The Fae Princess (The Pacific Princesses Book 2) by Ektaa Bali (books to improve english .txt) 📗

and the two girls embraced each other. “Oh, hello King Deven,” added Vidya, seeing Sonakshi’s father making his way through the bush behind her. A couple of guards waited further away on the path. Sonakshi, being a unicorn, could see her easily, but the ghostberry juice Vidya was drinking made king Deven squint through the dawn light to see her properly.

“Thank you for coming,” Vidya said.

“We were so worried to read your message,” said Sonakshi. “What’s happened?”

“Something has happened to the Fae magic. We’re trying to figure it out. First the plants started dying, then we woke up yesterday morning to find we couldn’t wake the adults. It looks like they’re in some type of magical sleep. My father spoke to me before he slept. He told me to prepare for a war!”

King Deven gave her a worried look. “This isn’t sounding good, Vidya,” he said in a low voice. “If your father is telling you to prepare for a war, this is serious.”

Vidya nodded. “We have to fix this, King Deven, I just have to figure out how. I’m sorry I can’t take you through. But my guard and I will return Sona in a couple of hours if that’s okay?”

He nodded. “I don’t like this, girls. Sonakshi, I don’t want you spending too much time in there.”

“We won’t keep her long then,” said Vidya quickly. “I just want to see if any unicorn magic can wake my father up or… do anything to help us, really. We don’t know what else to do. It’s just us Fae kids now.”

Deven nodded, “Be quick and be careful. My men and I will wait here.”

“Thanks, father,” said Sonakshi, and hand in hand, the two girls walked through the portal tree where the others were anxiously waiting.

Vidya shut the portal door behind them and quickly introduced Sonakshi to the others, who came forward to shake her hand vigorously, staring at her golden eyes.

“Lovely to meet you all,” said Sonakshi formally, “I just wish it was under better circumstances.”

They nodded glumly.

“Let’s head off,” said Vidya. “I don’t want to spend any more time in the forest than we have to.”

As they trekked back through the forest, Sonakshi chatted excitedly. “I wanted to fly as soon as I got your message,” she said, magnificent golden unicorn eyes meeting Vidya’s green Fae ones. “But my father said it would be too dangerous. I’m still not allowed to fly out of the castle grounds, really. I’ll be so glad to transform here.”

Sonakshi looked around the Fae forest and breathed in deeply, frowning. “It feels different from last time,” she said, looking left and right.

Vidya nodded as they walked at the centre of the group this time, Willow and Lily at the front, Lotus at the back. “It is different,” replied Vidya. “It’s really worrying, but all I can do is try to figure it out one step at a time until the adults wake up.”

Sonakshi nodded. “I hope I can help. I do enjoy getting your messenger-leaves every week. Is Mahiya still giving away sparks with every fart?”

Vidya giggled, and Pancake finally woke up and emerged out of her pocket to see where the unfamiliar voice was coming from.

“Yes, with every burp as well. This is Pancake. He’s a quokka.”

Sonakshi gasped and reached for Pancake, who stared at her with his mouth hanging open. Pancake reached for her, and soon he was in her arms, gazing up into her eyes with wonder.

“He’s never seen a unicorn before,” laughed Vidya.

“Well, you wait,” laughed Sonakshi back. “I haven’t even turned into my unicorn self yet.”

Pancake sat in Sonakshi’s hands, staring at her honey-coloured face as they walked through the forest. Soon, they reached the edge of the cliff, and Sonakshi handed Pancake back to Vidya. She exploded in a thrill of golden light, and before they knew it, Vidya and the other kids were grinning at Sonakshi’s golden eyes in her unicorn form. Lily let out an excited “Ooh!”

She was the colour of silvery moonlight, with opalescent wings tucked by her side and a glittering diamond horn that caught the light, making it sparkle magically. Pancake squealed when he saw Sonakshi, and gasped, pointing a clawed finger at her and jumping up and down in Vidya’s arms.

With a whoop of joy, Sonakshi gave two powerful downward strokes of her wings and leapt into the air. Vidya and the other Fae kids laughed at the sight of her having such joy at flying in the open air. They followed quickly after, fluttering their wings rapidly to keep up with her.

Vidya met Sonakshi on the other side. The other girl had transformed back into her human self, and the group rushed into the palace, Pancake chattering excitedly.

Vidya wasted no time. She led Sonakshi immediately up to her parents’ room first and found Toad and Luna in there, shrieking as baby Mahiya, lying on her change table, let out an almighty squelch. The two girls screamed. Toad held a loose nappy over Mahiya, but her head was turned away and screwed up in a grimace. Vidya watched in horror as a bright red spark flew from Mahiya’s hands, through the air, and onto Luna’s dress. The girl looked down as her dress caught alight, and she screamed, slapping herself to get the flame out.

“Oh, mother earth!” Toad cried.

Vidya and Sonakshi burst into a fit of laughter at the scene, and Toad groaned loudly at them.

“You try to change this one’s nappy!” she grumbled loudly, leaning down to get a clean nappy. “There’s always poo and fire everywhere!”

“Thanks, Toad,” laughed Vidya, wiping her eyes. “I’ll do the next one.”

“No, it’s okay,” said Toad, fastening the new nappy on, then lifting baby Mahiya and planting a kiss on her cheek. “I’m getting good at it now. Besides, you’re busy saving the Kingdom.”

She turned, and upon seeing Sonakshi, froze on the spot, baby Mahiya gurgled in the air.

“Are you—?” Toad began.

“Hello,” said Sonakshi. “I’m Sonakshi.”

“The unicorn Princess!” cried Luna, her mouth hanging open.

“Yes,”