Becoming Magical [2]

C H A P T E R - 4 9

Are you ready for this? Sophie transmitted as she stroked Silveny's shimmering nose.

The earth's shadow had just started its slow path across the moon, making a red-orange eclipse in the starry sky. The Celestial Festival would be well under way, which meant she and Silveny were almost to their cue.

They were the finale.

Ready, Silveny transmitted, but without her usual enthusiasm.

Sophie had spent the last three days using every non-school-related second preparing Silveny for the night's big move. All the gentle medical care had helped Silveny stop panicking around other elves and animals, and Sophie had spent hours explaining every detail about what would happen and why and what they needed to do. Silveny was as ready as she'd ever be.

But now that the moment had come, Sophie wasn't ready to say goodbye.

Friend, Silveny said, nuzzling Sophie's neck and filling her mind with a lonely ache. Come.

"I can't," Sophie whispered. You know I can't.

Stay, Silveny tried.

You can't do that either.

Silveny hung her head, and Sophie felt her eyes get watery.

She'd only spent five weeks with the strong-willed alicorn—most of which had been filled with more headaches and glittery poop than she would've liked. But Sophie couldn't imagine looking out in the pastures and not seeing her fluttering around. Or sleeping without Silveny's warm calm filling her mind.

Silveny didn't want to go either. Friend. Stay. Home.

"It's not safe here, anymore," Sophie told her. "Look what happened to your beautiful wing."

She'd removed the bandage a few minutes before—the Council didn't want the public to see it—and there was a dark scar among the feathers. Sophie stared at the star-shaped bruise on her own hand as she traced the thin red line on Silveny's skin.

Another thing they had in common.

Another reason this had to be done.

The Sanctuary was hidden inside the Himalayas. The dwarves had secretly hollowed out the enormous mountains centuries before, and the gnomes and elves had converted the space to a lush paradise with every possible climate, comfort, and care. Access was restricted and regulated, and the Council had amped up security even more for Silveny's arrival to make sure that no one would be able to hurt her there. And Silveny would finally be able to meet the other alicorn, and hopefully with time they would breed. Ensure the existence of their species.

I'll come visit, Sophie promised, which perked Silveny up enough to fill Sophie's head with Visit! Visit! Visit! mixed with the occasional Keefe! Mer!

Yes, I'm sure Keefe and Mer will come too.

She reached up and ran her fingers through Silveny's icy mane, meeting her deep brown eyes. But I'll miss you.

Miss, Silveny repeated, transmitting the ancient ache she'd sent Sophie before. Friend.

Tears slipped down Sophie's cheeks, and she wrapped her arms around Silveny's neck. What matters is keeping you safe, she told her, repeating the words until Silveny finally accepted them.

Sophie tried to accept them too as Silveny lowered her shimmering head and let Sophie climb on her back.

"You don't have to do this, Sophie," Grady said, startling them both.