Friendship Dance (6 page)

‘What's so fascinating out there?' asked Snow, flinging herself chummily between them. ‘Ooh look, it's sunset – how pretty!'

Exchanging a look, Twink and Tilli agreed silently not to tell Snow. They both liked the pretty, white-haired fairy, but she
did
tend to blurt things out sometimes – it would be terrible if she told Chauncey-Oberon what they knew!

Miss Organdy and her helpers were just leaving, carrying the girls' dresses with them – each carefully wrapped in rose petals. Jena yawned, stretching her wings. ‘What a palaver, eh?' she said cheerfully. ‘Come on, you lot, we'd better get ready for dinner. Isn't it strange, how we're always having to change our clothes here?'

‘Oh, palace life!' cried Snow, twirling away from the window and fluttering her wings dramatically. ‘It's just too difficult!'

Everyone laughed. With an inward grin, Twink thought how funny it was that Snow's crush on Gem had all but vanished as she got to know him. Now it was one of the Queen's young counsellors who she thought was ‘swoony', and they all teased her mercilessly!

After one last look at the sunset – now blazing rosy-orange behind the leaves – Twink started to turn from the window. All at once a prickling sensation ran across her wings, as if she were being watched. Looking back again, she gasped.

There was a pair of large, dark eyes, peering out at her from behind a nearby leaf.

.

Chapter Six

Twink stared back at the eyes, her heart thudding as she remembered the shadowy face that she'd seen on her first day here.

Since then, she'd often had the uncomfortable feeling that she was being observed by someone, but had thought it was only her imagination. Yet there was nothing made-up about the eyes watching her now.

In fact . . . Twink leaned out of the window to get a closer look. It was almost as if the eyes were
asking
her something. There was an imploring expression in them, as though whoever it was needed Twink's help in some way . . .

She started as Tilli reappeared. ‘Twink, what's up?'

‘Look!' Twink clutched her arm and pointed. ‘Do you see it?'

‘See what?' asked Tilli blankly. And suddenly Twink realised that the eyes were gone.

‘I –' Her ears went hot as she gazed at the place where the eyes had been. She'd sound like an idiot if she tried to explain! ‘Never mind,' she said finally. ‘Come on, let's get ready for dinner.'

The Queen's birthday dawned bright and sunny, with a sharp autumn tang to the air.

Twink and the others practised the Friendship Dance for the final time that morning – earning a ‘Bravo!' from Maximus – before hastily returning to their rooms to get changed. The party would begin soon, though their dance wasn't scheduled until later that afternoon. Twink wished glumly that they could just get it over with, so she could enjoy herself!

Sapphire Room was full of bustling attendants helping the girls to get ready. ‘This is silly!' laughed Jena. ‘We're perfectly capable of doing it ourselves.' But clearly no one agreed with her.

Twink sat very still as a pretty attendant with yellow wings did her hair, and another brushed diamond dust on to her wings.
Diamond dust!
Twink felt unreal, as if she were living a story in a petal mag. When they finally eased the orchid frock over her head, Twink stared at her own reflection. She couldn't speak.

Her dress looked even lovelier than before – and so did she. Her long pink hair was caught elegantly back at the sides with emerald combs, and her wings sparkled like sun on morning dew.

‘Oh, aren't we beautiful!' breathed Snow. Ruby combs gleamed in her hair.

Tilli shook her head in a daze. ‘I hardly know myself.'

‘Well, it's still just us,' said Jena. ‘But we
do
look nice, don't we?' She inspected herself in her little mirror with satisfaction.

Secretly, Twink thought that Jena looked the prettiest of them all. As the oldest, her long hair was arranged on top of her head, with little purple tendrils escaping down. Her dress was decorated with real diamonds that sparkled in the sun.

Jena snapped her mirror shut. ‘Are we ready, then?'

Twink's stomach lurched in alarm. ‘But – it's still ages until our dance, isn't it?'

One of the attendants laughed. ‘Yes, but you're to be in the courtyard as soon as you're ready. The party's about to begin!'

With the blue butterfly leading the way, the girls flew slowly towards the top of the palace, taking care not to crease their dresses. Everyone they passed smiled and nodded at them, and despite her nervousness, Twink couldn't help feeling very grand.

Suddenly she remembered how Bimi had got so carried away during their second-year fashion show, and she had to laugh at herself.
I'd better not get too used to this
,
thought Twink as they landed in the courtyard.
It's back to real life tomorrow!

The courtyard was already a-flutter with fairies, all as richly dressed as the girls. Long tables of mouth-watering food had been set out, and a cricket band was playing a light, lilting tune.

The boys appeared, looking stiff and uncomfortable in their formal clothes. ‘Did you ever see anything so silly?' said Gem glumly, gazing down at his jewel-encrusted tunic. ‘How do the palace fairies ever play Fledge, or – or fly at high speed, or –'

‘Oh, stop it!' laughed Jena. ‘It's just for one day. I think you all look really nice.'

The boys scowled, though Twink thought they looked rather pleased as well. All except Chauncey-Oberon, of course. The crimson-haired fairy stood on his own, surveying the glittering courtyard with a haughty expression.

Twink was startled to see that his tunic and trousers were white with emeralds, like hers. Her cheeks flared. Though she felt sorry for Chauncey-Oberon after what Tilli had told her, she still didn't want to wear matching clothes with him!

The courtyard buzzed with activity as more and more fairies arrived, each looking grander and more important than the last. Waiters flitted through the crowd, carrying trays laden with delicate seed cakes.

