“Here we are!” the bluebird called finally as she flew out of the woods.

Delphie stopped with a gasp as she looked up at the palace in front of them. It was made of glittering white marble and had tall pointed turrets, a moat that had turned to sparkling ice and a big golden door.

“It’ll be warm inside,” Skye said, tapping on the entrance with her beak.

The door opened and a large, cheerful-looking guard looked out.

“We’re here to see Sugar,” Skye told him. “I’ve brought Delphie, the girl with the magic ballet shoes.”

The guard beamed. “Everyone’s been hoping you’d arrive,” he said to Delphie. “My name’s Griff. Come in! You must be freezing out there.”

“Thanks!” Delphie hurried into the castle. Through the door was a high-ceilinged hall with richly embroidered tapestries. There were three huge log fires burning and the warm air wrapped around Delphie like a hug.

“Here,” Griff said, coming over with a purple velvet cloak. “Put this on until you’ve warmed up.”

The material was soft and thick and Delphie pulled it snugly around her.

“I’ll go and fetch the King and Queen,” Griff said. “We’re in awful trouble. I really hope you can help us this time.”

Delphie shivered. She hoped so too.

4
Delphie’s Plan

Griff hurried off. A few minutes later, he returned with four other people – a beautiful girl with long brown hair wearing a pink dress and a delicate silver tiara, a woman in a midnight-blue dress, a man wearing dark trousers, a gold crown and a purple fur-lined cloak and…

“Sugar!” Delphie exclaimed in delight as she saw her friend the fairy. Sugar looked just as she had the first time Delphie had seen her and was wearing a pale lilac tutu, tights and ballet shoes.

Sugar grabbed Delphie’s hands and swirled her around. “It’s great to see you again, Delphie!” They stopped and hugged and then the smile faded from Sugar’s face. “Has Skye told you what has happened?”

Delphie nodded. “King Rat is totally evil!”

“He certainly is,” said the princess, coming forward. “I’m Princess Aurelia, and this is my father and mother, King Tristan and Queen Isabella of Enchantia.”

“Welcome to our palace, Delphie,” King Tristan said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Delphie wasn’t sure what to do. She had never met a king and queen before. She swept her leg behind her and curtseyed gracefully keeping her back straight, just like she had to do at the start and end of every ballet class. She saw Sugar’s look of approval and glowed.

Queen Isabella came forward and took her hands in hers. “I really hope you can help us.