The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 66

LIRA

Elora barely let me sit down before she had a servant already pulling open the wardrobe.

“Don’t argue,” she said immediately, as if she could hear the refusal forming in my head. “Just, look."

I did.

The gown the servant lifted free of the wardrobe was deep blue, darker than sapphire, darker even than the night sky beyond the palace windows. It caught the candlelight in quiet ripples, the fabric smooth and fluid like water. It was elegant without being loud, it was simple without looking too dull. I couldn't believe my eyes.

My breath caught despite myself.

“Elora,” I said slowly, “that’s yours.”

She waved the words away. “It was sent by my mother weeks ago. I’ve never worn it. I never will.”

I frowned. “Why?”

She told the servant to step closer and hold the gown up against me. Then she studied the way the color played against my skin, my hair. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

“Because,” she said softly, “it was never meant for me. This colour is perfect on you."

I swallowed. “I can’t accept that.”

“You can,” she countered, firmer now. “And you will. Consider it repayment for all the times you helped me practice while neglecting yourself entirely.”

“That was my choice.”

“And this is mine.”

I exhaled slowly, then nodded. “Fine. But no jewelry. Everybody will know it's yours because I don't own anything fancy."

Elora laughed. “You are impossible.”

She still tried, of course, laid out earrings, bracelets, a glittering necklace heavy with stones, but I shook my head at every one until she finally relented and held up a single, delicate silver chain with a small blue pendant.

“This one,” she said. “Just this.”

I touched it, fingers brushing the cool metal. It was simple. Almost unremarkable.

“I’ll take that.”

The servant helped fasten it around my neck while Elora fussed with my hair, refusing to pin it too tightly. When I finally stood and looked at my reflection, I barely recognized myself.

I looked better than I'd looked in years. I couldn't believe my eyes.

As I walked toward the ballroom, with the instructor escorting me, my thoughts hardened, sharpening into resolve.

Cassian Valemont would pay. For all of his sins.

For every lie wrapped in silk this palace dared call justice. My mind drifted to Saphira alone in her room, probably in pain. I told myself I would check on her after the call.

I was so consumed by that thought that I didn’t see them at first.

Then I did.

Cassian stood near one of the marble columns, dressed in dark formal attire, his posture rigid even in stillness. Princess Nadine was beside him, too close. Her hand rested familiarly on his arm, her fingers curled as if she had every right to be there.

She smiled at something he said.

My chest tightened, anger flaring hot and immediate. I turned away before I could see more, before the sight of them together burned itself deeper into my mind.

How shameless of him! Women were just disposable to him weren't they?

Saphira had barely healed from their encounter and he was already on the Princess Nadine.

The ballroom was already alive when I entered, music swelling, voices rising, candlelight dancing across polished floors. Heads turned. Whispers followed.

I ignored them.

Calista stood near the center of it all, resplendent in silk black and gold gown, her gown sculpted perfectly to her voluptuous form. She looked exactly as a future queen should, commanding, radiant, untouchable.

Her eyes widened when she saw me.

“Lira?” she said, openly surprised. “I didn’t realize you’d be attending.”

“I didn’t either,” I replied calmly.

Her gaze swept over me, lingering despite herself. “You look… okay.”

Compliments bloomed around us, nobles murmuring their approval, but I stepped away since all the attention was on her anyways.

“Running away already?”

I turned, and smiled.

“Evander.”

He looked tired, travel-worn, but his eyes lit when he saw me. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too,” I said honestly.

“Have the guards been bothering you lately?” he asked quietly.

“No,” I replied. “Not since you intervened.”

His mouth twitched. “Good.”

We fell into easy conversation, he spoke of border delays, of endless meetings and restless envoys; I spoke vaguely of lessons and court politics without revealing anything real.

“And you?” he asked. “What have you been up to?”

I shrugged. “Trying not to get eliminated.”

He laughed. “You say that as if you care you're in the Selection.”

I opened my mouth to reply...

“Enjoying yourselves?”

Cassian’s voice cut between us.

I stiffened.

He stood too close, his expression unreadable, his gaze sharp as it flicked between Evander and me. His bright blue eyes looked distracting in the bright lights.

“What were you discussing?” he asked.

“Nothing of consequence, your Highness” I said coolly.

Evander raised a brow. “Must every conversation be interrogated, brother?”

Before Cassian could answer, Calista appeared, all confidence and command.

“Prince Cassian, the first dance,” she said pointedly. “I hope you haven’t forgotten.”

Cassian hesitated. “Who should...”

“I should,” Calista said immediately. “Lira is only replacing Elora. I don't think she needs to dance."

I nodded. “I don’t know how to dance.”

Cassian’s jaw tightened. He looked displeased, but he said nothing.

The music swelled.

Cassian and Calista stepped onto the floor, opening the dance with flawless precision. The room watched in rapt attention as they moved together, polished and perfect.

“They do look… well-matched,” Evander murmured.

I said nothing.

“Were you serious?” he asked gently. “About not knowing how to dance?”

I hesitated. “I know enough not to embarrass myself.”

A smile curved his lips. “Dance with me.”

My heart stuttered. “Evander, people will notice.”

“Then we wait,” he said. “Until the floor fills. No one will notice us then."

And so we did.

When the ballroom finally overflowed with movement, Evander extended his hand.

“Come on.”

I took it.

He guided me carefully, adjusting his pace to mine, murmuring quiet instructions I followed instinctively. Slowly, the tension eased.

“You’re learning quickly,” he said.

“I learn fast,” I replied.

He didn’t look away from me. Not once. His eyes were so similar to Cassian's, but softer, the colour a bit muted.

“Lira,” he said softly, “I’ve admired you for a long time.”

I stumbled.

He steadied me. “I think I always have. Ever since I saw you in that library...."

My breath caught. “Prince..."

“I know,” he continued. “The selection. The crown. But I don’t care.”

My heart thundered.

“I want you,” he said simply.

I stared at him, stunned.

“Leave the selection,” he said. “Let me court you properly.”

The world seemed to tilt.

I didn’t know what to say.

I didn’t know how to breathe.

And somewhere across the room, I felt, without looking, Cassian watching us.