Page 66 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“But—” Nicholas started.

“Now!”

The door to the chamber slammed shut, sealing them both inside. Nicholas took Ella’s hand and started down the corridor. Ingrid was already halfway down it, her boots thumping on the stone floor and the too-large cloak flapping behind her.

“Will she be all right?” Ella asked.

“I hope so,” he replied.

Behind them, purple and white light illuminated around the door. Sounds of an altercation wafted through it. A crash and then a pounding followed by something thumping against the door. Ella hoped her fairy godmother would make it out alive.

“I’ve just about had enough of you,” Noella said.

She clutched her wand, hesr palm sweating, as she watched the bird flap around the room. She shot a bit of magic toward her and missed.

Malvina returned to her true form, the purple smoke billowing around her in a cloud.

“And I’ve had enough ofyou,” Malvina said. “You’ve taken everything from me once again.”

“I’m not the one who used dark magic and got herself banished.” It was a cheap shot, Noella knew, but it served the purpose.

Malvina’s face pinched with fury. “I’m not the one who sucked up to father all those years. You’re not so innocent yourself.”

She threw a bomb of magic at her. Noella ducked behind a chair.

“I’m not the one who used the Dark Mirror.” Noelle fired back with her own white magic. The punch of power hit the hourglass, destroying it.

“And I’m not the one who stole the glass slippers out from under someone else!” Malvina attacked again. The cushion on the chair exploded in a puff of stuffing.

Noella moved out from behind it, looking for another place of refuge. She spotted the tapestry on the wall and knew it hid the Dark Mirror. Destroying that would be in vengeance for Malvina destroying the Christmas Star. She tossed a bit of magic at Malvina, hitting her in the shoulder long enough to distract her, then hurried over to the tapestry. She shoved it aside.

The mirror came alive with its fogginess followed by the strange magical face.

“Yes, my queen—who are you?” it said.

“Step away from that!” Malvina shouted.

Noella cut her a glance over her shoulder and took two steps back. “As you wish.”

Then she pointed her wand at the mirror and sent a bright beam of light right into its center. It shattered into a thousand pieces, leaving nothing behind but the ornate gold frame.

“NO!” Then she growled, a sound deep in her throat. “You willpay for that!”

“That’s for the Christmas Star,” Noella said, a smugness overtaking her. “And to stop you from seeing into our lives.”

“Those slippers belong tome!” Malvina whined.

“They don’t. They’re with their rightful owner now. Ella earned them. Ella will keep them.”

“I willdestroyyou,” Malvina said.

“You can try.” Noella clutched her wand at her side and despite her fear, her voice remained calm. “Your dark magic is no match for mine, for I have the Light of Christmas and carry its Spirit with me wherever I go.”

“Yes, yes, yes. Spreading good will and cheer.” Malvina spit on the cold stone floor. “While I rot in here in my fortress.”

“A fortress of your own making,” Noella countered. “Farewell, sister. Perhaps we will meet again under better circumstances.”

Noella placed a bubble of protection around her as she walked toward the door. But she knew Malvina wasn’t finished yet. She sensed her attack before it even happened and spun to face her, using her wand to punch her sister in the middle of the chest. Malvina flew backward, landing on the stone floor and sliding several feet before coming to a halt. Noella paused, waiting to see if she would rise again. She didn’t.

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