2. Jasmine

"Don't you have something to share with me?" Cordellia asked the moment I walked into the dressmaker's shop the next morning to work.

I hung my sweater on the peg near the back door, smoothing my skirt and patchwork blouse. "I'm not sure what you mean."

Her sigh went on forever. "Come with me." She stalked toward the stairs in the back of the display room and started up toward her office. "We need to talk."

Please don't let her fire me.

"Who'll take care of customers?" I asked.

A flick of her finger and the Open sign in the window flipped around to Closed and the lock clicked. I'd suspected she had magical abilities, but she'd never openly displayed them before.

Swallowing hard, I followed her up the stairs and into her office.

"Sit." She waved to the chair across from her desk.

I took in the paintings of monsters stalking through dark forests on the walls that shimmered as if the creatures were alive, plus the low bookcase full of ancient tomes, some with magical-sounding titles.

"Keep your gaze on me, if you please," she snapped. "And I told you to sit."

I perched on the edge of the chair.

"You received an invitation to the king's ball," she said.

"How did you know that?'

A smile curled her ruby lips, and the creasing of her face must've hurt since she rarely made the gesture. "I have my ways."

"Did you . . ." I glanced at the book spines again, reading Advanced Spellcasting and The Ways of Genies.

Genies?

"Did I do what?" Her gaze followed mine. She rose and took those particular books from the shelf and placed them in her desk drawer.

"Did you somehow make sure I was invited to the weekend events at the palace?" I asked.

Her smile deepened, though it didn't reach her sharp eyes.

I couldn't imagine being able to perform magic. What could a person like that do with unlimited power?

If it was me, I'd only do good.

"I can't go to the ball," I said.

Her face twisted with disgust. "Why not?"

I plucked at my patchwork blouse. "Do you think they'll let me through the gate dressed like this? I don't own ballgowns." If I did, I would sell them to buy medicine for my sister.

"I'll outfit you like a queen if you do one tiny thing for me," Cordellia said, bracing her arms on the top of her desk.

Hope sprang up inside me. If I could get inside the palace, I could locate the healers. I'd beg them to help my sister. Surely, I had something I could do for them that would encourage them to examine Lana.

But my boss was savvy. If she was offering me dresses, she had an ulterior motive.

"Why would you want to outfit me for a weekend event at the palace in addition to providing enough food for my sister and wood for our stove while I'm gone, plus a few weeks after that?" I asked.

Her slick smile falling, she stared down her long nose at me and smoothed the lush auburn bun tightly woven and pinned in place at the back of her neck. Today, she wore a silk green gown adorned with embroidery along the bodice that resembled tiny fairies. Like the creatures in her paintings, they also shimmered as if they were alive, their tiny faces pinched with pain. Who'd wear something like that?

Cordellia. My boss who might very well be a witch.

"I don't remember offering your sister food or fuel for your stove," she snarled. "Let alone enough to last for weeks."

I clasped my fingers so tightly on my lap, they ached. "I could swear you did."

Her scowl deepened.

"What do you need?" I asked.

"I'm looking for a simple lamp that's located inside the palace."

"You have lamps, none of which are simple." I waved to the elaborate lantern sitting on a low table near the window, plus the ornate glass one emblazoned with dragons sitting on the corner of her desk.

I got by in my small workroom with a solitary bulb overhead—one without a pretty shade. Cordella enjoyed nice things, but she didn't extend them to me.

"I need you to find a different sort of lamp than the ones in my shop." She described it, but frankly, I wasn't sure why a dented copper lamp about the size of my head would be cherished in a palace, but what did I know? "You'll have to sneak into the king's treasure room to find it."

"Sneak into a treasure room?" I lifted my eyebrows.

"It's hidden in plain sight, but it's quite special. Only one with a pure heart can touch it."

"Me? Pure of heart?"

"I know, right?" Her low chuckle grated down my spine.

"Forget it," I said stiffly. "If the guards catch me anywhere near a treasure room, they'll drag me to the dungeon and lock me up forever."

The growl she released could turn liquid to stone. "I cannot believe you'd skip the chance to help your sister."

Growling myself, I rose to my shaky feet. "You'd hold something like that over me?"

"I understand one of the healers is quite kind. Curing your sister would not only be a simple task but a welcome one for her. Geradine in particular loves doing charity work. But, if you feel this task is too much, then—"

"No!" I lowered my voice and slumped back in the chair. "No. I'll do it." I had no idea how, but what choice did I have? "If you meet my demands."

"Very well." Her ghoulish smile made gooseflesh skitter across my skin. "I thought you'd see this my way." Standing, she rounded the desk and latched onto my shoulder, tightening her fingers until I winced. "If you try to cheat me in this, I promise I'll find you. Those who disobey me have been known to find themselves wandering in the ether."

"No," I gasped. "Please don't send me there." Those incarcerated in the magical ether never returned. They were not only doomed to remain forever in the mist realm, but rumor also said they suffered something even worse than death.

"You have no need to worry if you do as I ask." Her fingers loosened on my shoulder, though she didn't remove her hand.

"I'll get you the lamp. I promise." Tears stung my eyes, and I wiped them away.

"None of that. You're a pure soul. I'm confident you'll take care of this matter for me. Steal the lamp and bring it to me as quickly as you can." Stepping back, she clapped her hands. "Come. If we're going to make you a full wardrobe, we must get started immediately. You'll do most of the work, and I expect you to also complete your regular tasks here in the shop."

Of course.

"You'll also send enough food and fuel for my sister for at least a week?" I asked, sticking to my original demand. I suspected my task was going to be much more complex than hers.

Her sharp gaze remained on my face. "I'll make sure it's delivered before you leave."

"Then we have a deal."