Chapter 4
A massive crowd of fairies and sparrow men had gathered in Springtime Square before the towering Pixie Dust Tree. Fawn and Vidia joined us. I noticed several who had stark white or black hair and were dressed mainly in icy blue hues.
Tink's wings suddenly began to sparkle with blinding rainbow patterns. "Peri!" she called. A slender fairy with spiky white hair and identical wings turned and waved back. "That's my twin sister, Periwinkle," Tink said to me, her voice tinged with pride. "She's one of the Winter fairies."
Before I could respond, Queen Clarion materialized before us in a swirling cloud of pixie dust, just as she had at my Arrival. Was it still the same day? A light-headed feeling suddenly overcame me. So much had happened since then that it felt like days instead of a few hours.
Clarion held out her hand to a tall, white-haired sparrow man with a feathered cape draped over his broad shoulders. He stepped forward and stood beside her.
"That's Lord Milori, ruler of the Winter Woods," Rosetta whispered to me.
"I know you are all wondering why I called you here," Clarion said in a clear voice that carried over the crowd. "Don't worry. I have wonderful news. For countless years, there had been no known cure for broken wings. While such injuries are rare, they have always been a concern, especially in the days when the Winter and Warm fairies had to remain separate for everyone's protection. Only rare fairies, born of the same laugh," Clarion's gaze seemed to settle briefly on Tink and Peri, "were able to heal the other's wing should one of them break. But now, a cure has been found." Stunned gasps breathed through the crowd.
Lord Milori turned his back to the audience and removed his cape, revealing a pair of beautiful, pellucid wings. All of Pixie Hollow murmured in awe as if this were some great miracle. I frowned in confusion until Tink said softly, "One of his wings had broken off ages ago, back when it was dangerous to cross the borders."
"This discovery was made by our own Pixie Dust Alchemist, Zarina." Zarina, her jewel-colored garments shimmering against the dust-light emanating from the Tree, fluttered into view.
The crowd burst into applause as she tossed a handful of pixie dust onto Lord Milori's wings. They beat rapidly, propelling him several feet into the air.
I was nearly deafened by the cheers as he glided above the crowd, only faltering slightly as if he'd been out of practice for years. Clarion and Zarina joined him, each taking one of his hands.
I glanced at my companions. All were smiling and brushing away joyful tears.
"Zarina spent months working on that dust potion." I could barely hear Tink's choked voice over the overpowering noise. "She refused to leave her lab for the longest time. It looks like it finally paid off."
"I never thought I'd fly again," Lord Milori said once they alighted before the Tree. "And now, thanks to Zarina, I can. Our worries concerning wing damage are over." He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"This is a cause for celebration," Clarion announced. "Tonight."
More cheers followed as the crowd dispersed, some approaching Zarina, others flying off to start the preparations. Rosetta and Chloe grasped my arms as our little group flew toward Zarina. There were tears in her eyes as she smiled and hugged each fairy. I could tell they were all good friends.
"Zarina, this is Ally, the newest Garden talent," Rosetta said, placing an arm around my shoulders.
"Hello, Ally," she said, grasping my hand.
My mind suddenly went blank. Say hello back! my thoughts urged but my lips refused to form any words. Here I was, the newest Arrival, standing before the most famous fairy in Pixie Hollow, aside from Queen Clarion. I twisted a stray lock of hair around my fingers as I struggled to think of something to say.
Zarina stared down at me in concern until I was nudged aside by others who wanted to congratulate her.
"Don't worry, Sweetpea," Rosetta said in a kind voice. "You'll get a chance to talk to her later at the party. I'll make sure of it. But now let's put your talent to work and grow something." She guided me away from the Tree until we were gliding over a field of flowers. "What do you want to work on? Zinnias? Marigolds? I've always been partial to—"
"Well, I have an idea for a tree with taffy leaves and cupcake fruits," I said. My fingers tingled with the urge to start creating.
Rosetta's sudden laughter shocked me. "Oh, Sugar, there isn't a Garden fairy who can grow an entire tree on her own. The only fairy who's ever done that was Zarina."
