The Jewel Read Online Free PDF Page A

dairies?”
    Ochre nods. “Most of the time,” he says, scooping a large amount of potatoes onto his plate—Mother grabs the bowl away from him before he can take them all. “I like working with the animals. The foreman says in a year, I could start learning to plow the fields.” His chest puffs out a little as he says it. “As long as I can keep working for the House of the Flame, I’ll be happy. They treat their workers fairly, give us good long water breaks and decent hours and everything. Remember Sable Tersing? He works for the House of the Light and apparently they’re awful. The foremen have whips and they’re not afraid to use them, and they’ll dock your pay if they catch you smoking, or—”
    â€œWhat is Sable Tersing doing smoking?” Mother demands. Ochre flushes.
    â€œNo, I didn’t mean Sable , just that—”
    â€œOchre, I swear on your father’s grave, if I catch you with a cigarette—”
    â€œMother.” Ochre rolls his eyes. “All I’m saying is, it isn’t fair to the workers, not knowing how you’ll be treated from one royal house to the next. There should be fixed rules, and we should be allowed to take our case to the Exetor if they aren’t enforced.”
    â€œOh yes, because I’m sure the Exetor has nothing better to do than listen to the complaints of a few teenage boys,” Mother says. But I can’t help smiling.
    â€œYou sound like Father,” I say to Ochre. He scratches the back of his neck in a self-conscious sort of way and shovels a few potatoes into his mouth.
    â€œHe made some good points,” Ochre mumbles through the food.
    Hazel tugs on my sleeve again, demanding my attention.
    â€œI’m in the top of my class at school,” she says proudly.
    â€œOf course you are,” I say. “You’re my sister, aren’t you?”
    Mother laughs. “You didn’t get into nearly as much trouble as this one. The year has only just started and she’s been in two fights already.”
    â€œFights?” I frown at my sister. “Who have you been fighting, Hazel?”
    Hazel shoots our mother a look. “No one. Just some stupid boys.”
    â€œYes, and if it happens again, there will be extra chores and no games for a week,” Mother says sternly. Hazel pouts at her plate.
    Jealousy twists inside me, listening to the daily life of my family. There is so much love around this table it is tangible—a real, pulsing, living thing. I watch as Ochre and Hazel bicker, and Mother laughs and shushes them. I can see how I would have fit here, how I should have completed this family.
    I am seized by the desire to make sure my mother knows I’ll be all right. Even if I don’t believe it myself, even if it’s a lie. I don’t want to do anything to endanger the happiness in this room.
    â€œYou don’t have to worry about me,” I say. Everyone falls silent and stares—I probably shouldn’t have said it so bluntly. “I mean . . .” I look at my mother. “I’ll be okay.” She puts down her fork. I force a smile on my face and hope it looks genuine. “Tomorrow I’ll be living in the Jewel. Isn’t that exciting? I’m sure they’ll take great care of me there.” Hazel’s eyes are wide as saucers. “But, you should know . . . I mean . . . please know how much I love you. All of you.” My voice falters and I take a sip of water. My mother’s eyes are filled with tears, and she presses a hand against her mouth. “If there was any way I could stay with you, I would. I—I’m so proud to be a part of this family. Please know that.”
    Their eyes burn into me, and suddenly I can’t look at them anymore. The fire is low in the grate and I stand. “The fire is dying,” I say awkwardly. “I’ll get more wood.”
    I rush