Had the Queen made an appearance yet? Twink stood on tiptoe, craning to see.

‘Tilli, have you –' she started, and then stopped as she realised that Tilli was nowhere to be seen. Nor were any of the others – she'd somehow got separated from them in the crowd.

Frowning anxiously, Twink looked all around her, but she was completely hemmed in by brightly coloured wings and flashing jewels. Too shy to draw attention to herself by taking to the air, Twink withdrew to the edge of the courtyard and perched carefully on the smooth wooden railing.

If I just sit still, one of them will find me
,
she told herself. And meanwhile, she had a glimmery view of what had to be the most sumptuous party ever!

But she didn't get to enjoy it for very long. A moment later there was a soft scrabbling noise in the branches behind her – and that prickling sensation across her wings again! Turning quickly, Twink's violet eyes widened.

‘
Stripe!
' she gasped. The black and yellow insect clinging to a nearby branch was larger than the wasp Twink had known, but it was really him, there was no mistaking it!

Twink's heart leapt. Without thinking, she flitted over the railing and gave Stripe a joyful hug. He felt as soft as she remembered! Stripe buzzed happily, clearly just as glad to see her.

But this was no good – they'd be seen by someone at the party. ‘Come on,' whispered Twink. ‘Let's go back into the branches a bit.'

Soon she and Stripe were sitting on a branch deep in the bush, with the noise of the party behind them. ‘Are
you
the one who's been watching me?' demanded Twink. ‘But Stripe, why didn't you just come out and say hello?'

Stripe shook his head, pointing back at the party. His large eyes looked sad.

‘No, I – I suppose that wouldn't have been a good idea, would it?' said Twink slowly, her heart heavy. ‘My father says things are worse than ever between the wasps and the fairies now. You had to wait until you were sure you wouldn't be seen, didn't you?'

Stripe nodded. Though wasps couldn't talk as fairies did, Twink and Stripe had always communicated easily, and now was no exception.

With a mix of expressive buzzes and acting things out, Stripe quickly explained that he and his parents had moved to a nest near here, soon after he'd said goodbye to Twink for the last time.

He had thought he'd never see her again – but then two weeks ago, he had been amazed to spot Twink arriving at the fairy palace on a hawk! Longing to speak to his friend once more, Stripe had been trying to get Twink on her own ever since she first arrived.

But now . . . Stripe seemed to falter. He shook his head, looking worried.

‘What is it?' cried Twink. ‘Oh, Stripe, something's happened, hasn't it?'

In answer, the wasp slumped down weakly, making his wings go limp and lolling his head to one side. Before Twink could react, he had sat up again, looking at her with imploring eyes.

‘Someone's ill!' exclaimed Twink. Stripe nodded. Taking the hem of Twink's dress in his mouth, he lifted into the air, tugging urgently at it.

Twink gasped as she realised what he meant. ‘You want
me
to go? But Stripe, I can't! It's the Queen's party!'

Stripe stared at her in dismay. Guilt pierced Twink. ‘And – and besides, Stripe, I'm still only a student. If someone's really hurt, what could
I
do?'

You helped
me
when
I
was injured
,
said Stripe's expression.

‘Yes, but . . .' Twink swallowed hard. ‘Stripe, is it really urgent? It can't wait for even a few hours?'

The wasp's buzz clearly meant,
No, it can't!

Twink rubbed her wings together worriedly. Glancing back towards the party, she could just glimpse the fine clothes and flashing wings through the leaves.

How could she think of leaving? Queen Mab herself had asked for the magical Friendship Dance! If she left now, and she wasn't back in time . . . Twink gulped. She didn't even want to imagine it!

But how could she say no to Stripe? One of his friends must be very ill – possibly even dying. Though Twink didn't have as much knowledge as a Fairy Medic, she did know
some
things. She might be able to help. And their dance wasn't due to begin for several more hours.

‘All right!' she decided quickly, hardly able to believe what she was saying. ‘I've got a box of fairy dust back in our room – I'll just swoop by and get it, and then we can go –'

‘Go where?' asked a suspicious voice.

Whirling round, Twink saw Chauncey-Oberon hovering just a few branches away. His jaw slackened as he caught sight of Stripe. ‘That's a
wasp
!' he burst out.

‘So what?' retorted Twink – though she didn't feel nearly as defiant as she sounded. What if Chauncey-Oberon went back to the party and told everyone?

Instead the crimson-haired fairy flitted forward, staring at Stripe. The wasp buzzed warningly as he got too close, and Chauncey-Oberon darted back. ‘What's he doing here?' he demanded.

‘He's got a hurt friend,' said Twink shortly. ‘He wants me to go and help.'

Chauncey-Oberon frowned. ‘
You?
Why?'

‘I –' Heat swept up Twink's neck. ‘Because – because I helped him before,' she admitted, her cheeks on fire.

Realisation dawned across Chauncey-Oberon's face. ‘Hang on, you're
that
Glitterwings student! We heard at White Cloud that one of them had made friends with a wasp. That was
you
,
wasn't it?'

‘Yes,' said Twink, shifting uncomfortably. Why was he staring at her like that?

‘So that's how you know the Queen,' murmured Chauncey-Oberon, looking at Stripe again. ‘I heard she was really impressed by it – she tried to make friends with the wasps for ages afterwards, didn't she? She and the wasp Queen had a meeting just a few weeks ago, but it didn't work out.'

‘That's right.' Twink glanced anxiously at the sun. She didn't have time for this! ‘Listen, Chauncey-Oberon, I have to go now. If I hurry, I should be back in time for the dance, but –'