Snowy Wishes (2 page)

And now here they all were, all aboard the
Sea Princess
for a winter cruise around the wild and beautiful coast of Norway.

Robyn sighed. At this rate, she was going to be lucky if she caught a glimpse of any snowcapped mountains through the cabin window, let alone spend any time with her dad. It looked like this was going to be another lonely Christmas after all.

“How come you and Dad are okay? I can barely even stand up without wanting to throw up,” she grumbled.

“It’s just sheer bad luck,” her mom said sympathetically. “We had no idea
that you’d react so badly to a sea voyage, or we’d have chosen a different way of spending Christmas.” She handed Robyn a glass. “Have a drink of water. It might help.”

Robyn sipped the water. She felt a tiny bit better after having a drink. “Thanks, Mom. I think I might stay sitting up. Maybe I’ll look through that music magazine you got me. Where’s Dad?”

“In the sun lounge, reading his paper. Are you sure you wouldn’t like me to bring you something? Maybe a sandwich or some fruit?”

At the thought of food, Robyn made a face. “I couldn’t eat a thing.”

Mrs. Parsons shook her head slowly. “I’m really starting to wonder whether
we shouldn’t get off the ship at the next port and arrange to take you home.”

“No! You can’t!” Robyn said at once and then wished that she hadn’t spoken so loudly. Her head felt as if it was spinning. “Dad will be so disappointed if we waste this vacation. And you’ve been really looking forward to it for ages.”

“So have you, sweetheart,” her mom reminded her gently. “This was supposed to be a really special Christmas together, remember?”

Robyn nodded. “I know, but we’ll have lots more of them,” she said, trying hard to hide her disappointment for her mom’s sake. “I don’t see why you and Dad can’t still have a good time. I’ll be fine in here by myself. I’m nearly ten
years old, aren’t I? And I
have
to start feeling better soon. No one stays seasick forever!”

Mrs. Parsons shook her head slowly. “I’m still not happy about leaving you alone. I’m just going to pop back to have a word with your dad. Let’s see what he has to say about this. I won’t be long.”

Robyn’s shoulders slumped as the cabin door closed. Even though it wasn’t her fault that she felt so ill, she knew she’d feel really guilty if their cruise was cut short.

It’s just not fair! I’m so fed up of being sick!
she grumbled to herself.

She took a deep breath and decided to get up. Maybe her mom and dad would change their minds about taking her home if she could convince them that she
was feeling stronger.

Pushing back her quilt, Robyn slowly swung her legs over the side of her bunk. Her head swam a bit, but she stood up determinedly and reached for her jeans and fleece top. She was a bit wobbly on her feet, but she took her time getting dressed and finally managed it okay.

I’m much better. I’m fine,
she told herself determinedly as she bent down to pull on her sneakers. Suddenly, a strong dizzy feeling washed over her, and she lost her balance.

“Oh,” Robyn gasped, toppling forward.

She threw out her arms, ready for a painful bruising landing, when a brilliant golden flash and a shower of sparks lit up the small cabin. Time
seemed to stand still and a warm tingling sensation ran down Robyn’s spine. She felt a sudden jolt, but there was no hard landing.

To her complete astonishment, Robyn found herself sprawled full-length on her tummy on a sort of bouncy raft, made of shimmering gold-colored bubbles, and whizzing all around her was
an ice storm of spinning, glittering sparks.

Robyn caught her breath as she felt herself slowly rising up into a sitting position and then being lowered gently on to the floor. The bubble raft and sparks dissolved with a loud crackling noise, like chip bags being crumpled up.

Robyn sat there shakily on the floor and looked around nervously.

What had just happened? She felt like pinching herself to see if she had been dreaming.

“I hope you are not hurt,” woofed a strange little voice.

Robyn nearly jumped out of her skin. “Who said that?” She twisted around, her eyes searching the small cabin.

Crouching on top of the neat chest of drawers opposite, Robyn saw a tiny,
fluffy white puppy, with cute floppy ears, a silky white tail, and midnight-blue eyes. Thousands of tiny diamond-bright golden sparkles glittered in its thick fur.

Robyn’s eyes widened. Her mom must have brought in the cute toy to cheer her up and then forgotten to tell her about it. She must be more affected by her seasickness than she’d realized—first she’d imagined floating on a sparkly bubble raft, and now she thought she’d heard this toy puppy speak to her!

