10 Chapter 10

10 Willa felt something press against her side. It was Delphina.

"It's time to head back to the glade," the dolphin chattered. "The Tree Queen wants to see you all." The Glitter Dragon Girls began flying back the way they had come, following the course of the river. Looking down, Willa could see the effects of their potion. Ribbons of blue curled through the gray water. The river was quickly turning back to its dazzling blue. Azmina and Naomi flew on either side of her. "Willa, I know you didn't think you could lead this quest. But you did a great job," said Azmina. "Thanks to you, the forest is looking beautiful again," added Naomi. Willa felt a surge of happiness at her friends' kind words. The forest did look great, but Willa was pretty sure they hadn't seen the last of the Shadow Sprites. A light wind began to blow, and suddenly Willa made a very cool discovery.

"Hey, guys! We can surf the wind!" Willa yelled. She showed her friends how to catch an air current and glide along on top of it, like riding a wave at the beach. Azmina and Naomi both tried it, but they couldn't do it nearly as well. "You make it look easy!" Azmina laughed. "I keep ending up upside down!" "We'll practice more next time," promised Willa. "Look, there's the glade." Sure enough, down below was the glowing heart of the Magic Forest, the Tree Queen standing tall at its center. Together, the Glitter Dragons zoomed down.

They passed through the protective shield and landed on the soft, mint-green grass. "Well done, Glitter Dragons!" said the Tree Queen. The queen's voice was much stronger. And Willa saw the sparkle had returned to her warm brown eyes. The shine was back in her flowing hair. Her limbs looked even stronger than before.

"You look wonderful," she blurted without thinking. Was it rude to comment on a queen's appearance? Willa wasn't sure. But the Tree Queen smiled. "I heard on the wind that you had completed your quest. But I already knew. The water seeping through my roots is so much cleaner. I am feeling much better. Congratulations, Dragon Girls. Especially you, Willa." If dragons could blush, Willa's face would have been bright red. "Thanks, but it was really a team thing." The Tree Queen nodded. "I know. I am very happy with how you've come together as a group." The Glitter Dragon Girls grinned at one another. There was nothing better than being praised by the Tree Queen! "Do you have the apple?" asked the queen.

Willa pulled it from the bag. It was now withered and had lost its beautiful shine. As she passed the apple to the Tree Queen, it dissolved into a tiny shower of raindrops. They sparkled like diamonds for a moment, then—pop-pop-pop— they disappeared. "Do you need us to come back again?" asked Willa after she'd gotten over the shock of seeing an apple disappear before her very eyes. The Tree Queen nodded, her face serious again. "Yes, I will need you again very soon. What do you think, Dragon Girls? Are you up for one last quest?" Willa, Azmina, and Naomi didn't need to look at one another to know they all felt the same. Of course they were! The quests definitely had some tricky moments, but nothing felt better than helping the Magic Forest. The Tree Queen rewarded them with her warm smile. "I thought you would. Now, find your travel