Where's Glimmer? Page 5

  9

  Not-So-Secret Plan Anymore

  “I can’t believe Queen Fire saved you!” Ivy said.

  “I’m just glad we found you, Glimmer,” Clara said, patting the unicorn’s neck. The three friends and Glimmer walked over the castle’s drawbridge. On the walk back to the castle, Bella had told them about her run-in with Queen Fire in the woods. Both girls had been scared and worried about what happened—and Bella’s debt to the queen—but at the end of the talk, they had been grateful Bella’s aunt had chosen to stop the unicorn fight.

  “Uh-oh,” Bella said.

  Her parents, Frederick, and Ben stood in front of the stables. Ben’s head was down, and Queen Katherine’s arms were crossed.

  “Bella, how long were you planning to keep it a secret that your unicorn had gone missing?” King Phillip asked. His voice was low and very serious.

  “I’m sorry,” Bella said. “But please don’t send Ben away! This wasn’t his fault. I made him promise not to tell anyone.”

  “Ben should have come to me,” Frederick said. “However, I am the stable manager. It is my responsibility to make sure that all the royal unicorns are safe. I should have asked Ben about Glimmer the moment I began to feel it was odd that I hadn’t seen her in a while.”

  Bella’s stomach twisted and turned. Ben couldn’t leave because of her!

  “How did you find out?” Bella asked, her voice quiet.

  “Frederick came to your father and me,” Queen Katherine said. “He hadn’t seen Glimmer, and with Ben at the stables and both you and Glimmer gone, Frederick was worried that you were out riding alone.”

  “We came down to the stables immediately,” King Phillip continued. “Ben was so worried about you and your friends being in the Dark Forest that he told us the truth. We were moments away from sending out every guard at the castle.”

  Bella glanced at Ben. He mouthed, “I’m sorry.” She shook her head at him.

  “Mom, Dad,” Bella said. “I’m sorry that I’ve been lying to you. I should have told you the second that I realized Glimmer had escaped. I know you must have been really worried about me, Ivy, and Clara in the Dark Forest.”

  “Yes, we were,” Queen Katherine said. “Bella, your father and I will discuss this with you tonight. It’s quite serious that you lied and went to a place we forbade you from going.”

  Bella nodded. “Okay,” she said in a whisper.

  “Ivy and Clara,” King Phillip said, “please go with Ben. He’ll ready a carriage to take you both home.”

  The girls quietly thanked the king and queen and disappeared into the stables with Ben.

  “I know you’re mad,” Bella said. “But please don’t make Ben leave Crystal Castle.”

  The grown-ups exchanged looks. Bella’s hand that was tangled in Glimmer’s mane was sweaty.

  “We are grateful to Ben for telling the truth,” King Phillip said. “He also helped keep you safe.” The king looked at Frederick. “Ben is welcome to stay as your apprentice if that’s what you wish.”

  Bella held her breath as she watched Frederick.

  “He may stay,” Frederick finally answered.

  “Thank you, Frederick!” Bella cheered.

  “Go get Glimmer settled in,” Queen Katherine said. “Then come straight inside.”

  “I will, Mom,” Bella said. “Thank you.”

  A few minutes later she hugged Glimmer again, never wanting to let go. The royal unicorn was safe and secure in her stall. It was just Bella, Glimmer, and Ben.

  “Are you ever going to let go of Glimmer?” Ben asked. He smiled and leaned against the stall door jamb. Bella had told Ben about running into Queen Fire. Like Ivy and Clara, he had been upset. But he was beyond relieved that Bella and Glimmer were home safe.

  “Nah, I think I’ll hold on to Glimmer until I’m fifteen,” Bella said, only half-teasing.

  “Only until you’re fifteen?” Ben asked. “Jeez, Bella. That’s giving up pretty early. I thought you’d at least hang on until forty.”

  They both laughed. Glimmer seemed to sense the lift in mood. She threw up her head and shook her mane. The purple-tinted strands swished against the top of Bella’s shoulder and tickled her cheek.

  “Fine, fine,” Bella said, pretend-sighing. “I guess I can do forty.”

  Ben grinned and looked down, swirling his boot on the concrete aisle. “Seriously,” he started. “I have to thank you again for everything you did for me.”

