Mirror, Mirr- A Twisted Tale (Disney Twisted Tales) - Jen Calonita Page 0,13

the northern land,” said the mirror, “hails Henrich—a prince, brave and true. He shall not leave till he asks for her hand.”

“She just met the boy,” Ingrid said dismissively. “They won’t cross paths again.” I could also see to it that he doesn’t cross paths with anyone again, she thought. If that was what she had to do, she would.

“My queen, take heed, and do not laugh,” the mirror said. “If you do not act, he shall again cross her path.”

Ingrid felt the anger bubble up inside her at the mirror’s words. She curled her hands into tight fists. Just an hour ago, she’d been down in the dungeon, working on a potion, before sensing the mirror had a message for her. Now she had a problem that needed to be dealt with. Immediately.

The queen wasn’t sure how she always knew the mirror was calling, but the more she gave in to its powers, the more in tune with it she became. And she knew that everything it was saying now was true. No matter how hard she had tried to keep the girl hidden away and keep her from the finer things a princess should be afforded, the girl’s beauty and nature shone through. No rags, no dirt could hide Snow’s luminescence. That child was a perfect rose. Now that she was of age, there was no hiding that.

“The maiden may be under lock and key, but beloved by the people she will be,” the mirror continued. “You, my queen, they are less pleased to see.”

It was as if the mirror suddenly delighted in telling her what she didn’t want to hear. “I know that! Don’t you think I know?” She lunged at the mirror as if about to strike it, but stopped herself. She wouldn’t dare. “That child diminishes my authority over the people. Even hidden away in her ivory tower, they seem to know she’s there. I’m sure they wish she’d do something to rid them of their ‘evil queen,’ but she doesn’t have my strength, my power.”

“Power does she lack,” the mirror agreed, “yet strength is another matter. If given a chance, she will take the throne back.”

The mirror let the words linger in the damp, still air. The room smelled so musty that she sometimes felt ill. But it wasn’t as though she could ask anyone to clean it. She walked to one of the lanterns and lit it to give the room a warm greenish glow. Her eyes instinctively went to the corner of the chamber again, but still, no one was there. Maybe today she would get some peace from that at least.

“Till Snow White’s heart beats no more, the people will look to her. And an end to your peace will be in store,” the mirror said, reading her thoughts.

She hated when it did that, though she sighed with silent agreement. For too long she had allowed that child to exist, afraid to do anything that might disturb her newfound power. But ignoring Snow would not make her go away. It was time to take action, to do what no one else would, as per usual. “I will take care of this,” she proclaimed quietly.

“My queen, you are wise. The late hour has yet to strike. Do not let her be your demise.”

She would have it done today. She had delayed the inevitable for far too long. There would be no more indecisiveness. The threat was now too great. Rushing to the secret entrance, she pressed the lever that would let her back into her wardrobe. Then she emerged out of the closet and into her main chambers. She went straight to her door and opened it. He was waiting, as she knew he would be.

“Brutus,” she told the burly guard standing by. “Find me the huntsman. Bring him to my throne immediately.”

It always pleased her when people moved quickly.

By the time Ingrid got to her throne room, Brutus told her the huntsman had arrived. Whether the huntsman had to come from a great distance or not, she did not care. All she cared about was that she wasn’t kept waiting. Making other people wait was another story.

She had learned over the years that time might not have been her friend when it came to aging (at least not before she had come across the mirror), but in terms of making visitors uncomfortable and anxious, time was a blessing, indeed. Which was why she took her time getting settled on her throne