Read Pretty in Pearls: A Forgive My Fins Novella (HarperTeen Impulse) for Free Online Page A

gifts for the royal family?”
    “Oh, I should, shouldn’t I?”
    I nod. “It’s customary.”
    Lily hangs her head back over her chair. “You’re so much better at this kind of delicate politics.”
    “I’m not,” I insist.
    But we both know I am. It’s one of the reasons the king assigned me as Lily’s emissary. That, and the fact that I’ve always been interested in politics and royal law. Something I think I inherited from my dad.
    “What about a harvest wreath?” I suggest. “It could be a nice symbol of sharing the wealth of our harvest with them.”
    “Perfect,” Lily says.
    I scribble down a note to order a wreath from Florella’s Flowers. She has the best selection in all of Thalassinia and she’s a small business. She can always use the extra orders.
    “So, anything else?” I ask as I finish the note.
    “I think that’s everything.” Lily floats back into her chair. “Can you think of anything we’ve missed?”
    I set my notebook down on the desk. “No, but I’m sure I’ll think of twenty things as soon as I get home.”
    “Good, now that business is over,” Lily says, steepling her hands in front of her like some kind of supervillain, “you can tell me what happened with Riatus yesterday.”
    I slump back in my chair and huff out a frustrated breath that sends my bangs swirling. It was only a matter of time. Lily is not one to just let things go, especially when my love life—or lack thereof—is involved.
    Since finding Quince it’s like she’s been on a mission to get me someone equally awesome.
    But what can I tell her? That I stalked him across town and to the outer edges of civilization? That he went into the sketchiest part of Thalassinia, but promised me that he’s not involved in anything illegal?
    Because of her position, she might feel obligated to investigate even the hint of illegal behavior. I believed Riatus when he told me he wasn’t a criminal, but Lily wouldn’t have to. It would only take a few innocent questions to completely disrupt his life. And for him to realize that I totally ran and tattled to the princess.
    No, I won’t treat him as poorly as he’s treated me, so I stick to the critical parts of the story.
    “He said he couldn’t go out with me,” I admit. “That even if he wanted to, he just couldn’t.”
    “Couldn’t?” Lily leans forward, letting her elbows rest on her desk. “What does that even mean?”
    “Honestly, I have no idea.”
    She gives me an impatient look. “Did you ask him?”
    “No, I—” I tilt back to study her ceiling. “There were jellyfish.”
    “What?” Her green eyes soften with sympathy. “Are you okay?”
    Lily knows my history, so she knows all about my panic fog. She’s saved me from my frozen reaction more than once.
    “I’m fine,” I insist. “Riatus saved me.”
    She smiles, and I know he just earned a bunch of points with her. “I didn’t see any reports of jellyfish in the marketplace.”
    “They weren’t in the marketplace.” Great, this is the part of the story where I have to tread carefully. “He was, um, leaving the market when I got there and I had to follow him.”
    “How far?” she asks.
    My gaze remains fixed on her ceiling, counting the seashells in the intricately carved pattern. I feel the current move and I know she’s not behind her desk anymore.
    She appears above me, blocking the view to my distraction.
    “How far, Peri?” she repeats. “To their warehouse?”
    I shake my head, trying to avoid eye contact.
    “To his home?”
    If only. “No,” I say with another shake. “Past the edge of town.”
    “Periwinkle Wentletrap!”
    “What?” I finally look her in the eye. “He’s a fast swimmer. And I was determined to talk to him last night so I could ask him about the dance. And so that a certain princess wouldn’t bug me about it forever.”
    I don’t expect her to smile, and when she laughs I’m worried that she’s gone over the edge. Yes, I’m pathetic and