Selene:Accidental Queen

The following morning brings Nathaniel's worst fear to his door: Cleo and Harry. They don't wait for him to invite them in. Instead, they tell him that Selene will be present for a party that evening celebrating the new Queen and King of Gabriel Island. If she refuses, they will force her with an enchantment spell. Cleo watches Nathaniel, suspicion beginning to grow at the calm composure of Selene's guardian. Shouldn't a guardian be more excited or nervous for their charge if they are to be royals? Nathaniel senses her suspicion, so he agrees to force her to come that evening. After the two leave, Nathaniel rushes to his office, calling in a favor. He would have Selene play Queen while he prepared her escape. Within the hour, the older faerie has enlisted an old friend, Maddie, to hide Selene. He has two plane tickets printed out to his homeland: Danyrus. The place where Selene was taken from. Selene comes stumbling out of her room, shoving past Nathaniel to grab a bowl. "Get to the Elders' house. They are hosting a party to honor their new King and Queen." Selene shrugs, shoving cereal in her mouth. "It ain't an option, girl." Nathaniel snaps.

"They can't make me be queen." Selene talks with her mouth full. "You taught me I always have a choice."

Nathaniel yanks the bowl of cereal from her. "I was wrong. They chose you. If you don't do it willingly, it will be by force. But, please, Selene, pleas,e don't make them force you." Nathaniel's voice breaks. Selene's heart pounds as she sees fear in her guardian's eyes. "Nathaniel, what's going on? You're scaring me."

Nathaniel sets his hands on the table. "Lena, I wish I could tell you. Just know this: I am protecting you the only way I know. Please go to this party for me?" Something isn't right. Nathaniel always tells her everything. "What are you hiding?!"

Nathaniel hangs his head. The girl is relentless. "Listen, you always asked about your family, and I was planning on telling you" Nathaniel slips his hands underneath the table and pulls out an envelope handing it to Selene. "It's a plane ticket to my-our home country, Danyrus. We will be leaving in a couple of days. That is why you have to play along for now."

Selene opens the envelope, her eyes opening in wonderment at the strange location printed on the paper. "What about Heather and Morgan? I'm not leaving without them."

Nathaniel pinches the bridge of his nose. Why hadn't he assumed that? The three were practically inseparable, and Morgan was tossed into this nonsense along with Selene. "I'll buy the tickets. Just play along."

"Fine, on one condition: You tell me what you're hiding," Selene smirks triumphantly. Nathaniel scrunches his face. "Fine, I'll tell you when we are on the plane. Now get ready."

"Deal."

Selene slowly glides down to Celebration Hall. All around her, different color lights float in the starry sky. A soft, enchanting melody fills the forest, enticing faeries to sway to the music. Goddess, it looks so romantic! Fighting the urge to roll her eyes, Selene looks for the buffet table. Spotting a plate of berries, she flits toward the platter. Selene detests parties- they reek of pomp and arrogance. The only thing about them was the food- particularly sweets. Without any decorum, she scarfs a handful of berries, not caring that the future Queen has juice dripping on her gown. Selene begins pilling chocolates on a plate when Cale approaches her. Cale is Selene and Morgan's childhood friend. Now that she thinks about it, everyone at the party was a childhood friend. The residents of Gabriel Island were all children when they arrived. The Elders claim that it is because all the adult faeries had perished in a horrid accident. Still, Danu had spared the Elders to raise the new generation. "Selene! What are you doing?! The elders demand you escort Mo!" Cale reaches for her plate.

Selene yanks the plate closer to her. "I hardly care about their demands."

Cale doesn't let her phase him. "Selene, who are you to deny the elders' request?" Goddess, how could Cale be blindly loyal? She flits past him without a word. She climbs to the rafts and perches on a catwalk. At least she is keeping her promise to Nathaniel to keep her flying to a minimum.

"Selene!" Morgan's aura had changed; it radiated power. Selene shoves a chocolate eclair in her mouth, scooting to give her friend more room.

"Morgan, fly away. I'm avoiding everyone." What was her friend thinking? He would attract attention towards them if he stayed with her. Weren't the Elders looking for them? Morgan flies to the catwalk, landing next to the young female."What's going on, Selene? I know something is wrong."

"Morgan, you don't have to keep me company!" Selene evades his questions.

"You're my date for the evening." Morgan playfully bumps her shoulder. A giggle escapes Selene's throat."Fine stay. I'm not sure Heather will be happy to hear that."

"She wasn't happy, but she trusts us." Morgan ruffles Selene's updo. "What has you so glum?" "I don't want to be a queen." Selene avoids Morgan's violet eyes.

Morgan laughs. "That's it? Well, I don't want to be the king! I have a mate, and the Elders want us to..you know." Selene fake gags, and the friends fall into a fit of giggles.

"Good evening! Morgan, would you grab Selene a drink? I need a moment with her." Elder Harry interrupts their blissful moment, commanding Morgan to leave him alone with Selene. "Right away, sir." Morgan flies to the bartender with an apology glance at Selene. Elder Harry softly smiles. "Selene, my dear! You have become quite a beautiful girl!"

"I'm not going to marry Hester. There is not enough faerie dust in the world." Selene tries to change the subject. Elder Harry guffaws. "My grandson...is unique. However, since you brought up the subject..."

"I'm not your Queen, Elder." She won't lie. Nathaniel can deal. She wasn't going to pretend to like something she hated. Elder Harry's face remains impassive. " Do you know what a mate is?" Where was he going with this? "Yes. Mates are predestined lovers created by the Goddess Selene for wolves and vampires. We have predestined mates as well?"

Harry's smile widens. "No. But you both are descendants from royal lines- you are obligated to mate." Selene scoffs. "So, I am merely a prize? What happens if I say no?" Harry's smile transforms into a sinister smirk. "You have no choice! You will submit or..." he leans further in, "... I will destroy you. Wonder how Morgan or Nathaniel will look with whip lashes over their skin?"

Selene's lips quiver. Harry wasn't finished talking. "Cleo, could you come for a minute?" The dark witch appears in a plume of smoke."It seems our future Queen is having trouble adjusting." Cleo's dark eyes take in Selene. Her dark voice sends shivers down Selene's spine. "You will submit, child. I will not tolerate insolence. I can take away your free will if you wish to fight." Selene feels hate in Cleo's voice, hate towards her. There was an unspoken tension between the two women, and one woman had no idea what the strain was.

Harry's aura brightens. "It isn't a request Selene, it's a demand. Morgan is young, handsome, and a soon-to-be king." Selene clutches the cold rails of the catwalk, calming her erratic nerves. "He has a mate-Heather."

Morgan comes back with drinks in hand. "What's going on?"