“Oh, gods! I think they really are my mothers!” Circe cried. She was becoming frantic. Something within filled her with dread, causing Circe’s heart to pound so fast she thought she might faint.
“Circe, are you okay? What is it? Did you find something?” Snow asked, concerned.
“No, I’m sorry I’m such a mess. I’m worried Maleficent is telling the truth, and it’s giving me anxiety,” Circe admitted.
“Is there anything I can do for you? Do you need some water?” Snow’s sweet voice rang out like a little bell.
Circe looked at her cousin. “I’m just so overwhelmed, Snow. I honestly don’t know where to begin looking in all these books. My head is spinning.”
Snow joined Circe on the floor. She placed her small hand on her cousin’s shoulder. “You’re in shock, Circe. Take a moment to breathe. Why don’t you start by looking for journals dated before you were born? You said Maleficent mentioned something about your sisters also keeping a secret of hers. Maybe you should look for journals that concern her.”
Circe was thankful for the suggestions. “And you wondered why you came here. Thank you.”
Snow smiled and brought Circe her tea.
“What’s on your mind, Snow?” Circe asked.
Snow laughed. “Can’t you tell?”
Circe shook her head. “Not always. Not if I’m not listening. I do get the sense you wanted to ask me something. Something you think might upset me.”
“I’m wondering if you’re going to wake up your sisters.”
“I…well…of course I am,” Circe said. But she herself was starting to wonder if that was really a good idea.
“You don’t seem sure.”
Circe wondered if Snow was reading her thoughts. “Are my expressions that easy to read?”
Snow put back the deep blue and shining gold teacup, deciding she didn’t fancy being reminded of her childhood. Instead, she chose two cups that were black and edged in silver. “Well, if I were you, I would be feeling the same way. I’d be conflicted. Part of me would want my family back, but the other would wonder if it was responsible to unleash them on the many kingdoms.”
Circe knew what she was saying was true. “And of course, if Maleficent is telling the truth, and I have a feeling she is, I will want answers. Answers only my mothers will have.”
“And you will want those answers from them directly? You don’t think you will find all the answers you need in these books?” Snow brought Circe her cup of tea as Circe started a fire in the fireplace with a wave of her hand.
“I’m not sure,” Circe replied. “But there’s only one way to find out.”
As Circe searched through her sisters’ books, Snow sat in one of the love seats, sipping her tea and letting her thoughts wander. Strangely, she felt a sense of relief to be away from her mother. She was happy to be in this house with her new friend and happy to be on her own for the first time in her life. Ever since she was very small, Snow had been in the company of someone she had to take care of: her father after her mother had died, and her stepmother after her father had died. It had continued with the dwarfs when she was hiding from her mother, and of course her own children had depended upon her when they were growing up, but that had been Snow’s greatest pleasure and not a burden. And now that her children were grown, it was her mother who always seemed to need constant assurance of Snow’s love. It was true her mother protected her, sheltered her, and enchanted the lands around her so that she would always be happy. But Snow realized now, after some time away from her, that she was really the one taking care of her mother. She was always comforting her, making her feel better. Always making the old queen feel less guilty for the things she’d done to her when she was younger. It was exhausting.
Circe could hear the thoughts running through Snow’s mind, and she could relate. She imagined the scene that would likely transpire if she was able to wake her sisters. All the guilt and anguish for her part in how they ended up in the land of dreams would rain upon her head. Circe sometimes forgot how angry she could be with her sisters because of the horrible things they’d done. Sometimes she forgot that her anger with them was justified. She didn’t share her thoughts with Snow, because she felt they already understood each other. She wondered if that would all be ruined once her sisters woke up. Her sisters had no love for Snow White, though Circe didn’t understand why. Often her sisters’ hatred was arbitrary, and surely that was the case with Snow White. She had been just a child when they knew her. Perhaps I will find answers in these journals. Maybe after all these years, I will finally get to know my sisters and learn who they really are.
She had been looking through the spell books for a long while when something finally caught her eye. Circe went ghastly pale. All the color ran from her face and she looked like she might faint. “Oh, Snow! I think I found it! I think I found what Maleficent was talking about. It’s a spell!”
“What is it?” Snow ran to Circe. “Are you okay? Come sit down over here. I will get you some more water. You look dreadful.”
Circe was in shock. “I understand now. It all makes sense. Everything. Every foul deed. My sisters’ mania. My powers. Everything.”
“What does it say?” Snow’s eyes were wide. She was frightened for Circe. Before Circe could answer, they were interrupted by a terrible rumbling.
Snow rushed to the window and saw that the house was lifting off the cliff, rising through the clouds into the heavens. “Circe! What’s happening? Are you doing this?”
Circe looked just as terrified as Snow was. “No, I don’t know why the house is traveling! Snow, sit do
wn. I’m sure we’ll be safe, but please sit down, just in case.”
Circe went to the large round window in the kitchen to get a better view of where they were headed. Although she had experienced it more times than she could correctly recall, her sisters had always directed the house. She had no idea why it was moving on its own.
Snow clenched the arms of her chair tightly.