The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 27

CASSIAN

Breakfast was supposed to be quiet, something simple before training, before responsibilities. Instead, it turned into yet another strategy meeting with my family.

I sat beside Aveline, chewing on a piece of toast while my father talked about the Selection like it was a battlefield campaign. My mother, of course, nodded along as if she hadn’t already chosen my future queen in her mind. Everyone in the palace knew she favoured Calista.

Evander, across from me, looked far too cheerful for this early in the morning.

“I think it’s time we start narrowing down your options,” my father said, setting down his goblet. “Calista Harthwell remains the strongest candidate. Her father’s influence is unmatched in the council, and the girl herself is composed, educated, and obedient. The perfect wife. And I hear she has fire magic too."

"Taheer would be impressed with that, wouldn't he?"

My jaw tightened. Nothing impresses Taheer, I highly doubted that Calista's fire magic would be impressive to him.

“Lady Elora Dorne has also proven herself to be… charming,” Mother added. “She’s young, yes, but she is a good choice. The Dornes would make great in-laws."

Evander gave a small, approving hum. “Lady Elora is graceful and quite clever. She could surprise us in the dragon trials.”

I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, he liked her. He always wanted the ones who followed the rules and smiled on command.

I wasn't surprised nobody mentioned Saphira, but I knew if I brought her up now, my mother would start to pry. I remembered the night before and how she had kissed me. I had to end the meeting quickly, so it won't create another scandal. But her boldness, the way she took charge, I couldn't ignore it.

“And let’s not forget Vivienne Trevane,” my father added. “Her family holds sway over the northern border. A marriage there would strengthen our ties to the mountain lords. Now more than ever we need to form an alliance with them."

“That would be helpful if I were trying to build an army, not a marriage,” I muttered under my breath, pushing my plate away. “It’s a selection. Not a military treaty Father.”

Father ignored my tone. “You need stability, Cassian. You’re not just choosing a wife, you’re choosing our future dragon queen.”

“I am aware,” I snapped.

Evander glanced at me with that smug little smile he wears when he thinks he’s winning. “No one’s stopping you from choosing someone you actually like, Cassian. If there is someone."

My mother turned her sharp gaze on him. “And you, Evander, would do well to stop involving yourself with the girls. You’ve been seen with Lady Lira more than once now. That kind of behaviour only breeds confusion.”

The mention of her name hit me like a blow to the chest.

Lira.

So it was true. He’d been spending time with her. I thought it was a lie when I had heard the rumours, but seeing the smug look on his face it was true then.

I didn’t move, but my hands curled into fists under the table. Evander sipped his tea, calm and unbothered.

“She’s… interesting,” he said casually. “Not the type you’d expect here. We're good friends, nothing more.”

“You’ve made your point,” I said coldly.

Evander raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more. He didn’t need to. The way he smiled, like he knew I hated it, said enough.

Aveline finally broke the tension with a sigh. “Can we stop talking about politics and jealousy long enough to mention the dragons? Taheer nearly scorched the Dragon's keep yesterday.”

“Because he is restless,” I said, finally glad to change the subject. “The mating season’s coming. You can feel it in the air. They’re territorial. Aggressive.”

“Which means we need more riders,” I added. “Right now, half the girls can’t even look at a dragon without flinching.”

“We used to have more people willing to be dragonriders,” my father said. “But times change. Fewer noble houses are willing to send their sons and daughters to the Keep. They don't want them dead."

“Because they are afraid,” I replied. “And maybe they should be. If you can't form a bond with a dragon, the only other likely option is death. No one likes those chances."

Evander gave me a sidelong look. “Which is why the right match matters. Picking the right girl also means you get the right dragonrider."

He didn’t say Lira’s name again, but he didn’t have to.

I stood up, chair scraping loudly against the floor. “I’m heading to the Keep. Taheer needs to fly.”

No one stopped me.

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

LIRA

The palace halls were always quiet on Sunday mornings. With most people in the chapel.

I had just slipped out of the chapel when I nearly bumped into someone turning the corner.

"Careful," came a smooth voice.

Evander.

He stood there with that easy smile, hands behind his back like he had all the time in the world.

"Lady Lira," he said, bowing slightly. "Not feeling the sermon?"

"I needed air," I said, stepping back. I glanced around quickly. No one else was in sight, but that didn’t mean no one was watching.

He noticed the way I checked the hallway. “You’re worried.”

"People are talking," I said. "About you. About me. It’s not good for either of us."

He arched a brow. “I didn’t realise you cared what they said.”

I folded my arms. “I don’t. But I’m not stupid. I’m here for one reason. If people think I’m flirting with you, it won’t help me.”

Evander leaned against the stone wall, watching me. “So what are you saying? That we stop speaking?”

“I think we should stop being… friendly in public,” I said carefully. “That’s all.”

For a moment, he didn’t answer. Just stared, like he was trying to read something in my face.

Then he nodded. “Alright. No more friendly conversations in the hallways. No stolen moments in the gardens.”

“Good.”

“But,” he said, pushing off the wall, stepping a little closer, “we still talk. In private.”

I frowned. “No..."

“No one visits the library after dark,” he said, voice soft now. “It's where we always run into each other. No one will notice. It’s quiet. No eyes. let's meet there tonight.”

I hesitated. “Why?”

He tilted his head. “Because I like talking to you. And because you don’t lie to me the way the others do.”

I didn’t answer right away. A small part of me wanted to say yes, if only because I didn’t trust anyone else in this place. But a louder voice warned me: this was dangerous.

Still, I gave a small nod.

“Only the library,” I said firmly. “And only when it’s safe.”

A smile flickered at his lips. “I’ll be there.”

Then he stepped back, bowing slightly, before walking away.