The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 154

LIRA

The hours blurred together.

After my conversation with the stable boy, after learning that my letter had never reached Callum, that my warning had been burned to ash before it could save anyone, I had wandered the palace like a ghost.

Every corridor I turned, he had just left. Every door I knocked on, he was not inside. Every guard I asked gave me the same response: The Prince is occupied, my lady. He cannot be disturbed.

He's avoiding me, I realized.

After everything, after he said he would keep my secret, after he promised to send me away, he's avoiding me.

Because it's easier than looking at me or pretending I existed. I wanted to scream. 

Instead, I returned to my room and sat on the floor with Luna curled in my lap, waiting for the servants to come and prepare me for the ball.

\-———————-

They arrived at sunset.

Three women, armed with gowns and jewels and brushes and pins. They took one look at me, pale, hollow-eyed, thinner than I had been a week ago, and exchanged worried glances.

"You've lost weight, my lady," the eldest said. "The gown may need adjustment."

"I'm sure it will be fine."

"It's not fine. You look like you’re  wasting away my lady.” 

"I'm fine."

She didn't argue. But her lips pressed into a thin line, and I saw the concern in her eyes.

Concern I didn't deserve.

Just get through tonight, I told myself. Just get through the ball. Find Cassian. Warn him about Callum.

Then… 

Then nothing.

Because after tonight, everything will be different.

One way or another.

\-—————-

They dressed me.

The silver gown fit better than I expected, they had made adjustments after all, so it remained snug in the bodice, flowing at the skirts, the crystals on the bodice catching the candlelight and scattering it across the walls.

They pinned my hair in an elaborate updo, curls cascading down my back, delicate tendrils framing my face. They threaded jewels through the curls, jewels that sparkled like stars, diamonds that felt heavy against my scalp.

"You look beautiful, my lady," one of the younger servants said.

"Thank you."

"Truly beautiful. Like a princess."

If only she knew, I thought. If only she knew who I really was.

The daughter of a traitor. A fraud. 

\-—————————

They left.

The door clicked shut behind them.

And I was alone.

Finally, Luna said, emerging from beneath the bed. Her eyes swept over me, assessing. ‘You look like a night sky.’

"Is that a compliment?"

‘Yes. Night skies are beautiful. And dangerous. And full of secrets.’

"Like me."

‘Like you.’

She climbed onto the bed and curled on the pillow, her small white scales glowing in the dim light.

‘What will you do?’ she asked.

"I don't know."

You have to do something. Your brother’s troops attack today.’  

"I know."

‘Your brother is out there. Planning. Scheming. Waiting for the signal.’

"I know."

‘And you cannot find Cassian to warn him.’

I pressed my hands over my face.

"I know, Luna! I know. I know everything. I know that I'm running out of time. I know that people might die tonight. I know that my brother is in danger. I know that Cassian might never forgive me. I know that Veyraxis is going to burn this palace to the ground. I know…” 

‘Lira.’

"I know that I am powerless to stop any of it."

Silence.

Luna crawled across the bed and pressed her tiny head against my arm.

You are not powerless, she said.

"I still can’t find Cassian."

‘Then find him at the ball.’

"He must be avoiding me."

‘Then make him stop avoiding you.’ 

"How?"

‘However you have to.’ 

I looked down at her.

"You make everything sound so simple."

‘That is because I am simple. I am a dragon. I eat, I sleep, I grow. I do not complicate things.’ 

"You also set things on fire."

‘That too. But only when necessary.’ 

I almost smiled.

There was a knock at the door.

‘Lira.’ Luna's voice was sharp. ‘Someone is here.’ 

"Hide."

She didn't argue. She slid off the bed and disappeared beneath it, melting into the shadows.

I smoothed my gown, took a breath, and crossed to the door.

The servants must have forgotten something, I thought. One of the brushes. A pair of gloves. Something…

I opened the door.

Elora stood in the corridor.

She was wearing a gown of pale gold, simple, elegant, her brown hair pinned back with flowers.  I heard her dress had been changed last minute due to some adjustment issues.  In her hands, she held a small velvet box.

She was smiling.

"Lira! I've been looking everywhere for you. I wanted to…” 

She stopped.

Her eyes moved past me, into the room.

Toward the bed.

Where Luna's tail was visible. Small. Unmistakable.

The box slipped from Elora's fingers.

It hit the floor with a soft thud and sprang open, revealing a diamond necklace, brilliant, sparkling, clearly expensive.

Neither of us looked at it.

"Is that..." Elora's voice was barely a whisper. "Is that a rat?"

"Lira." Elora's eyes were wide. "Lira, what is that? What is in your room?"

I grabbed her arm.

Pulled her inside.

Locked the door.

\---

Elora stood in the middle of my room, trembling.

Her hands were shaking. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps. Her eyes were fixed on the bed, on the place where Luna's tail had disappeared. Luna had slowly come out now, since she had been discovered.

"That's not possible," she said. "Dragons don't… they can't, the only dragons are bonded to the royal family. The are no hatchlings…” 

"This one isn't bonded to the royal family. She’s bonded to me.” 

Elora looked at me.

Her expression was broken.

Confused. Hurt. Betrayed.

"How long?" she asked.