Page 77 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

As they arrived at the village gates, something was awry. Nicholas stiffened in the saddle, then, without warning, kicked his mount into a full gallop. She and Ingrid exchanged a curious look.

“What is it?” the girl asked.

“Something’s wrong,” Ella said. “Let’s hurry.”

She nudged her horse into a trot. Ingrid did the same. When they arrived at the gates, Nicholas dismounted and walked several steps into the village. Ella and Ingrid came to a halt and also dismounted. She followed him inside the gates.

There was an eerie silence. The village was deserted.

“I don’t understand,” he said. “It should be bustling with activity this time of year.”

On the other side of the village, though, the enormous tree stood dark. No lights twinkled like they had when Ella first arrived. The festive atmosphere was gone. The shops were closed and dark.

“This is Malvina’s doing,” he said, his breath pluming white in front of him. “Because she destroyed the Christmas Star.”

Ingrid stood between them and shuddered. She ran to her father’s shop. She tried the knob, but the door was locked. A closed sign was in the window. She cupped her face to peer inside it, then turned around, dejected.

“There’s no one there.”

“Perhaps we should take Ingrid to her home. Maybe her parents can tell us what’s happened,” Ella said.

Nicholas nodded. “That’s a good idea.”

Ingrid gave directions to her house. They returned to the horses, mounted, and then rode through the desolate village. Seeing the dark tree sent a pang of sorrow through Ella. As they passed by it, though, she saw the sparkling shards of the Christmas Star at the foot of it. Discarded. It gave her an idea. Once they delivered Ingrid safely to her parents, they could return and try to put the pieces back together.

It was a short ride to her home. The small cottage had one chimney with gray smoke curling out of it. A wood fence wrapped around the front yard. Snow heaped on the pickets. As they approached, Ingrid’s face broke into a joyful grin. She pulled her horse to a stop, jumped down from the saddle, and ran the rest of the way, her braids flopping behind her.

Ella and Nicholas both halted several feet from the gate. Ingrid burst through the front door, calling for her parents. Then there was silence. Relief sputtered through Ella knowing they had returned her home safely.

“Well…” Nicholas said. “I suppose our duty has been fulfilled.”

She nodded. “I suppose it has.”

“We should return to the castle before nightfall. My mother said a winter storm was coming.”

Her heart picked up speed, drumming hard in her chest. She tried not to read too much into theweof his statement.

“We should,” she agreed, her voice hoarse in the cold late morning air.

Nicholas turned his horse. Ella started to do the same, but as she did, Ingrid rushed out of the front door dragging a woman behind her. A man followed along with a girl and a boy. An older couple trailed after the two younger children. Agnes and Lukas.

Ingrid’s parents and siblings and grandparents.

Happiness shot through Ella seeing the reunited family, the smiles on their faces, the pure joy and relief at having their eldest returned.

“Nicholas, wait,” she said, her voice urgent.

He halted, turned back, and saw them all emerging.

“Wait!” Ingrid called, waving her hand in a giant wave. “I want you to meet my family!”

Ella hopped down from the saddle, her steps quick as she hurried to meet them. Nicholas was right behind her.

“But we’ve already met.” Agnes stepped around the others and headed right for Ella. She caught her in a fierce hug, squeezing her tight. When she pulled back, her face was bright with a smile. “Ella, I’m so happy to see you.”

“Hello, Agnes. I’m happy to see you, too.”

“You know each other?” Nicholas asked.

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