My Secret Unicorn by Linda Chapman Read Free Book Online Page A

shining. She touched Twilight with her silvery horn, and it glowed strongly once more. ‘Twilight, you have shown yourself to be strong and tireless as well as brave. I give you now the energy you will need to reach Shadow in time.’
    ‘Thank you, Sidra,’ said Twilight, his ears pricked up.
    Sidra looked at Lauren. ‘Farewell, Lauren. I’m sure we will meet again, but meanwhile, continue to be a good friend to Twilight. I know you will always do your best.’
    Lauren nodded. ‘Goodbye, Sidra,’ she said breathlessly. ‘And thank you. It was amazing to see the waterfall.’
    Sidra arched her neck and gave a trumpeting whinny that carried over the mountains. Then she rose into the air and flew off, back towards Arcadia.
    Lauren patted Twilight’s neck as they watched her disappear into the indigo sky. ‘That was the most amazing adventure ever!’ she whispered. Then she took the bottle out of her pocket andgazed at the starry water that sparkled inside. ‘Come on. We’d better get back to Shadow.’

Chapter Nine
    Twilight shook his silky mane and took off again. Lauren stroked his neck and did her best to encourage him – even with Sidra’s help, she knew he must be exhausted by now. Her eyelids were beginning to feel very heavy and she had to concentrate hard on staying awake.
    ‘Are you feeling all right?’ she askedTwilight, as they cantered above the forest that stretched over the lower slopes of the mountains. ‘I’m almost falling asleep.’

    ‘I’m fine,’ said Twilight. ‘But I’d be worn out if Sidra hadn’t given me that extra boost of strength.’ All the same, he did sound a little bit tired, and Lauren wondered if he was feeling sad too, now that they’d left Arcadia behind.
    Lauren forced herself to ask a difficult question. ‘Was it hard, seeing all the other unicorns going back to Arcadia?’
    Twilight twitched one ear. ‘Not really,’ he said. ‘It was lovely to have a look at Arcadia but I know we didn’t have time for a proper visit. Anyway, seeing the waterfall was exciting enough.’
    ‘Are you sure?’ Lauren said. ‘You really didn’t want to stay in Arcadia with Frost and the other unicorns?’
    Twilight shook his mane vigorously. ‘Lauren, I’ve told you. I really want to stay with you!’
    ‘Oh …’ Lauren breathed out happily. ‘Thank you, Twilight.’
    As they cantered onward, Lauren recognized the winding river that they’d flown over on the way to the mountains, and the big farm nestled on its banks. ‘We’ll be there soon,’ she promised Twilight.
    There was a faint glow over the horizon to the east. It was almost dawn. They had been out for the whole night! They began to soar down towards Goose Creek Farm, and Lauren felt for the precious bottle of water in herjacket pocket. It had to make Shadow better – it
had
to.
    The yard was deserted, and Twilight landed right beside Shadow’s stable. Lauren slid off his back and peered over the door. Shadow was still lying down, and Lauren could see his sides heaving painfully. His breathing sounded harsh and noisy, as if he had a sore throat. Mel was fast asleep beside him, wrapped up in a striped, woollen horse rug.
    Very, very quietly, Lauren slid back the bolt and led Twilight inside. She knelt down beside Shadow’s head and stroked his face. It felt damp with sweat, and he only half-opened his eyes at her touch. Lauren’s heart lurched. He was evensicker than before – had they arrived in time?
    ‘We’ve come to give you something to make you better,’ she whispered, pulling the water bottle from her jacket pocket and unscrewing the lid. She lifted Shadow’s head on to her lap and gently opened the corner of his mouth. She trickled some of the starry water in, and watched his throat to check that he had swallowed. A few droplets escaped and stayed on his velvety muzzle like tiny, quivering diamonds. Once Shadow had swallowed, Lauren trickled in a little bit more.
    Shadow gave a huge sigh, as if