An echo of groans and disappointed sighs filled the room,but Lilly was deaf to all of these.The only noise she could destinctly hear,was the loud thumping of her heart.I can't possibly do this,she told herself.It was in fact against every set of laws she stood for!It crossed every thought in her mind that she was expected to follow.
Aveyla nudged Lilly excitedly in the side."Did you just hear what she said!"She squealed."Your chosen!"Lilly stared at the stage in front of her,too startled to respond.Everything would be fine.She would simple stand her guard and explain her views on the mission.That was the plan of course,before Aveyla grabbed her by the arm and shoved her to the steps of the stage.She rammed her rib in the corner edge of the wood.The pressure smacked into her bones,sending waves of pain towards her.She bit down hard and mentally scolded her power.
When she finally shifted her gaze upwards,she regretted it emediently.Every eye in the room was pointed her direction in shock.But the only eye that caught her's belonged to the queen.A cold shiver ran up her spine and spiraled in her cheeks.She was walking towards Lilly with a disturbed,but slightly gentle smile.Her long flowing gown sweeping the floor behind her.Lilly feasted her eyes on the beautiful image of elegance,something she could never compare to.
She shook her head in rage at herself.She wasn't supposed to compare to her!If she did,she would represent the more humane side of the argument.
Ellasan lended a hand for Lilly to grab.Swallowing her disgust,she took it.The queen smoothed her gown,though Lilly was the one who'd been on the dusty floor for so long."Ladies and gentlemen we have a brave soul!"Despite their disappointment,the group applauded for her naturally(some even cheered faintly!)."Lilly,a few words?"The slightly enthusiastic applause stopped suddenly,leaving their eyes fixed purely on her.This was her one chance,the chance that others didn't get!Her moment to speak her mind!Whether she messed it up or not,the people needed to know her thoughts and what she stood for.
Okay now I'm acting like the queen or something,she scolded herself.Maybe it'd be better if she was queen,she'd at at least be more productive and decent than Ellason.Elegant gowns,rare jewelry,magnificent meals,and power to do better.That kind of served life didn't sound too dreadful really.
Lilly slowly made her way across the creaking stage,her heart thumping in unison with her echoing steps.Of course,she had never known about her stage fright before.Or her easily damaged integrity.The microphone stood steadily on the stage,staring at her like the rest of the patient crowd.She searched the pavilion for Kiah and her mom,to send her pleading eyes for help.Though there was little they could do but bathe in embarrassment at their relative.She anxiously swallowed down her nerves and dug out her voice."Um...my names Lilly."She said idiotically.She could almost feel her brain mentally slapping her.
Ellason quickly stepped forward,ushering her away from the microphone."Ah,and nervous she is!"The queen stated with a laugh.The people joined in steadily,waiting for her to speak again.Lilly's cheeks flushed pink.She squeezed her eyes shut,hoping to hide her humiliation.
The queen turned her eyes to Lilly,fighting Bach the awkward silence."So,you do appear to look familiar."She said,letting Lilly scan her memories for their meeting.Of course,since she had never recalled seeing her in her life,there was little chance that Ellason would remember her from somewhere.But nevertheless,she continued."Perhaps you are a zizimic?Or a water caster even?"She guessed.Lilly shook head and instantly knew why she wondered that."No,but my sister is.Surely you remember her from the land group?"The queen nodded in understanding."Ah,yes,yes.The little one!Now what was her name?Kisha?Kiona?Kiley?"Lilly cut her poor memory off with a wave of her hand."Kiah."She gave,imagining the embarrassment glowing in her sister's face as they spoke.So she made a mental note to give a sincere apology the next time they met and listened to Ellason's endless babbling.
When the ceremony was over,Lilly was escorted to the palace and set in s confined room to wait for visitors.
She lowered herself into a soft cushioned chair while she waited.It was a sunset orange silk couch with 2 red plush pillows in the corner.She ran her fingers up the smooth surface in awe of the structure.Never had she ever felt something so soft and comfortable.Beside the couch was a designer glass table complete with a antique China tea set.In the middle was a small plate with little white cubes in it.She fingered one and powder spilled onto the plate.Oops.
The door swung open and she jumped from the destruct able cube.Aveyla rushed in and gasped."I can't believe you were picked!"She exclaimed,jumping up and down excitedly.Lilly stared down at her tail,not daring to face her.Not after the findings of Aveyla agreeing with this outrageous plan."Hey,why so glum?"She asked,settling down next to Lilly.Lilly explained her fear of the mission to Aveyla and waited for her shocked expression."Okay,we need to talk about this."She said sternly."Tea."She ordered,snapping her fingers to complete the demand.When nothing moved she gave an aggravated groan and shouted,"2 cups of medium hot green tea with 1 2\3 cubes of sugar if I must be so specific!"The China quickly went to work and placed themselves in their hands,leaving the attention to Aveyla."Lilly."She started,meeting her eyes with a serious expression."I'm sure the queen will explain everything you have to do before you go.It's not like she'll just send you off and expect you to figure everything out on your own."Lilly took her words into consideration.Maybe Lilly was overreacting for no reason.Maybe she could find a peaceful way to restore their rights because she was chosen.Perhaps she could use this unfortunate event to her advantage.But there was still one problem."What about my family?"She stressed."I do make needed income during the week."Aveyla waved her problems away like a fairy godmother or something."Don't worry,I'll make sure they have food."She promised.Lilly nodded,remembering that Aveyla was rich(something she would never experience).
A guard came in to tell them that they had 5 minutes left to talk."Are you sure you have this under control?"She asked,wanting to ensure her family's safety.Aveyla ordered the tea back on the table and grabbed Lilly's hands."Relax Lil."She soothed,and Lilly knew she was sincere.Because she had only ever used Lilly's nickname once before in a promise.And that she never broke.Lilly didn't get another visitor after Aveyla,for she had to revise the plan with the queen in the morning.
The guards escorted her into the guest room,where she'd be sleeping.She sank into the plush queen sized bed,thinking of her family back at home.By now they would be huddling in their night clothes for warmth.Meanwhile she was draped in warm comforters like the queen she wasn't.All she could do,was hope that Aveyla would keep her promise,and wait until morning,when everything would change.
