The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 116

LIRA

‘Not while I am here.’ 

Luna’s voice was firmer now. Her voice was faster, telling me to duck and move moments before Calista’s fires struck. 

Calista’s smile faltered, anger marring her features.

The session ended before she could seriously hurt me. 

“Enough,” the instructor called.

I stepped back, chest heaving.

Calista lowered her staff slowly.

Her eyes locked onto mine, they were filled with rage. 

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

***I barely had time to breathe before the next round began.***

***“Switch partners!”***

***Amara stepped forward.***

***Of course.***

***She smiled faintly.***

***“Ready?” she asked.***

***Something about her tone made my stomach twist.***

***“…Yes.”***

***“Begin.”***

***She disappeared.***

***Just like that.***

***Gone.***

***My heart skipped.***

***“Of course,” I muttered.***

***I tightened my grip on the staff, turning slowly.***

***Listening.***

***Waiting.***

***‘Behind.’***

***I spun…*** 

***Too late.***

***Her staff struck my side. Pain flared and*** 

***I stumbled.***

***“Focus,” the instructor called lazily.***

***I clenched my jaw.***

***She circled again.***

***Invisible.***

***Silent.***

***Waiting.***

***‘Right.’*** 

***I moved before I could think. I narrowly missed her strike.*** 

***I swung blindly after.***

***Nothing.***

***‘Lower.’*** 

***I dropped…. A rush of air passed just above me.***

***I scrambled back.***

***“She’s trying to hurt me too,” I whispered.***

***‘Yes.’*** 

***My pulse thundered.***

***“She’s working with Calista.”***

***‘Yes.’*** 

***The realization settled cold and heavy in my chest.***

***This wasn’t training. This was some sick twisted plan from Calista and Amara.*** 

***Another strike came,  I blocked this time, catching her wrist mid-air.***

***For a split second, she flickered.***

***Visible.***

***Her eyes widened.***

***Then she vanished again.***

***“Enough!” the instructor called.***

***The session ended.***

***I lowered the staff slowly, my hands shaking.***

***Luna’s presence pulsed warmly in my mind.***

***‘You did well.’*** 

***“I almost didn’t,” I whispered.***

***‘But you did.’*** 

***After training, we were led inside to cool off.*** 

***Cool drinks awaited us.*** 

***Evadne was animated.***

***“That was incredible,” she said. “Did you see that flame burst?”***

***Vivienne laughed.***

***“I saw Lira nearly get burned alive. Calista went a little too hard on you didn’t she?”*** 

***I forced a small smile.***

***“She did.”***

***Elora frowned.***

***“That didn’t look like an accident. Everyone here knows Lira doesn’t have any powers that would be useful in combat. Calista should have gone easy on her.”*** 

***Before I could respond, I felt Luna nudge me to a direction. I looked outside. Calista and Amara stood just beyond a column.***

***“…I told you she’d dodge,” Amara muttered.***

***“She shouldn’t have,” Calista replied coldly.***

***“She’s faster than she looks.”***

***“She won’t be for long.”***

***My breath caught.***

***“…We need to be more careful,” Amara said. “People might notice.”***

***“Let them,” Calista snapped softly. “No one will suspect us. Besides, how else will we get rid of her?”*** 

***A chill ran through me.***

***“She must have someone helping her here. How is she still here when Juliette has left?” Amara added.***

***“Don’t worry we’ll fix that.”*** 

***Silence.***

***Then***

***“She is going to leave this selection one way or the other,” Calista said quietly.***

***My blood ran cold.***

***I stepped back before they could see me.***

***My heart pounded violently. They were planning something against me again.*** 

***“Lira?”***

***Elora’s voice pulled me back.***

***I turned to her.***

***“I need to talk to you,” she said softly.***

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

We found a quiet corner.

“What is going on?” Elora asked. “Why are they targeting you?”

I hesitated. If Elora could notice then it was very obvious and it meant the trainers were in on it too. They must have known about the targeted attacks. 

“Elora…” I whispered.

She stepped closer.

“What is it?”

I swallowed.

Then I said it.

“What I am about to tell you, you can’t tell anyone else.” 

Elora nodded. 

“My lips are sealed.” 

“Calista is the one who poisoned me.”

Elora froze.

Her eyes widened.

“…What?”

“I remembered what happened shortly after I went back to my room,” I said. “She gave me some tea. She watched me collapse.”

“That’s, no,” Elora shook her head. “That’s not possible.”

“It is. She even confessed to poisoning Lenora.” 

“Why would she…?” 

“Because she wants me gone. She believes Prince Cassian wants me. And that threatens her relationship with him.” 

Silence fell between us.

Heavy.

Shocking.

Elora stared at me, her expression slowly shifting from disbelief…

To realization.

To fear.

“…Lira,” she whispered, “do you understand what you’re saying?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

My words seemed to echo in the silence between us.

Elora didn’t speak at first. She just stared at me, really stared this time, as though she was trying to peel back every layer of me and find the truth hidden underneath.

“…You’re serious,” she said finally, her voice quieter than I had ever heard it.

“I wouldn’t joke about something like that,” I replied.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “But… Calista?” she repeated, almost to herself. “She’s, she’s one of the strongest candidates. She’s practically…” 

“The Queen’s favorite?” I finished.

Elora winced slightly. “Yes.”

“That doesn’t make her innocent.”

“No,” Elora admitted softly. “It doesn’t.”

She paced once, then twice, her hands clasped tightly together.

“We have to tell the Queen,” she said suddenly.

I shook my head immediately. “No.”

Elora stopped. “No?”

“No,” I repeated, firmer this time. “We can’t.”

“Lira, she tried to kill you.”

“I know.”

“Then why would you…”

“Because no one will believe me,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I intended.

Elora blinked.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to steady.

“Think about it,” I said more quietly. “It’s her word against mine.”

“You’re not just anyone,” Elora argued. “You’re…” 

“A Vale,” I said bitterly. “From a declining house. With no power. No influence. No allies.”

Elora hesitated.

“And Calista?” I continued. “She’s powerful. Connected. Respected. If I accuse her without proof, it won’t be her they question, it’ll be me.”

Elora’s lips parted, but no words came.

“They’ll think I’m lying,” I said. “Or worse… desperate.”

The thought made something twist painfully in my chest.

Elora’s shoulders slumped slightly.

“…You’re right,” she admitted reluctantly. “Without proof, it could backfire.”

I nodded.

Silence settled between us again, heavier this time.

“So what do we do?” she asked.

I looked away, my mind racing.

“We wait.”

Elora frowned. “Wait?”

“Yes,” I said. “Calista won’t stop.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“You think she’ll try again?”

“I know she will.”

Elora’s expression hardened.

“Then we make sure she doesn’t get the chance,” she said.

I shook my head. “No. We make sure that if she does… we catch her.”

Elora went still.

Slowly, understanding dawned on her face.

“You want evidence,” she said.

“Yes.”

“And you’re willing to risk…” 

“I’m already at risk,” I interrupted quietly.

That shut her up.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Elora stepped closer, her voice firm despite the fear I could still see in her eyes.

“Then I’ll help you.”