Rescue Princesses #4: The Stolen Crystals by Paula Harrison Read Free Book Online

was so glad that he was safe and no one had been hurt.

    “That was weird,” said Emily. “I felt like the Star Crystal wanted something. Like it was talking.”
    Clarabel nodded. “I thought that, too.”
    Lulu darted forward to look inside the hollow that had opened in the ground. “Come and see this! There’s something in here.” She climbed down into the hole and picked up a small brown sack lying at the bottom.
    The girls gathered around as Lulu undid the string at the top and turned the sack upside down. Four beautiful heart-shaped crystals tumbled out onto the grass. Each one was sparkling and transparent, but with a tiny flame in the center.
    Clarabel picked one up. The Heart Crystal sparkled between her fingers.
    “The Onica Heart Crystals!” Jaminta gasped. “Grandfather will be so happy that they’ve been found!”
    “So will Ally!” said Emily. “I can’t wait to tell her!”
    “You were right, your crystal wasn’t a bad jewel at all,” said Lulu. “We should have believed you, Jaminta.”
    Jaminta smiled back at them. “I knew it couldn’t be bad. It must have been trying to find the Heart Crystals all along. It was singing to set them free.” She gave Lucky a squeeze and patted his furry head.
    Emily picked up the Star Crystal from where the earl had dropped it and laid it next to the Heart Crystals. The five gems glowed together for a second. “Look! They’re like sister jewels.”
    Behind them came a loud rustling, and the mother panda lumbered into theclearing. Lucky let out a soft squeak and licked Jaminta’s hand.
    “There you go, little Lucky.” Jaminta set him gently down onto the ground.
    “He’s safe now that the earl has run away,” said Emily.
    Lucky ran over to his mother, who nuzzled him lovingly.
    Jaminta smiled as she watched them amble away across the grass. Lucky turned to look at her one more time before he followed his mother into the forest.
    Jaminta picked up the jewels and gave one Heart Crystal to each of her friends.
    “Let’s go back to the palace and show these jewels to my grandfather,” she said. “It will be a perfect birthday present for him!”

The princesses hurried through the palace gate. It had taken them a long time to find a way back that avoided the rocky ravine with its broken rope bridge. A loud cheer rose as they walked into the garden. The girls looked at one another in surprise, but the crowd of people standing on the grass was all facing the other way.
    “What’s going on?” whispered Clarabel.
    Jaminta tried to peer through the massof people, but she could only see arms and legs.
    “Your grandfather’s standing next to his birthday cake,” called Lulu, who had climbed halfway up the soldier statue. “I think we’re going to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him next.”
    Jaminta’s mom noticed the girls and frowned at the sight of their muddy dresses. “Princesses! Where have you been? Jaminta, you’re absolutely covered in dirt and leaves. Go upstairs and change at once!”
    “But, Mom! We found something really amazing,” said Jaminta, trying to show her the Heart Crystal. “And I don’t want to miss Grandfather’s party.”
    “Jaminta! You can’t stand here with twigs in your hair!” said the queen of Onica sternly.
    Jaminta swept a hand over her dark hair and pulled out a clump of twigs. She made a face and turned toward the palace.
    “Is that my lovely granddaughter?” called Emperor Cho from the front. “Come up here, Jaminta!”
    Jaminta brushed the leaves off her dress and made her way through the crowd until she stood next to her grandfather. “Happy birthday, Grandfather!” she said, hugging him. “I have a special present to give you!”
    Her grandfather’s eyes twinkled. “Is it a surprise?”
    Jaminta grinned. “I guess it is! You see, I tried to make a beautiful crystal to give to you, and it finally worked.” She dropped the Star Crystal into his wrinkled hand. “And then this star jewel helped