You’ll have to satisfy your curiosity later,Oberi said as she shifted into a Fire unicorn.We don’t want to waste any time. We’re going shopping!
Oberi strutted out of the room, but paused at the door to quickly add,And you’re buying me a hat.
“Ooh, shopping!” Ava raved. “Charlie, I can’t wait.”
She was being literal, because she was already shoving me out the door. It wasn’t even breakfast time before we met up with Eddie.
“I hear we’re going shopping today, sir,” he said brightly. “I know all the best shops and restaurants in Ilamanthe. You won’t be disappointed. I believe the princess would enjoy the mall.”
Ava grabbed my sleeve. “Charlie, are you seriously taking me to the mall?!”
I placed my hand on the side of her face. “Anything for my princess, love.”
We had a limo take us to the mall. Word must’ve gotten around that we were coming, because most of the shops were open early when we arrived, and there was quite a crowd lingering around waiting for our arrival. People cheered as we drove by, and Ava rolled down the window to wave back.
“They love us,” she gushed. “It’s like we’re celebrities.”
“Youarecelebrities,” Eddie said. “You’re the prince and princess! No one is more interesting than you, not even the Emperor.”
I guess not. I’d never had so many people appreciate that I was around. It was weird, when I’d grown up in a world where nobody gave a damn if I lived or died. Now I was surrounded by a whole country who wanted to know everything about me, and I didn’t do anything to gain their admiration except exist. It was wild to me.
The limo pulled into a private underground parking lot of the mall that was reserved for the royal family. My security team was already waiting for us when we arrived. We couldn’t really go anywhere in the city without protection, but my guards had promised to give us space.
We took a private elevator up to the main floor. Eddie kept babbling.
“There are other shoppers here, but they’ve been advised to keep their distance, as the prince and princess are visiting,” he informed us. “But don’t worry. The area has been locked down for your arrival, and is perfectly safe, though the Emperor has arranged for an informal meet-and-greet before you begin.”
“What are you talking about…?” Ava asked, but her voice dropped off as the elevator doors opened.
Another massive cheer erupted around us.
There’s a red carpet with velvet ropes leading into the mall, and a ton of guards,Oberi explained.There are hundreds of Elves in the mall’s courtyard, and they’re all jostling the guards for a chance to greet you.
My stomach dipped. This was a little much.
“Your grandpa wants to show us off,” Ava muttered lowly.
He definitely did. Ava and I hadn’t gone out in public much. This was our first time.
But it was a requirement for the job, so I grasped Ava’s shoulder. “We can do this. Why not put on a show?”
“It might be fun,” Ava said, and we headed forward.
Cameras clicked as journalists took our photographs. The press was here, too. Bet they’d have a story running before we even left the mall. Ava signed autographs, while people asked to shake my hand. I didn’t catch much conversation, as a lot of people were talking at once, but the Elves were so thankful that I was back, and they were excited that I was living here in Ilamanthe.
It was really humbling to have so many people interested in my life. More so, they all depended on me, because they believed I could be the one who could lead them out of this war and into the Blessed Haven, as my prophecy foretold.
People placed flowers into my arms and threw petals at Ava’s feet. She was more popular than I was. A couple of women started to cry when Ava said hello to them.
“Princess!” I heard a man’s voice over the crowd, struggling to get through. He pushed people aside to get to the front of the line. “Princess, please, help me!”
He sounded pretty desperate. “Let him through,” I ordered, and a group of Elves parted to let him to the front of the line. The guards stepped in closer to protect us if something went wrong, but this guy didn’t seem dangerous— just hopeful that he’d get a chance to speak to us.
Ava rolled up beside me and asked, “You wanted to speak with me?”
A rustling sound came as the Elf knelt before us, and I heard him lift something above his head. “Princess, please. My child is sick. No one can help her, and without your intervention on behalf of the gods, she may die. Please, lay your hands upon her, and plead to our goddesses that they may show her mercy.”
Ava reached out and took the baby into her lap. Oberi snuffled his nose into the bundle the baby was wrapped in, and I felt Ava heavily concentrate as she focused her magic on the infant.
