After splitting up from her friends, Bella managed to shower and change clothes before running into her mom. The queen found Bella when the princess was drying her hair.
“When did you come inside?” Queen Katherine asked, folding her arms. Bella studied her mom’s face. The queen wasn’t angry, but she was definitely a little cross.
“I got in a while ago,” Bella said. “I was sweaty and gross from being outside, so I took a shower. I didn’t want to track dirt everywhere. I’m so sorry that I missed dinner, Mom.”
“Did something happen during your riding lesson?” Queen Katherine asked. She raised a you-better-tell-the-truth “Mom” eyebrow.
“Nothing happened,” Bella said. She hated lying to her mom. Queen Katherine trusted Bella, and the princess had never given her parents a reason not to trust her.
Until now. But she had to protect Ben and even shield Glimmer from trouble.
Bella had realized in the shower that Glimmer’s decision to run away could get her unicorn into trouble. That was the last thing that Bella wanted.
“Everything went great,” Bella added. “Ben was a great teacher. He told me to go after the lesson, but I decided to stay. I wanted to learn how to prepare Glimmer for bed after riding her.” Bella stretched her arms behind her back. “It’s completely my fault that I got in late,” she added.
The queen eyed her, and Bella fought the urge to chew her bottom lip.
Please, please believe me, Mom, Bella thought. I’m sorry I’m lying. I’ll never lie again after this is over!
“Next time, please make sure you send word that you’ll be missing dinner,” the queen said. “Don’t make a habit of it, though, Bella.”
“I won’t,” Bella promised.
Her mom smiled and stepped forward to wrap her arms around her daughter. “I am proud of you, sweetie. I remember my early days of learning to ride Kiwi, and it was quite tiring. I’m so happy you decided to stay at the stables and care for Glimmer.”
“You could have just ridden her and left,” Queen Katherine continued. “But you showed a true interest in Glimmer’s well-being. That’s my girl. Your father will be proud too.”
The queen’s words made Bella’s stomach hurt.
* * *
On Monday morning, Bella was awake long before Lyssa arrived. She dressed herself, moving quietly so no one would know that she was awake, and settled onto her window seat. The events from last night ran over and over in her mind.
A swallow chirped outside her window and hopped on the ledge of the fountain. The bird dipped its head into the water, causing droplets to cascade down its neck and back. The little brown bird bathed in the early morning sunlight.
Last night, after the talk with her mom, Bella had eaten dinner and, claiming to be tired, had gone to bed early. She really had climbed under her covers before her usual bedtime, but she had been awake for most of the night. All Bella could think about was getting through school and searching for Glimmer. She would have to make certain that she didn’t miss dinner for a second night in a row.
“Bella?” a soft voice called from the other side of the door.
“Come in,” Bella replied. She pasted a fake smile on her face as Lyssa walked inside.
Lyssa’s eyes swept over the already-dressed Bella. She tilted her head. “I know why you’re up early. You can’t keep secrets from me!”
What? How did Lyssa find out? Bella thought, panicked.
“Lyssa, you can’t—” Bella started.
“Your ride with Glimmer went so amazing that you were going to sneak out before school to see her,” Lyssa interrupted, grinning. “That’s why you’re up so early.”
Lyssa’s wrong—so wrong—guess made Bella snap her mouth closed. Relief swept over her that Lyssa didn’t know the truth.
“You got me,” Bella agreed cheerfully. “I was totally planning to see Glimmer. I got lost in a daydream, and now it’s too late.”
“Aw, Bells,” Lyssa said. She smoothed her cheery yellow cap-sleeve dress. “The day will go by faster than you think. You’ll be seeing Glimmer before you know it.”
Bella managed a smile. “I hope so.”
It was the first sentence of truth she’d spoken in a while.
Lyssa picked up a hairbrush and waved it at Bella. “Come over and let me do your hair,” she said. “You have to tell me everything about your first ride!”
Slowly Bella uncurled her legs and walked across her bedroom. She sank into the plush pink-velvet-covered stool in front of her mirror.
Lyssa ran the brush through Bella’s hair, locking eyes with her in the mirror. “Are you okay?” Lyssa asked. The older girl frowned at Bella’s reflection. “You’re awfully quiet. I thought you would be dying to tell me about your day with Glimmer.”
“Oh, I am,” Bella said. “Yesterday was amazing, Lyss. I’m just a little tired and sore from riding.”
Still brushing, Lyssa nodded. “I get it, Bells. I’m sure you were up the night before thinking about what riding Glimmer was going to be like. Then when it was over, I’m sure you felt like an energy zap spell had been cast on you.”
“Exactly,” Bella agreed. “Glimmer really does mean more to me than anything in my whole life, and I was so, so excited about yesterday.” Under the vanity table, she curled her fingers into fists until her fingernails dug into her palms. It was all she could do to keep from crying. “She’s the best unicorn in the whole world.”
“French braid?” Lyssa asked, Bella’s hair entwined around her fingers.