The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 75

LIRA

I had never been to his chambers. I figured a few other girls might have been there, but not me. I should have said no, honestly, I didn't know what possessed me to say yes.

His chambers were huge. Five times bigger than my room. It had everything. His living area, sleeping area, a small resting space, the large balcony. He led me towards the living area, where a huge bookshelf was, he cleared a desk, arranged my books neatly, even fetched ink and parchment.

“There,” he said. “Begin.”

I was skeptical at first, but I sat down and studied. 

I studied on my own at first. He quizzed me. Corrected me gently. Explained patiently.

Hours passed unnoticed.

Eventually my eyes grew tired, my muscles ached and my stomach growled.

Cassian smiled as he heard my stomach growling in hunger. “Stay here.”

He returned with food, bread, cheese, some soup from the kitchens. And a plate filled with sweets. 

He told me to relax. 

"Tell me about your dragon." I told him as I took a bite out of my bread. 

Cassian laughed.

"He's an old grumpy dragon. That's what he is." 

"But how did you bond with him?” I asked.

“I was a teenager,” he said softly. “People always assume I did something special for Taheer to choose me but I didn't. He chose me. Not the other way around.”

Something stirred in me. "Still, there must have been something about you. I read that Taheer has bonded with only two other dragon riders. He doesn't bond as much as other dragons."

Cassian nodded. 

"You heard right. Bonds are sacred to dragons. And they pick their rider carefully. Truth is, I don't know why he picked me."

I nodded expectantly. I guess this was my chance. I had to ask him about the vaults. 

"So I read somewhere, about some vaults in the palace and how it holds all the secrets of Aurelia. Is that true?" 

His expression shifted, serious, guarded.

“The vault,” he said slowly, “is not just a place. It’s a promise.”

My pulse quickened.

“A promise to what?” I asked.

He looked at me, eyes dark with something ancient.

“To the dragons.”

Cassian didn’t say anything more about the vault.

Not after a long pause after his last sentence.

Instead, he leaned back in his chair and said lightly, “You look exhausted.”

I blinked at him. “I am.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie. My bones felt heavy. My thoughts felt sharper than they should have been, like knives pressed too close to skin.

“You’ve been staring at the same page for several minutes,” he added. “Either the text is dreadful, or your mind is elsewhere.”

“Both,” I said, closing the book quickly. “I think… I should go.”

Cassian studied me for a moment longer than necessary. His gaze felt careful now. Measured.

“As you wish,” he said at last. “But I'll send someone with you.”

My stomach flipped. “What?”

“Don’t look at me like that,” he said dryly. “I meant an escort. To ensure nobody sees you on your way back to your chambers."

I hesitated. "But then they'll see me with a guard. And they'll talk."

“They already do,” he replied. “But don't worry, my guards know how to make themselves hidden. His job is just to make sure nobody knows you're coming out of my chambers."

He stood and crossed the room, pausing at the door. He opened it just enough to glance into the corridor, then shut it again.

“Wait,” he murmured.

Minutes passed. Maybe seconds. My heart beat too loudly either way.

Finally, he opened the door again and motioned to one of his guards with a sharp tilt of his head.

“Take Lady Lira back to her chambers,” Cassian said. “Quietly.”

The guard bowed. “Of course, Your Highness.”

Cassian turned to me. His voice dropped. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, your assessment awaits you.”

I nodded, unsure what to say.

“Good night, Lira.”

“Good night, Your Highness.”

His eyes flickered at that, but he didn’t correct me.

Back in my room, I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the books stacked neatly on the desk.

I opened one.

Closed it.

Opened another.

Closed that too.

Cassian’s voice echoed in my head.

The dragon’s voice echoed beneath that.

Time is running out.

I rubbed my temples.

“What if I could reach it?” I whispered to the empty room.

The vault.

Cassian could only access it. Evander said it was impossible for anyone else. The dragon wanted me to access it.

And Aveline, Princess Aveline had said my father had entered the vaults.

I swallowed.

It was impossible though. It didn't make a lot of sense that my father, who couldn't practice magic could enter a magic vault.

Unless he had dormant magic.

“What if mine is too?”

The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

If I could just find it.

Just stand before it.

Just test...

The idea terrified me.

And thrilled me.

I lay back, staring at the ceiling, thoughts tumbling over one another until exhaustion finally dragged me under.

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

The dream came fast.

I was running.

Stone corridors blurred past me, torchlight flickering like eyes. My breath burned in my chest. I could hear boots behind me. Shouts.

“Stop her!”

Hands grabbed my hair. Dragged me back.

I screamed, but no sound came out.

A blade pressed to my throat.

“Did you really think you could fool the crown?”

I woke with a gasp, sweat soaking my skin, my heart pounding so violently I thought it might tear free.

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

Then I forced myself upright, pressing my feet to the floor.

“It was just a dream,” I whispered.

But my hands were shaking.

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

The assessment hall buzzed with nervous energy.

Girls murmured, clutched notes, paced. Ink pots were arranged neatly. Chairs scraped against stone.

I took my seat, heart still unsettled but mind sharp.

When the assessment began, I wrote until my fingers ached.

History. Magic. The First Pact.

I finished just as the bell rang.

I exhaled, setting down my quill.

Elora appeared at my side almost immediately.

“Where were you?” she demanded in a low voice. “I looked everywhere for you.”

“I was studying,” I said quickly. “In the library.”

Her brows knit together. “I went to the library.”

My stomach dropped.

“You did?”

“Yes,” she said, irritation creeping in. “Twice. I even asked Master Halen. He said he hadn’t seen you all evening.”

“I must’ve moved around,” I said. “You know how it is.”

Elora crossed her arms. “So now the librarian is lying too?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You implied it.”

“I just... Elora, it’s not a big deal.”

Her eyes flashed. “It is when you keep disappearing. When you lie. When you shut me out.”

“I’m trying to protect you.”

“From what?” she snapped. “From knowing the real you?”

The other girls were beginning to glance our way.

“Lower your voice,” I hissed.

She laughed, sharp and humorless. “Oh, now you care what they think?”

“Elora..."

“You know when I met you. I was excited. I thought finally! I have made a friend here. I thought we were friends,” she said, her voice trembling now. “But friends don’t lie to each other. Friends don’t keep things from each other.”

I reached for her arm. She pulled away.

“Just tell me the truth,” she pleaded. “Once. Where were you yesterday?"

I looked around. Amara, Juliette and Vivienne were all looking at us intently.

I couldn't tell Elora that I was with the Crown Prince in their presence.

I opened my mouth.

Closed it.

Her face hardened.

“Great.”

She turned and walked away.