The Diamond Princess Saves the Day Read online

  For Chris Tomasino and her Diamond Princess, Nora

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Map

  1. On the Ice

  2. Trouble at Sparkle Mountain

  3. Hunting for Goblins

  4. The Long, Dark Tunnel

  5. The Crystal Cave

  6. It’s a Bear!

  7. The Magic Mirror

  8. Join the Parade!

  Sneak Peek

  About the Authors

  The Jewel Kingdom Series

  Copyright

  “Put on your skates and follow me,” Demetra called to her cousin. “Hurry!”

  The Diamond Princess was dressed in her favorite white velvet skating skirt and jacket. She slipped on her silver skates and leaped lightly onto the crystal pond. Then she skated as fast as she could toward the center of the ice, her hair flying behind her.

  “Demetra, don’t skate so fast,” Sabrina shouted after her. “You’re much better at this than I am. We don’t do any skating where I live.”

  Sabrina was the Sapphire Princess. She lived in her palace at Blue Lake. It was a watery world of weeping willows and lily pads.

  This was the total opposite of Demetra’s kingdom. Her palace sat in the heart of the White Winterland, a world of ice and snow.

  “I have something very important to ask you.” Demetra spun around to face Sabrina. “But I don’t want any of my people to hear.”

  “Is it about Winterfest?” Sabrina asked.

  Winterfest, which would begin that evening, was one of the biggest events in the White Winterland. The festival was three wonderful days filled with music, dance, and feasts.

  “Winterfest is fine,” Demetra said. “It’s Finley who’s the problem.”

  Finley was a fluffy white fox who held the important job of being Demetra’s palace advisor.

  “What’s happened?” Sabrina asked, catching hold of her cousin’s arm. “Did you two have a fight?”

  Demetra sighed. “All we do is fight.”

  “Oh, Demetra, that’s terrible,” Sabrina said. “How long has this been going on?”

  “Practically since the day I was crowned the Diamond Princess,” Demetra replied. “But it’s gotten much worse since we started planning Winterfest.”

  “What do you fight about?” Sabrina asked.

  “Everything,” Demetra said, raising her hands in frustration. “This morning we fought over who would judge the ice sculptures. And this afternoon we argued over where we would serve the hot cider and cookies after the ice show.”

  Sabrina tapped her chin with one mittened hand. “I don’t like the sound of this.”

  “Me, neither.” Demetra folded her arms across her chest. “I thought Finley was supposed to be my friend.”

  “He is,” Sabrina replied. “Just like Zazz the butterfly is my friend and advisor.”

  Demetra nodded. “And Hapgood the dragon is Roxanne’s friend and advisor.”

  “And Arden the unicorn is Emily’s,” Sabrina added.

  Roxanne and Emily were their cousins, the Ruby and Emerald princesses. They had all grown up at the Jewel Palace until King Regal and Queen Gemma gave each girl her own kingdom to rule. Roxanne was given the Red Mountains, and Emily reigned over the Greenwood.

  “Then what’s the matter with Finley?” Demetra asked.

  “Maybe the problem isn’t just Finley?” Sabrina said, pursing her lips. “Maybe it’s you, too.”

  Demetra looked curious. “Me?”

  Sabrina nodded. “Sometimes you can be a teensy bit bossy.”

  “Bossy!” Demetra gasped.

  “When we were growing up,” Sabrina continued, “you used to order Roxanne and Emily around all the time. And they didn’t like it one bit.”

  Demetra dug at the ice with the toe of her skate but said nothing.

  “Remember, you have to be a friend to have one,” Sabrina reminded her.

  “Well, maybe I am a little bossy,” Demetra finally confessed. “But so is Finley. He thinks he knows everything about Winterfest.”

  “Finley probably does know a lot,” Sabrina pointed out. “He grew up here. And this is your first Winterfest.”

  “But that doesn’t give him the right to call me names,” Demetra protested. “This morning he said I was just a pigheaded princess!”

  “What!” Sabrina exclaimed in surprise. “That’s not a very nice thing to say.”

