The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 117

LIRA

My head snapped up. “No.”

“Yes.”

“Elora…” 

“If she tries anything again, I’ll be there,” she insisted. “I’ll see it. I’ll report it. And they will believe me.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do,” she said. “My father, he has standing with the court. My word carries weight because of him.”

I hesitated.

That was true.

Far more than I liked to admit.

“Elora…” I said softly, “this could put you in danger.”

“She already has,” Elora replied. “If she poisoned you once, what’s stopping her from doing it again? Or hurting someone else? Who knows who could be next?” 

I had no answer to that.

Elora reached for my hand.

“I’m not standing by and watching you fight this alone.”

Her grip tightened slightly.

“We do this together.”

Something in my chest shifted.

“…Fine,” I said quietly. “But you stay careful. You don’t confront her. You don’t act alone.”

Elora nodded. “Agreed.”

“And if anything feels wrong…” 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful,” she finished.

I exhaled.

“Good.”

We stood there for a moment longer before Elora finally smiled faintly.

“Well,” she said, attempting lightness, “this is certainly more exciting than embroidery lessons.”

I huffed a small laugh despite myself.

“Is that what we’re calling attempted murder now?”

“Apparently.”

We both knew it wasn’t funny.

But we laughed anyway.

Because the alternative was far worse.

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

By the time I returned to my room, I felt a little lighter. Sharing my burden with Elora had certainly made me feel a bit better. 

I closed the door quietly behind me and locked it.

The moment the latch clicked, 

A blur of white launched at me.

“Luna!”

I barely had time to react before she collided with my chest, nearly knocking the breath out of me.

I laughed softly despite myself, catching her.

“You’re going to kill me one day,” I muttered.

‘You are back’, she said, her voice bright in my mind.

“Yes,” I said dryly. “I am.”

She nuzzled against me, warm and soft and completely unaware of how dangerous her existence was.

I set her down gently on the bed.

“You shouldn’t have come out earlier,” I said, my tone turning serious.

‘I was tired’, she replied immediately.

I stared at her.

“Tired?”

Yes.

“Luna, you cannot just wander into the courtyard because you’re tired.”

She tilted her small head at me.

‘Why not?’

I pressed a hand to my forehead.

“Because if anyone sees you, we are both dead.”

She blinked.

Dead?

“Yes, dead,” I said firmly. “No more flying, no more eating, no more, whatever it is you do when I’m not looking.”

She seemed to consider that.

‘That sounds unpleasant.’ 

“Exactly.”

She shifted slightly, curling her tail around herself.

‘But it is small here’, she said. ‘Your room.’ 

I softened slightly.

“I know,” I said quietly. “But it’s safer.”

‘I do not like hiding,’ she added.

“I don’t either.”

Silence settled between us.

Then I crouched down in front of her.

“Listen to me,” I said gently. “If you want to stay with me… you have to stay hidden.”

Her golden eyes met mine.

‘Stay with you?’ 

Something in my chest tightened.

“Yes.”

She seemed to brighten at that.

‘Then I will stay hidden.’ 

Relief washed through me.

“Good.”

I exhaled.

“But,” I added, “if you want to move around, do it at night.”

She tilted her head again.

‘Night?’ 

“Yes,” I said. “When everyone is asleep. When it’s dark. Fewer people. Less risk.”

She considered that.

‘Better.’ 

“Yes. Better.”

She shuffled closer to me, pressing lightly against my arm.

‘I will wait for night.’ 

I smiled faintly.

“Good girl.”

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

Later that evening, I managed to sneak a large portion of meat from dinner and bring it back to my room. 

Luna devoured it enthusiastically.

“Slow down,” I muttered. “You’re going to choke.”

‘I will not,’ she replied between bites.

“You say that now.”

She ignored me.

I leaned back against the bed, watching her.

For a moment… just a moment…

Everything felt almost normal.

Almost.

But the illusion didn’t last.

Because beneath it all, the truth still lingered.

Calista was watching.

The palace was heavily guarded.

The dragon was free.

And I…. 

I was standing in the middle of it all, balancing secrets that could destroy everything.

Luna finished eating and curled up beside me, her warmth seeping into my side.

‘You are troubled,’ she said softly.

I let out a quiet breath.

“Yes.”

‘Why?’ 

I hesitated.

Then I whispered,

“Because everything is moving too fast.”

And I wasn’t sure I could keep up.

Or survive it.

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

CASSIAN 

Evander caught me before I could leave the corridor. After Aveline left with Lira, I no longer felt the need to talk to him. 

“Brother.”

There was something sharp in his tone, something expectant, almost confrontational. I turned slowly, already knowing this would not be a simple exchange.

“Evander,” I said evenly.

He folded his arms, leaning one shoulder against the stone pillar like he had all the time in the world. “So why is it you were here? You never stated your reason. Or was your plan simply to ruin my dinner?” 

“I’ve been working, I came here to discuss matters of extreme urgency,” I corrected. “Something you might try, considering the state of things.”

His mouth twitched. “And yet you still find time to interfere in my affairs.”

I exhaled through my nose, already losing patience. “Now is not the time to be courting Lira.” 

There. I said it.

His eyes hardened immediately. “Excuse me?”

“The palace is on edge. A rogue dragon has just escaped beneath our feet. Our father is preparing for war, and you…” I gestured vaguely at him, irritation bleeding through, “…are playing at romance.”

Evander straightened. “Mind your own business.”

“I am,” I snapped. “You’re making it mine.”

He stepped closer. “You don’t get to dictate who I see or when I see her.”

“No,” I said, quieter now, more controlled. “But I do get to ensure this kingdom doesn’t fall apart while you’re distracted.”

His gaze searched mine, suspicion creeping in. “Or is that what this really is?”

I stilled.

“What do you mean?” I asked carefully.

“You’re sending me away, aren’t you?”

I let out a short, humorless breath. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do,” Evander pressed. “Every time something matters, every time there’s distance to be put between me and something you want, you find a way to make it happen.”

“That’s not…” 

“You’re trying to get me away from her.”

The accusation hung between us.

For a brief, dangerous moment… I didn’t answer.

Then I straightened my shoulders.

“There’s a delegation in the western provinces,” I said coolly. “Trade negotiations have stalled. They need a royal presence, someone diplomatic.”

His brows drew together. “I knew it! And you think that’s me?”

“I know it is,” I said. “You’re better with people than I am. You always have been. Which is why we’ve always sent you on these sorts of missions.” 

That gave him pause.

“You’d be gone a few days,” I added. “A week at most.”

His eyes narrowed again. “Convenient.”

“For the kingdom,” I corrected.

“For you,” he shot back.

I held his gaze steadily. “If I wanted you gone for personal reasons, I wouldn’t be this subtle about it.”

That, at least, was true.

Evander studied me for a long moment.

Then he scoffed lightly. “Fine. I’ll go.”

Relief flickered through me, brief and unwelcome.

“But don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing,” he added.

I didn’t respond.

Because I wasn’t entirely sure myself.