Selestria 4: The Winner's World

By Sarah Day

Losing everything can cause you to reflect and grieve, it's no exception for this prior queen. After spending the last year gaining friends and family, it is lost in an instant. Being forced into the human world once again with no return back to Selestria, Saige must completely start over. Struggling to find her way in he

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rose Reads Books
• Release date: Nov 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798887967400

Sarah Day

Sarah Day is the author of the "Selestria" series, a young adult fantasy series published in March of 2022. Sarah grew up in Manchester, Maryland and graduated from Manchester Valley High School in 2021. You can learn more about Sarah and upcoming books at RoseReadsBooks.com

Book preview

Chapter One

I miss you. I’ll put it simply. I miss everything about you. I miss you in every moment of the day. I miss you when I wake up in the morning, I miss you throughout the day, but I miss you the most just as I am going to sleep. Every fiber of my being craves you. I want you near me, I want you to talk to me, I want you to comfort me. But I know you can’t. Because you’re gone. I repeat the day you left me in my mind over, and over, and over again until my heart can’t take it anymore. I wish I was powerful enough to go back in time and make it so you never leave me, but I’m not…

There was silence for a moment as I finished speaking. I peered around the audience before me as I watched some begin to sob, wipe their eyes with their tissues in hand, and bury their face in their hands while some just gave sympathetic nods. That… that was beautiful, Saige… Amber, the program director said in awe. May I ask who this was about?

I stared at her blankly. My husband, I answered.

If you’re ready, would you like to finally share how he passed? she asked gently, great sympathy in her wide eyes.

Oh… he’s not dead, I answered with a shrug.

Her expression turned from sadness to confusion very quickly. He-he’s not? Are you just saying that because you don’t want to accept that he’s passed, or…?

I shook my head. Nope. Not dead. Very much alive. Just dead to me.

There was silence among the room for a moment as she starred at me in disbelief. "Saige… this is grief consoling for people who have lost loved ones who have died," she explained.

How’s it any different? I mumbled, looking off into the crowd as they all looked at me in horror and disgust.

Because your loved one is still alive. I’m sorry that your husband left you, but there are different meetings for that if I can interest you in those.

I shrugged. No thanks. I’ll show myself out, I said as I walked off the stage and out the backdoor.

I bundled up my jacket as I was hit with a breeze of freezing wind. I hated New York. I’ve planned on moving here ever since I was a kid. I always knew what my future would be, but now that I was actually living in it, I quite hated it.

I scanned my keycard at the front door, giving the doorman a small, unenthusiastic wave as I entered the elevator and went to the fifth floor. I scanned my card once again once I got to my apartment and walked inside. Hey-o! Addisin called to me from their bedroom. Addisin had not changed a bit since high school. When they’re working, you can see how much they’ve matured since then. Other times, they haven’t changed a bit. Those times with Addisin, when I’m reminded of our times as kids, are the only moments these days where I feel even a bit of happiness. All other times just feel so bleak.

I walked into Addisin’s room and sat down in the bungee chair next to their desk. Where were you? they asked.

Grief counseling, I answered simply.

They looked up at me with the most bewildered expression. Grief counseling? Because your parents died? Are you okay, Saige? You can talk to me, you know…

I shook my head. No, not my parents. I’ve grieved them already.

Then… why?

James, I answered as I looked them in the eyes, completely serious.

They sighed and moved closer to me as they held my hand tightly. I know this hurts for you. You’re going through a divorce, you were forced out of your home, away from your friends and family… I know it can’t be easy for you.

I let out a sharp breath. Addisin had been broken up with by their boyfriend a few months before they met their current girlfriend, Lauren. They didn’t see it coming, they thought the relationship was going well so it took them by surprise when he broke up with them. So, in a way, they knew what I was going through. But Addisin had been through breakups before, they have been dating since we were in middle school. This was my first relationship ever. Let alone a marriage. And on top of that, it didn’t help that my throne, home, friends, and family were all taken from me within the same week. It was all a lot to process. But James breaking up with me was the most painful overall. Probably because it forced me to reflect on myself and what I had become.

