The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 61

LIRA

I hit a wall.

I was desperate, angry and restless.

The vaults were sealed, I didn't even know where it was.

Cassian held the keys.

The egg was the one thing that could tell me the truth about the crown and what happened to my father.

And I was running out of time.

That night, when the corridors finally quieted and even the guards’ footsteps grew sparse, I slipped from my room like a shadow. I took the long route this time, to avoid getting caught, down servant stairs, through a linen passage, pausing twice to listen until I was certain no one followed.

Only then did I press my palm to the familiar stone.

The passage opened with a sigh.

The air grew warmer as I descended, heavy with old magic and something deeper, older, than the palace itself. The dragon’s presence coiled around me the moment I stepped into the cavern, like a breath held too long.

"You came" her voice echoed, low and resonant inside my skull.

“I didn’t come because I wanted to,” I said sharply. “I came because you won’t stop calling me.”

"Time is a luxury I do not have."

I crossed my arms. “Then stop speaking in riddles. If you want me to help you, you're going to have to give me something I can work with."

The chains embedded in the cavern walls glinted faintly as the dragon shifted. Her massive form remained mostly in shadow, but her eyes, burning gold fixed on me.

“You told me the egg is in the Valemont vault,” I said. “And now I know the Crown Prince is the only one who has access. His brother said he is bound with the vault.”

Her gaze sharpened. "He is."

“Then tell me,” I demanded. “What is Cassian’s power?"

The cavern went still.

When she spoke again, her voice was quieter, heavier.

"Cassian Valemont is a conduit."

I frowned. “A… what?”

"A living anchor", she explained. "The blood of his line does not merely wield magic, it binds it. He has full command over the vault. He does not draw power like others do. Power flows through him. Old power. The power of the first King."

I felt a chill crawl up my spine. “You mean… the vault responds to him because....”

"Because it recognizes him", she finished. "When he was born, the seers called him the reincarnation of King Gavin."

I swallowed. “So there’s no breaking in.”

"To break in, you would need to get through Prince Cassian."

I exhaled slowly. “Then the only way to the egg… is through him.”

"Yes."

The word echoed like a sentence being passed.

I looked away. “That’s not an option. How do I do that?"

"It is the only option. Unlike the other girls, you have no magic. The Crown Prince's presence alone can subconsciously weaken magic, render it useless to him or whatever is around him. With you, you can slip past his defences unnoticed."

I rounded on her. “You don’t understand....”

"I understand very well," she interrupted. "And time does not care for your reluctance. You don't have much time."

I hesitated. “You said the egg doesn't have a lot of time. What did you mean by that?"

Her eyes dimmed, just slightly. "The egg's life force is fading."

“How much time does it have?”

"Seasons, perhaps. Less, if the decay continues."

My heart hammered. “Why? Why hasn’t it hatched? If it’s alive,what’s wrong with it?”

For the first time, the dragon did not answer immediately.

Then, "It won't hatch alone."

I stared at her. “What does that mean?”

"That egg was bound to me," she said. "To my magic. To my presence. When I was sealed away, the bond was severed, but not cleanly. The hatchling sleeps, waiting for a call it can no longer hear."

My chest tightened. “So if you’re freed...”

"Then the bond can be restored."

I shook my head slowly. “Everything comes back to you escaping here."

"Everything," she agreed.

I took a step back. “So what about you?” I asked suddenly. “Why are you really down here?”

Her gaze flickered.

“Don’t,” I warned. “Don’t evade me again. You want my help? Then you owe me the truth. I won't come down here anymore if you don't say something useful!"

The dragon’s tail shifted, chains creaking softly.

"You are bold for someone so small."

“I’m bold because I have nothing left to lose,” I snapped. “You knew my father. You knew the vaults. You knew the crown had a hand in his death. And still you drip-feed me answers like I’m a fool. Honestly I blame myself for not ignoring you sooner, I would have found out the truth one way or another on my own."

Silence pressed in.

“I won’t help you,” I said evenly, “unless you tell me why you’re imprisoned. What you did.”

Her eyes burned brighter.

"If I tell you," she said slowly, "...you will see the Valemonts for what they truly are."

“I already do. They killed my father remember?"

"No," she replied. "That is only the surface."

I lifted my chin. “Try me.”

The dragon inhaled, a deep, shuddering breath that made the cavern tremble.

"I refused them."

My brow furrowed. “Refused… what?”

"To be their weapon."

The words struck like a blade.

"Aurelia did not bind dragons for protection alone," she continued. "They sought conquest. Expansion. The Dragon King Edric wanted me to partake in the battle of Norwyn. They wanted me to burn cities that would not bow. To end bloodlines. To enforce obedience."

My stomach turned. “And you said no.”

"I did."

The chains glowed faintly as she shifted again. "For that defiance, I was named traitor. Monster. Threat."

I whispered, “So they imprisoned you.”

"They lured me beneath the palace under the guise of negotiation", she said. "And they sealed me here using the combined magic of their line, and the vault itself."

I felt sick. “My father…”

"Your father found out," she said gently. "He knew the truth. He was killed for it."

Tears burned my eyes. “And that’s why he was executed.”

Her silence was answer enough.

I wiped my face furiously. “They’re worse than I imagined.”

"Be careful," the dragon said. "You walk among them."

“I know.”

"Then use what you know", she urged. "Cassian is your path."

I clenched my fists. “You’re asking me to manipulate him.”

"I am asking you to survive," she replied.

I turned away. “I’ll think about it.”

"Think quickly."

The passage sealed behind me as I left, my thoughts in turmoil.

Cassian.

The vault.

The egg.

I hated how neatly it all aligned.

I didn’t go back to my room. Instead, I found Elora in her chamber, surrounded by fabric and laughter and the rustle of silk. Two dresses lay draped over chairs, one gold, one silver.

“Elora,” I said softly.

She spun, eyes lighting up. “Lira! Look, My mother sent these from home. Can you believe it?”

“They’re beautiful,” I said honestly.

She held up the green one. “This one’s yours.”

I shook my head. “No.”

“Lira...”

“No,” I repeated gently. “I don’t need a dress.”

She studied me. “You look… tired.”

“I am.”

She hesitated, then lowered her voice. “Have you heard about Saphira?”

My stomach clenched. “No. What?”

Elora frowned. “They say she’s very sick. The servants are speculating that she's with child."