Let It Glow Read online

  To my husband, Patrick, who always helps me make writing a priority. Love you!

  CONTENTS

  TITLE PAGE

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  SNEAK PEEK

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ALSO AVAILABLE

  COPYRIGHT

  Electra shuffled her hooves and glanced out the window as she waited for history class to finish.

  “What’s wrong?” her friend Daisy asked quietly as the teacher passed back their quiz papers.

  Electra always had trouble standing still in history class. She’d much rather be outside running through the fields at the Enchanted Pony Academy. Her outdoor classes, like weather casting, were great. She hated being stuck inside. But today, being cooped up in class was even worse. Today was an extra-special day.

  “I’m just excited!” Electra whispered. “Riding lessons start in a few minutes.”

  “You’ll be great. Probably the best in the class!” Daisy said.

  Electra smiled. “I sure hope so!”

  The school bell rang, and Electra bolted out the door. She had enough time for a quick run along the apple orchard before she had to be at the stables to gear up for riding class.

  Electra loved nothing more than running as fast as she could, the wind whipping through her mane. Charging through the fields, her magical hooves left behind a cloud of glitter. No other pony at school could keep up with her. Back home, the other ponies gave up trying to beat her a long time ago. If she weren’t a Glitter Pony, destined to be paired up with a royal child, she definitely would’ve wanted to become a race horse.

  But Electra was very excited to find her perfect match among the royal children, and she was certain her running skills would help. She didn’t have the top grades among the first-year ponies. She didn’t have the best Glitter Gift, either. Daisy could turn invisible! Her pegapony friend, Skydancer, could talk to winged creatures. All Electra could do was make her horn and hooves glow. Sometimes, they glowed on their own when she was excited. She could feel a warm tingle whenever they started to light up. It was a nice gift, but it didn’t seem good enough to make a prince or princess choose her as their pet someday.

  But riding? Once the children saw how fast she could go and how fun she was to ride, she hoped they’d be lining up to choose her on selection day. Then she’d hopefully find her perfect royal companion. Together, they’d help rule a kingdom. And today, she’d get to work with those children for the first time! She reared up in excitement.

  Electra snatched an apple off the tree and munched on her snack as she galloped to the riding stables. This is going to be the best day ever, she thought. Everyone is going to want to ride with me.

  Electra hurried to join the first-year ponies on the field, along with the lead ponies from each of the barns. Rasha, the lead pony from the Sky barn, greeted her. “Can’t wait to see you ride!”

  Electra pranced in place, eager to get started. “I can’t wait, either!”

  “This is so exciting!” said her friend Razzle. “It’ll be so much fun working with the children.”

  “Woo-hoo!” shouted their classmate Stone, who shot a stream of sparks from his horn. That was his Glitter Gift, and he used it all the time.

  “I’m a little nervous,” Daisy said. “I’ve never ridden with someone on my back.”

  Razzle giggled. “Of course not, silly. No one’s allowed to ride a Glitter Pony until they come to the academy.”

  “We can prance and trot and gallop!” Skydancer exclaimed. “It’ll be a blast. I wonder when I get to fly with the children?” She flapped her shiny white wings.

  Electra smiled, happy all her friends were excited, too. Hopefully, they didn’t feel bad that they weren’t as fast as she was.

  Mulligan, the old pony who was equipment keeper for the school, whinnied loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Welcome, ponies, to your very first riding class. This is an introductory course, so don’t worry, it’ll be nice and easy. And how’s this for exciting? Soon, you’ll work with a designer to create your own special saddle. But for now, the school’s training saddles will do. Let’s get you geared up!”

  Buckles clinked and leather squeaked as the ponies were suited up with saddles.

  When it was Electra’s turn, Mulligan levitated the saddle onto her back and tightened the straps around her. Next came the bridle and harness. It all felt bulky and tight. She’d never had riding gear on before.

  She wriggled and swatted her tail around. She hadn’t expected it to be so uncomfortable.

  “Don’t worry, lassie, you’ll be fine,” Mulligan said.

  “Oh, I know. I’m just getting used to it,” she said.

  The other students were giggling and rearing, teasing each other while showing off their gear.

  “Aren’t these saddles neat?” Razzle asked.

  “Sure,” Electra said, not caring one bit what they looked like. “I just can’t wait to ride.” Once she was out on the field racing away, she wouldn’t even notice the saddle.

  When everyone was ready, Electra led the group to the training field, running with all her might.

  As they arrived at the field, she spotted a group of children waiting for them. They waved and smiled and stood on their toes for a better look. Some wore their royal crowns and capes. One pretty girl with long red braids sat in a chair with wheels. Electra had never seen such a thing.

  A few of the children were pointing at Electra. “I want to ride that unipony!” said one girl.

  “Look at her colors! She’s got a rainbow mane!” said another.

  Electra was so excited that she kicked out her back legs.

  Now all of the children were watching her with wide eyes. She neighed excitedly. This was going to be so much fun.