  “Princess Demetra!” a familiar voice shouted from behind them. It startled Demetra so much she nearly fell down.

  “Finley!” Demetra gasped when she was finally able to turn around. The white fox was standing on the ice behind her.

  As upset as she was with Finley, Demetra didn’t want him to know she’d been talking about him. “How long have you been there?”

  “I only just got here,” Finley replied stiffly. “I have a message to deliver.”

  Demetra responded in the same stiff way. “What is your message?”

  “There seems to be a problem at Sparkle Mountain.” Finley pointed to the sky in the west. An odd greenish cloud had formed a circle around the tallest peak.

  Demetra had never seen anything like it before. She forgot all about being angry with Finley and concentrated on her job as princess.

  “This is very strange,” she declared. “I had better go see what’s the matter.”

  Finley nodded. “I’ve already arranged for a sleigh to take you to Sparkle Mountain.”

  The tinkling of harness bells rang in the crisp air as Rolf the reindeer pulled the crystal sleigh up beside them.

  “Sabrina, will you oversee the rest of the Winterfest preparations?” Demetra asked.

  Sabrina nodded. “You can count on me.”

  Demetra hurried to the crystal sleigh, but Finley hopped in ahead of her.

  “I’m coming with you,” the fox said.

  Demetra put her hands on her hips. “I’m sorry, Finley, but you have to stay here. Sabrina needs your help.”

  “You’re the one who needs my help,” Finley said. “The road to Sparkle Mountain is very tricky.”

  Demetra sighed. “I’m sure Rolf and I can figure it out. Now please get out of the sleigh.”

  Finley shook his head stubbornly. “You won’t be able to find the path up the mountain. It’s hidden. I’m the one who knows how to find it.”

  “I think you should take Finley,” Princess Sabrina cut in. “If the road is confusing and the path so easy to miss, it sounds like you will need him.”

  Finley sat back in the seat. “Then it’s settled.”

  Demetra stared at her cousin in shock. As she climbed into the sleigh, she whispered, “I can’t believe you took Finley’s side.”

  “I’m not taking sides,” Sabrina whispered back. “I just think two heads are better than one. And I don’t want you to get lost, Demetra. Not when the guests are about to arrive for Winterfest.”

  Demetra knew her cousin was right. With a frustrated sigh, she picked up the reins and opened her mouth to give directions to the reindeer.

  But Finley spoke first. “Rolf, let’s take the back route along Glacier’s Edge. It’s much faster. Giddy up!”

  As the reindeer clip-clopped across the frozen lake, Demetra turned and made a face at her cousin. “See?”

  Sabrina cupped her hands around her mouth and called, “Remember, work together!”

  When the princess and the fox reached the foot of Sparkle Mountain, the cloud had grown. It now covered the mountain like a sickly green fog.

  “Where’s the path?” Demetra asked, squinting through the mist.

  Finley scampered forward onto Rolf’s back. “I’m not really
sure,” he called.

  “Not sure?” Demetra huffed. “But you said you were the only one who knew how to find it!”

  “I would know how to find it in good weather,” Finley shot back. “But right now, I can barely see my paw in front of my nose!”

  “We had better go look for it,” Demetra said, hopping out of the sleigh. Then she called to the reindeer, “Wait for us here, Rolf.”

  “As you wish, Princess,” Rolf replied.

  Demetra and Finley inched into the green mist. They hadn’t gone more than ten feet when they froze. Someone was crying. Quite close by.

  “I don’t know what to do,” a little voice moaned. “I’m such a coward.”

  “Someone’s in trouble,” Finley whispered.

  The princess and the fox tiptoed forward, following the sound. They climbed up the steep, snow-covered slope. Then they passed between two large boulders frosted over with pale green ice.

  When Demetra and Finley found the owner of the voice, they nearly tripped over her. She was a tiny white bunny huddled in the middle of the path.

  “Why, look, it’s Alpenglow,” Demetra cried.

