The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 123

CASSIAN

My jaw tightened.

Before I could respond, the chamber doors swung open.

A guard rushed in, slightly out of breath.

“Your Highness…” 

I straightened immediately.

“What is it?”

“The Queen requests your presence. Immediately.”

I exhaled sharply through my nose.

Of course she did.

Timing had never been more inconvenient.

I cast one last look at the prisoner.

“Do not let him out of your sight,” I told the guards. “And do not kill him.”

“Even if he…” 

“Do not kill him,” I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument.

They nodded.

I turned and strode out without another glance.

But the man’s smile lingered in my mind.

And I did not like what it suggested.

_____________________

By the time I reached my mother’s sunroom, I was already irritated.

Whatever this was, it had better be important.

I pushed the doors open.

My mother sat near the tall arched windows, sunlight spilling over her like a crown of gold. Beside her stood two familiar figures, Master Dorian and Mistress Helene, both instructors from the Selection.

That alone told me this was not a casual summons.

“What happened?” I asked without preamble.

My mother did not smile.

“That is precisely what I am trying to determine.”

I glanced between them.

“Explain.”

Master Dorian stepped forward, his expression grim.

“There has been… an incident during combat training.”

My stomach tightened.

“With whom?”

A brief pause. I silently prayed to the gods that Lira had nothing to do with it. 

Then… 

“Lady Amara.”

“And?” I pressed.

Mistress Helene spoke this time, her voice softer but no less serious.

“She has been severely burned.”

My pulse spiked.

“By whom?”

Another pause.

“Lady Calista.”

I let out a slow breath.

“…How bad?”

My mother answered this time.

“She is with the physician. The burns were… extensive.”

My jaw clenched.

“Extensive how?”

“She will live,” my mother said carefully. “But the scarring…”

I dragged a hand down my face.

“Tell me exactly what happened. Why were they using their powers during combat training?” 

My mother straightened slightly.

“Lady Calista has already spoken to me in private. She tells me it was an accident. She is deeply sorry for all the stress.” 

I let out a short, humorless laugh.

“Of course she does.”

My eyes shifted to the instructors.

“And what do you say?”

Master Dorian hesitated.

That alone was enough.

“Speak,” I said sharply.

He inclined his head.

“Lady Amara claims the attack was intentional. Unfortunately, I was not present to see it happen myself.” 

My eyes darkened.

“And the other girls?”

Mistress Helene answered.

“Their accounts… support her version of events.”

Of course they did.

I turned back to my mother.

“And yet you believe Calista.”

“I did not say that,” she replied calmly.

“You didn’t have to.”

A flicker of irritation crossed her face.

“She was remorseful,” my mother said. “Distraught. In tears.”

“Calista?” I scoffed. “Crying?”

“Yes.”

“She’s a better actress than I thought.”

“Cassian…” 

“No,” I cut in, stepping closer. “Let’s not pretend this is unclear. And you’re still calling it an accident?”

My mother’s expression hardened slightly.

“It was a combat exercise.”

“It was an assault. Calista knows better than to use her powers in that way,” I snapped.

Silence.

The tension in the room thickened.

I turned sharply to the instructors.

“You’re dismissed.”

They hesitated, glancing at the Queen.

“Go,” I said, my voice leaving no room for argument.

They bowed quickly and exited.

The doors shut behind them with a soft thud.

Now it was just us.

I faced my mother fully.

“This has gone too far.”

“She is a strong contender,” my mother replied evenly.

“She is very dangerous.”

“She is not.  She will make a powerful queen.”

“So will any other girl who has made it this far.”

“She is necessary, Cassian.”

That made me pause.

“…Necessary?”

My eyes narrowed.

“For what, exactly?”

My mother rose slowly from her seat, smoothing her gown.

“For the future of this kingdom.”

I stared at her.

“And you believe Calista is that future?”

“I believe,” she said carefully, “that she is the most suitable candidate.”

“Even after this?”

“Yes.”

My hands curled into fists at my sides.

“You’re showing favoritism.”

Her gaze sharpened.

“Be careful, Cassian.”

“No,” I said, stepping closer. “You be careful. Because when Amara’s family hears about this, and they will, you will not be able to hide behind excuses. Would you risk a noble house turning against you because of Calista?” 

“I will handle it.”

“How?” I demanded. “With more lies? More ‘accidents’?”

“That is enough.”

“No, it isn’t.”

The words came out colder now. Sharper.

“Because I don’t understand.”

My mother went very still.

“Don’t understand what?”

“Why her.”

The silence that followed was different.

I took another step forward, lowering my voice.

“You’ve overlooked every behaviour of hers. Excused her actions. Elevated her above the others from the very beginning. You’ve never even as much as paid attention to the rest. She has been your pick since the very beginning.”

My gaze locked onto hers.

“Why?”

She didn’t answer.

That was the first mistake.

“Is it her power?” I pressed. “Her family? Or something else?”

Still nothing.

And then, 

The thought clicked.

Not fully formed.

But enough.

My expression hardened.

“What does Lord Gareth have over you?”

Her reaction was immediate. A flicker in her eyes.

A shift in her posture.

Shock.

I felt it like a spark catching fire.

I stepped even closer, voice dropping to something dangerous.

“What did he give you… that makes you protect his daughter like this?”

“Cassian…” 

“No,” I said sharply. “Or is it something you owe him?” 

Her composure began to crack, just slightly.

And that was all the confirmation I needed.

“You’re not doing this for the kingdom,” I continued, my voice low and cutting. “You’re doing this for yourself.” 

“That is not true.”

“Then prove it.”

Silence.

I held her gaze.

She held mine.

Neither of us moved.

And in that moment,  I knew.

She wasn’t going to answer.

And whatever secret bound her to Lord Gareth…

I had to find out what it was.