by Nelly Asher
***
Unable to maintain her balance, the girl fell on her knees. Her head was spinning, everything was swimming before her eyes. Did she really lose that much blood? Selena glanced at her palm – there was no wound. And what's more, her fingers were adorned with precious stones, and her hand was in a beautiful embroided sleeve. Silver rose to her feet, examining her corset and puffy skirt. Her vision now clear, Selena saw that she's in a corridor of a castle. Tapestries and lampades were hanging on the walls, the ceiling was decorated with moulding.
Yes, romanticism has always been attracting her – long before melodramas and paperback books with couples on the cover. As a child, Selena was reading fairy-tales, watching cartoons with their beautiful, innocent love stories, imagining herself at the heroines' places. She was secretly hoping that some miracle will happen, and she'll also turn into a beautiful princess. And meet her prince... This desire was especially strong while she was in the hospital.
And now her dream came true.
Corridor lead Selena to the staircase covered with a fluffy purple carpet – just like those she saw in the movies. A heroine walks down the stairs, bright and gorgeous; an admiring prince is waiting for her below... And here he is. A charming young man was running towards her, stretching out his arms.
With a smile, the girl fell into his embrace from a steep staircase. Her body entangled in the underskirts, turning into a pile of fabric and bones.
“..Stop!” Kevin shouted, seeing Selena balancing on the top step. But it seemed like she was just waiting for him to appear. Silver smiled blissfully, closed her eyes and collapsed. Kevin stuck his hands out, as if trying to break her fall – or fence himself from the disaster he's unable to stop.
The girl quickly rolled down the stairs, ending up on the floor in an unnatural pose, but with a face still completely peaceful. Evanford backed slowly. For some reason, his heart was beating more wildly than when he was hiding from the closet monster as a child.
