207 - A temporary resolution

207 - A temporary resolution
CASSIAN

The council turned to look at him.

"Evander," I said. "This is not the time..." 

"This is exactly the time." He stepped forward, his voice steady. "I have been thinking about the situation at the borders. About Norwyn's army. About Sargon."

"Go on."

"Sargon wants you, Cassian. He has a personal vendetta against you. He wants to kill you, to end the Valemont line, to claim Aurelia for himself. He has made that clear. He will not rest until he has destroyed you."

"I am aware."

"Then let me lead the charge."

The room went silent.

"Let me lead the army," Evander repeated. "Let me ride out on my dragon, meet Sargon's forces at the border, and distract them while our army reclaims our land. I will draw their attention. I will keep them occupied. And you—you will remain here, safe, where you belong."

"Evander..." 

"I know it is dangerous." His voice was steady. "I know I could die. But I am willing to take that risk. For the kingdom. For our people."

I stared at him.

"Evander, you cannot..." 

"I can." He met my eyes. "I have spent my entire life in your shadow, Cassian. I have always been the second son, the spare, the one who was never quite good enough. But I am also a Valemont. I am also a dragon rider. And I can do this."

"Evander..." 

"Let me prove myself." His voice cracked. "Let me prove that I am more than just your brother. Let me prove that I am worthy of this family."

I was silent for a long moment.

The council was silent too.

"Your Majesty," Lord Gareth said carefully, "Prince Evander's plan has merit. If Sargon is expecting you to lead the charge, he will be caught off guard if your brother appears instead."

"Lord Gareth is right," another lord added. "It is a sound strategy. Risky, but sound."

"And it keeps you safe," Lord Dorne said. "Sargon has a personal vendetta against you. If you ride out, you are giving him exactly what he wants."

I looked at Evander.

He was watching me, his eyes steady, his jaw set.

"You are certain about this?" I asked.

"I am certain."

"This is not just about proving yourself. This is about survival. About the kingdom. About..." 

"I know what this is about." He stepped closer. "I know the risks. I know I might not come back. But I am willing to take that chance."

"Evander..." 

"Let me do this, Cassian." His voice was quiet now. "Let me do something that matters."

I closed my eyes.

He is right, I thought. Sargon wants me. He will not stop until he has killed me. If I ride out, I am walking into a trap.

But if I stay...

If I stay, Evander will be the one to face the danger.

He could die.

He could...

"Fine," I said.

The room exhaled.

"I agree to your plan," I continued. "You will lead the charge. You will distract Sargon's forces. And you will buy us time to reclaim our land and stall."

Evander nodded.

"I will not fail you, brother."

He turned and walked out of the chamber.

I watched him go.

\---

I retreated to my father's study.

The room was quiet, the fire crackling in the hearth, the shadows dancing across the walls. I sat behind the massive oak desk, my head in my hands, and tried to remember how to breathe.

Evander is going to war, I thought. He is going to face Sargon. He might die.

And I am sending him.

The door opened.

I looked up.

My mother stood in the doorway, her face pale, her eyes red-rimmed. She was dressed in black, her mourning gown, her crown gleaming in the firelight.

"Mother," I said.

"Cassian." She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "I need to speak with you."

"About what?"

She crossed to the chair across from the desk and sat down slowly.

"The wedding," she said. "Your wedding to Calista."

I felt my jaw tighten.

"Mother..." 

"I know the timing is not ideal," she continued. "I know there is a war. I know you are grieving. But the people need stability. They need to see that the crown is secure. They need to see that you have a queen by your side."

"Mother..." 

"We can skip the grand ceremony," she said. "A small wedding. Private. Just the family and a few trusted advisors. No one will mind..." 

"Are you serious?"

She blinked. "What?"

"You are sitting here, in my father's study, less than a week after his death, while the kingdom is on the brink of war, and you are discussing wedding arrangements?"

"Cassian..." 

"Mother." I stood, my chair scraping against the floor. "I have just sent my brother to war. I have just watched my father die. I have the weight of an entire kingdom on my shoulders. And you want to talk about weddings?"

She went pale.

"I understand you are grieving," she said carefully. "But the kingdom..." 

"The kingdom does not need a wedding. The kingdom needs a king. And I am doing everything I can to be that king."

"Cassian..." 

"The engagement is off."

She went still.

"What?"

"I am ending the engagement," I said. "I will not marry Calista. I have never wanted to marry Calista. And now that I am king, I have the power to make that choice."

"Cassian, you cannot..." 

"I can." I stepped closer. "I am the Dragon king, Mother. I can do whatever I want."

"Cassian..." 

"The engagement is over." My voice was final. "Calista will leave the palace. And you will stop trying to control my life."

My mother stared at me.

Her face was white.

"You are making a terrible mistake," she said.

"Perhaps." I walked to the door. "But it is my mistake to make."

I left her sitting in the study.

Alone.

\----------------------

LIRA

Luna was curled at the foot of my bed, her white scales gleaming in the firelight, her eyes half-closed in contentment. She had grown so much in the weeks we had been apart, no longer a tiny hatchling, but a young dragon with wings that could carry her across the kingdom and a presence that filled the room with warmth. She was so big I couldn't even hold her with both my arms. 

'You are still troubled,' she said through the bond.

I sighed and leaned back against the pillows.

"I am always troubled lately."

'It is Cassian. You are worried about him.' 

"Of course I am worried about him. He is planning to ride into battle. He is planning to face Sargon and Veyraxis. He is planning to..." 

'He is planning to protect his kingdom,' Luna interrupted gently.  'That is what kings do.' 

"I know." I pressed my hands over my eyes. "I know that. But that does not make it any easier. I'm so scared that I might lose him."

'No,' she agreed. 'It does not.' 

I reached down and stroked her scales. She leaned into my touch, a soft rumble of pleasure vibrating through her chest.

I am glad you are back, I thought.

'I am glad I am back too. I missed you.' 

I missed you more.

'That is impossible. I am a dragon. I miss things more intensely than humans.' 

I laughed. I did miss Luna a lot. 

\---

A knock at the door shattered the peace.

I sat up, my heart racing. Luna's eyes went wide, and she slid off the bed, disappearing beneath it with a speed that still surprised me. I was even surprised she still fit under the bed, but she managed to make it work. 

Hide, I thought. Stay hidden.

'I am hidden.' 

Stay hidden.

I crossed to the door and opened it.

The Queen stood in the corridor. I froze from the shock.