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of the torches. “My signet ring,” she said simply as she handed it to the manservant. Kathryn watched Lady Blackwood receive the ring, an air of impatience and irritation surrounding her. That aura rapidly changed as she studied the ring. Her face paled visibly and she held the ring out to her husband with a trembling hand.
    “Are you satisfied that I a m Princess Jasmine?” The woman asked.
    Mutely, Lord and Lady Blackwood nodded and fell to their knees. “Forgive us, Princess. We did not know you.”
      Princess Jasmine ignored them and walked over to where Kathryn stood, her eyes still on the floor.
    “You cannot take Kathryn!” Lady Blackwood cried. “She…she is like a daughter to me.” There was no hiding the desperation in Lady Blackwood’s voice. Everyone but Kathryn knew the punishment for failing to report a gifted child. And the slight that the Blackwoods had just delivered to a member of the royal family guaranteed that the punishment would not be overlooked.
    Turning to face her, Jasmine spoke severely. “First you claim Kathryn is your servant and property, and now you claim she is like a daughter to you. Which is she, your daughter or your servant?” When Lady Blackwood gave her no answer, she turned back to the trembling girl. “Look at me child,” she commanded gently.
    Kathryn raised her eyes to look at the princess, who smiled down at her.
    “Would you like to come with me, Kathryn?” Her voice was gentle and calm, so unlike Lady Blackwood’s.
    Looking into her eyes, Kathryn sensed something, not pity or sorrow or hatred, but kindness, genuine kindness. It was an emotion that was so rarely directed at her that she was confused. Unsure of what to do, she glanced over at her mistress, who glared at her. Looking back at the Princess, Kathryn shook her head.
    Mystified at the unexpected, Jasmine turned to look at Lord and Lady Blackwood. All it took was a look at Lady Blackwood’s face. She returned her gaze to Kathryn. “I think you do. Go and pack your things. You are leaving with me tonight.”
    “Kathryn doesn’t have any possessions,” Lady Blackwood interrupted.
    Jasmine turned to Kathryn. “Is this true?”
    Kathryn started to nod, but then stopped. What about her bird?
    Without a word she turned and hurried off to her room, scooped up the fragile creature, and hurried back to the stunned adults.
    Jasmine, seeing that the girl had something pressed close to her chest knelt down to take a look. “May I see?”
    Hesitantly, Kathryn held out the tiny bird for the Princess to see.
    “Well we can’t leave your friend behind can we?” Jasmine asked after taking a close look at the tiny animal. Kathryn shook her head slowly. “Very well, then we’re ready to leave.”
    “Wait.”
    Jasmine turned and looked at Lady Blackwood.  “Yes?”
    Moving towards an oak desk, Lady Blackwood opened a drawer and pulled out an object. “I’ve been saving this until Kathryn was older, but if she’s leaving with you it belongs to her.” She held out a small pendant hanging from a gold chain.
    “I thought you said she had no possessions,” Jasmine reminded her as she took the necklace.
    Lady Blackwood gave no answer. Jasmine, perceiving Lady Blackwood’s apparent act of kindness as one of self-preservation, albeit a very strange act as the little girl gave no sign of recognition of the jewelry, secured the chain around the little girl’s neck.
    “Very well then. Come Kathryn.” Princess Jasmine led the way out of the Manor. In the courtyard servants stopped what they were doing and stared at the procession, they began whispering among each other. Neither the threats of the Master nor the icy looks from the Mistress could silence their words.
    Claude came out to see what was going on, immediately assessed the situation and held out his arms to Kathryn. As he crouched down on one knee, she ran into his gentle embrace and hugged him. “I’ll ne’er forget you little miss,” he