The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 65

CASSIAN

I smelled the blood before I even saw it.

It hung thick in the air of the dragon keep, hot, metallic, wrong. The ground trembled beneath my boots as another roar split the sky, so loud it rattled my bones. I broke into a run, shoving past panicked keepers and scattering servants.

“Clear the eastern ring!” someone shouted.

“Get the princess out now!”

My heart lurched. “Aveline!”

“She’s safe!” a keeper yelled back. “Her dragon took her out!”

Relief barely had time to settle before I saw it.

One of the younger dragons lay crumpled near the far pylons, its massive body still, wings twisted at an unnatural angle. Smoke curled weakly from its nostrils.

Dead.

I stopped short, breath leaving me in a rush. “Gods…”

Another roar thundered overhead, closer this time. Too close.

“Cassian!” the head keeper shouted. “Stay back!”

Taheer slammed down into the ring in a storm of dust and heat, his claws gouging deep trenches into the stone. His scales were darkened, slick with blood that was not his own. His eyes, those fierce, molten-gold eyes were wild.

I knew that blood hungry look.

“Taheer,” I called, forcing my voice steady. “Enough.”

He snapped his head toward me, teeth bared. The heat rolling off him was unbearable.

“He killed it to stop the others,” a keeper whispered hoarsely beside me. “They were tearing each other apart.”

Another dragon screamed in the distance, then fell silent.

My chest tightened. “Chains,” I said sharply. “Drop the chains. Now.”

“Your highness..."

“Now!”

The keepers obeyed, scrambling to release the weighted restraints. Taheer’s wings flared, his tail lashing violently.

“Taheer!” I stepped closer.

“Prince Cassian!” the head keeper grabbed my arm. “You’re too close!”

“I know him,” I said, pulling free. “Taheer. Look at me.”

He snarled, smoke pouring from his jaws.

“Look at me,” I repeated. “I’m here.”

For a moment, I thought he might strike. His massive head lowered, his gaze locking onto mine, raw fury, pain, confusion swirling within it.

"You bleed", his voice thundered in my mind, jagged and unsteady.

“I’m not hurt,” I said aloud. “But you are.”

Another tremor ran through him. "They won’t stop. They can’t."

“Why?” I demanded. “What’s happening?”

He turned his head away, wings shuddering. "Something calls to them."

My stomach dropped. “What calls to them?”

Silence.

“Taheer.”

His claws dug deeper into the stone. "I cannot not say."

“Two keepers are dead,” I said tightly. “A dragon is dead. My sister could have been...”

"I know!" His roar shook the keep. "I stopped it. I did what I had to."

“I know,” I said more softly. “I know you did.”

Slowly, so slowly, Taheer lowered his head until his massive brow brushed the ground in front of me. The heat ebbed. The rage dulled to something heavy and aching.

"They are too close," he said at last. "Caged. Listening. Waiting."

“For what?” I whispered.

"For home."

The word echoed through me.

“The mountain?” I asked. “Vaelkar Ridge?”

At the name of their ancestral mountain range, jagged peaks far beyond our borders, Taheer’s wings twitched.

"The Eyrie of Ashen Skies", he corrected. "That is its true name."

I swallowed. “It’s too far. Our bond weakens when you go there.”

"I will return", he promised. "Before the mating season. I will not mate. You have my word."

I hesitated. “I don’t have the authority to send you all. My father is the only one that can command you to leave."

Taheer’s gaze softened, just a fraction. "But you will."

The head keeper stepped forward. “He’s right, Your Highness.”

I turned sharply. “You’re agreeing with him?”

The old man met my gaze evenly. “I’ve said it for years. I told your father's father and your father too. Dragons aren’t meant to be chained like this. They’ve endured it because they trusted your family. But something has changed.”

“And you think sending them away will fix it?”

“I think keeping them here will get more people killed.”

I looked back at Taheer. At the blood staining his scales. At the still form of the fallen dragon.

“Go,” I said finally. “All of you.”

The keep fell silent.

“You’ll take them to the Eyrie of Ashen Skies,” I continued. “You’ll stay until the mating season begins. Then you’ll return.”

Taheer exhaled slowly, a warm rush of air enveloping me. "You choose wisely, blood of King Gavin."

I prayed my father would see it the same way.

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

By the time I reached Aurelia again, two full days had passed. I forgot how travelling on horseback took longer, compared to travelling with Taheer. It was Sunwake Day.

I barely dismounted before courtiers descended on me.

“Your Highness, this way...”

“There’s no time..."

“The ball begins within the hour..."

“I know,” I snapped. “Gods, I know.”

They scrubbed the soot from my skin, dressed me in layers of ceremonial silk and armor I despised, tied my hair back until I barely recognized myself in the mirror.

As I left my chambers, Princess Nadine stepped into my path.

“There you are,” she purred. “I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

“I’ve been at the dragon's keep,” I said coolly.

She stepped closer, fingers brushing my sleeve. “Dangerous work. I heard there was some trouble over there. You must be exhausted.”

“Princess,” I warned. “Not now.”

Her smile sharpened. “You always did prefer danger.”

I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “You didn’t come here for nostalgia. Why exactly are you here?"

Her eyes flickered. “Perhaps I wanted to see if you still remembered how to want.”

“I remember responsibility,” I said gently, stepping back. “And I won’t dishonor you or myself ever again.”

Her jaw tightened. “You’re still the same coward.”

“Maybe,” I said.

She scoffed and turned away.

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

The ballroom blazed with light and music when I entered. Laughter echoed off marble and gold, banners of Sunwake unfurled overhead.

I spotted Evander immediately. I wondered when he got back. He looked transfixed to a spot.

I followed his gaze, and my breath caught. I didn't know she was attending the ball. Last I heard, only Calista and Elora were to attend.

Lira stood just beyond the main circle of dancers, half in shadow, half caught by the firelight pouring from the crystal chandeliers above. She wore a gown I did not recognize, deep midnight blue, almost black, the kind of color that only revealed itself when the light struck it just right. The fabric clung softly at her small waist before falling in clean, unadorned lines to the floor. No excessive jewels. No gaudy embroidery meant to impress.

Her hair was swept back loosely, not pinned into one of the elaborate court styles the others favored. Dark curly strands escaped near her temples, brushing her cheek when she turned her head. There were no gemstones braided into it, only a thin silver clasp at the nape of her neck, simple, almost defiant in its restraint.

Her face was calm, but not empty. Thoughtful. Watchful. Those sharp, perceptive leyes looked amber in the night, her skin glistened like gold underneath the bright lights. Her small Cupid bow lip and high cheekbones were covered in the faintest of rouge. I couldn't tear my eyes away from her.