Chapter 7

Fairy Mary hurried toward them when they entered Queen Clarion's bedchamber. Her round face was swollen and blotchy, as if she'd been crying. "It's hopeless. Queen Clarion's almost completely faded away." She blew her nose on a leaf handkerchief.

"We have dust that will help." Zarina held up her satchel. She could barely hear her own words over the rapid pounding of her heart.

"Let's hope so, for all our sakes," said Fairy Mary, crossing her fingers.

Lord Milori knelt beside Clarion's bed with his head lowered. His white hair, which was uncharacteristically mussed, concealed most of his face. The queen lay in the bed, her long, loose hair draped over her pillow. A twisting sensation filled Zarina's chest. Clarion looked so fragile, so ephemeral that she appeared to float. Her skin had become as diaphanous as a fairy wing.

Zarina reached into her bag, pulling out a handful of dust. Its multicolored light flooded the room and shone through Clarion as if she were made of glass. Zarina sprinkled it over her, then stepped back and held her breath.

Nothing happened. Disappointment filled her like poison. After all they had gone through to get the ingredients, they had failed. No, she had failed. She bowed her head and closed her eyes.

Seconds later, someone nudged her. "Zarina, look!" Her eyes flew open at the sound of Tink's excited voice.

The iridescent dust swirled around Queen Clarion and lifted her into the air. Lord Milori gasped and rose to his feet.

Color returned to Clarion's skin and her wings, which had hung dull and limp moments before, unfurled into golden splendor. Her nightgown transformed into her dress of sparkling pixie dust. Her vivid blue eyes opened as she was lowered to the floor. She studied her hands then scanned the room with a stunned expression. Her gaze settled on a grinning Lord Milori. He swept her into his arms and gingerly kissed her lips.

Zarina felt as if she would burst with happiness as the others drew her into a tight group hug.

"I feel so much better," Clarion gasped. "What happened?"

Heat rushed into Zarina's face as Milori took her hand and gently pulled her forward. "It was Zarina. Her dust is what cured you."

The queen's smile made her face impossibly beautiful. She held out her arms. "Zarina, I—"

"It wasn't just me, Queen Clarion." She turned toward her friends. "It was all of us. Without them, I never would have been able to get the ingredients I needed."

Clarion's smile broadened and her glow grew brighter. "I am deeply grateful. To all of you."

Lord Milori beckoned a courtier over. "This calls for a celebration. Tonight. Let all of Pixie Hollow know that the queen has recovered."

"Yes, my Lord." The courtier dashed away.

"And you are all to be the guests of honor," said Clarion.

"A party!" gushed Rosetta. "In our honor! I'll pick out our gowns. Well, for us girls." She giggled as she glanced at Terence, Clank, and Bobble. "You fellows are on your own." She turned to Zarina. "And we've got to do something with that wild hair!"

Pixie Hollow erupted into a whirl of activity as everyone prepared for the celebration. Light fairies hung colorful, glowing orbs from the surrounding branches, the Garden talents lined the paths with flowers of every hue, the Water fairies created elaborate fountains, and the Winter fairies formed an ice rink for everyone to skate on. A long table was set with tantalizing meals and an endless array of sweets, prepared by the Cooking and Baking talents.

It was a beautiful night. Fireflies danced in the warm, fragrant air and stars coated the sky. The Second Star shone amongst them like a miniature sun and a full, yellow moon hung low on the horizon. Crickets chirped, a sound that created a pleasing counterpoint to the Music talents' melodies.

Zarina, sitting on the bow of the Jolly Roger, watched the activity below. Fairies and sparrow men from every season, garbed in their finest clothes, danced, skated, and feasted. She smiled when she saw Lord Milori gently guide Queen Clarion around on the ice, then sighed and looked away.

She had dressed up for the celebration but slipped away the moment the festivities started. She was clad in a gown woven from golden flower petals that glittered with countless tiny dewdrop beads Silvermist had made. Thanks to Rosetta, her thick, auburn hair tumbled over her bare shoulders in soft curls.

She was free of Kyto's mental grip but her conscience tugged at her. A hot tear tickled her cheek.

"What's got you down, Sugar?" She nearly leaped off the rail at the sound of Rosetta's voice.

Rosetta, Tink, Vidia, Fawn, Iridessa, and Silvermist surrounded her, gazing at her with concern. They all looked gorgeous in their attire. Their wings glowed against the night.

"Zarina, is everything all right?" Tink placed a hand on her shoulder.

She nodded and brushed away the tear. "Yes. It's just that…" She turned from them and drew her knees to her chest. "I fear, deep down, I'm evil."

"What are you talking about?" asked Iridessa. "You're not evil."

"She's right," said Silvermist. "You couldn't be. Your dust saved Queen Clarion. This party is in your honor too."

Zarina turned back to them but couldn't meet their eyes. "First, I sided with pirates and stole the blue dust. And then I befriended Kyto and almost gave in to his temptation to let Queen Clarion die so…so I could take her place." She expected them to recoil from her in horror.

"The dragon Kyto?" Vidia settled next to Zarina and slipped an arm around her. "Sweetie, I was his friend long before your Arrival."

Zarina blinked at her. "You were?"

"It's not one of my proudest moments, but yes. Why, you have nothing on me when it comes to bad behavior. But no one talks about my past crimes anymore, which is why everyone in Pixie Hollow now loves me." She grinned and winked. Zarina smiled.

"Just look at all the good you've done since you returned," said Tink, taking Zarina's hand. "Come with us back to the celebration. Everyone's been asking about you."

Zarina nodded and rose into the air. As she flew with her friends, she pondered an idea for a new pixie dust potion that could mend broken wings. She was filled with hope that Lord Milori would fly again one day.

The End