Page 46 of Pippa of Lauramore
“What did he bring?” I demand.
“A black pearl.”
I clasp my hands together and take deep breaths. Archer doesn’t think the pearl is the correct answer. If he’s right, then Lionel will be an item short.
Will Archer help Galinor tomorrow if I can’t get away?
He’ll help.
I know he will.
“Pippa, would you sit still?”Leonora asks through clenched teeth.
The outburst startles Lady Marigold, and she drops her embroidery in her lap.
I glare at Leonora. She’s been so touchy since the tournament started. You would think her future rested on it, not mine.
Galinor and Archer only have one more hour. Many of the men have already returned, most with only two or three items. The mysterious fifth item has been the source of much debate, though many believe the answer is the black pearl.
So far, Lionel is the only one to bring one back.
Two men have returned with injuries from battling their grim boars, but Yuven has announced one will make a full recovery in a few weeks and the other should be well by the archery competition. I’m not worried about Archer and Galinor running into that kind of trouble now that Galinor has his boar, but the last item has me on edge.
“It must be a pearl,” Leonora says as if she’s reading my thoughts.
“It can’t be a pearl.” I toss my embroidery across the room, missing the table I was aiming for. The cloth falls on the stone floor instead.
She raises a perfect eyebrow. “That was a hissy fit.”
“I’m suffocating in here,” I say, motioning to Leonora’s beautiful and spacious sitting room.
Marigold glances around, looking perplexed.
Trumpets sound in the courtyard, announcing the arrival of another competitor. I crane my neck to look out the window, wishing I could see who it is, but there is a turret in my way.
We’ve painted, we’ve sang, we’ve embroidered—I’m done. I need out of this roomnow.
There’s a light knock at the door.
“Enter,” Leonora calls in a voice that’s much more pleasant than the one she’s been using on me. “Hello, Queen Sabine.” She rises to greet my mother.
Mother sweeps into the room, her eyes locking on mine. A large smile spreads across her pretty face. “Your father is going to allow you to come tonight.”
I gasp. “He’s going to let me watch the winner’s announcement for the scavenger hunt?”
She smiles and nods. “I will escort you to your room so you can prepare yourself.”
“Has Prince Galinor arrived?” I ask, breathless with the news.
Her smile dims. “Not yet, darling.”
He’ll make it. Archer won’t let me down.
I tug at my gown.It’s light blue, the color of my eyes, and brocaded with gold threads. It’s princess cut, tight at my waist, and very difficult to sit comfortably in. Mother picked it out.
“Stop fidgeting and wave,” Alexander hisses from next to me.
I glare at him but wave to the men entering the arena with their treasures. All items except the grim boars, which have been tallied and taken to the kitchen, are displayed on small tables in front of them.
