorne.” 

"The honor is mine," he said. "Any friend of my daughter is welcome in my home. After the selection you can come and stay for as long as you want.” 

Something in my chest tightened.

Home.

A word that felt... distant.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

He studied me for a moment.

"You've been through quite an ordeal. My daughter told me about it. I’m terrible sorry.” he said.

"I have."

"And yet you’re still here."

"I have to stay strong."

A small smile touched his lips.

"Good."

Elora beamed.

"I told you you’d like her Daddy."

"I can see that."

We spoke for a little while longer, simple things, easy things.

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

But reality returned quickly.

It always did.

I left them soon after, claiming I needed rest.

Elora insisted I return later.

I promised I would.

And then I walked back toward my room.

The guard was still there.

Of course he was.

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

As I approached, something caught my eye.

A servant.

Holding a letter. My heart skipped.

"For Lady Lira," he said.

I stepped forward instinctively.

But before I could take it, 

The guard moved.

"Stop."

The servant froze.

The guard took the letter from his hands.

"This will be inspected."

My pulse spiked.

"No," I said quickly. "It's from my family…” 

"Orders from the Crown Prince," the guard said flatly.

My stomach twisted.

Cassian.

Of course.

"Give it to me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I cannot."

My hands clenched.

"Please…” 

Footsteps echoed down the corridor.

I didn’t need to turn. 

I felt him before I saw him.

And then, 

“Give it to me."

Cassian's voice.

The guard bowed slightly and handed him the letter.

Cassian took it without hesitation, giving me one last look.