  “You don’t have to keep thanking me,” Bella said. “Really. You’ve been so great to Glimmer and me since you got here. It wouldn’t have been fair for you to get in trouble.”

  Ben slowly shook his head and let out a breath. “I almost can’t believe Glimmer is back and that we pulled it off.” He turned his gaze to the unicorn. “I’m going to set up twenty more cameras and cast a dozen spells to make sure you sleep tight, Glimmer.”

  Glimmer nudged Bella’s shoulder. Bella looked into Glimmer’s eyes, and what she saw made her feel warm from head to toe.

  “I don’t think Glimmer’s going anywhere,” Bella said. She lightly kissed Glimmer’s cheek, and the unicorn let out a soft whoosh of breath.

  “I think it’s time we both got some rest,” Bella said to Glimmer. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

  Glimmer rested her soft muzzle in Bella’s hands. She looked into the princess’s eyes, and Bella knew that she would be able to sleep well tonight—Glimmer was happy to be home.

  10

  Glimmer’s Big Debut

  “Glimmer!” Bella cried, waking and sitting up in bed. Her heart thudded against her chest, as if she had just run laps around the castle’s moat.

  Glimmer’s home, Bella reminded herself. She let out a breath as if trying to exhale the nightmare. She’d been dreaming that Glimmer had been captured by Queen Fire. Goose bumps ran up and down her arms as she remembered the queen’s promise to collect on Bella’s debt. But Glimmer’s safe from my deal, the princess reminded herself. It could be six days or six years before Queen Fire wants something from me. She took a long, deep breath through her nose. When she exhaled, she pushed all of the thoughts of Queen Fire from her mind. Bella was going to try her hardest not to think about her aunt. At least not today.

  Bella yanked back the purple-and-white-striped sheets and comforter and ran to her window. She undid the latch and pushed it open. Her view from the tower was perfect. She could see the stables, pastures, and barnyard. Ben and Frederick emerged from the stables with a gorgeous purple-splashed unicorn in tow. The view instantly made her happy.

  Glimmer! Bella thought. You really are home and safe.

  Through her window, Bella watched as Ben turned Glimmer in a circle and tied her to one of the white fence rails. Frederick carried over a bucket filled with brushes, and Ben began to ready Glimmer for her debut. Bella closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind of anything but her connection to Glimmer. The princess felt happiness, excitement, and a touch of nerves. Bella opened her eyes, grinning. Glimmer’s feelings matched her own!

  “Good morning, Bella!” Lyssa entered Bella’s room. She had a garment bag in one hand.

  Bella eyed the bag. “Jeez, Lyss. I thought you were never going to get here.”

  “Ha, ha,” Lyssa said, winking. “That’s talk, coming from someone still in her pj’s.”

  “Didn’t you hear?” Bella asked, putting a hand on her hip. “Pajamas are so in this season. Everyone is wearing them all the time.”

  Lyssa grinned. “Oh, well then, you won’t want the clothes your mom gave me for your debut.” She took the black garment bag and started to put it in Bella’s closet.

  “Um, wait!” Bella said, hurrying over to Lyssa. “The pj’s all day is totally a fad. I’m going to stay fashion forward and wear real clothes during the day.”

  Lyssa laughed. “Wow! What perfect timing, since I brought this!”

  Bella watched as Lyssa unzipped the clothing bag. Carefully Lyssa took out a pair of shimmer
y gold leggings, a plum-purple tee with lace-edged sleeves and hem, and black riding boots. A gold chain with a prancing unicorn pendant hung from the hanger.

  “You like?” Lyssa asked.

  “I love!” Bella said. “These clothes are perfect for today.”

  Lyssa helped her change. The castle was quiet when Bella left and headed for the stables to meet her parents.

  The king and queen had spoken to Bella for a long time last night about the Glimmer situation. Bella had realized that if she had told her parents from the start, she would have probably found Glimmer faster. King Phillip had reminded Bella that what happened wasn’t Ben’s fault, and if he and Bella had told the truth earlier, then they wouldn’t have had to worry about Ben’s future at the castle. Most of all, though, the king and queen were relieved that their daughter and Glimmer were home safe.

  “Ben!” Bella called, spotting him in the stable yard.

