The Dragon Queen Selection Chapter 90

CASSIAN

I woke to warm sheets.

For a moment, I thought I was still dreaming, the remnants of warmth beside me, the faint scent of jasmine and smoke clinging to the pillows. My arm stretched across the mattress instinctively, searching for the soft curve of Lira’s waist.

Nothing.

My eyes snapped open.

The room was dim, moonlight spilling through the tall windows in pale silver ribbons. The fire in the hearth had long since died to embers. Silence pressed heavily against the chamber walls.

“Lira?” I murmured hoarsely.

No answer.

I pushed myself up, and immediately hissed through my teeth.

“Gods...”

Pain lanced across my back like fire.

I twisted slightly, reaching behind myself. My fingers came away sticky.

Blood.

A quiet, incredulous laugh slipped from my throat.

“Well,” I muttered to the empty room, “you certainly left your mark.”

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, wincing again as the movement pulled at the scratches. My muscles were sore in places I hadn’t known could ache. Lira had clung to me like a storm, nails digging into my back, breathless, desperate.

The memory hit me like lightning.

Her voice.

Her hands.

The way she had whispered my name.

I shut my eyes briefly.

Dangerous.

All of it, so dangerous.

I forced myself to focus.

“Where the hell did you go?” I muttered.

I stood carefully and glanced back at the bed.

Then I froze.

The sheets were stained with blood.

Not mine.

A dark crimson bloom spread across the pale silk.

I stared.

Realization settled slowly. She did say it was her first time, but I thought I had been careful enough.

My jaw tightened.

My chest felt oddly tight.

She had been bleeding.And yet she had slipped away before I woke.

Alone.

I rubbed a hand down my face.

“You stubborn girl.”

But a part of me, one I didn’t particularly like, felt something warmer beneath the irritation.

I moved quickly after that.

First, the scratches.

I grabbed a cloth from the basin and wiped the worst of the blood from my back, teeth clenched as the fabric dragged across raw skin.

“Next time,” I muttered darkly, “I’m keeping you trapped in bed until morning.”

I dressed slowly, carefully pulling my shirt over my shoulders so the fabric wouldn’t scrape too harshly against the wounds.

Then I reached for a small glass vial on the table.

Perfume.

I uncorked it and dabbed some along my collar and wrists, masking the scent of blood, and Lira.

Especially Lira.

If anyone smelled her on me tonight…

Questions would follow.

Once satisfied, I slipped out into the palace corridors.

The halls were alive with quiet tension.

Guards moved quickly between corridors, their armor clinking softly.

Torches flickered along the walls.

I had barely walked ten steps before a familiar voice barked...

“Cassian!”

I turned.

Evander strode toward me, his expression sharp with worry.

“Where have you been?” my brother demanded. “We’ve searched the outer palace we didn't find anything. We came back for another search of the palace, I recruited more guards."

I raised a brow lazily.

“Oh?” I said mildly.

“Yes, oh,” Evander snapped. “She disappeared, remember! You were supposed to be looking for her in here.”

I folded my arms, leaning against a pillar.

“Well, I told you not to cause a ruckus.”

Evander stepped closer.

“You haven't seen her?"

“Actually…”

Evander straightened instantly.

“You did?”

“Yes.” I shrugged. “I stopped by Lady Elora's room during the search. She was with her. I sent a guard to tell you; he probably lost his way or something.”

Evander blinked.

“With Elora?”

“Mhm.”

“When?”

“Ever since she ran,” I said smoothly.

Evander’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Why?”

“Must I explain everything to you? She was scared of the guards coming to look for her, so she ran to her friend's room for comfort and fell asleep."

Evander sighed, clearly too exhausted to argue. He exhaled heavily.

Relief washed over his face.

“Gods… I thought something bad happened.”

I tilted my head.

“You worry too much. I told you she'd be fine.”

Evander shot me a look.

“She’s our guest. If she vanished under our roof...”

“But she didn’t. Thank the gods.”

Evander hesitated.

“I should go check on her.”

I pushed off the pillar.

“At this hour?”

Evander paused.

“Well...”

“She’s asleep,” I said calmly. “And frankly, so should you be.”

Evander rubbed his temples.

“I suppose…”

“You’ve been searching all night,” I continued. “Wake her now, and you’ll frighten the poor girl half to death.”

Evander frowned slightly.

“…You think?”

“Yes.”

I clapped him on the shoulder.

“Go to bed. See her at breakfast.”

Evander studied me for a long moment.

Then finally...

“Fine.”

I smiled faintly.

“Wise choice.”

Evander turned toward the staircase.

“Good night, Cassian.”

“Sleep well, brother.”

I watched him go.

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

Morning came too quickly.

Sunlight poured across the palace courtyard as I stepped outside, scanning the grounds.

Servants hurried about their duties.

The girls of the Queen Selection flocked to the gardens.

But no sign of Lira.

I frowned.

“She has to be here,” I muttered.

“Your highness!”

I turned.

And inwardly groaned.

Calista was marching toward me, her golden skirts swishing angrily.

Her expression was thunderous. She bowed slightly as she stood in front of me.

“You vanished last night,” she snapped.

I sighed.

“Good morning to you too.”

“Do not play charming,” she said sharply. “You missed our dinner.”

“Did I?”

“Yes.”

I offered a disarming smile.

“My apologies.”

Calista crossed her arms.

“That’s all you have to say?”

“What would you prefer?” I asked lightly.

“The truth. Where were you? I waited for you. And then I sent the guards to check your chambers but you were not in."

I leaned slightly closer.

“Very well.”

Calista raised a brow.

“I was… occupied with some duties for the King.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Couldn't it wait? Your mother herself planned our dinner."

I nodded.

"I apologise but it couldn't. It was very urgent."

“Are you angry at me?" I asked gently.

"No. I'm annoyed."

“Ah.”

She huffed.

“You could have at least sent word. I wouldn't have waited so long.”

“You’re right,” I said smoothly. “Allow me to make it up to you.”

Calista eyed me skeptically.

“How?”

“Dinner tonight.”

She tilted her head.

“What if you miss this one?"

“This time I won't miss it.”

Calista studied me for another moment.

Then sighed.

“Fine.”

I smiled.

“Excellent.”

But my gaze had already drifted past her shoulder, scanning the courtyard.

Calista noticed.

“Who are you looking for?”

I blinked.

“No one.”

“Yes, someone.”

I cleared my throat.

“Actually… have you seen Lady Lira this morning?”

Calista’s eyes sharpened immediately.

“Why?”

I shrugged casually.

“The Queen wanted to see her.”

“Did she?”

“Yes.”

Calista studied me suspiciously.

“Well,” she said slowly, “she was at breakfast.”

I straightened.

“She was?”

“Yes.”

“Where is she now?”

“In lessons, I believe.”

I exhaled quietly.

Relief flickered through me. She was avoiding me then.

Calista watched me carefully.

“You seem very interested in her.”

I smiled lazily.

“Just following orders.”

Calista didn’t look convinced.

“Mm.”

I pushed away from the pillar.

“Well,” I said, brushing imaginary dust from my sleeve, “I suppose I’ll speak to her later.”

Calista folded her arms again.

“You’d better not forget our dinner tonight, your highness.”

“Impossible.”

Then I turned and headed toward the palace halls.

But my thoughts were already elsewhere.