  “Welcome, royal children,” said Professor Wallina, the academy’s riding teacher. “It is time to start working with our ponies so you both can perfect the art of riding. Then when your selection day comes, you’ll be ready to ride off with the new pet you choose in our celebration ceremony.”

  The ponies whinnied, and the children cheered.

  She continued. “Ponies, of all your classes, this is one of the most important. You must pass this beginner class before you can move on to the more advanced riding classes. And you won’t be included in the selection ceremony until you pass all your riding classes. Glitter Ponies must be able to ride with their royal children.”

  No problem, thought Electra, champing at the bit to get started.

  A man in tall boots and a hat stepped forward. “Hello, everyone. I’m Professor Maximus, a riding instructor from the Royal Children’s Academy. We have two weeks to work with the ponies and pass this introductory course before you return to your kingdoms. This is also a good opportunity to get to know the ponies that will be included in your selection ceremony next year.”

  Electra got goose bumps just thinking about that special day. How wonderful it would be to find her perfect royal match. She couldn’t wait!

  The teacher continued. “Children, choose a pony, and I’ll instruct you how to mount.”

  The ponies pranced in place and bobbed their heads in excitement as the group of children headed toward them.

  “I want to ride a unipony!” cried one girl.

  “Me too!” said another, quickly grabbing Violet’s reins. Violet was delighted.

  There were only a few uniponies among the first-year students, a
nd several children were running toward Electra. Excited, she reared up and whinnied. The girls stopped and screeched.

  “That unipony is wild!” said one of the girls, backing away and tripping.

  “I’m not riding that unipony,” said a girl.

  “Me neither!” said another. “I’m too scared!”

  Suddenly, all the children were running away from Electra.

  “No! Don’t be scared of me. I’m not wild. I’m just excited,” Electra said, a bit embarrassed.

  Still, the children looked at her cautiously. Then they turned to the other ponies, each choosing the one with whom they wanted to ride.

  No one’s picking me! she thought nervously. I’ll show them what I can do. She turned and ran a few fast circles around the field so they could see how much fun she’d be, then returned to the group of remaining students.

  “You’re really fast,” said one boy, sounding worried instead of impressed.

  “I’m too scared to try that unipony,” said a girl who scampered over to Daisy for a ride.

  Soon, only a few children were left who hadn’t picked a pony yet, including the girl in the chair. And she was reading a book, paying no attention at all to the ponies.

  Electra gulped. Was no one going to choose her? She pawed at the ground.

  Then a tall boy puffed out his chest and walked in her direction. “I can ride with her.”

  Electra smiled, relieved she was going to get to show off what she could do.

  The boy took hold of her reins and led her to the center of the field.

  Electra couldn’t wait to ride. “What’s your name?” she asked him.

  “Prince Dmitri.” He stepped into the stirrups.

  Electra grunted as he sat on her back. He was heavier than she expected. Then he yanked the reins and nudged her in the ribs. “Ride!” he commanded.

  Surprised by his tone, she tore across the field. But she couldn’t run as fast as usual. The boy on her back was slowing her down. She didn’t like that feeling. Gathering all her strength, she sped forward.

  Prince Dmitri pulled on her reins. Startled by the unfamiliar feeling, she bucked her back legs. But he held on, tugging harder.

  Is this really how riding works? she wondered.

  “Stop!” he hollered.

  She stopped bucking and kept running.

  “Stop!” he shouted louder.

  She wasn’t sure what the boy wanted. It was hard getting used to following someone else’s orders, but Electra came to a sudden stop. The boy flew forward, tumbling off the saddle onto the ground.

  “Hey!” He glared up at her from where he was sprawled in the soft dirt. “Why did you do that?”

  Electra was confused. “You told me to stop, so I did!”

  He stood, dusting himself off. “You don’t know anything.”

  Everyone had stopped to stare at Electra.

  “She’s not a very good pony,” one child said.

  “I’m never going to ride her,” said another, crossing her arms.

  All of the children started whispering and casting looks her way.

  The girl in the chair slammed her book shut. “Excuse me,” she said, tipping up her chin. “Didn’t we just talk about the importance of kindness in our classes? Royal children are supposed to set a good example. Are you doing that by saying such nasty things to this nice pony?” She stared them down with icy blue eyes.

  “No,” said a few of the children.

  “I’m sorry,” said another.

  Electra blinked and looked down.

  The girl in the chair softened her tone. “This is new to all of us. We must be patient as we learn new skills, and treat our hosts with respect.” Then the girl wheeled her chair away from the group, before Electra could say thank you for sticking up for her.

  The lead ponies from the four barns trotted over to her. “Are you okay, Electra?” asked Rasha.

  Electra flicked her tail back and forth angrily. “I’m fine.”

  Belissima, the lead pony from the Earth barn, tossed her beautiful pink mane. “It takes some ponies a little time to get used to riding with children. You’ll be fine.”

  Electra nodded, but she still felt sad. She’d been so certain she’d be one of the ponies who was amazing at riding. How had it gone so wrong?

