Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Author:Jessica Day George [George, Jessica Day]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2011-02-01T08:00:00+00:00

Pearls, Not Glass

The next day a wooden box arrived for me, delivered by a footman from the palace. He placed it reverently into my hands, ignoring the curious looks of Alle, who had answered the knock on the shop door, and Derda, who had accompanied me. Then he bowed, as though I were a great lady, and left.

At Alle’s urging, I set the box down on the long counter and opened it. Inside, on a velvet cushion, was a necklace of freshwater pearls. No, three necklaces of freshwater pearls. They had been twisted together in the classic fashion, and were held by a jasper clasp. One strand was faintly golden, another almost blue, and the third blush-colored.

“There’s a note!” Alle was jumping up and down with excitement. “Read the note!”

I picked up the square of heavy linen paper and unfolded it. It was from Prince Luka. I had suspected as much, but it was strangely thrilling to see his small, neat handwriting.

Dear Creel:

The slippers are giving me more trouble than I would have guessed. Sorry. I thought these might look good with your gown, though. Best of luck, if I don’t see you before the ball.

Luka

“What is this?” Derda’s voice was sharp in my ear. She hadn’t even pretended not to read over my shoulder. “You didn’t tell the prince about your slippers, did you?”

“Of course I did,” I retorted. “Luka is my friend, and he asked me why I was upset.”

“By the Boiling Sea!” Derda hissed, grabbing my elbow and giving me a little shake. “Don’t stir up trouble where there’s already trouble in the works! That princess is spoiling for a reason to break off the betrothal, and if this sets her off, there could be war!”

“What?” I gaped at her.

“Don’t pretend to be stupid. If I’d thought you were a fool I never would have hired you. What did you think when you heard of the curfew, and the stories of attacks on Roulaini in the streets? If the younger son takes sides against the Roulaini just because he likes your eyes, the Triunity alone knows what could happen!”

“Should I give the necklace back?” I longed to keep it, but if what Derda said was true maybe it would be better if I didn’t.

“No, don’t offend him. Just stop maundering on about those thrice be-damned slippers!”

“Yes, Derda.” I bowed my head meekly.

“Now, put your pretty gift away and get to work! It’s not the ball yet, and you still work for me!”

I took the box upstairs and hid it under my pillow, thinking that if Larkin laid a finger on it, I would be forced to throttle her. I didn’t think even Derda would hold it against me if that were to happen.

While we sewed that day, the other girls talked non-stop about the necklace. None of them, it seemed, had ever received such an expensive gift. And they certainly had never gotten a present from a member of the royal family!

“That’s not true,” I pointed out, when Alle said this.

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