Robyn stood up and went to reach
out toward the toy. “Hello. Aren’t you gorgeous? I wonder where Mom found you.”

“I came here by myself,” the puppy woofed. “When you fell, I used my magic to stop you from being hurt. I am sorry if I startled you.”

Robyn gasped and pulled her hand back as if it had been burned. “You…you
can
talk!” she cried.

The puppy blinked up at her with wide midnight-blue eyes. Despite its tiny size, it didn’t seem to be afraid of her. “Yes.
I am Storm of the Moon-claw pack. What is your name? And what is this strange moving place?”

“Robyn. Robyn Parsons. And we’re on a ship called
Sea Princess
. I’m here on a Christmas cruise with my parents,” Robyn explained, her mind still whirling. She found it difficult to take all this in, but she didn’t want to scare the amazing puppy away. “Um…I don’t know what you did just now, but thanks for helping me. I could have hurt myself badly.”

“You are welcome,” Storm yapped.

Robyn slowly backed up to the edge of her bunk and then sat down. “Sorry, I’m feeling a bit sick. I’ve been like this since we came on board.”

Storm’s little pointed face clouded with concern. “I will make you better.”

Robyn instantly felt another warm tingling sensation down her back as Storm reached out one fluffy, little white paw and sent a fountain of tiny sparks toward her. They whirled around her, humming like tiny worker bees before disappearing. She felt the sickness washing downward and draining out of her toes, just as if she’d been standing under the flow of a warm shower.

“Wow! That’s amazing,” she cried delightedly, jumping up. “I don’t feel sick anymore, and I’m not dizzy or anything! Thanks again, Storm!”

“That is good.” Storm grinned, showing his sharp little teeth, and then his face took on a serious expression. “I need to hide now, Robyn. Can you help me?”

“I’d love to, but why do you need to do that?” Robyn asked, looking down at the cute white puppy, who was beginning to tremble all over.

Storm’s midnight-blue eyes darkened with anger. “An evil lone wolf attacked our Moon-claw pack—he is called Shadow. Shadow killed my father and brothers and wounded my mother. He wants to lead our pack, but the others are waiting for me.”

“But how can you lead a wolf pack? You’re a tiny pu–” Robyn began.

“Stand back, please!” Storm interrupted.

There was a dazzling flare of golden light, which blinded Robyn for a moment. For a second or two, she couldn’t see anything. But when her
sight cleared, the cute white puppy had gone and in its place a magnificent young silver-gray wolf stood proudly, almost filling the whole of the tiny cabin. Its thick neck-ruff glittered all over as if it had been dipped in gold dust.

Robyn caught her breath and would have backed away if there had been room. “Storm?” she gasped, eyeing the
young wolf’s sharp teeth, strong muscles, and huge powerful paws.

“Yes, it is me. Do not be afraid. I will not harm you,” Storm replied in a deep, velvety growl.

Robyn had hardly got used to the great majestic wolf when there was a final flash of dazzling light. A shower of bright sparks crackled harmlessly down around her and Storm reappeared as a cute, fluffy white puppy.

“Wow! You really are a wolf! That’s an amazing disguise,” Robyn whispered.

Storm tucked his little white tail between his legs, and Robyn saw that he was beginning to tremble again. “Shadow will recognize me if he finds out I’m here, and then he will use his magic against me. Please will you help?”

Robyn’s soft heart went out to the tiny scared puppy. She bent down and stroked his soft little head. Storm was impressive as his real self, but in his cute puppy disguise he was totally adorable.

“Of course I’ll help you and—” Robyn stopped as she realized something. “Oh, I don’t think animals are allowed on board. I could try to hide you in my cabin, but it’s small and you’ll be really bored if you have to stay in there for the whole time.”

“I can come everywhere with you. I will use my magic so that only you can see and hear me,” Storm woofed eagerly. A couple of tiny sparks danced around his floppy white ears and then blinked out. “It is done.”

“You’ve made yourself invisible?
Cool!” Robyn said delightedly. She picked Storm up and gave him a cuddle. His white fur was thick and silky and smelled of cold fresh air. “Let’s go and explore
Sea Princess
together!”