"ALWAYS HOPE!" Crisaius bellowed again, spinning in a circle like a drunk ballerina. His staff glowed, and—out of nowhere—half the courtyard floor turned into a red velvet carpet embroidered with hearts.
The soldiers didn't know whether to salute or flee. One squirrel fainted from sheer secondhand embarrassment.
Raven pinched the bridge of his nose, whispering under his breath, "…why me?"
But Crisaius wasn't done. He clapped his hands, and BOOM!
Confetti rained from the sky—actual confetti—sparkling like rainbow snow. The palace guards froze in horror as some of the prisoners in chains, being led to the prison, started… sneezing glitter.
Selena blinked. "…Is that holy confetti?"
Crisaius whipped around, finger raised, eyes wide. "Not holy but wholly fabulous!"
He struck a pose so flamboyant that even Graye forgot how to breathe momentarily.
