The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 141

CASSIAN

The palace loomed before me as Taheer descended through the clouds, his dark scales catching the last light of the dying sun.

I had been gone for hours.

It felt like years.

You are troubled, Taheer said as we touched down in the courtyard. Guards scattered, horses reared, servants pressed themselves against walls. They never got used to him. None of them did.

"I'm beyond troubled."

You have learned the truth about the girl.

"Yes."

And yet you have not decided what to do with it.

I dismounted, my boots hitting the stone with a heavy thud. Taheer's golden eyes followed me, ancient and knowing.

"What would you have me do?"

That is not for me to decide. You are the prince. The choice is yours.

"Some choice."

All choices have consequences, Cassian. The only question is whether you are willing to bear them.

I turned away from him and walked toward the palace.

\-——————————————

The corridors were busy when I entered, servants rushing past with linens and silver, guards standing at attention, courtiers lingering in doorways with glasses of wine and empty laughter.

I wanted none of it.

I wanted my study. My fire. My solitude.

But a young page intercepted me before I made it ten steps.

"Your Highness." He bowed, breathless. "The Queen requests your presence at dinner. She was most insistent."

"I am not hungry."

"I don't think that's relevant, Your Highness."

I stared at him.

He didn't flinch.

Brave boy, I thought. Or stupid.

"Fine," I said. "Tell her I'll be there."

\-———————————-

The family dining room was smaller than the grand hall, intimate, by palace standards. A long table of dark wood, set with crystal and silver. Tapestries of dragons and kings covered the walls. A fire blazed in the hearth.

My mother sat at my father’s side, her posture perfect, her expression unreadable. She wore a gown of deep blue, and her golden hair had been pinned in an elaborate style that must have taken her ladies an hour to arrange.

My father sat at the head of the table, already eating, his beard flecked with crumbs.

And Evander… 

Evander sat at my mother's side , his face alight with something I hadn't seen in years.

Happiness.

Genuine, unfiltered happiness.

He was even smiling.

What does he have to be happy about?

Aveline was missing as usual, no doubt being at the dragon keep as an excuse to avoid family matters. 

I took my seat across from him, and a servant appeared at my elbow to fill my wine glass.

"You're late," my mother said.

"I was detained."

"By what?"

"Dragon business." I took a long drink. "You wouldn't be interested."

Her eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.

\---

Dinner proceeded in the usual fashion, stilted conversation, careful avoidance of anything that mattered, the clink of silver against porcelain.

I picked at my food.

Thought about Lira.

Thought about Lord Vale's letter.

Thought about the girl in the portrait, dead and buried, and the girl in the palace, alive and lying.

Lirael Sutton.

Daughter of a traitor.

Pretender.

Liar.

Mine.

The last thought surfaced before I could stop it.

I crushed it immediately.

—————————

"Father," Evander said, setting down his fork. "Mother. I have an announcement."

My mother raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yes." Evander's smile widened. "I've decided to formalize my courtship of Lady Lira. I intend to marry her immediately. I was thinking we could send a letter to Lord Vale formally requesting her hand in marriage. And proceed with the marriage arrangements after the dragon trials.” 

The table went still.

My father stopped chewing.

My mother's expression didn't change, but something flickered in her eyes. Something cold.

"Excuse me?" she said.

"I know the Selection isn't over," Evander continued, undeterred. "But Lira and I have discussed it. It’s not like she’s going to win anyways, we all know that’s been decided. We'd like to be married before the end of the year."

Silence.

Then…. 

My mother laughed.

It was not a kind laugh.

It was sharp. Dismissive. The kind of laugh that cut.

"Marry her?" She set down her knife. "Evander, be serious."

"I am serious."

"No, you're not. You're infatuated. There's a difference."

Evander's smile faltered. "Mother…” 

"I agreed to your little courtship because I assumed your stupid infatuation would burn itself out." She picked up her wine glass. "Clearly, I was wrong."

"Lira is…” 

"Inconsequential." My mother's voice was ice. "She is a nobody, Evander. A noble in name only, from a house that has been crumbling for decades. She brings nothing to this family. No wealth. No power. No alliances."

"She brings herself."

"That is not enough. You are a prince. We need allies. Strong allies!” 

Evander's hands curled into fists on the table.

"You can't stop me."

"I am your mother and the Dragon Queen of this kingdom! I can do whatever I please." She set down her wine glass. "You will not marry that girl. I'll find you someone else. Someone appropriate."

"Like who?"

My mother tilted her head, considering.

"Lady Elora, perhaps. The Dorne family is very influential. Wealthy. Their power over agriculture makes them indispensable." She glanced at my father. "What do you think, Edric?"

My father grunted. "The Dorne girl is good enough."

"See?" My mother smiled. "Lady Elora would make a fine match. And if you don’t want her I’m sure there’s some foreign princess we can persuade with a marriage alliance.” 

"I don't want Lady Elora."

"You want what's best for the family."

"I want Lira."

My mother's smile vanished.

"Evander." Her voice was quiet now. Dangerous. "I have indulged you. I have allowed you to play this silly game. But this conversation is over. You will not marry Lira Vale. You will not embarrass this family by marrying beneath your station. Do you understand?"

Evander didn't answer.

His jaw was tight. His eyes were blazing.

But he said nothing.

"Good." My mother picked up her fork. "Now eat your dinner. It's getting cold."

\-———————-

I had been silent through the entire exchange.

Watching.

Listening.

Calista, I thought. She wants Calista for me. And now she wants Elora for Evander.

She's arranging us like pieces on a game board.

We're not sons to her. We're pawns.

Although a part of me couldn’t help be relieved that Evander would not be marrying Lira. 

"You're quiet, Cassian."

My father's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked up.

He was watching me, his grey eyes sharp, assessing.

"I'm thinking," I said.

"About what?"

"About the letter I received today."

My mother sighed. "Must we discuss business at dinner?"

"This is important."

"Everything is important to you lately."

I ignored her. I reached into my coat and pulled out Lord Vale's letter, the one I had intercepted, the one warning of fire and blood.

"Lord Vale sent this to the palace, addressed to you," I said, placing it on the table. "He had a vision. He's warning that something is coming. Something terrible."