The Odd Sisters (Villains 6)

“We need you to find one of Maleficent’s birds,” said Lucinda.

“I think I can do that,” said Grimhilde with a wicked grin the odd sisters recognized. It was the same grin they’d seen on her face after she had drunk the potion they had given her years before—on the day she ordered the huntsman to murder Snow White. Lucinda was pleased to see Grimhilde hadn’t lost her hate; it was blazing inside her like the fires of Hades.

Lucinda didn’t know if she could trust Grimhilde, but perhaps coming together would bring them the one thing they both desired even more than revenge.

Their daughters.

Snow White and Circe had been reading the book of fairy tales while they were traveling in the odd sisters’ house. They had been trapped there since the house took them to its place of origin, a place known as the Beginning.

Much of the lore surrounding the odd sisters’ house was a mystery. There were secrets hidden within its walls and its bookshelves and steeped in its very being. One such secret was where the house had been created. The odd sisters had introduced a fail-safe when the house was first built. Should anything ever happen to them, the house would take its inhabitants to its place of birth. The sisters wanted to be sure their secrets would be safe should they ever be compromised while away from their home.

And that was exactly what happened: Circe and Show White were inside the house when the odd sisters went to the dreamscape, and the house took them to a place outside the many kingdoms.

The Beginning was a celestial landscape filled with stars and swirling constellations. They were trapped and had no idea where they were or how to escape. So they occupied themselves by reading the book of fairy tales and the odd sisters’ journals. They thought perhaps they would find answers in the journals that would lead them back home. They were so worried about everyone in Morningstar Kingdom after their battle with Maleficent. But soon they became distracted by reading Gothel’s story in the book of fairy tales. They couldn’t believe how deeply the odd sisters were involved.

Circe was so angry with her mothers she took away their powers.

And then, without explanation, the house released them from the Beginning.

With the sudden freedom to travel where their hearts led them, Circe and Snow White wanted to make sure everyone they had read about in Gothel’s story was safe.

First their journey took them to Rapunzel, where they saw her happy ending with their own eyes. Then they traveled to check on Mrs. Tiddlebottom, a dear old woman who had cared for Rapunzel when she was very young and who now looked after the bodies of Gothel’s sisters, Hazel and Primrose. Once satisfied everyone in Gothel’s story was safe, Circe and Snow headed back to Morningstar Kingdom in the aftermath of their battle with Maleficent to see how Nanny, Tulip, and Oberon were faring.

Even though what they had learned from reading Gothel’s story in the book of fairy tales was still very much on their minds, their hearts were in Morningstar. As Circe and Snow White traveled, they read the ending of Maleficent’s story again just as they were starting their own adventure.

Nanny stood among the ruins of Morningstar Castle. The Fairy Godmother had sent the good fairies off to help Prince Phillip fight the dragon and stayed behind to help her sister repair the damages to Morningstar and to tend to everyone’s injuries after the terrible battle with Maleficent.

“Thank you for your help, Sister,” Nanny said sincerely.

The Fairy Godmother kissed her sister on the cheek. “It’s my pleasure, dear. We have repaired far worse in our time, you and I. I’m just happy no one in the castle was seriously hurt.” Nanny looked around, trying to find Tulip. “Are you looking for Princess Tulip?” the Fairy Godmother asked. “She is with Popinjay. They are doing what they can to help Oberon’s army. He lost many friends in his battle with Maleficent.”

Nanny was heartbroken. Everything had turned to ruins, and the Fairy Godmother could see the pain in her sister’s face. “Don’t fret, my dear. You really did all you could for Maleficent. I’m just sorry I never helped you. Perhaps if I had…”

Nanny hugged her sister. “Let’s not speak of it now. I know your heart. I know.” And she cried. She cried harder than she ever had. She had lost so much. She’d lost Maleficent, and she didn’t know how to find Circe, who was traveling to places unknown in the odd sisters’ magical house.

“You have me. You will always have me,” her sister reminded her. “Speak to Pflanze. She likely knows more about the lore surrounding the odd sisters’ house than anyone. I’m sure Circe and Snow will find their way back safely before we know it.”

“You’re probably right, Sister. I’d better go help Tulip with the Tree Lords. Perhaps I can heal them with my magic,” Nanny said, still looking very concerned.

The Fairy Godmother thought that was a good plan. “I’ll stay here and repair the castle…” And before she could finish her thought, a magnificent dragonfly appeared with a message from the Fairylands.

“What’s this?” The Fairy Godmother opened the scroll and read it. “It’s from Merryweather. She says Aurora has woken up. Prince Phillip has broken the curse.” She looked at her sister, knowing the good news also brought heartache.

Nanny shook her head. “No, I

’m happy for the princess, and for King Stephan’s court. I’m sure the good news has brought love and light to everyone in the kingdom, and I’m so glad the princess will be happy. She deserves that.”

The Fairy Godmother took her sister into her arms. “And in a way, Maleficent is finally happy. She lives on in her daughter, Aurora.”

Nanny thought her sister was right. That, at least, gave Nanny peace. For now. Until she turned her mind to other matters. But in that moment, she would be happy the princess lived to find true love with her prince. And Nanny was comforted in the knowledge that Maleficent would, in some fashion, live on in Aurora.

Even if the histories and books of fairy tales left that part out, she knew. And that was all that mattered.

“Snow, stop reading,” said Circe. “It’s breaking my heart. Besides, we’re almost there.” Circe looked out the window of her mothers’ cottage as it flew through the air. “Look, I can see Morningstar.” Snow put down the book of fairy tales and looked up excitedly.

“Oh! Are we? Nanny will be so happy to see you.”

Circe perched her mothers’ house on the black rocky cliffs that overlooked what had once been the domain of the sea witch, Ursula. The view of Morningstar Castle from the large round kitchen window was a startling sight. Though the Lighthouse of the Gods stood untouched by the great war between Maleficent and the Tree Lords, the castle was still in disrepair. The battlements that faced the cliffs were crumbled, lying in heaps at the base of the castle like broken Cyclopean tombstones. Two of the towers were completely destroyed, including the one that had held Tulip’s chambers. The sight sent chills through Circe’s heart.