Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson

But, unlike the governor, she didn't wish to hoard Naghali-ji's bounty. Instead, she had decided to wait for the goddess to make her purpose clear. Meanwhile, she wove the flowers into a garland and draped it around her neck. Remembering how Tana was always sweeping and dusting, Diribani had tucked jewels into the sewing basket and rugs. Wouldn't the next maid who aired them get a surprise!
    "That was yesterday" Prince Zahid was saying. "You mean she's been there all night? And this morning?"
    "Absent other instructions," a woman's voice answered. "Surely you didn't intend me to house a criminal with the gentle-born ladies?"
    "A criminal? Who told you that?" His indignation eased Diribani's worst fears.
    "The governor's servants spouted some wild tales. A magician, we heard. She threw jewels or frogs or something, and started a riot. And"--more austerely--"they said you held court in the street. Was that wise, Zahid? Strictly speaking, Tenth Province reports to the crown in Lomkha, not Fanjandibad. Our elder brother will no doubt add this episode to his grievances against you."

"Let him. Besides, when you meet the girl, you'll understand why I couldn't leave her."
    "There's always a reason," Diribani thought she heard, but the woman's words were covered by the scrape of knuckles against the door.
    She stood as proudly as she could in a tiny closet stacked with carpets. Diribani hoped the smell of jasmine disguised her sweat.
    82
    The room was very warm, and a servant had only let her out to visit the latrine, not to bathe or eat. "Enter," she said. A lotus fell to the ground.
    The door opened. Bright light streamed into her prison, haloing the two white-coated figures in the corridor.
    "A thousand apologies, Mina Diribani," the prince said. "I fear my sister and I have given you a poor impression of our hospitality. It won't happen again."
    Diribani pressed her hands together. "Good morning, Your Highness. My lady." Petals tickled her lips. When she read the chagrin written on the prince's face, Diribani's remaining uncertainty dispersed like fog. The promised trip to Fanjandibad hadn't just been a trick to get her off the street without fuss. If the most spiteful thing the governor's staff dared do was make her spend the night in a storeroom, she needn't worry. The prince had said it again: She was going with them. What was an uncomfortable few hours against the royal promise?
    The woman clapped slim, dark hands. "Most impressive." She stooped and picked up several bell-shaped flowers with pink-and-white-striped petals. "Where did you get the tulips? I've only seen them in the mountains north of Lomkha."
    "I wouldn't know, my lady," Diribani said. "That flower is new to me."
    "God in heaven." The princess took a step back as small chunks of tigereye and lapis struck the rolled carpets.
    "Their goddess doesn't abide by the usual rules." Mischief played around Zahid's mouth. "It's not a conjurer's trick, Ruqayya--it's a miracle."
    The young woman's expression tightened with mistrust. As
    83
    Diribani's eyes adjusted to the light, she decided that the two of them weren't much older than she and Tana. Princess Ruqayya had the same aquiline nose and high cheekbones as her brother, but a more delicate chin. Like his, her dark hair curled over her temples; fine dark wisps escaped from the braided loops at her neck. She wore a flared coat of white brocade over tight-fitting trousers, a rope of pearls that hung to her knees, and wide jeweled cuffs on either wrist. A white scarf draped her shoulders; embroidered slippers graced high-arched feet.
    "A miracle?" Ruqayya repeated. "What heresy is this, Zahid?"
    "No heresy, to allow other faiths their mysteries." The prince's expression reminded Diribani of little Indu, the neighbor boy. He'd always been able to cajole older women--and younger ones, too--into seeing his point of view.
    Ruqayya seemed less susceptible. "Don't quote Father at me," she snapped. "Even tolerance can be carried