I awake from my nightmare, breathing heavily. I look over at one of my many windows and see that it is pitch black outside. I quietly and carefully reach into my bedside table and pull out a pack of cigarettes. I move over to my favorite windowsill almost silently, avoiding all of the creaky floorboards. I snap my fingers and a small flame appears floating above my index finger. Suddenly, a voice comes from behind me. “I thought royals weren’t allowed to do that.” Callista steps forward into the small amount of light that the flame brings. “I won’t tell if you won’t.” She slides into place beside me on the windowsill. “Why aren’t royals allowed to use magic anyway?” I sigh, preparing to tell the story. “Generations ago, royals could use magic as freely as they pleased. They were more powerful than regular civilians, and people loved to see their beautiful magic. Then, my great great-grandpa became King. King Cerulean. He loved his magic, and loved showing it off to the people. However, he began to crave more power, as tyrants always do. He killed two of his three children, hoping to use their blood to siphon their power. He pretended their deaths were both accidents. He reached out to all the best scientists in the kingdom, and blackmailed them into working on this secret project. He threatened their families if they were to ever tell the truth about what had happened to his children. However, the public always finds out, and find out they did. When they learned the truth, they were outraged. They felt so betrayed by their darling King. The parliament ousted him from the throne, and my great-grandma became Queen at just 14. Ever since, royals have been banned from doing any magic. They are deemed too powerful.”

I take a long drag off the cigarette. “Wow, fun family story.” I look over at her. “Nobody likes to remember him. Ask anyone else about that story, and they’d behead you.” I laugh under my breath. Our conversation dissolves into comfortable silence, before Callista looks over at me. “Can we talk about what happened today?” I sucked in a breath. I always hated lying to her. “She’s never done that before. We’ve fought, sure, but she’s never put her hands on me like that.” She scoffs. “Don’t lie to me, Elara. I saw the scars. I saw the bruises. Why would you let her do that to you?” I snap. “What, you think I could stop her? I couldn’t even if I tried! She’s been beating me for years, and the only ones who know are Coral and Astin. Astin couldn’t give a fuck less, and what is Coral to do? What am I to do?” I begin to sob silently. Callista pulls me close to her, and I cry into her shoulder. After a while, I pull away. “She always tells me I deserve it. Maybe she’s right. Maybe if I was a better daughter, she wouldn’t. Maybe I’m the prob- “ She interrupts me then. “You are not the problem. Nobody deserves what she did. Does. She’s manipulating you to make you feel worse for her abuse. This is not your fault, I promise.” I look over at her and smile softly. The stars illuminate her eyes so nicely. “Thank you, Callista.” I pull another cigarette out of the pack and light it with my finger. After taking a drag, I silently pass it to Callista. “So, why doesn’t your dad stop her?” It’s my turn to scoff now. “My dad and I have spoken, just the two of us, three times. I’ve counted. I doubt he even knows my middle name, and he definitely has no idea about the beating.” I look up at the moon. It is full tonight. It reminds me of me. People think the moon shines so brightly on it’s own, but all of it’s light comes from the sun. People think I shine so brightly, but all of my light is from the love that Coral and Callista give me.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

I look over at Callista and examine all her features, even though I already know them so well. Her beautiful green eyes that carry so much life in them. Her wonderful brownish-red hair that’s color belongs to Callista and Callista alone. It’s shade so unique, I've never seen anything just like it. The soft freckles that litter her cheeks and the slight blush those same cheeks carry everytime she looks at me. She is pure perfection. She carries the kindness of a thousand people. Her love is so pure, and you can see just how much she cares by how gentle she is with everything she touches. As I snap back into reality, I realize that maybe I do view her as more than a friend. Maybe my feelings for her span wider. I blush just thinking about it. I suddenly realize that she is also examining me in the same way. I turn my head away and try not to think about it. Callista begins to step out of my windowsill and walk away, but she looks back for a moment. “Goodnight, my Princess.” I look back at her and smile fondly. “Goodnight, Callista.” She walks out the door and I stay on the windowsill for a moment, and then I slip down and head to my bed for a night of restful sleep. As my head hits the pillow, I hope I will dream about Callista.