Crown and Cinder: Pride and Prejudice derails Cinderella (The Austen Fairy Tales Book 2) by Kendra E. Ardnek

Author:Kendra E. Ardnek [Ardnek, Kendra E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: GiraffeCrafts
Published: 2022-04-27T04:00:00+00:00

~ 15 ~

A month sped by, and they quickly found their new rhythm. Collin’s Dwarven powers provided them with coin to spend, both by summoning raw materials for him to forge with and by repairing the various tools and other metalcraft owned by the people in the villages where they stayed. Lizzy and Charrie provided the show. Everywhere they traveled, a crowd would gather, and the two Cinders would perform daring feats with their fire, usually including Janet to demonstrate just how safe and controlled they were.

Lizzy and Charrie both loved getting to use their fire freely. Yes, they still garnered stares and distrust, but now they also brought joy and smiles to people’s faces. Nothing made Lizzy’s heart race faster than hearing people gasp for Janet’s safety, only to be relieved when they discovered that she was in no danger at all.

She was almost grateful to Darren, for if he hadn’t cast Collin out, then he wouldn’t be here now, to change their lives forever. And she very much enjoyed her new life.

“We are visiting Lady Deborah LaCanna this week,” Collin suddenly announced one over dinner evening. “Such a great, esteemed lady, there never was. Though she’s a Cinder, like yourselves, you must each be on your best behavior, as you won’t want to embarrass yourselves. She is, perhaps, the most influential person of our kind, and her standards are high.”

Lizzy tilted her head to the side, thinking of the Gardener and her sister. “Just how influential are we talking?”

Collin grinned proudly as he leaned back in his chair. “She’s Ember’s ambassador to Binfield. She stays away from the courts, as I’m sure you can empathize with, my dear Lizzy, but the influence she commands, as I said. Why, without her presence here, I’m sure that the two countries would have been at war with each other years ago!”

“And that has nothing to do with Prince Liam’s friendship with King Darren?” asked Janet.

“Ah, but who’s to say that that wasn’t her doing?” Collin raised his hands in demonstration and then stood. “We will commission some proper dresses for the three of you. You won’t want to embarrass yourselves before her.”

The girls shared a glance as he disappeared into his room.

“She sounds frightful,” Charrie said at length.

“But we are here for adventure, aren’t we?” Lizzy frowned to herself. Ember’s ambassador was a Cinder? Did Darren know this? Perhaps she had been established by his father, and he’d never discovered this fact for himself.

“And here I had thought we’d left the constraints of court behind,” said Janet, her shoulders sagging.

Lizzy reached over and rubbed Janet’s shoulder – carefully. She hadn’t told anyone that the magic in her shoes had run out, but it had, weeks ago. She’d hesitated to return to the Forest, and they had as yet to meet with a Frost who could restore the magic.

“A new dress, though?” Charrie shook her head in wonder. “I’ve never had a new dress before.”

“We can let you get measured first,” Lizzy promised.

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