Page 42 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

As she drifted off, she thought she saw a flash of light from the slippers, as though they twinkled with joy at finally be released from the captivity of the sack. But then she decided it was nothing more than her tired mind and her imagination playing tricks on her. Moments later, she was fast asleep.

Chapter 15

Malvina’sattemptstobringthe glass slippers to her had failed. She thought stealing the girl from the village would push those useless villagers into action. But no. Though she threatened to take another, she really didn’t have the desire to have another pathetic hostage in her care.

At least their Christmas Star was destroyed now, plunging the happy little village into quiet despair. She’d sensed that the moment it shattered. She paused, remembering the tinkling of glass when it cracked and stifled a laugh.

It had been so satisfying seeing that smashed into pieces.

But she still had the issue of the missing glass slippers. Sheneededthem if she was going to remove Noella from her throne and take over the realm of Rovenheim. Those slippers had the power to manipulate feelings and she wanted them.

Thinking of Noella sent the ire rising through her. Her face flushed hot as she thought of the woman who stole them out from under her. How dare she.

She paced her bedchamber, her hands clenching and unclenching into fists. How did the slippers get past her in the village? Who had them? And how were they able to conceal them? She knew they were there. She’d sensed their magic.

She halted her pacing and went to the tapestry concealing the Dark Mirror, shoving it aside.

“Dark Mirror, tell me what I seek. Where are the glass slippers?”

The mirror’s face appeared inside the smokey circle. “The young woman still has them, my beautiful and desperate queen.”

Fisting her hands, she said, “Where is she?”

There was a long pause before the mirror answered. “She is no longer in the village.”

When the mirror didn’t elaborate, she huffed out a heated breath. “Thenwhereis she?”

“She comes to your keep, my dark and dangerous queen.” Another pause. “With the prince.”

“The prince?”

She tapped her forefinger against her chin as she resumed her pacing. “There is only one reason why the crown prince would come here. Perhaps he thinks to rescue my prisoner. And if the young woman is with him and she carries the slippers…” A laugh bubbled up her throat. “Well, then. I shall have them at last.”

“And the crown prince,” the mirror added.

“Ha! Yes, and the crown prince. Noella will have no choice but to bend the knee to me. And then…I shall rule all of Rovenheim. I must prepare.”

She covered the mirror once again and then hurried out to make sure her prisoner was secured.

A knocking on her door awoke her from a deep sleep. She sat upright in bed, trying to remember where she was as her surroundings were momentarily unfamiliar. Then it all came rushing back to her. Nicholas, the prince, bringing her to his castle, feeding her a delicious meal, and then taking her to her own private chamber where she had a luxurious bath and slept in the coziest bed.

The fire was now nothing more than embers and there was a chill in the room. She was reluctant to leave her snug nest.

“Rise and shine, my lady!” It was the older lady who had returned. She burst into the bedroom with an armload of clothes which she dumped on the end. She gave her a bright smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, very well, thank you.” Ella pushed aside the covers. When her bare feet hit the cold floor, a shiver went up her spine.

“His highness asked me to bring you some warmer clothes for your travels.” She waved to the mound on the bed. “Let’s get you dressed—oh!” She gasped when she saw the glass slippers on the table by the bed. She bustled over, leaning down to get a good look at them. “Those are lovely.”

Ella bent to pick up the sack that had fallen on the floor. She reached for one of the shoes, holding it up for the woman to see.

“They’re made of glass!” she said, her eyes alight with excitement.

Ella couldn’t hide her smile at the woman’s delight. “They are.”

She peered at them longingly. “There’s a legend about a pair of glass slippers. Have you heard it?”

Ella shook her head.

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