  “Hi, Bella,” he said, smiling. “My uncle’s holding Glimmer. He asked me to keep an eye out for you.”

  “There’s one huge problem!” Bella said. She looked over her shoulder to make sure no one else was around. “I haven’t actually ridden Glimmer before. Now I have to ride her to the town square and be in front of the entire kingdom!”

  Ben tapped his index finger against one of his temples. “One step ahead of you, Princess.”

  Bella clutched her hands together. “Really?”

  “Really. Frederick knows that you haven’t had riding lessons, so I asked him if I could lead Glimmer for the debut.”

  “Ben!” Bella hugged him quickly. “That’s only the best plan ever! You’re a genius!”

  Ben shook his head. “Just a very smart apprentice.” He grinned. “So, Princess Bella, may I assist you during your debut?”

  “Hmmm.” Bella rolled her eyes to the sky, pretending to think. “Yes! Thank you, Ben!”

  Ben bowed his head. He waved a hand in the direction of the stable yard. “This way, Princess Bella. It’s time for your first ride.” He whispered the last sentence, and he and Bella exchanged secret smiles.

  Bella half skipped after Ben. She wanted the kingdom to love Glimmer as much as she did. But right now, what she wanted more than anything was to finally ride her unicorn. Bella’s boots crunched on gravel, and Glimmer turned her head in Bella’s direction. Two pricked ears pointed toward Bella, and Glimmer let out a soft whinny.

  Bella hurried over, and Frederick laughed and he moved out of the way as the princess threw her arms around Glimmer’s neck. The unicorn smelled like sweet hay and daisies. Superfine strands of clear wire had been twisted throughout Glimmer’s mane and tail. The wires shimmered and slowly changed from pink to green to purple—they ran through every color that Bella had ever seen in Crystal Kingdom! Glimmer’s white coat glittered in the sun, and it reminded Bella of pixie dust.

  “You look so pretty!” Bella told Glimmer. The princess looked into Glimmer’s eyes and saw love and happiness. The princess knew she would do anything to protect her unicorn in return.

  Bella perched on her tiptoes and leaned close to Glimmer’s right ear. “Nothing’s ever made me feel more like a princess.”

  “May I help you up?” Frederick asked.

  “Please!” Bella said. I get to finally ride! she thought.

  Frederick motioned for Bella to follow him as he led Glimmer over to a set of three wooden stairs.

  “Climb on up and put your left foot here,” Frederick said. He held a triangle-shaped iron with a rubber grip at the bottom. The triangle’s bottom supported Bella’s weight. Bella followed the stable manager’s instructions and lowered herself onto the leather saddle.

  Frederick quickly explained how Bella would use her hands and feet to guide Glimmer.

  “That’s a lot to remember,” Bella said. Her heart beat a little faster.

  “Ben will be right there, so don’t worry,” Frederick said. He patted her knee, smiling as he waved to Ben.

  Ben hurried over and took the rainbow-striped rope from Frederick.

  “Oh, Bella!” Queen Katherine, arm in arm with King Phillip, beamed at her daughter. “You look perfect with Glimmer. Phillip, take a photo!”

  Bella’s dad already had the camera lens pointed at the princess and Glimmer. Bella grinned into the camera. “Unicorn!” she said, giggling.

  After a few more photos, the king and queen climbed into the Royal Carriage. The beautiful carriage, powered by the sun, glowed bright despite the sun being out in full force.

  With a smile at Bella, Ben led Glimmer forward through the stable yard, across the drawbridge, and out onto the private winding Royal Road to town.

  The shimmering purple strands in Glimmer’s mane and tail complemented the crystal-flecked path under her hooves. Glimmer pranced toward town, and Bella couldn’t stop grinning.

  “Ben?” Bella asked. “What if the crowds scare Glimmer? She’s never been around so many people before.”

  “Again,” Ben said, smiling, “got you covered.”

  Soon they were in town. Ben led Glimmer down a path secured by a few Royal Guards and into the town square. High in the air, a giant red sign flashed QUIET, PLEASE! and NEW ROYAL UNICORN! CAUTION!

  “My uncle came here before we got here,” Ben explained, looking up at the signs. “He asked the crowd not to wave any signs or make any noise that might scare Glimmer. She’s new to everything. But soon the people won’t even faze her.”

