Читать книгу Magic Ballerina 1-6 - Darcey Bussell - Страница 21

Just at that moment, a flash of blue zipped across the stage. Delphie’s brown eyes widened as she saw a beautiful turquoise bird about the size of a robin. It landed on one of the icy branches and sang loudly, its tiny wings fluttering, its head cocked on one side.

“Hello,” Delphie said, going up the steps at the side of the stage and looking at the little bird. “Do you know what’s going on?”

“Yes!” the bird twittered.

Delphie was only a little bit surprised to find that it could talk. She was in Enchantia after all!

“My name’s Skye,” the bluebird said. “Are you Delphie?” Delphie nodded and the bird carried on. “I’ve been waiting for you. Sugar thought the ballet shoes might bring you here again. We’re in terrible trouble, Delphie.”

“Trouble? Why?” Delphie asked in alarm.

“King Rat has cast a spell over Enchantia to make it winter all the time,” Skye told her. “He has a model of Enchantia sealed inside a glass globe. Whenever he shakes the globe, snow swirls around and then it falls in real life too.

When it’s as snowy and icy-cold as this no one can dance properly.”

Delphie shivered as Skye continued.

“Everyone just stays indoors and all the animals and birds have either hibernated or gone away to where it is warmer. All my family have flown off. I hurt my wing though and couldn’t keep up with them so I had to come back.” She dipped her head and looked very sad. “I really miss them. I wish it was spring again so they would return. But King Rat says he’ll only break the enchantment if he can marry the King and Queen’s daughter, Princess Aurelia, and she doesn’t want to marry him at all.”

“I’m not surprised!” said Delphie.

“But if Aurelia doesn’t marry him it’s going to stay winter forever,” Skye sighed. “Sugar is at the palace now, trying to comfort the princess. Do you think you might be able to help us? I can show you the way there.”

“I’ll try!” promised Delphie. “Let’s go!”

“It’s this way!” sang Skye. “Follow me!”

The bluebird flew off the stage and Delphie ran after her, finding herself in a wood. There were tall dark trees rising up on either side and the air was totally still and silent apart from the sound of Skye singing as she swooped on ahead.