Free A Hidden Magic by Vivian Vande Velde

would not have been able to move. If the dragon had been standing just inside the door with black smoke billowing from his nostrils and flames leaping from his mouth, Norman would not have noticed. If Malveenya herself had been waiting for them, it still wouldn't have made any difference. They would have reacted in the same way. For the room they had entered was the most beautiful either of them had ever seen.
    As it so happened, there was no one there, and they were able to stand in mute amazement simply absorbing their splendid surroundings.
    The walls were white marble, lit by two enormous crystal chandeliers that hung in many glittering tiers. High above their heads was a huge mirror that seemed to stretch the entire width and length of the ceiling without a seam. It was only when Jennifer stepped closer to the fountain in the center of the
room that she saw a large circular hole had been cut, and a huge glass dome showed the star-sprinkled heavens.
    Besides the soothing sounds of flute and water, Norman heard the light chirping of a bird. At first he thought his imagination was affected by all the plants and potted fruit trees growing everywhere in the room, but then he noticed a hanging cage almost as big as his entire cottage. He stepped nearer and saw an exotically colored bird such as he had never seen before.
    With Norman studying the bird and Jennifer fascinated by the skylight, neither heard the soft step on the landing above the stairs.
    "Greetings, travelers," a gentle, melodious voice called. "And welcome to my home."
    Norman and Jennifer turned to face the beautiful woman who had spoken. She had thick golden hair that almost reached the floor. Her large blue eyes sparkled merrily in a face with a perfect pink complexion. She
smiled warmly and made a sweeping motion with her slim hand, saying, "Everything you see is yours to share."

    She came down the curving staircase and walked toward them with the graceful movement of an ice-skater. Jennifer started to curtsy, but the tall, slender woman stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.
    "There's no need for formality," she said in the same quiet voice. "We're all friends here." The silk sleeve of her shimmering white gown brushed against Jennifer and it felt as cool and smooth as running water. It reminded Jennifer that her own simple gown had become dirty and tattered around the edges, and she guessed that her face was probably smudged.
    Suddenly the woman's brow creased in concern. "But my poor dears," she murmured, "you look exhausted! Come, let me get you some food and drink and prepare a place for you to rest."
    Jennifer glanced at Norman, who was
[JS standing quite still, and she wondered if the sorcerer was being quiet out of shyness or if he had forgotten that he no longer had the magic ring and thought he had changed himself to look like an inconspicuous coat rack. In any case, all the questions that needed asking seemed left to her. "But where are we?" she asked in a voice that she felt sounded childishly high-pitched and ugly compared to the other's.
    The beautiful woman smiled cheerfully. "Why, you're in my home. And this is as warm and safe a place as you'll find around here."
    "But I thought we were in the Valley of Darkness and Despair," Norman said when it became obvious that she wasn't about to clarify this answer.
    The woman started to laugh merrily but quickly forced herself to stop. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude," she said, her eyes twinkling. "But does this look like the Valley of Darkness and Despair?"
    She pulled two apples from one of the small trees and offered one to each of them. "Why don't you have an apple," she suggested, "and I'll see about getting something more substantial for you to eat from the kitchen. Do make yourselves at home."
    She smiled encouragingly and left.
    "My goodness!" Jennifer said when they were alone.
    "How in the world could we have wandered out of the valley?" Norman asked. He placed his apple on the