  Dozens of people, held back by a shield spell, smiled, held up cameras, or whispered to each other as Ben halted Glimmer. Bella looked over her shoulder for her parents. The king and queen emerged from the Royal Carriage and greeted the people of Crystal Kingdom with waves and smiles.

  Bella recognized a few reporters from the local newspaper as they scribbled in notepads and had cameras on tripods that recorded the event. She looked over the crowd, and two hands shot into the air. Clara and Ivy! Bella waved at her besties.

  The king and queen stood on the podium that towered above the crowd. Bella couldn’t help but flash back to her dad standing there, sword at his side, when Queen Fire had scared the crowd on her birthday. The evil queen’s words from yesterday made Bella shiver.

  Immediately, Glimmer’s ears swept back toward Bella, and she struck the ground with a front hoof.

  “Easy, girl,” Ben said, petting Glimmer. “You okay?” he asked Bella.

  “Totally fine. Just thought about yesterday for a second,” Bella said.

  Ben half smiled. “Look around. Maybe the fact that, oh, a few people showed up will distract you.”

  Bella laughed. “That helps! Plus, we’re here on a school day.”

  “I’m not exactly sad about school being canceled,” Ben said. He led Glimmer toward the crowd and turned her in a big circle so everyone could see.

  “People of Crystal Kingdom,” King Phillip’s voice came through a microphone.

  Everyone’s heads swiveled in his direction. Even Glimmer’s!

  “Thank you all for joining my family on this beautiful day,” the king said. “Queen Katherine and I are thrilled to introduce you to our daughter’s unicorn. Princess Bella is now paired with Glimmer.”

  Chills ran up and down Bella’s arms. She leaned forward and patted Glimmer’s shoulder. The unicorn bowed her neck in appreciation, letting out a soft whicker.

  “Together, let us all welcome Glimmer as a member of the royal family and of Crystal Kingdom,” King Phillip said.

  The crowd raised their hands in the air as Bella’s smile grew. The overhead red sign flashed green to GENTLE APPLAUSE, and cheers broke out across the square.

  “See what you would have missed?” Bella asked Glimmer.

  The princess leaned forward, hugging Glimmer. Cameras clicked, and the crowd clapped harder.

  “Welcome home,” Bella said.

  Glimmer craned her neck around, a twinkle in her eyes, and bumped Bella’s boot with her nose. Bella’s heart soared higher than the podium. Glimmer was definit
ely here to stay!

  HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK AT BELLA AND GLIMMER’S NEXT ADVENTURE:

  Green with Envy

  “Next Friday is going to be the best day ever!” Princess Bella said to her two best friends. Ivy and Clara walked beside Bella as the three girls left their classroom on Friday afternoon. The girls had school every day at Crystal Castle—Bella’s home—and shared the classroom with six other third-grade students. Most of them, like Ivy, had parents who worked at Crystal Castle. Another student, older by a year, was Ben. His uncle ran the royal stables. Bella’s closest friends weren’t official “royals,” but they were princesses to her!

  “I know! I love spring break!” Ivy said. “No school for an entire week!” She slung her pink shimmery backpack over one shoulder. Pieces of her white-blond hair were twisted and held off her face by several rhinestone butterfly hair clips. The enchanted butterfly wings fluttered open and shut, making the gemstones sparkle.

  “That’s so exciting, but I’m with Bella,” Clara said. “Friday is huge!” Clara, the most outgoing of the three friends, skipped ahead a couple of steps, then turned around and walked backward so she faced her friends. Clara’s backpack, covered in teensy blue lights that flashed on when the bag moved, rolled beside her on wheels over the castle’s marble floor.

  Bella and Ivy giggled at Clara as she almost tripped over her own feet.

  “My parents didn’t even tell me that they were going to throw a party for our class,” Bella said. “We get the whole week off, and on Friday is the party, with a movie in the garden, desserts, and music. And we all get to hang out.”

  Bella smiled at the thought of spending more time with her classmates. Lately, the princess had barely enough time to see her besties and her new friend, Ben. Ben had just joined Bella’s class when he had come to Crystal Castle to be an apprentice for his uncle Frederick. Frederick was the royal stable manager, and he had put Ben to work helping care for the castle’s prized unicorns, including Bella’s own unicorn, Glimmer.