Page 7 of Jasmine's Enchanted Genie

He tugged it from my hands. “If you’ll follow, I’ll show you where you’ll sleep during the weekend. We’ve put you on the third floor, one above the ballroom. It’s in the west wing.”

I gave him a shy smile. I might be here for my sister and to . . . All right, to steal a lamp, but I was still excited about this. How often did a village woman get invited to a series of balls?

Never.

“After you’ve freshened up,” he said, walking toward the stairs with my bag, “I’ll personally escort you to the ballroom.”

I scooted after him. Since I might need to remain here for a few days before I tracked down the treasure room and the healer, I might as well check out the palace.

At the first landing, he approached a lift in the back wall, and we stepped inside. We were whisked upward, and the door chimed as it opened on another level.

“Your room is on the left.” He strode that way and thrust open the door at the end, stepping inside with me following. I tried not to act too provincial as I took in the bedroom at least three times the size of my small home. The four-poster bed was draped with burgundy satin that matched the plush comforter on the enormous surface, and a wall of windows spanned the other side of the room. Lush curtains that matched the bedding draped all the way to the floor.

A sitting area with two chairs and a low table holding a vase with a bouquet of flowers was placed where I could sit and look out at the view.

Viscar waved to a door on the right. “The convenience is through there.” He strode around the bed and opened that panel as well, showing off a bathroom complete with a tub large enough for four people. “While you’re attending the first event, I’ll press and hang your clothing in the closet adjacent to the bed.”

“Thank you. Everything’s so pretty.” If only Lana could share this with me. My eyes stung, but I refused to give in to tears.

Returning to the bedroom, he watched me, though I didn’t do anything but stand in the room resisting my urge to fidget. “I’ll wait out in the hall for you. Feel welcome to relax a bit. Perhaps you’d like to freshen yourself in the convenience. When you’re ready, I’ll be happy to escort you to the first event.”

“Thank you.” Maybe he’d point out the treasure room on our way to the ball.

It didn’t take much time to “freshen” myself and join him in the hall. He looked me over, but thankfully didn’t sneer at my rather simple gown. I’d made it myself, and I was quite proud of it, but while Cordella allowed me to use some of her nicer fabric, she was careful to tell me not to touch the expensive stuff, and there hadn’t been time to add any adornments or make anything fancier than this.

“Follow me,” he said, pivoting and striding toward the lift.

I walked swiftly behind him, and he took me to the second floor and the ballroom, not using the hallway where I’d noted the treasure room on the map.

I’d find it the moment I dared to slip away from the ball.

“Here you are,” he said, nodding to the guards flanking the door. They swept open the very tall, carved wooden doors, revealing the enormous, gilded ballroom. Viscar held out a small golden ball. “Squeeze this when you’re ready to be escorted back to your room, and I’ll come immediately.” His smile came out nervous, though I wasn’t sure why. “Feel welcome to speak with and dance with anyone attending the event. Enjoy yourself. Walks in the gardens can be delightful under moonlight. A repast and drinks can be found in the room through the door on your left.”

I tucked the ball into my pocket.

He dipped forward in a bow. “Have a pleasant evening, Miss Bains.”

“Thank you,” I croaked, drawing the attention of one of the guards.

Viscar pivoted and strode down the hall, disappearing around a corner.

After sucking in my breath and nodding to the guards, I strode through the opening and into the ballroom, where I stared wide-eyed at the lovely people swirling across the wooden dancefloor near the large windows spanning the back wall, plus the clusters of women near the right wall. A few tittered when they looked my way, and it was all I could do not to cringe.

I’d made my dress, and it was decent, though nowhere near as fancy. I had no reason to feel as if I didn’t fit in.

The large windows at the end of the ballroom showcased the full moon and the gardens below adorned with tiny white lights. Perhaps I would take a walk there before the night was through. At least I’d get away from them.

I smiled and nodded at a few people passing by but eventually made my way to the room where they were serving food and drinks. I gasped as I took in the tables nearly bowing with platters full of seafood, tender meats, cheese, fruit, and others laden with tiny cakes and other assorted desserts. So much food in one place when many in the village had nothing. How could anyone bear to stuff themselves while others starved?

Closing my eyes, I sniffed away my tears. There was no way I could fill a plate and dump most after only a few bites, something I saw three people do before I’d been inside the room for even one minute.

I returned to the ballroom and stood near a wall, biding my time to give Viscar the chance to move on to the next guest. When I felt enough time had passed, I slipped out a side door and hurried down a hall. At the end, I turned a corner and pressed my back against the wall while tugging the tiny map out of my pocket and unfolding it. I studied the diagram and peered around, locating where I was on the map.

After folding it back up to be destroyed the moment I returned to my room with the lamp, I hurried to my right and at the intersection, turned left. Shortly after that, I stood outside the treasure room, though it wasn’t marked as such. Only the red jewel the size of my fist mounted in the wall above the simple panel told me I was in the right place.

“They put a spell on the door,” Cordellia had said cryptically before I left work this afternoon. “Only someone with a pure heart can open the panel.”

“The royals have pure hearts?” I asked in amazement.

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