"How? She's not a Garden talent."
"She once used her Alchemy to grow a second Pixie Dust Tree."
I was stunned. "So, Zarina had been a pirate captain with a human crew. She can also mend and protect wings and grow Pixie Dust Trees? What else can she do?"
"Lots of things. She's made dust for all the different talents. Not only can this enhance your talent but it can change it completely. Why, thanks to her, I spent some time as an Animal fairy."
"You?" I cocked my head and tried to picture her with a talent other than Garden.
Rosetta shook her head. "Forget I said that. Now, let's start with something simple." She grabbed my wrist and dragged me to an open patch of earth in between a cluster of yellow daisies. "See if you can duplicate one of these."
My pulse quickened with anticipation. Now was my chance to prove what I could do! I closed my eyes and imagined a perfect yellow daisy with silky petals.
A tingling started in my fingertips then surged throughout my body. I was one with the earth and could feel a seed beneath the soil burst with life. I mentally coaxed it to keep growing, to break through the surface. I imagined it attached to an invisible string that I pulled. Reach up. That's it, I thought to the new sprout. Feel your first touch of sunlight.
Rosetta made a sound that was half sob, half gasp. I couldn't wait to see my first creation. My eyes flew open.
I sank to the ground as a heavy disappointment overcame me. Instead of a lovely daisy, a prickly, scraggly weed jutted from the soil. To add to my mortification, Chloe and a few of the other Garden talents surrounded us.
"Oh, this is terrible!" one of them sobbed, burying her face in her hands.
"It's just her first try, Ivy," Chloe said, placing a hand on the fairy's shoulder. "Ally just needs a little practice." She then turned to me. "Give it another try, Ally. Dig down deep and all that."
"Okay. I can do this." Determination burned within me.
I lifted off the ground and returned my focus back on growing a daisy. Chloe was probably right. This time it would work.
The now familiar prickling returned. I formed an image of the emerging roots in my mind and filled them with nurturing thoughts. I had it this time. I was sure.
I heard the deflated murmurs of the other Garden talents before I even opened my eyes.
"No! This will never do!" Another voice overpowered theirs. "The Queen wants everything perfect for tonight's celebration. What is it you are doing?"
My focus broke. I looked down at my second creation. Another weed, even more straggly and pathetic than the first.
A tall, thin sparrow man decorated with flowers hovered over me, a cross expression on his face.
"Ally's just Arrived, sir," said Chloe, patting my shoulder. "She just needs a little practice."
"That shouldn't be an excuse," he huffed. "The Winter fairies returned from the Mainland just a few weeks ago. It shouldn't be more than a week before the Everblossom blooms." He pointed toward a large white bud perched on a small hill. "When it does, it will be our turn to go and usher in spring. Those who are not yet ready must stay behind." He fluttered away.
"Who's he?" I asked once he was out of earshot.
"Hyacinth, the Minister of Spring," said Rosetta. "He always gets a little nervous around this time. But don't fret, Sunshine. There's still time. Now, let's keep working on those flowers. Maybe daisies just aren't your thing. Why don't you try something else?"
It still didn't matter. I attempted tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and even my namesake, alyssums, but they all ended up as hopeless weeds. By this time, the sun was slipping toward the horizon, flooding Spring Valley with a rich, golden-red glow. I struggled to ignore the worried looks the other Garden fairies exchanged.
"Don't worry, Ally," said Chloe, forcing a smile. "There's still tomorrow."
"And a party tonight," said Rosetta, brightening. "It's time to get cleaned up and pick out our dresses. Yes, even you," she said, her eyes scanning me. "You're not wearing that to this special celebration!"
"I'm not going." My entire body ached from my useless efforts and the fear that my Arrival was a mistake sat like a weight in my chest. "I'm just too tired."
"But you have to!" Rosetta blurted. "All of—"
"Perhaps Ally's right," said Chloe. "Maybe a good night's sleep will help."
A feeling of gratitude toward her swept through me. After my failures today, I wasn't in the mood to celebrate another's accomplishments, even though, deep down, I knew I was being selfish.