Page 24 of The Heart of the King

“Her hair is caught in the zipper,” the assistant told them.

Was that a smirk on Mrs. Sneedly’s face? “Try to get it loose,” the stylist told her assistant. “If you can’t, we’ll have to cut that piece.”

No way. Jazz didn’t trust her for a minute. She marched over to Mrs. Sneedly and stared her down. “Listen to me, and listen well. You or one of your assistants will manage to get my hair untangled without the use of scissors. If it can’t be done, I will cut it myself. None of you. If you do somehow manage to cut off enough of my hair to require a full haircut, I’ll show up tomorrow with what’s left of my hair colored bright pink.”

Mrs. Sneedly’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything.

“If you don’t want me to show up in ripped blue jeans, a faded high school band t-shirt, and dollar store flip-flops with neon-colored hair, you will make certain my hair is untangled and a suitable dress is here in half an hour or less. I’m certain you have some other options around here somewhere. If you don’t, I would imagine you have dozens of designers on speed dial, all of whom would love to have one of their creations worn by Auverignon’s new, unconventional but approachable, queen for the coronation. I’ll be more generous and give you an hour. If you push me, you’ll find yourself in the unemployment line. My husband and I have already discussed this. You cantweakmy style, with my approval. Youcannotchange it.” She held the woman’s stare and waited for Mrs. Sneedly to back down.

Several seconds later, when it didn’t seem to be happening, Jazz shrugged. “Very well. I’ll follow my husband’s instructions should something like this occur. I’m to let him know immediately if there’s an issue.” She smiled sweetly. “I believe he is meeting with the chairman of the Council at the moment. I’m sure you’ll be happy to explain why we’re interrupting their meeting because you can’t accommodate my requests and style.”

Mrs. Sneedly’s shoulders finally slumped in defeat. “Very well.” She nodded toward her primary assistant. “Please make sure the queen’s hair is untangled with as little damage as possible.”

Jazz shook her head. “No.” She pointed to one of the younger women in the back. “I’d like her to help me, please.”

The young woman’s eyes went wide, but she nodded and moved behind Jazz to work on her hair.

It took everything in her not to wince at the pain of individual hairs being pulled. “Now, how soon can we get a new dress here?”

Even before heentered his temporary quarters, David could hear the arguing. It must be why he’d been called away from his meeting with the chairman, though he’d been almost done anyway.

“You’re two seconds away from getting flip-flops tomorrow,” Jasmine told Mrs. Sneedly as he walked in, both of them positioned where they couldn’t see the door.

David didn’t know much about fashion, but he felt certain flip-flops were not appropriate footwear for a coronation. He also knew he hated the dress Jasmine had on.

“What’s this?” he asked. “What’s going on?”

Jasmine simply raised a brow to Mrs. Sneedly.

Mrs. Sneedly curtsied toward him. “Your Majesty, I’m sorry someone felt the need to bother you. None of the dresses that we have on hand are acceptable to thequeen, despite being quite appropriate for the occasion. She also refuses to do something about her hair and nose.” Mrs. Sneedly sounded every bit the long-time royal employee of someone like his parents or grandparents she was.

“I have a hard time believing the queen is giving you a hard time simply for the purpose of being obstinate. She and I have already discussed that you are to complement her style and work within it, not change it entirely.” It was absolutely ridiculous that he had to get involved. Mrs. Sneedly had always worked well with his mother and grandmother.

Neither one of them had blue or green hair, though. Truthfully, he hadn’t realized Jasmine did either, not with how she’d worn it since they woke up together in the hotel room.

“What about the emerald green one?” One of the younger assistants spoke up from her position near the wall. Clearly, she wasn’t one of the assistants privileged enough to work directly with Jasmine.

Mrs. Sneedly glared at her. “What about it?”

“Two weeks ago, you said it was lovely and too bad it would never be worn for a coronation.” The woman glanced at Jasmine, likely hoping for support.

“I’d like to see it, please.” Jasmine stared at Mrs. Sneedly.

Mrs. Sneedly looked at David, who gave a single nod.

“The rest of you please give me a moment with my wife.” He made certain to smile at her so they wouldn’t think it was to reprimand her in private. That was the last thing on his mind. If anyone would be reprimanded - or worse - it was Mrs. Sneedly.

In less than thirty seconds, he was alone with Jasmine.

“I’m sorry you had to come all the way up here,” she told him, her shoulders slumping in near defeat - completely opposite of how she’d been looking at Mrs. Sneedly.

“I don’t know who called me.” He stood in front of her and reached out to let a strand of her hair run through his fingers. “I don’t think I remembered your hair was multicolored. The buns have hidden it well.”

“Does it bother you?” She bit her bottom lip, much as she had when her parents called the night before.

David grinned. “I kind of like it. It’s definitely different.”

“And I have a dozen or more different nose rings. I can change it to match whatever I wear tomorrow, and after that I’ll try to leave it more neutral most of the time.”

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