  “You get another chance tomorrow,” Rasha said. “It’ll get easier and easier each time.”

  I hope so, Electra thought.

  “Thanks,” she said to the lead ponies. “I’ll see you later.” Electra ran to the stables without looking back. The saddle seemed to be getting heavier and heavier, and scratchier and scratchier.

  “Get this off me,” Electra begged Mulligan by the time she got to the barn.

  He chuckled. “Don’t worry, it takes some getting used to.”

  Electra sighed as Mulligan charmed the riding gear off her. “I don’t understand. I thought this was going to be so easy for me, but my child fell and got angry.”

  He nodded sympathetically. “Well, you know what they say. If someone falls off, you’ve got to help them get back on. You’ll get the hang of it, lassie.”

  “I’m worried no one else is going to give me a chance.”

  “Of course they will. You’ll get the swing of things.”

  “I hope so. I love running. But it’s hard with a child,” Electra said sadly.

  “Well, I’ll see you back here tomorrow, little filly. You’ll have a better day. There’s always a way to work out your problems. Don’t forget that.”

  Electra plodded on to weather casting class and couldn’t concentrate on the lesson about hail. She was going to have to borrow someone’s notes to study!

  After classes, Electra wanted to be alone, so she settled into her stall in the Sky barn stables. She lay down in her cozy bed of clouds. She always loved looking at the beautiful decorations enchanting her room and the stars that hovered on the ceiling, but today they didn’t cheer her up. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  “Electra?” Rasha stood outside her stall. “Are you feeling better?”

  Electra stood and shook off her coat. “Yes. Of course.” She didn’t want to admit how bad she was really feeling.

  “It’s almost time for dinner. I heard there are sugar cubes for dessert!”

  Electra nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

  But at dinner, all the other ponies were chattering about how much fun they’d had riding with the children.

  “My child gave me a carrot!” Daisy said. “It was so wonderful. She loved when I made us disappear!”

  “Mine braided my tail!” Razzle said.

  “I can’t wait for the next class,” Daisy said dreamily.

  “And we can ride after classes, too!” Skydancer said. “We can work on tricks and challenges if we want to! You missed that announcement when you ran off, Electra,” she explained. “What happened? Why did you leave?”

  “My ride didn’t go well,” Electra said quietly.

  “It’ll be better tomorrow,” Daisy said.

  Well, it couldn’t be worse, right? thought Electra. She was lucky to have such kind, encouraging friends. Tomorrow, she’d show them what a good riding partner she could be.

  But she had bad dreams that night of children falling off and yelling at her. She tossed and turned and woke up exhausted.

  Then she worried all morning long during her other classes. She kept dropping things during levitation class. She couldn’t remember any of the answers for her composition test. She was getting more nervous about riding class as the day went on.

  When she got to the riding field, the girl with bright red hair was sitting in her chair reading a book. She didn’t look up when Electra passed.

  The rest of the children shied away from her. The big boy who had ridden her had scratches on his face. He sneered. “No one’s going to want that unipony for a royal companion,” he said.

  Electra’s jaw dropped. What a hurtful thing to say!

&nb
sp; “Prince Dmitri, that’s enough,” said Professor Maximus.

  The prince stalked away.

  While some children petted the other ponies, and offered them carrots and sugar cubes, the rest of the children stared at her with wide eyes and fearful faces. Electra had never felt so embarrassed.

  A little girl wearing a big crown walked over. “I’m going to be queen someday. I can handle this Glitter Pony.”

  Electra wanted a second chance to prove herself, but she was worried. Would this child like her?

  The girl stepped into the stirrup and swung her leg over Electra. She wasn’t as heavy as the boy had been. Maybe this would be easier.

  “What is your name?” the girl asked.

  “I’m Electra. Who are you?”

  “I’m Princess Antonia, and I can’t wait to ride with you!”

  Electra bobbed her head. “Me too. It’s my favorite thing to do.”

  “Let’s go!”

  Electra trotted across the field. She turned in whichever direction the reins were leading her. It was an odd feeling, having someone in charge of where she was going. She wanted to trot along the apple orchard to search for fallen snacks. But the girl led her straight down the middle of the field.

  It certainly wasn’t as fun as riding by herself. Not being in control of where she was going wasn’t the only problem. Electra was uncomfortable. She didn’t like the feel of the bit in her mouth. The saddle rubbed against her back.

  The princess ruffled Electra’s mane. “I love these bright colors. I definitely want a unipony for my pet. I might consider you when it’s time for my selection ceremony. What is your Glitter Gift?”

  “I can make my horn and hooves glow,” Electra responded.

  “May I see, please?”

  Electra tried to make them glow, but the strong, warm feeling she usually got was much weaker. She checked a hoof, and it was just barely lit up. What was happening to her?

  “That’s it?” The girl sounded disappointed.

  “It’s usually brighter. I don’t know what’s wrong. Maybe it doesn’t work as well when I’m riding.” Or when I’m disappointed, she thought.