Ava let go of my hand to wave to the crowd, and I did the same. Flower petals rained down on us in all directions. Above us, I heard the sound of large wings flapping, and for a brief moment, the warmth of the sun left my skin.
Ava gasped. “Charlie, there’s an air force above us made of all types of magical creatures— dragons, alicorns, phoenixes, you name it. They’re all wearing the Elven Union’s military crest. There goes Julian with them! Other military officers are stationed along the parade route, and they’re saluting as we pass.”
I beamed. My grandfather really knew how to put on a spectacle. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it just alittlebit.
“This is one big parade,” Ava commented. “There are musicians and acrobats ahead of our carriage, along with floats that are decorated with all kinds of flowers picked from the royal gardens. The residents are throwing flower petals from the rooftops. There are so many that it looks like rain. The whole city is celebrating our wedding.”
I heard a beautiful song being sung ahead of us in Elvish. “Where’s the singing coming from?”
“There are performers riding the floats, wearing gorgeous outfits. They’re singing wedding songs to accompany the music,” Ava explained. “Your grandfather really went all out.”
I’d say. We passed by the barracks, and the cry of a general giving orders rang out over the sound of the parade.
“It’s the Elvish army, dressed in uniform. There are hundreds of soldiers here in formation,” Ava replied. “They’re raising their swords in unison to give us a royal salute.”
I waved at them, and a rustling noise sounded as all the soldiers bowed in unison. As we left the barracks, a cannon was set off behind us, and the people cheered louder.
“Prince, princess, show us a kiss!” an Elf cried from the sidelines. Had to be a reporter. Dozens of other voices begged alongside him.
Might as well give the people what they want,Oberi suggested, and she nudged me with her beak.
I grinned and grabbed the back of Ava’s neck to bring her in. We kissed, and the click of cameras went off in the background as I gave the papers something to feature on the front page tomorrow.
“A taste of what’s coming tonight?” Ava teased.
“My hands are going to be all over you,” I whispered, and she let out a giggle.
We turned down another side street, and Ava unexpectedly grabbed my arm. Oberi beat her wings.There’s a little girl standing off to the side, holding out a flower for you to take.
“Stop the carriage!” Ava called out. The carriage was brought to a halt, and seemingly the whole parade.
I wasn’t sure what she was doing, until I felt her gesture to someone beside the carriage. Another person entered. The carriage didn’t shift, so the person who entered couldn’t have weighed much. It was probably the little girl.
“For you, princess,” she said, and the petals brushed my hand as she held it out. She could barely talk. I didn’t think she was more than three years old.
Ava took the flower and laid it on her skirt. “Thank you so much. What a lovely gift.”
“Your crown is so pretty,” the little girl said, sounding awed. “I wishIcould be a princess.”
“Well, why not?” Ava reached up to take the tiara off, then set it on top of the little girl’s head. All around us, the Elves gasped in disbelief that Ava would give such a priceless gift.
It’s so big it’s almost falling off and into her eyes,Oberi said with a laugh.
She’ll grow into it,Ava replied. I wondered if she was talking more about herself and not the child.
“Wow!” the little girl said. “It’s so sparkly!”
“Keep it. As a gift from your princess,” Ava said sincerely.
The little girl squealed in joy. “Thank you, princess!”
She darted off the carriage, and the people around us cheered even louder. The noise around us swelled to resemble a sports game and not a parade as the carriage moved forward.
“That was very thoughtful,” I commented.
“I’ve got a dozen tiaras at home, and I don’t need it. I’ve still got my wedding veil in,” Ava replied. “She should get to feel like a princess for a day.”
Ava was so good at being a princess. Much better than I was at being a prince. She made me look good next to her. Ava was such a star, and it was all I could do to bathe in her light.
