The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 163

CASSIAN

The King arrived an hour later.

He swept into the dungeons like a storm, grey-haired, broad-shouldered, his boots striking the stone with the rhythm of a war drum. Behind him came guards, advisors, the Captain of the Royal Guard.

"Father." I stepped forward. "You shouldn't be down here. It's not secure..." 

"I am the Dragon King." He waved a hand. "Everywhere I go is secure."

"These men are dangerous..." 

"These men are nothing." He stopped in front of the first cell, studying the prisoners inside. "Norwyn dogs. Cowards who thought they could sneak into my palace and kill me in my own home."

"They were here for more than just you."

"Doesn't matter." He turned to face me. "They failed. They were caught. And now they will pay."

"Father..." 

"I have declared it already." His voice was cold. Final. "After the Dragon Queen Selection comes to an official end, these men will be executed publicly. Their heads will be sent back to Norwyn as a gift."

"A gift?"

"To remind them what happens when they cross House Valemont."

I stared at him.

"If you do that, you're going to start a war."

"Weren't they the ones who struck first?" 

"Father..." 

"The dragons are restless, Cassian. The mating season was a failure. Now, they crave blood." He stepped closer. "This is not the time for weakness. This is the time for strength."

"Executing prisoners isn't strength. It's brutality."

"It is justice my son. One day when you grow, you will understand..." 

"Father...."

The King's hand moved.

Fast.

The slap cracked across my cheek before I could react.

I didn't flinch.

Didn't move.

Just stood there, staring at him, as the sting spread across my face.

"You forget yourself," he said quietly. "I am still your King."

"And I am still your son."

"Then act like it."

He turned and walked away.

The guards followed.

I stood alone in the corridor, my cheek burning, my hands shaking.

He's going to kill them, I thought. All of them. Including Callum.

I had to least get him out before that happened. 

\-—————————

The Queen was in the great hall.

She was reviewing the arrangements for the Dragon Trials. Her gown was deep blue, her hair perfectly pinned, her smile perfectly in place.

She looked like nothing had happened.

Like no one had tried to kill her husband just last night.

Like there hadn't been spies in the palace and an attack. 

"Cassian." She smiled when she saw me. "There you are. Is everything set for the trials?"

"Mother, I need to talk to you..." 

"The girls are being transported to the Dragon's Keep after my speech. The trials will begin within the hour. Did you see the crowd? The people are already gathered outside to welcome who would be the new Dragon Queen." She consulted her notes. "Calista is scheduled to go first, of course, to give her the full advantage. Then Elora. Then Lira."

"Mother..."

"I am positive Calista will emerge the winner. She's been training for this her entire life for this. Besides, with her fire powers, what dragon would resist her?!"  She looked up at me. "I'll make sure you're wed soon after the trials. A quiet ceremony, if you want. Nothing too extravagant."

I stared at her.

"You're already planning a wedding."

"Of course."

"While there are prisoners dying in the dungeons. While Norwyn is plotting to..."

"Norwyn is irrelevant." She waved a hand. "Your father will handle them. My job is to ensure the future of this kingdom. And the future of this kingdom is you."

"And Calista."

"And Calista." She smiled again. "You'll learn to love her. Or at least, you'll learn to tolerate her. That's more than most royal marriages have."

I wanted to argue.

Wanted to scream.

Wanted to tell her that I didn't want Calista, didn't want the crown, didn't want any of it.

But I was tired.

So tired.

"Fine," I said.

The Queen blinked. "Fine?"

"Fine. Whatever you want. I don't care anymore."

She studied me for a moment.

Then she nodded.

"Good. I'm glad you've come to your senses."

She turned back to her notes.

I walked away.

\---

I found one of my men near the armory.

A young soldier, loyal and trustworthy, the kind of man who followed orders without asking questions.

"The prisoner in the sixth cell," I said. "Callum Sutton."

The soldier nodded.

"He needs medicine. The physician won't help him, but there must be supplies in the infirmary. Bandages. Tinctures. Something to keep him alive."

"Your Highness..."

"I'm not asking. I'm ordering you. Sneak him what you can. Find one of the physician's apprentices; there's a young girl; she has red hair. She's young, she's idealistic, and she'll help if you ask the right way."

"Your Highness, if I am caught...."

"You won't be caught."

"And if I am?"

I met his eyes.

"Then I'll take the blame. I'll say I ordered you. I'll accept whatever punishment the King gives."

The soldier hesitated.

Then he nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness."

He disappeared into the shadows.

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

The palace was a fortress. Since the Dragon King had refused to turn away the people who kept pouring in at the gates to watch the Dragon trials in the courtyard, I had to make sure it was heavily guarded. 

Guards lined the walls, every battlement, every tower, every gate. Archers stood at the ready, their arrows tipped with dragon poison, the only substance known to pierce the scales of the ancient ones. The tunnels had been sealed. The entrances had been barred. At least the King agreed to let us defend the palace and the innocent people in it. 

But it wasn't enough.

It would never be enough.

Not against Veyraxis.

I walked the perimeter one last time, my boots striking the stone, my eyes scanning the horizon. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, the colors of fire, the colors of blood.

Appropriate, I thought. She's coming.

And I don't know if I can stop her.

"Cassian."

I turned.

Evander stood behind me, his face pale, his eyes tired. He was wearing his riding clothes, leather and wool, practical and warm. His dragon, Zephyr, circled somewhere above, waiting.

"Brother."

"The courtyard is secure. The gates are manned. The people are..." He hesitated. "The people are celebrating. No matter how much we turn them away they won't leave." 

"Of course they won't. It's the Dragon Trials, the most important part of the Selection. Everyone is here to watch." 

"They don't know what's coming."

"No." I clasped his shoulder. "They don't."

Evander looked at me.

"Cassian..." 

"I need you to protect them."

"What?"

"The people in the courtyard. The ones who came to watch. If Veyraxis attacks, if she gets past Taheer and I, I need you to get as many of them as you can into safety."

"You want us to retreat?"

"I want you to survive."

He stared at me.

"This is my fight too. I should be in the skies helping you out." 

Aveline maybe, but not Evander. He was not nearly as good a rider as Aveline. A fight in the sky would be a suicide mission for him. I wouldn't put him in danger like that. 

"Your fight is with the people who can't defend themselves. My fight is with Veyraxis."

"Cassian..." 

"Please, Evander." My voice cracked. "I can't do this if I'm worried about you and everyone else." 

He was silent for a long moment.

Then he nodded.

"I'll protect them," he said. "With my life."

"That's all I ask."