The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 37

CASSIAN

She hesitated, too long for it to be casual. “Because…” She drew a slow breath, choosing her words carefully. “Because I came here for a reason. And I need to see it through.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Her eyes shot up to mine.

I held her gaze, unflinching. “Are you here for me, Lira? Or for the competition because you must be?”

The silence between us thickened. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Her lips parted once more, but whatever answer she’d been reaching for slipped away.

Instead, she gave me the kind of roundabout reply I’d come to expect from her. “Does it actually matter? The competition and you are the same thing. Two sides of the same coin. No one here gets to separate the two.”

I leaned forward slightly, my voice low. “That’s not true. You could tell me. If you wanted. I wouldn't hold it against you."

But she didn’t. Her silence was answer enough.

And though she tried to hide it behind calm eyes, I saw the truth flicker in her expression.

She wasn’t here for me.

Not entirely.

"I'm afraid I have to leave, your highness. Our day starts rather early."

Lira said as she hurriedly walked out of the library with a few books in her hands.

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

LIRA

I slipped out of the library with my heart hammering. My hands itched to clutch the ledger tighter against my chest, but I forced myself to keep my stride steady, my expression calm. Running into the Crown Prince had nearly undone me, thank the stars he hadn’t noticed where I’d actually been or what I was hiding.

Back in my chamber, I closed the door softly behind me and leaned against it for a moment, catching my breath. Finally, I allowed myself to set the heavy ledger on my bed. The dragon had been right, it existed, and I had found it. The old leather cover was cracked, the edges frayed with age, but it radiated importance, like it was holding secrets meant to be buried.

My fingers traced the worn spine. Just one peek, I told myself. One glance, and maybe I’d finally have a piece of the truth I’d been searching for.

But just as I slid my nail beneath the clasp, a sharp knock rattled the door.

I froze, panic surging. Shoving the ledger under a stack of borrowed history books, I forced a steady breath before opening the door.

“Elora?” I blinked at her. She stood in the hallway, wide-eyed, speaking before I could even invite her in.

“Lira, thank goodness you’re in. I was looking for you everywhere. Where did you go so early in the morning?" She brushed past me into the room, her words tumbling in a rush. “The combat lessons are drawing near and I’m terrified. What if I fail? What if I make a fool of myself in front of the Prince or worse, the entire court?”

I closed the door behind her, swallowing my frustration. She had no idea how close I’d been to uncovering something vital. Still, her panic was genuine.

“Elora, calm down,” I said firmly, guiding her toward the chair by the window. “You’ve already practiced with me. Remember? You’re much better than you think.”

She sank into the chair, wringing her hands. “But what if I freeze when it matters?”

“You won’t,” I told her, softer this time. “You’ve got skill, Elora. You just need to trust yourself.”

Slowly, her shoulders loosened, though her gaze still darted nervously around the room. Then her eyes landed on the books piled neatly on my bed.

“What are those?” she asked curiously, standing to peer at them.

My chest tightened, but I forced a casual shrug. “Just old records on court etiquette and trade. I thought it might help to study a bit more. The Crown expects us to know these things, and I’d rather not embarrass myself.”

She gave me a small, approving smile. “Always so practical. I should be more like you.”

If only she knew.

“Actually,” Elora said suddenly, turning back to me, “have you… seen anything?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “About the Dragon Queen’s Selection, I mean. You have the gift of sight. Do you know who’s going to win?”

I swallowed, keeping my face carefully neutral. “No. Nothing about the selection.”

Her disappointment was plain. Before it could harden into doubt, I added, “But I did see that you’ll be happy, Elora. Truly happy.”

Her eyes lit up, though she frowned slightly when I refused to go further. “That’s all?”

“That’s all I can say,” I lied smoothly.

For a moment, she studied me as though trying to pry more from my silence, but then she let it go, her face brightening up instead. “Well, that’s enough for me.”

Before I could steer her toward the door, she clapped her hands together. “We also need to prepare for the Queen’s banquet. It’s her birthday, and it’ll be more important than any challenge we’ve faced so far. What are you going to wear?"

I sighed, sinking onto the bed. “I hadn’t even thought about that. I’ll probably just wear one of my old dresses.”

“Old dresses?” Elora gasped, scandalized. “Absolutely not.” She darted toward the door. “Wait here.”

“Elora..."

But she was already gone.

Minutes later, she returned, her arms full of shimmering fabric. She laid it across my bed, the soft gown catching the light. “Here. You’ll wear this.”

I blinked at it. “Elora, no. I can’t take your dress.”

“It’s not mine,” she said stubbornly. “It’s new, but it doesn’t fit me right. It’ll fit you better. You’ll look stunning in this.”

“Elora…” I started, shaking my head. “I don’t want to owe anyone..."

“You don’t owe me anything.” She pressed the dress into my arms. “Just take it. I want you to wear it.”

Her sincerity disarmed me, leaving me with no choice but to nod faintly. “Thank you.”

She smiled, satisfied. “Good. Then it’s settled.”

After she left, I set the gown aside and pulled the ledger back into my lap, my heart racing all over again. The dress was beautiful, but the ledger held my future.

And maybe, finally, the truth.