Ree wondered how they’d keep the promise, but she refused to think about it now.
The fairies heard the beating of wings and looked up in alarm. But it was only another dove, who landed next to Mother Dove.
The two exchanged greetings. Mother Dove said, “This is Brother Dove, Rani. He’ll be your wings from now on.”
“Oh!” Rani was weeping again.
“Climb on.” Brother Dove extended a wing for her to walk up.
She did and sat, her legs clamped around his neck.
He chuckled. “I won’t let you fall.” He rose into the air.
Rani felt as safe as she did flying with her own wings. And she’d never felt flight like this before, so powerful and fast. Oh, so fast! And so high! The fairies were mere specks on the sand below. The ocean was a rich blue, striped with wavy lines of white foam. It was her ocean now. She could play and swim in it and perhaps meet another mermaid.
Brother Dove descended in gradual circles. The fairies applauded as Rani dismounted.
“Whistle when you want me, and I’ll come.” Brother Dove flew off down the beach.
“And now… ” Mother Dove spread her wings and gathered Prilla in.
Prilla felt the softness of Mother Dove’s feathers. She inhaled Mother Dove’s warm, sweet scent.
Mother Dove released her. Prilla sneezed and smiled dazedly.
“Only Kyto could make the egg whole again,” Mother Dove said. “But he contaminated it, and we needed you to make it right. It was a lucky day when you arrived in Never Land.” She faced everyone. “Prilla has a new fairy talent. She is our first mainland-visiting clapping-talent fairy.”
“Oh. Oh, my!” Prilla thought, I have a talent after all! I haven’t been doing anything wrong!
Mother Dove added, “For now, you’re the only one in your talent, Prilla. It may be lonely sometimes.”
Prilla nodded. So she’d go on being lonely. But it would still be better now that she had a talent.
The fairies were silent. Then Tink said, “Prilla can be an honorary pots-and-pans fairy. We’d be proud to have her.”
Prilla turned to Tink in surprise and saw Tink’s dimples.
Rani said, “Prilla can be an honorary water-talent fairy. I’ll teach her some tricks.”
“Thank you, Rani.” Prilla was afraid she was going to cry.
Silence fell again.
Then Terence said, “Prilla can be an honorary dust fairy.”
Dulcie said, “We’d love for Prilla to be an honorary baker.”
Now all the fairies were chiming in, making Prilla a member of their talents.
“Thank you! Thank you!” Prilla wept and turned a dozen somersaults. A dozen cartwheels.
Mother Dove started to tremble. She smiled, utterly happy, and said, “The Molt has begun.”
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg Page 10