The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 60

CASSIAN

I was halfway through fastening the clasp of my riding cloak when my chamber doors opened without warning.

Only one person in this palace still did that.

“Mother,” I said evenly, turning just as Queen Seraphina swept inside, still in silk and her crown on her head.

“I heard you're headed to the Dragon's Keep. You’re not leaving yet,” she said.

I exhaled through my nose. “I am. Taheer is already being saddled. Aveline sent word..."

“You will go to the dragon keep later,” she interrupted. “Right now, you are needed elsewhere.”

I straightened. “Where else?! Evander is scheduled to meet the Norwyn envoys. It’s on the council docket. I saw it myself.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Your brother has been delayed at the northern borders. Bandit activity. He sent word at dawn. Your father wants you to replace him. Immediately."

I closed my eyes briefly. “Of course he did.”

“This is not the time for your tone,” she warned. “You know our relations with Norwyn is shaky now. One wrong word, one perceived slight, and we will have skirmishes along the pass before winter ends.”

“Then Father can go himself,” I said. “Or you.”

She arched a brow. “Your father is meeting with the western lords. He is not to leave the palace. You know that. And I cannot ride my dragon without raising questions. As for Aveline, she will never get there in time."

I turned away, jaw tight. “I was supposed fo go to the Keep today. You know that."

“And you will,” she said calmly. “After. You can even take Taheer with you. Let them see him."

I spun back to her. “After is too long. The dragons..."

“Cassian.” Her voice softened, but the steel beneath it remained. “You are the Crown Prince. You do not get to choose only the duties that please you. Leave now if you want to get there on time. They're waiting for you there already."

Silence stretched between us.

Then she added, quieter, “Unless you want to take it up with your Father."

That settled it.

I looked away, anger simmering low and sharp. “Who will be there?”

“The King's hand, their lords,” she said. “You will meet them, ease tensions, remind them of our shared interests. Nothing more."

I laughed humorlessly. “Nothing more,” I echoed.

She stepped closer, resting a hand briefly on my arm. “I would not ask this if it were not necessary.”

I nodded once. “Very well.”

As she turned to leave, she paused. “Cassian.”

“Yes?”

“Be… careful,” she said. “Norwyn remembers old wounds.”

So did I.

After she left, I stood alone for a moment, then changed course entirely.

Instead of the stables, my feet carried me downward, past guarded stairwells and sealed corridors until the air itself seemed to thrum with recognition.

The Valemont vault was older than me.

The vault with centuries and centuries of history dating back to the very first King of Aurelia who had created it.

The wards responded before I reached the door. Heat rippled faintly along my skin, magic threading through my veins like a living thing. The stone shifted, sigils glowing briefly beneath my palm as I pressed it to the wall.

I didn't need to announce myself, the vault knew me.

The door parted soundlessly.

Inside, the vault breathed.

Ancient magic hummed through the cavernous space, light refracting off relics older than the kingdom itself, crowns, blades, scrolls sealed in dragon-hide. So many ancient powerful relics. The true secret of Aurelia lay in the vault. Power slept here, coiled and waiting.

I walked past them all.

Straight to the center.

The egg rested on a raised obsidian dais, its surface black as a moonless sky, veins of faint silver light pulsing beneath the shell. It was warm. Always warm.

I reached out and placed my hand against it.

“Still refusing me,” I murmured.

The egg did not stir.

“I've tried everything,” I went on quietly. “Heat. Song. Magic. Blood. Nothing.”

I leaned my forehead briefly against the smooth shell. “We need you.”

We had thirteen dragons left.

Thirteen.

Four females, none showed signs of being fertile. A few in their prime, yes. but age was relentless. One day, Taheer would no longer be able to fly into battle or command the rest. One day, even he would rest.

And then?

I straightened, withdrawing my hand from the egg. “I won’t force you,” I said, though frustration burned beneath the words. “But I wish you would choose us.”

The egg gave no answer.

When I left, the doors sealed behind me, the wards settling back into silence.

Taheer awaited me in the courtyard, massive and gleaming, his dark scales catching the light. He rumbled softly as I approached.

“I know,” I told him, resting my hand against his neck. “I’d rather be there too, but we just have to make a short detour."

He lowered himself, allowing me to mount.

With a powerful beat of his wings, we rose into the sky, the palace shrinking beneath us as we turned north.

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

The flight cleared my head, cold wind, endless horizon. By the time we descended near the northern outpost, I had locked my emotions away behind practiced composure.

The envoys were already gathered near the border pavilion.

And then I saw her.

She stood apart from her retinue, cloaked in deep blue, her rich brown skin glowed in the morning sun, her raven black hair hair braided with Norwyn silver. She hadn’t changed.

Princess Nadine.

My stomach tightened. I didn't know she would be here.

It was strange. For the princess of Norwyn to be here.

Nadine never did anything without motive. I only wondered what her motive was now.

“Well,” she said, her lips curving into a familiar, dangerous smile as I dismounted. “If it isn’t the Crown Prince himself.”

“Princess Nadine,” I replied coolly. “I didn’t expect you.”

Her eyes flicked over me. “Liar.”

I inclined my head. “You look well.”

“So do you,” she said. "I heard a bit of some of your escapades. You get around a lot don't you?"

I stiffened. “This is a formal meeting.”

“Of course it is,” she said lightly. “That never stopped you did it?"

The Norwyn envoy cleared his throat awkwardly as he looked at the Princess, clearly hopeless. “Your Highness, perhaps we should..."

“In a moment,” Nadine said, never taking her eyes off me. “I’ve waited years for this conversation.”

I met her gaze steadily. “Then let’s ensure it doesn’t derail the peace between our kingdoms. Aurelia is fully committed to keeping the peace."

She laughed softly. “Really?! I suppose you should have thought of that earlier before leaving things between us in such a mess."

“Nadine,” I sighed. “What do you want?"

She smiled at me, but her dark brown eyes held something else.

"You'll find out. Soon enough." She purred.