You’re right. But I just need to handle this in my own way.

Yeah, but… I don’t think that going to grief counseling with people who have lost loved ones is the right way to do that, it just might be a little disrespectful to the people who are there.

I appreciated Addisin trying to help me through this and being so patient with me, but I wasn’t exactly sure how to express to them exactly what I was going through. I didn’t realize that I was looking angrily at them until their expression softened as if they were afraid that they had struck a nerve. But I did lose a loved one, I replied.

But… he’s not dead, though. There’s always a chance you’ll get to see him again. Those people don’t have that.

I sighed, I just need a place to cope. To be around people who know what I’m going through.

I know what you’re going through! they exclaimed.

Not really…

They looked to the ground, defeated. As if they were realizing that there wasn’t much more they could do for me. I sighed once again, grabbing their hand in mine, listen… I began, I really appreciate you trying to help me. Really, I do. And I’m so grateful for you. But it’s just going to take me a while to get over this and I may have some weird ways to cope, but I appreciate you sticking with me through it all no matter what.

They gave me a small smile, I understand. Just don’t go to anymore grief counseling, okay?

I laughed slightly, alright, I won’t.

Good, they said as they leaned back in their chair and began to flip the pencil in their hand. Do you wanna go out for dinner tonight or stay in?

I’ll probably just make something in the microwave. I don’t think I have the energy to go out today.

Their smile slightly faded, alright…

I forced a smile in return as I said, I’m going to get ready for bed now, I said as I stood up, night.

Good night, Saige, they responded softly, going back to their work.

I walked to my room, looking around at my empty, blank walls. I had a small portion of the wall where I hung up some photos that I liked that I had taken, but other than that it was completely blank. I didn’t have the energy to bother to decorate my room at all whatsoever since I’ve gotten here. My room in my parent’s house was absolutely covered in pictures, posters, and decorations. My room in the castle had been decorated already by the castle staff, but I did add a little bit of my own touch to it over time. So, this was the first time I had a room that was completely and utterly bleak. I always liked for my room to be a representation of myself, putting up things that I liked and photos of beloved memories I had captured. I guess in a way, my room now still did that.

I placed my small purse on my bed as I sighed deeply, running my hands through my hair before pressing my palms to my forehead out of stress. I rubbed my eyes before pulling out a pair of pajamas and getting dressed for bed. I walked over to the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind me.

I couldn’t help but to stare out into space at the wedding ring that sat next to the sink.

A soon as I had arrived here for the first time and spent my first night here, I had taken the ring off after realizing that I had been wearing it this whole time without really realizing it. I used to look down at the ring on my finger and admire it, thinking of how lucky I was to be in love and feeling complete pride to have it on my finger to show that I was his. But now I didn’t need it anymore. So it sat on the counter top.

Addisin had tried to convince me to pawn it so that I wouldn’t have to be tormented by the memories every time I entered the bathroom, but I couldn’t bear to do it. Plus, it was Sunshine’s ring. I wanted to return it to her. If I ever even had the chance to.

I snapped out of my daze as I slowly looked to the trashcan next to the toilet with dread, not wanting to accept it. I knelt down onto the ground, digging through the trash can to find what I tried to hide so Addisin wouldn’t see. I finally found it. I picked up the positive pregnancy test that I had taken that morning. 

Chapter Two

When I was first evicted from Selestria, I immediately went to Addisin for help, not sure where else to go. Addisin was the only person I had left in the human world. My parents were dead. Will was dead. Emma was dead. Not to mention that both of them were trying to kill me and neither of them were who I thought they were.

I was so grateful that Addisin was so understanding of my situation and not only let me live in their apartment with them, but also got me a job as a photographer for Le Vive, the magazine company they worked for. The company paid me graciously, so I was able to help out Addisin with the rent, which made me feel a lot better about staying there.

