Lila Moon pressed her ear against the cold stone wall. A whisper slipped through: 'Come up.'
She heard a voice say, 'Come up.' Her eyebrows shot up. She gave a quick thumbs-up to the moon and scrambled up the hill.
She pushed open the creaky gate and tiptoed into the courtyard. 'I hear you,' she whispered to the wind.
Five windows lined the wall. She spotted one with a star-shaped keyhole. Her toes curled inside her boots with delight.
She tugged the iron ring. Jumped. Leaned her shoulder against the door — but it wouldn't budge.
She sat on a mossy step and pulled out her half-eaten apple. The boy tossed a shiny key onto her lap.
'You heard it too!' she squealed. Finn pointed to the keyhole.
Finn turned the key with a loud click. The door swung open. Glowing books floated in the air!
She reached for a book. It burst into silver sparks that tickled her nose. She sneezed — Achoo!
The sparkles swirled and settled into a map on the floor. It pointed to a blank book on a reading stand.
She touched the blank book. Words bloomed across the pages like flowers.
The castle whispered, 'Well done, brave heart.' The books settled onto the shelves.
She took the boy's hand. They walked down the hill together while a robin chirped softly.
The castle stood quiet behind them on its hill. Stars blinked above like little lanterns.
She looked at her fingers. They were sticky from apple juice. She smiled.
The young girl and the boy walked home together under the big bright moon. It was a good night.
