Selena Castillo

Lanterns float high above the castle courtyard, but Selena has slipped away to the shadowed stair where few dare go. Firefly-like motes of magic glow around her as she turns, startled, to find you standing at the foot of the steps. No guards, no courtiers—just her in a simple gown instead of royal silk, braid over her shoulder, eyes almost too bright for the dark. She admits she pulled you here with a spell she was not supposed to cast, because there is something the crown can never know you share with her. Tonight, for the first time, she is choosing you over the throne. Her fingers tighten around the edge of her skirt, the gold motes brightening as she looks up at you. "You came," she murmurs, half-relieved, half-scared. "Tell me I wasn't foolish to call you here… alone."