The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 161

LIRA

The voice slithered through my mind like smoke, curling around my thoughts and squeezing.

'Answer me, little liar. Will you join me? Or will you burn?'

I didn't answer, I didn't have the words because I was still scared and confused. Will Veyraxis save Cassian or anyone else I named? She refused to answer. She wouldn't tell me if she would save Cassian.

Why should I decide to help her then?

'Lira.'

'Lira, answer me.'

'LIRA!'

I pushed her away.

Shoved her voice to the darkest corner of my mind and locked it there.

Not now, I thought. Not yet. I need to think. I need to....

'There is nothing to think about,' Veyraxis hissed.

I said NOT NOW.

Silence.

Blessed, beautiful silence.

I stood in the corridor, my back against the cold stone wall, my chest heaving.

'Lira?' Luna's voice was soft, tentative. 'Are you all right?'

"No," I whispered. "But I will be."

'What are you going to do?'

"I'm going to the hall. I'm going to listen to the Queen. I'm going to the Dragon Trials." I pushed myself off the wall. "And I'm going to survive."

And after?

"After, It will all be over. I promise."

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

The great hall was buzzing.

Nobles filled the gallery, whispering, pointing, their eyes fixed on us like we were chattel. Guards lined the walls, their faces blank, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Servants hovered near the doors, ready to attend to any need.

Calista stood at the front of the dais, she was also in riding clothes just like I was, but her clothes looked arguably better. With a bright red cloak that looked eye-catching in the light. Elora glanced at me but quickly looked away, her eyes hovering around.

She's still angry, I thought. Still hurt.

I don't blame her.

I took my place beside them.

The Queen walked in moments later, and everyone bowed. She stood on the dais, flanked by her advisors and twice the guards that would usually accompany her. Her gown was deep blue, her crown sparkled in the sunlight, and her smile was perfectly in place.

"Ladies," she said, her voice carrying across the hall. "Congratulations on making it this far."

The nobles applauded.

The Queen waited for the noise to die.

"You have survived the selection. You have survived the challenges, the tests, the competition. But the final test, the Dragon Trials, will be unlike anything you have experienced before."

She paused.

"The trials will take place in the Dragon's Keep region. The unbonded dragons have been released into the dense forest below. You will be released after them."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"You will have nothing but your powers," the Queen continued. "No weapons. No supplies. No assistance. The dragon keepers will be stationed at focal points, watching, but they will not interfere. You are on your own."

I felt Luna stir beneath my cloak. I had gone back for her before making my way to the hall. I couldn't fathom leaving her alone, especially when she had been so much help to me. Besides, I didn't want anything to happen to her. She was safer by my side than anywhere else.

'Lira', she whispered. 'Is it true what they say? That unbonded dragons are wilder? They are...'

I know, I thought. Stay quiet. Stay hidden.

'But'

Please, Luna. I need you to trust me.

She fell silent.

The Queen was still speaking.

"In the forest, you will cut yourselves. Spill your blood. Announce your scent to the dragons." Her voice was cold. Clinical. "The dragons may approach you. They may avoid you. They may ignore you entirely. Based on your scent, your magic, your bloodline, your worth, they will decide whether to bond with you."

"And if they don't?" Calista asked.

The Queen smiled.

"Then you fail."

"The sky trial," the Queen continued, "is the final stage. If you succeed in bonding with a dragon, you must fly, without a bridle, without a saddle, without any training, back to the palace. A crowd will be waiting to welcome you. They will see who returns. And they will know..."

She paused.

"...who is worthy to be queen."

The hall was silent.

"Good luck, ladies," the Queen said. "May the dragons favor you."

She stepped down from the dais.

The nobles erupted in applause.

And we were led away.

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

Separate carriages waited in the courtyard.

Black. Sealed. Each one bearing the crest of House Valemont.

Calista climbed into hers without looking back. Her carriage pulled away first, the horses' hooves striking sparks from the cobblestones.

Elora hesitated at the door of hers.

Her hand rested on the frame.

She didn't look at me.

"Elora."

She tensed.

"Elora, please..."

"I don't want to talk to you."

"I know. But I need you to know, I'm sorry. For lying. For hiding. For everything."

She turned.

Her eyes were red-rimmed, she had been crying.

"You could have trusted me," she said.

"I know."

"I would have helped you."

"I know."

"But you didn't. You decided I wasn't worth the truth."

"That's not..."

"Good luck, Lira." She climbed into the carriage. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

The door closed.

The carriage pulled away.

As I turned towards my own carriage, a hand pulled me back. I turned and I found a guard, his face was familiar, but I couldn't tell where I had seen him before.

"My Lady, the Crown Prince said to tell you.." he started.

"Tell me what?"

"The man. The Sutton boy named Callum. He lives. He is healing and recovering well. He told me you would like to know how he was faring."

I looked at the guard, unsure of whether or not he was telling me the truth or concocting another lie.

Either way, I would find out after the dragon trials.