The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 142

LIRA

The words hit like arrows.

Fallen in love.

With Cassian.

I opened my mouth to deny it.

Nothing came out.

Callum's expression shifted, confusion, then disbelief, then rage.

"Lira."

"I haven't..." 

"Don't lie to me." His voice was low. Shaking. "I know that look. I've seen it before. On Mother's face. When she looked at Father."

My throat closed.

"Tell me I'm wrong."

I couldn't.

"TELL ME."

"I can't," I whispered.

Callum stared at me.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke.

The wind moved through the trees. Somewhere in the distance, an owl called.

"How?" Callum's voice was barely audible. "How could you do this? How could you fall in love with the son of the man who murdered our father?"

"It wasn't supposed to happen."

"But it DID."

"Yes."

He turned away from me. Pressed his palms against his eyes. When he turned back, his face was hard.

"It doesn't matter."

"Callum..." 

"It doesn't matter if you love him. It doesn't matter if you've changed your mind." He grabbed my hand and pressed something into my palm, a small, smooth stone, carved with a symbol I didn't recognize. "The attack will happen. On the night of the ball. When you see the signal, three flares, red and gold, you will make your way to the eastern wall. The passage will be open. I will be waiting."

"I can't..." 

"You won't have a choice." His grip tightened. "I'll get you out safely. I promise. But the attack... the attack is happening. Whether you want it to or not."

"Callum, please..." 

He pulled me into his arms.

Hugged me.

Tightly. Desperately. Like he was saying goodbye.

"Remember who you are, Lira," he whispered against my hair. "Remember what they took from us. Remember Father. Remember our mother." 

Then he let me go.

Stepped back.

Returned to Captain Tensen's side.

"The ball," Callum said. "Three flares. Eastern wall."

Captain Tensen nodded.

And then they were gone, melting into the shadows, disappearing into the forest beyond the crumbling wall.

I stood alone beneath the old oak.

Luna stirred beneath my cloak, her mind brushing against mine.

Lira. What just happened?

I looked down at the stone in my palm.

'At the symbol I didn't recognize.' 

At the proof that my brother, my family, was about to start a war.

"My brother," I whispered. "My brother is going to burn the palace down."

'And what will you do?' 

I closed my eyes.

The wind howled.

And somewhere in the darkness, the countdown began.

\---------------------

The gown arrived at dawn.

I heard the knock, the soft shuffle of servants' feet, the rustle of fabric being carried into my room. I didn't move from my bed. Didn't open my eyes even after they left. 

'Your dress is here' Luna said from her spot curled under my pillow.

"I don't care."

'It is very shiny.' 

"Luna."

'And silver. Like moonlight. You will look like a night sky.' 

"I said I don't care."

'You are grumpy this morning.' 

I opened my eyes and glared at her. She blinked back, silver eyes innocent, her small white scales gleaming in the pale light.

What?

"You know what."

'I do not.' 

"You're insufferable."

'I am a dragon. It is my nature.' 

I threw back the covers and stood.

\-—————————————

The dress was beautiful.

I hated that.

It hung from the wardrobe door, silver silk cascading to the floor like frozen water. The bodice was embroidered with tiny crystals that caught the light and scattered it across the walls. The sleeves were long and flowing, almost translucent, and the neckline... 

The neckline was lower than I would have chosen.

'You will look like a princess,' Luna said.

"I don't want to look like a princess."

'Then you should not have entered a competition to become one.' 

I had no response to that.

\---

Breakfast was quiet.

Too quiet.

The dining hall was nearly empty, just the three of us now, scattered across a table that could have seated fifty. I remember when it used to be filled with girls, girls chattering away. Servants moved along the walls like shadows, refilling cups and clearing plates that had barely been touched.

Elora sat to my left, her brown hair pulled back in a simple braid, her green dress modest and unassuming. She pushed her food around her plate but didn't eat.

Calista sat across from us, golden and perfect, her red gown blazing like a warning. Red seemed to be her favourite colour. She smiled into her tea.

No one spoke.

The silence stretched.

And stretched.

And stretched.

Then Calista set down her cup.

"Well," she said, her voice bright and sharp as a blade. "This is awkward."

No one answered.

"I suppose we're all thinking it," she continued. "The elephant in the room. The latest news." Her eyes flicked to me. "Poor Lady Lira. So close to securing a prince. And now..." 

"Now what?" Elora asked.

Calista's smile widened.

"You haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

"The Queen rejected the match."

The words landed like stones dropped into still water.

Elora went pale. "What?"

"Prince Evander's little proposal." Calista made air quotes around the word. "The one he was so eager to announce. The Queen shut it down. Completely. Vehemently." She laughed. "I'm told she said Lady Lira was inconsequential. That she brings nothing to the royal family. No wealth. No power. No alliances."

Elora's hands curled into fists. "That's so cruel."

"It's only politics." Calista shrugged. "The Queen is right, of course. Lady Lira is a nobody. A noble in name only, from a house that has been crumbling for decades with no significant influence." She tilted her head, studying me. "What did you think would happen? That the crown would welcome you with open arms? That they would let their precious prince marry a girl with no influence, no fortune, no significant magic?"

I said nothing.

Didn't trust myself to speak.

'Lira,' Luna murmured in my mind. 'She is trying to hurt you.' 

I know.

'Do not let her.'

Calista leaned forward, clearly disappointed by my lack of reaction.

"But wait," she said. "There's more."

"More?" Elora's voice was strained.

"Oh yes." Calista's smile turned vicious. "The Queen has already begun seeking better matches for Prince Evander. Better alliances." Her eyes slid to Elora. "In fact, I believe a letter was sent to your father this morning, Lady Elora. Proposing a marriage match between you and the prince."