The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 26

CASSIAN

“And?”

“And I might strangle myself if I have to endure more than five minutes alone with her,” I said honestly.

Aveline barked a laugh, delighted.

“She is perfect,” I added bitterly. “Beautiful, graceful, calculated, made to wear a crown. Everything that mother wants in a queen but I don't. Besides, I hate her father. Lord Gareth is the most insufferable, self-important bastard in the kingdom. Always sniffing around court like he belongs on the throne himself. How can I marry his daughter?! He'll haunt me for life!"

Aveline nodded thoughtfully. “Yes. He does meddle. And he would never leave you or your wife in peace."

“Exactly. I’d end up poisoning him out of pure self-preservation.”

Aveline tapped her chin. “Fair enough, I see your point. What about Elora Dorne? She is the wealthiest girl in Aurelia. You could persuade mother to pick her."

“Elora?” I frowned. “She’s sweet. She blushes every time I look at her. Very timid, very shy. But she’s sixteen, Ave. I don’t even think she knows what she’s doing here.”

“She’s stronger than you think. And besides, the wedding doesn't have to be until a couple of years later."

“Maybe,” I conceded. “But the dragon trials will eat her alive.”

Aveline didn’t argue, just shrugged like she knew I might be right, but wasn’t entirely convinced.

“Fine,” she said. “Then there’s Saphira Caelum.”

I tilted my head, genuinely surprised. “Saphira?”

“She’s sharp. Cold, but sharp. Smart enough to survive the trials. Good bloodline. And our parents would approve. She might not have Calista’s influence or Elora’s wealth, but she’s stable. A safe choice.”

“Safe.” The word tasted wrong in my mouth.

“Yes. And unlike Calista, she doesn’t come with a power-hungry father. The Caelums aren't the type to meddle in our family politics, and they're a very respectable family. That’s worth something.”

I frowned, running a hand over the back of my neck. “I’ve… never even talked to her. Not once. I wouldn’t recognise her voice if she were screaming.”

“Well, maybe try speaking to her before deciding whether she’s worthy of the throne.”

I gave her a look. “You’re enjoying this.”

“I’m enjoying you squirm,” she said sweetly. “But I do think you should speak with her. Give her a fair chance.”

I nodded slowly. “I will.”

Aveline smiled, satisfied, and turned to walk back toward her dragon. She always left right after she got what she came for. Efficient. Calculated. Like a true Valemont.

But even after she was gone, even after I turned toward the keep, my mind didn’t linger on Saphira. Or Calista. Or Elora.

It wandered somewhere else entirely.

To the girl with fire in her voice. The one who didn’t belong here and yet refused to bow. The one whose presence was like a dare every time she looked at me.

Lira Vale.

She wasn’t perfect. She wasn’t safe. And maybe that’s exactly why I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

.....................

The palace was quiet this late at night, but I could still hear the staff going about their work.

After Cassandra's elimination, I withdrew myself, limiting and cutting off my interactions with the other girls.

Lira believed I did nothing to help Cassandra. And perhaps she was right, I didn't try enough.

I made sure the rumours didn't leave the palace walls. It was the least I could do for her.

And I had written that the reason why she had been eliminated so soon was because she had taken a voluntary exit.

Mother was hesitant to do this, but I forced her to; it was the least she could do after humiliating her. The news outside the palace walls was that Lady Cassandra still mourned her late husband and couldn't bear it, so she left the competition.

Cassandra was so grateful to me she had written me a letter thanking me profoundly for saving her name and family name.

I was waiting in a shadowed alcove in the east wing, away from the guards, the nobles, the watching eyes. I’d sent a note under Lady Saphira’s door myself. Just a few words, nothing fancy. Enough to get her here.

The moon had risen, casting a pale light across the stone walls. I leaned back against the cold marble, arms crossed, listening for footsteps.

She came.

Saphira walked in like she owned the palace. Head high. Dark hair falling over her shoulder. Her baby blue eyes were cold, sharp, but alert. Hungry. She wasn’t here to waste time.

“You’re punctual,” I said as she approached.

“I’m ambitious,” she answered, voice cool. “You didn’t bring me here for small talk, did you, Your Highness?”

I pushed off the wall, taking a step toward her. The moonlight hit her face just right. She was beautiful, but not soft. There was something fierce in her, something hard to break. That typical Caelum arrogance.

“No, I didn’t,” I said. I reached out, brushing a strand of her hair back. “You stand out, Saphira. You’re not afraid. You don’t fake sweetness like the others. I like that.”

Her eyes didn’t waver. “Liking me won’t win me the crown, your highness.”

I gave a small smile. “Maybe not. But there is a way.”

She studied me, expression unreadable. “What are you proposing Your Highness?"

I shrugged. “I'm looking at my options. All I want is a queen who knows what she wants. Someone strong enough to survive the trials. Someone I don’t have to pretend with.”

I leaned in, lowering my voice. “I need to know, can you be that person for me? I don't know much about you Lady Saphira, but I am curious to know what lies underneath that ice-cold exterior.”

There was a pause. A long one. I could feel her watching me, thinking. Then something shifted.

Suddenly, she stepped closer, so close I could feel her breath against my mouth. Her hand grabbed my collar, pulling me down to her.

“You want to know what lies underneath?” she whispered. “Why don't you find out yourself?”

Before I could say a word, she pressed her lips to mine.

Her kiss wasn’t soft or hesitant. It was hard, demanding, like she wanted to prove something. She pulled me closer, one hand gripping the back of my neck, the other sliding over my chest like she was claiming me.

It caught me off guard.

For a second, I let her lead. Her mouth moved against mine like she already knew how this night would end. I didn’t pull away. I didn’t stop her.

But in the back of my mind, something felt… off.

This wasn’t desire.

It was control.

A move. A play.

I pulled away fast, abruptly.