  The bunny looked up at the princess with frightened eyes. “I wanted to help but couldn’t,” she whimpered.

  “Help who?” the princess asked.

  “Elsinor and the other goblins,” Alpenglow explained. “They’re trapped inside Sparkle Mountain.”

  “What were they doing in there?” Finley asked.

  “Mining for rock crystal,” Alpenglow whimpered. “It was to be a surprise for you, Princess. In honor of Winterfest.”

  “Oh dear,” Demetra replied. “This is terrible. Can you tell us what happened?”

  “I heard a loud crashing sound. Then the mountain started rumbling.” Alpenglow sobbed. “I wanted to help the goblins, but I couldn’t. I was too frightened.”

  Demetra placed one hand on Alpenglow’s head. The bunny was shaking so hard her teeth chattered. “There was nothing you could do,” Demetra said, offering the bunny her cape. “Don’t blame yourself.”

  “It sounds like they’ve had a cave-in,” Finley whispered to Demetra.

  The princess nodded. “Elsinor and his goblins could be buried under the rocks.”

  “Use your Magic Mirror,” Finley said, tugging on Demetra’s arm.

  “I planned on doing that,” she replied.

  Actually, the news about the goblins was so upsetting that Demetra had forgotten she was carrying the Magic Mirror.

  “Look into it and see if the goblins are hurt,” the white fox urged.

  “I will!”

  Demetra didn’t like it when Finley barked orders at her. It made her flustered.

  She fumbled for the Magic Mirror. It had been given to her by the great wizard Gallivant on the day she was crowned the Diamond Princess. The mirror gave Demetra the power to see people and things in other places.

  Finley tugged on her sleeve again. “Remember, you can only use it three times in one day.”

  “I know that,” Demetra snapped at Finley. He was really starting to irritate her.

  She took two steps away from him and raised the shimmering glass into the air. The diamonds on its handle sparkled in the mist.

  “Oh, Magic Mirror, so shiny bright,

  Show me the goblins. Are they all right?”

  The silver mirror suddenly turned into a reflecting pool. Demetra could see Elsinor and two other lavender goblins huddled together on a large white mound. Big rock crystals were scattered around them.

  “Can you see them?” Finley asked.

  Demetra nodded. “They don’t appear to be hurt. But they look scared.”

  “Where are they?” Finley asked.

  “I’m not sure,” Demetra said with a frown. “They’re surrounded by crystals.”

  “Can you see anything else?” Finley asked.

  Demetra looked back at the mirror, but the image had disappeared. “No.”

  “Well, what should we do?” Finley asked.

  Demetra pursed her lips. “We have to go in,” she said finally.

  “But how do you plan to get inside?” Finley waved his paw in the mist. “We can’t even see the mine entrance.”

  Alpenglow raised herself up on her hind legs and pointed. “It’s right behind you.”

  “Oh!” Finley spun around quickly, then backed away from the big wooden door.

  “What’s the matter, Finley?” Demetra asked.

  Finley stared at the mine entrance. “Ever since I was a little kit, I was warned never to go into Sparkle Mountain. Something awful hides inside there.”

  “Like what?” Demetra whispered.

  Finley twisted his fluffy tail nervously in his paws. “I’m not sure. But I hear terrible things happen to you if you go inside.”

  Demetra was surprised. Finley, who was usually so cocky, actually sounded frightened.

  “Elsinor and the goblins weren’t afraid to go inside the mountain,” Demetra pointed out.

  “And look what happened to them!” Finley rasped.

  Finley’s words made little goose bumps creep up Demetra’s arms.

  “Listen, Finley,” she said, taking a deep breath. “If it scares you so much, I’ll go into the mountain by myself. You can wait with Alpenglow and Rolf in the sleigh.”

  “I am not scared,” Finley sputtered. He puffed up his chest, trying to act brave. “And I will not wait in the sleigh. I’m going with you. In fact,” he added, marching into the mist, “I’ll lead the way.”

  Two tunnels lay behind the big wooden door. The one to the right was very large and very dark. The one to the left was much smaller but glistened with light.

