Tressa's Treasures (The King's Jewel Book 1) Read Online Free

disposition. I'm afraid I annoyed him a great deal with my habit of making myself at home in his mistress's house.
    He tagged along behind me as I continued on my way to the library. I moved briskly, impatient to see my grandmother. He worked his short legs hard to keep up with me while maintaining his starched demeanor.
    "Miss Tressa, if you can't wait for me to open the door for you, won't you please allow me to announce your arrival to Mistress Órlaith?"
    "No need, Shamus my friend. She knows I'm coming," I said over my shoulder as I approached the library door. I had to raise my voice a notch to be heard over the American country music blaring from behind the door; oddly, my grandmother had acquired a taste for it since moving to the states.
    When I entered she was shuffling towards the bookshelves by the cold fireplace. She dragged her left leg slightly more than usual as she walked, leaning on her mahogany cane for support. When she saw me looking, she tried to hide her limp with her next step. Her pride would not allow her to admit weakness. I rushed to greet her with a kiss on her smooth cheek.
    "Welcome home, a leanbh ," she said with a warm smile.
    She pointed at the book she wanted. I lowered the volume on the music before taking it down and walking with her to her favorite chair by the bay window.
    My grandmother's appearance had changed little since I was a child. Her long, thick hair still shimmered in the light. Now, however, the color was gray instead of golden blonde. Her face, though lined, was as regal as ever. No one would have guessed her true age, despite her labored gait.
    The way I felt in her presence hadn't changed either. The sight of her calmed my nerves and made my heart swell.
    "How was your day?" I asked.
    "I had a fine day, as a matter of fact. I sat watching the effect of the storm on the gardens. Isn't it wonderful how it makes everything shine?"
    "Sure it is."
    I kissed her cheek again before sitting on the floor at her feet and leaning against her, just as I’d done since childhood.
    "Oh Mamó, I had some trouble today."
    She stroked my hair gently. "Tell me about it."
    "Holly's husband—you've met him, haven't you? Fred Moyer?"
    "Yes, I believe so. He has dark coloring, does he not?"
    "No, actually he's blonde with blue eyes."
    "Aye, that's the one."
    Such nonsensical remarks were characteristic of my grandmother. Years of experience had taught me that trying to make sense of it was useless; I let the incongruent remark pass.
    "He came into the store this afternoon drunk and looking for a fight. He threw Holly against the wall and she bashed her head. I fear he would have done worse, but I was able to stop him."
    The hand that had been stroking my hair slipped under my chin and lifted it until she could see my face.
    "You called Dominion over him?"
    "Mamó, what choice did I have?" I searched her face for a reaction. My own expression pleaded for approval.
    She sighed.
    "No other choice at all," she said.
    "He destroyed most of the Belleek china and one of the old curios," I lamented, remembering the shattered pieces that had littered the shop floor.
    "You are hurt." Her voice took on an edge when she noticed the bandage on my leg. "Why haven't you tended to it?"
    "Oh, I did. I put this over it so no one would notice." I pulled off the Band-Aid as I explained. No trace of the cut remained.
    "And Holly was injured? Did you tend to her as well?" she asked.
    The question surprised me. She knew the consequences of using my essence to heal Holly as well as I did. Certainly she wouldn't have approved of my being so reckless. "I thought it best to let her sister take her to the emergency room. Would you have wanted me to do differently?"
    "No. The timing isn't right."
    I puzzled over her comment, but again I let it pass, continuing with my story.
    "Eileen called to tell me Holly needed several stitches, but there was no concussion. The police picked up Fred next door at JR's . They assumed he