I wasn’t sure when I would return to Selestria or if I ever even would return. I think that might have been a part of the punishment. The council teleported me and left me here, completely powerless. Nobody has come to find me since. I haven’t heard anything from anyone.

Addisin gently knocked on my open door as I tied my hair into a braid. I looked up at them through the mirror, yes?

Hey, I was just making sure you were okay with the assignment that you were given today. You don’t have to do it, you know…

I nodded, I’m aware. It’s all part of the job, so I’m going to do it.

Yeah, but it would be alright if you wanted to decline the job. We could always get another photographer to do it.

I stood up, turning to face them as I straightened out the small red silk dress. It felt strange to wear a dress again. Even though this wasn’t necessarily what I would have worn as queen. This was simply wedding attire.

I forced a small smile to them as I said, Addisin, I’ll be fine. Thank you for caring, though.

They nodded, alright, I just wanted to make sure. Get out there and kill it today! they said happily before going back to their room.

I chuckled slightly before slipping my heels on, throwing my purse around my shoulder, and grabbing my camera bag before heading out the door. Bye! I called to Addisin as I stood with one foot out the doorway of the apartment.

Have fun! they called back to me.

I shut the door, making my way down the lobby where I exited the apartment building and waved down a taxi. The fare was pretty high since I was travelling outside of the city to the small farm that sat on the outside of it. I paid with the company’s card before exiting the taxi as it left me alone in front of the barn where the wedding took place.

I entered, immediately being stopped by a security guard. Name?

I looked up at him as I said, "Saige Abigail. Photographer for Le Vive."

He nodded slowly, ID please.

I sighed as I began to dig through my purse. I never got my license, so I had to get a state ID. It was hard to prove my identity though when my social security card and birth certificate were burnt in the fire that killed my parents.

Since coming here I haven’t gone to my old town. It would be too sad. Instead, I contacted the police department to see if anything was recovered. There was nothing.

I haven’t even bothered to contact or visit my sister since coming here. It’s not that I didn’t want to, but because I did not want to have to explain why I was here and have her be disappointed with me. After time I hoped that I would gain the courage to visit her though and finally get to see my nephew.

I presented my ID to the security guard, he snatched it out of my hand as he examined it. He nodded slowly again before handing it back to me. Alright, he handed me a badge that said "PRESS in bold lettering. Go on in," he said as he stepped out of my way.

I walked through the large group of people who were standing around talking, a lot of them were celebrities. I began snapping pictures of each person that I recognized, and even a few that I didn’t. I missed out on a lot of trends and who the latest celebrities were, not that I cared about all of that before I even went to Selestria, but Le Vive made it so that the information was drilled into my head, and I would recognize anyone with status.

Excuse me, a different security guard said.

I took around as I raised an eyebrow at him, yes? I replied.

"The paparazzi corner is over there," he said as he pointed to a corner of people who also held cameras in their hands.

Alright… I muttered as I made my way over to the corner.

Great, another one… one of the photographers grunted as soon as I approached.

Thank you for the kind greeting, I mumbled in response, keeping my head down as I took my place.

I wonder how much of the media these douches did contact about this dumb ass staged wedding, another one scoffed.

Whatever they can do to save their dying careers… the one who had first spoke said.

And the fact that they had it a barn is just gross…

It’s so that they can look like they’re just your average, everyday civilians just like you. It’s for relatability, one said.

Or they’ve just gone so broke that this was really all that they could afford.

The room went quite as the organ began to play and everyone took their seats in the plastic white chairs lined up to the front of the barn with a pathway down the middle. The bride began to make her way down the isle as the group of paparazzi and I all raised our cameras and began to flash them at her quickly, getting hundreds of pictures as she ever so slowly made her way down the aisle.

She met with the groom at the end of the aisle and practically snatched his hands in hers. She looked around at everyone, specifically looking at the paparazzi as she forced a big smile. It didn’t matter how much she had to crane her neck backwards, anything to get her face in the shot.