  “I think we should take the lit tunnel,” Demetra declared.

  Finley shook his head firmly. “We have to be cautious, Princess. We don’t know what’s down there. We could get trapped. I say we take the big tunnel.”

  Demetra put her hands on her hips. “But the big tunnel is so dark. We don’t know what’s down there, either.”

  The fox rapped on the rock with his paw. “Yes, but this rock is solid and would never collapse.”

  The princess peeked inside the black tunnel and shivered. It was dark. Demetra wouldn’t admit it to Finley, but she was afraid of the dark.

  “That little tunnel is bright and shiny,” she declared. “I like that one.”

  “Well, I don’t,” Finley said stubbornly.

  Demetra glared at the fox. “Then I guess I’ll just have to use the Magic Mirror. It’ll tell us which one to choose.”

  Before Finley could protest, Demetra raised the sparkling mirror above her head and chanted:

  “Magic Mirror, so shiny bright,

  Where is Elsinor, in dark or light?”

  Once again the mirror became a liquid pool. And once again, Demetra saw Elsinor and the goblins seated on a large white mound, looking miserable.

  “We need to take the little tunnel,” Demetra announced. “It’s obvious.”

  Finley peered over her shoulder. “But that’s the same picture you saw before. You just wasted a turn with the mirror. Now you only have one left.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” she said as the image faded from view. “That was Elsinor, and he was clearly in the light. So I’m taking the lit tunnel.”

  With one last glance at the big tunnel, Finley said, “Because I am your palace advisor and protector, I must go with you.”

  “Suit yourself. ”

  Demetra led the way into the little tunnel. It was lit, but the farther they traveled, the narrower it got. Pretty soon the princess was crawling on her hands and knees.

  “I feel it’s my duty to point out that you picked the wrong tunnel,” Finley declared from behind her.

  Demetra knew the fox was right, but she hated to admit it. She crawled forward in silence and bumped her head on the ceiling.

  “I’ll bet that hurt,” Finley said. “If we’d taken my way, we’d still be walking and your head would be fin
e.”

  Demetra rubbed the top of her head and grumbled, “You don’t know that. Your tunnel could have been just as narrow.”

  Now Demetra was really having to struggle to fit through the passage. Her shoulders scraped against the walls, and she hit her head several more times against the ceiling.

  “Oh no,” she moaned as she turned a corner and nearly bumped into a stone wall that blocked the tunnel. “This is the end.”

  “What did I tell you?” Finley sang out.

  Demetra’s head hurt from hitting the rock, and she knew she’d picked the wrong tunnel. But she didn’t need Finley to rub it in.

  “Why does it make you happy that you’re right and I’m wrong?” she hissed at Finley.

  “Happy?” Finley repeated. “I’m not at all happy. I’m concerned.”

  “You call that concern?” Demetra replied. “You point out every mistake I make!”

  The white fox seemed genuinely surprised. “But that’s my job. I’m the palace advisor.”

  “An advisor gives advice,” Demetra declared. “He doesn’t criticize.”

  “But you won’t take my advice,” he replied. “Especially about Winterfest. All you do is argue with me.”

  Finley was right. During the planning for Winterfest he’d tried to give her suggestions, but she’d fought most of them. Then he’d called her a name.

  “Why did you call me a pigheaded little princess?” Demetra asked.

  There was a long silence. Finally, Finley said, “Because you had just called me a snotty little furball, and my feelings were hurt.”

  Demetra winced. She forgot she had called him a snotty furball. And a few other names. Now she wished she hadn’t.

  The princess opened her mouth to apologize, but something stopped her. A low rumbling sound.

  Rrrrrrr!

  “Did you hear that?” Finley asked.

  Demetra nodded.

  Rrrrrrr!

  “There it is again!” Finley whispered. “It sounds like snoring.”

  “Or growling,” Demetra whispered back.

  They both gulped. Hard.

  “It’s coming from behind that wall.” Finley pointed at the rock in front of them. “I told you something awful was inside this mountain.”