Element Restraint

Chapter 25: Acantha

No one gives us a second glance as we walk through the street. People crowd the city. Different from when we arrived a week ago.

Women in floral dresses dance with tambourines. Some in flower crowns.

I remember being explained the tradition of the flower crowns during my lessons at the palace. Ms.Campbell explained that women eligible for marriage wore them.

Every type of flower is decorated in the streets. Children run the streets with candy and pastries in their hands. Laughter and music are everywhere, allowing me to barely hear the sound of my heart pounding in my chest.

To think, I was going to help Valence assassinate the king today. I never thought I would have to come back here again.

Erik and I walk closer to the main street. I follow him through the crowd. People step out of our way as we walk.

What if I accidentally repeat what happened in the throne room? What if one of us dies? What if we do not get Aella out of here?

Thoughts of doubt begin to race through my head. So much can go wrong in the next few hours.

When we get to the main street, the crowd becomes bigger.

"This is different than usual," Erik mumbles to me. He searches the crowd, looking at the decorations and people dancing.

"What do you mean?"

"The decorations," He points to the fountains that line the sidewalks of the street. Each one is decorated with flowers and lily pads.

We fight our way through the crowd. We get to the rope, boarding off people from entering the street. No one turns their heads as Erik and I undo the rope and step out into the empty street.

I know no one cares that two soldiers are stepping into the street, but I still feel like everyone is watching me. Like we will be caught at any moment.

"We are here to relieve you of your posts," Erik speaks up to the guards standing at the rope. They watch the crowd, trying to keep everyone under control.

The royal family is going to ride down this street, and many will have different reactions. Some will have good reactions, others will be furious. Many hate the king.

The guards do not question it. They walk back into the crowd, leaving us. I stand at what is now my post. I look around at the thousands of eyes on the street. They all await to see the four women that were guests this year and the royal family.

The crowd begins to cheer loudly as floats ride down the street. The first float coming down the road is covered in pure white roses.

Vera Aldaine stands on the float waving to everyone. Right behind her, a float of black Lilies rides with Flora Solis. Then Eleanor Kanumba with blue irises. Each float is covered in the same flowers of their flower crowns.

It takes me back to seeing them again. I was going to be in this parade with them. Instead, I am a wanted criminal trying to save the princess with her brother from her other brother. Never in a million years did I think this would happen.

Lastly, Raven rides down on a float of sunflowers. My heart aches when I see her. She smiles and looks at the crowd with joy. Never have I seen her so happy as she is right now.

Raven looks stunning! She hears a crown of sunflowers. It goes perfect with her blonde hair, and dark green dress.

The last time I saw her, she was terrified. Terrified of me, and everything I did. But now she thrives.

"She is better off here." I remind myself. 

"Do you see them?" Erik asks me.

"Not yet," I reply over the crowd of people, unable to pry my eyes from Raven.