I only took a couple of pictures, the entire time I was completely spaced out. I was in daze as I recalled Ashlynn’s wedding to Aaron and my short, stressful wedding with James that took place shortly after. Now that I was thinking about it… I began to realize, did I only want to get married because my sister did and I wanted to follow in her footsteps?

When the wedding finally ended, they moved us outside where there were round tables with white tablecloths over them and wooden chairs surrounding them. The rest of the photographers and I snapped a couple of photos of the couple and the celebrity guests before all meeting back up together in a group near the fence.

I lowered the camera from my face after taking one final shot of the wedding from the distance. How long do you think they’ll last? a woman asked as she slung her camera around her neck carelessly.

Not long at all. Once the commotion from this dies down, they’ll have a big divorce scandal to get their names out there once again. Maybe a big, televised court case, who knows.

What if you’re all wrong and they actually do love each other? a girl who looked to be about my age asked softly.

Everyone looked to her as if she were stupid. Are you kidding me? the same woman asked her.

The girl shook her head, no… she said, her eyes wide as if she regretted speaking at all. She was obviously very shy.

Love doesn’t exist, I said softly to the ground.

The group looked from the girl to me in an instant. Okay… one of the men said. Weirdo, I heard him mutter under his breath.

I shrugged, pulling my camera up as I began to look through the pictures I had gotten. It’s the truth… they say 50% of all marriages end in divorce. The other 50% were probably just too settled in to bother getting a divorce.

They all glared at me. Is that really true? the girl asked sheepishly.

No, the woman answered. I’ve been with my husband for twenty years now and I still love him to this day.

I sighed, gently putting my camera back into my bag and zipping it up, so you say, I told her. Well, I have enough pictures for the article. I’m going to leave now. Nice meeting you all.

Nobody responded as I walked up the dirt path, pressing my phone up against my ear as I called for a taxi to take me back to the office.

Chapter Three

The next day, Addisin and I walked side by side down the busy streets of New York as I pulled my heavy winter coat close to me. It was hard to have to buy all new clothes since mine from home were burnt to ashes. Since it was wintertime, all I bought was winter clothes. Meaning when the weather would get warmer, I would have to go shopping for new clothes again. I hated shopping for clothes. Maybe I could get Addisin to go with me this time and we could make a fun day out of it. Plus, their fashion sense was much better than mine. I never cared very much for my appearance. In Selestria my maids would make my outfits for me. I never had to put any thought into it. But before that, I wore the same pairs of jeans throughout the entirety of high school.

It’s freezing… I muttered; my breath visible in the air.

It is a little chilly, Addisin said in a British accent. I couldn’t help but to smile. They looked to me as they asked in a whisper, what as the weather like in Selestria?

I shook my head, "it barely ever changed. It was the perfect weather all the time. There’s no seasons there… Every once in a while, it would rain but that was about it."

Wow… Addisin breathed, it really was different there, wasn’t it?

I smiled just slightly to the ground. It was like a dream… but it was actually a nightmare in disguise.

They nodded, I understand that.

We walked into the small coffee shop that we went to every morning before work. It was our tradition. As I stood in the long line in the crowded café, I realized how weird it was to be in public again as a normal civilian. If I were to go into the town in Alev, I would be recognized at the queen and cause a commotion, which is why I rarely ever left the castle. But in New York, nobody cared about me. They could give less of a shit of who I was.

In a way, it was comforting. Nobody knew who I was. But at the same time, it was still taking me a while to get used to being around so many people in the same room. Even though I’ve been here for nearly three months now, Selestria was so different than the human world. It was hard to adapt back to the culture.

What’s taking so long? I muttered to Addisin.

They nodded towards the middle-aged woman yelling at the teenage worker. I sighed deeply as I directed my attention to the angered woman. I listened as she screamed about her coffee not being the right temperature, as if it were the girl who had simply rang up the order’s fault. Everyone who stood in the front of the café had their eyes locked on the lady in disgust, but since Addisin and I were so far back, the people surrounding us had not even