Read Online Fairy Dust by Titania Woods - Free Book Online Page B

‘Welcome to Glitterwings Academy, Your Majesty. We are honoured to have you.’
    The two fairy women kissed each other’s cheeks. Queen Mab’s white lily dress sparkled with seed pearls. A matching seed-pearl coronet rested on her shining blonde hair.
    Oh, Sooze, please work out the secret! thought Twink fervently. The lavender-haired fairy had her eyes closed, and looked like she was concentrating hard.
    Miss Shimmery escorted Queen Mab to the mushroom grandstand that Miss Petal and the older students had grown for her the day before. The mushrooms shone pure silver in the faint light, festooned with icy ribbons and bows.
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    Queen Mab turned to face the students. ‘Doesn’t Glitterwings look beautiful!’ she exclaimed. Her voice was so low and lovely that thrills crept across Twink’s arms. ‘Thank you, girls. I know that you will do a wonderful job of seeing in the spring.’
    She sat on the highest mushroom, her golden wings fluttering. Her counsellors took their places around her.
    Miss Shimmery bowed her head with a smile. ‘I think we’re almost ready to begin.’
    Sooze! thought Twink. Don’t just stand there, SAY something!
    But Sooze didn’t speak. Twink, Bimi and Pix shared an agonised look as Miss Shimmery flew back to the students and hovered in front of them. ‘Dancers, take your positions. Those students who are not taking part, please sit quietly on the ground.’
    With a solemn rustle, the school spread its wings and started to fly forward. Twink didn’t move. She felt as if her wings had frozen together. Oh, wasn’t Sooze going to say anything?
    If Sooze wouldn’t, then she would have to. Twink licked dry lips, and opened her mouth to speak.
    â€˜Wait!’ burst out Sooze suddenly. ‘WAIT! We can’t begin the dance yet.’
    Twink slumped in relief as Sooze skimmed quickly over to Miss Shimmery. The school hovered over the pond in surprise, watching as Sooze seemed to explain something, red-faced. Finally she reached her hand in her pocket and pulled out an object, which she showed to Miss Shimmery.
    The HeadFairy’s expression was grave. She said something to Sooze. Sooze shook her head, and looked close to tears.
    Twink clutched Bimi’s hand. Neither fairy could speak. Oh, what was being said?
    Finally Miss Shimmery turned to the school, her rainbow wings gleaming as they opened and closed. ‘There is a problem,’ she announced. ‘The ice pole has been broken, and it must be mended by Sooze Birdsong, otherwise the dance cannot go ahead.’
    There was a stunned silence. Up on the grandstand, the Queen’s counsellors leaned together, whispering. Queen Mab herself sat very still and straight, watching the proceedings keenly.
    â€˜But I can’t mend it,’ cried Sooze. ‘I don’t know how to use fairy dust!’
    â€˜You must try again now,’ said Miss Shimmery gently. ‘We cannot do it for you, Sooze. I’ve no doubt that the sprites meant exactly what they said.’
    The school hovered silently in place – hundreds of brightly dressed fairies, all of them watching Sooze with anxious eyes. On the horizon, the stars were beginning to fade.
    â€˜Quickly, Sooze!’ said Miss Shimmery. ‘It will be dawn soon.’
    Sooze hovered wretchedly, biting her lip. Watching her, Twink knew that she had no more idea than before how to use fairy dust.
    Suddenly Twink couldn’t bear it any more. Dropping Bimi’s hand, she darted into the air and flew to Sooze’s side. Surprised murmurs rippled through the crowd.
    â€˜Oh, Opposite, what am I going to do?’ whispered Sooze, clutching her hand. ‘I can’t mend it!’
    â€˜You can ,’ said Twink firmly. ‘Sooze, look at everyone. Think about how hard they’ve all worked.’
    â€˜I don’t –’ started Sooze.
    â€˜Look at Glitterwings!’ broke in Twink