The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 35

LIRA

Heat flared in my chest, but I forced the words out steady. “You think I don’t want revenge? I’ve been trying to find out the truth about my father. I know the palace is hiding it. I just don’t know where to look.”

The dragon’s eyes narrowed, studying me like I was a puzzle she had already solved. “At least you admit it. Good. Then listen, and listen well. In the eastern wing of the palace, hidden in the archives, lies a ledger, records of every man who ever served, and how he died. Your father’s name will be there. But the truth of his death? That is locked in the private chambers of the Valemont family themselves.”

I felt my breath catch. “The eastern wing…” My heart raced at the thought of breaking into the archives. “Why are you telling me this? Why help me at all?”

It's chest rumbled, a sound halfway between a growl and a laugh. “Because you will help me. You and I want the same thing, the destruction of the Valemonts. The ruin of their precious palace. You carry the blood of their enemy in your veins. That makes you dangerous. That makes you useful.”

I took a step back, shaking my head. “And what happens when I’m no longer useful to you? Will you burn me too?”

The voice slithered through me, low and certain. “If you serve me well, you will stand when the rest of them fall. I am no friend, little fox. But I am no liar. I want their ashes. You want their blood. Together, we can have both.”

My throat felt dry, but something inside me stirred, hope, sharp and dangerous. For weeks, I had searched blindly, and now I finally had a place to begin.

I raised my chin, meeting those burning eyes. “Fine. I’ll look in the archives. I’ll find the truth. But if you’re lying..." 

The dragon's laughter shook the cavern, dust raining down from the ceiling. “You will find I do not lie. Go, child. Start with the truth. Then you’ll understand why your fire must burn hotter than theirs.”

I turned and walked quickly toward the tunnel, my steps echoing in the darkness. My hands trembled, but not from fear. For the first time since arriving at the palace, I had something real. A lead. A path.

The dragon’s voice followed me as I climbed back into the cold night air.

“Do not fail me, little fox. And do not fail yourself.”

I drew in a long breath, the moonlight washing over me. My heart was still racing, but my mind was clearer than it had been in days. I finally had somewhere to start, finally a way to uncover what had happened to my father.

For the first time, my revenge felt possible.

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

The next day was announcement day. Everyone knew the Dragon Queen would make the announcement of who was to leave the Dragon Queen Selection next.

Whispers about who might be eliminated next had been swirling all morning, following us through the halls, down to breakfast, even here. Each girl sat carefully composed, her face a mask of serenity. But I saw the way hands gripped goblets too tightly, the way eyes darted across the room.

I sat low in my chair, pretending to study the embroidery on my sleeve. My stomach twisted. It could be me. Before Elora's help, I had done poorly in the assessments, I didn't know who else had done that badly. It could very well be me leaving next.

But I couldn’t leave. Not yet. Not when I hadn’t uncovered the truth about my father. Not when the ledger in the archives still waited for me. Not when I had too much left undone.

The sharp scrape of a chair cut through the silence. Lady Selene Moorland, usually the most forgettable shadow in the room, stood. Her pale hands twisted together, but her expression was oddly calm.

“I have an announcement to make,” she said, her voice soft, but clear enough to hush the lounge.

Every head turned toward her.

“I’ve decided to withdraw from the Dragon Queen Selection,” she said.

For a heartbeat, silence crushed the air from the room. Then the murmurs burst out like a storm.

“You’re what?” Lady Juliette asked, her voice breaking with disbelief.

“I’m dropping out,” Selene repeated. “I’ve already spoken to Her Majesty. She’s approved my request to leave. I only came to tell you all myself."

The shock rippled across every face. Even I couldn’t stop staring. Someone leaving, on their own?

“You can’t be serious,” Lady Amara said, leaning forward, sharp-eyed. “Why would you give up your chance at the crown?”

Selene’s smile was small, almost apologetic, but steady. “Because I never wanted it. I joined for my family’s sake, but my heart was never in it. I thought I could force myself to want this… but I can’t. What I want is a quiet life. And this..." she gestured at the golden walls around us, “this is not a quiet life.”

Juliette’s fork clattered against her plate. “So you’re just… walking away?”

“Yes,” Selene said simply. “My parents have arranged a marriage for me with a merchant from the neighboring kingdom. He lives by the sea. I’ll be married in a few days.”

The words hung in the air like smoke.

Vivienne tilted her head, her voice skeptical. “You’re leaving all this, for a merchant? That seems shortsighted.”

Selene didn’t flinch. “He’s a good man. From a good family. He has money. He wants a simple life, children, peace. And that’s all I’ve ever wanted too. My family gains an alliance, and I gain a future that feels like mine.”

Saphira gave a sharp laugh, her tone dripping with scorn. “Peaceful? Sounds dull. But if that’s the life you want, then by all means.”

Elora, sitting near the window, spoke softly. “Better to follow one’s heart than chase the crown for the wrong reasons. I admire your honesty, Lady Selene.”

Amara, however, pressed on. “But you could’ve waited. You might have gone far enough to gain the attention of better suitors. Why leave so soon?”

Selene shook her head. “I thought I could manage. I thought I could force myself to want this. But I can't. I don't want it as bad as you all do."

The silence that followed was heavier than before. Even the boldest among us had no answer for that.

Calista, of course, broke it first. “If Selene is content being a merchant’s wife, then so be it. That’s one less contender for the rest of us.”

I couldn’t help it. The words slipped out before I could stop them. “Classy as always, Calista.”

Amara smothered a laugh, and even Elora’s lips curved faintly. Calista’s eyes flicked toward me, sharp as knives, but she didn’t respond.

Selene began her farewells, her head held higher than I’d ever seen it. When she passed by me, she paused. Her smile wasn’t triumphant, but genuine.

She whispered. “Don’t let this place change you too much.”

I blinked at her, startled, and managed a nod. “Good luck, Selene. And… congratulations on your engagement.”