Selected. After a lifetime of being second choice, someone has looked at my potential and chosen me first.
"I..." My voice comes out breathless. "Yes. Absolutely yes."
"Excellent." Professor Thorian's smile is pure satisfaction, tinged with something that might be possession. "You'll be our research fellow for as long as the work requires. Unlimited resources, complete support, quarters in the royal residence itself."
Royal residence. I'm going to live in an actual palace, working with the most advanced fertility magic in existence.
"When does it start?" I ask.
"Immediately." His tone is gentle but absolute. "The magical work we'll study require continuous monitoring. You'll need to stay here for the duration."
Stay here. Away from my cramped dorm room and broken equipment. Away from being invisible Sarah's little sister. Here, where someone finally sees my worth.
As the crowd disperses and congratulations flow around me, I find myself alone with Professor Thorian in the golden afternoon light. The magical reading left me feeling strange—hyperaware of how he moves, the heat radiating from his body, the way my pulse jumps whenever he looks at me.
"You were magnificent," he says, voice low enough that only I can hear. "I knew from the moment we met that you were special, but today proved everything I hoped."
Special. The word makes my chest tight with happiness. After years of being ordinary, unremarkable, always second-best, someone finally sees me as unique.
"Thank you," I whisper. "I still can't believe this is happening."
"Believe it." His hand touches my elbow, and even through fabric, his skin burns. "Your real education starts now, Maya. And I have a feeling you're going to amaze yourself with what you're capable of."
As he guides me toward the palace, I notice the other fellowship candidates being led in different directions. Some toward guest quarters, others to administrative buildings. But I'm the only one being brought into the heart of the complex, to private chambers that suggest an honor I never dreamed of receiving.
"Where exactly are my quarters?" I ask as we walk through corridors that seem to pulse with living light.
"The Scholar's Wing of the royal residence." His voice carries undertones that make my stomach flutter. "Very close to my own chambers. For convenience."
Close to his chambers. The thought sends heat spiraling through me for reasons I don't want to examine too closely.
"I hope you'll be comfortable," he continues, and there's something in his tone that suggests he'll personally ensure my comfort. "If you need anything—anything at all—I want you to come to me directly."
The way he says it makes me look at him sideways. His expression stays perfectly professional, but there's heat in his eyes that hints at meanings I'm not quite ready to explore.
"I'm sure everything will be perfect," I say, meaning it completely. How could it not be, in this paradise where I'm finally valued for what I can offer?
At the entrance to the Scholar's Wing, he stops and turns to face me. That intense focus makes my breath catch all over again.
"Maya," he says, my name like a prayer on his lips. "I want you to understand how rare this is. We don't choose researchfellows lightly. You're here because you're exactly what we've been looking for."
Exactly what they've been looking for. Not a consolation prize or second choice. Me, specifically.
"I won't let you down," I promise.
"I know you won't." His smile holds promises I don't understand yet. "Your education begins tomorrow. Prepare yourself for experiences beyond anything you've imagined."
As I watch him walk away, something makes me glance back at the conservatory. For just a moment, I swear I see ghostly figures where I stood during the assessment—other women who might have undergone similar evaluations.
But when I blink, there's nothing except flowers and light.
Just my imagination, obviously. This fellowship has probably launched dozens of brilliant careers over the years.
Soon I'll be another success story. A researcher whose work was transformed by collaboration with actual magic.
I can hardly wait to begin.
Even if some tiny voice in the back of my mind wonders why I'm the only candidate getting royal treatment while everyone else gets standard guest quarters.
