The Wishing Spell: Chapters 8–11

All the rooms and corridors were empty except for the occasional decrepit chair or table placed in a corner.

The bridge troll eyed the twins and jauntily swayed from side to side as he began the riddle.

“That’s an owl,” Conner said. “Or a very inquisitive dove, but either way I think we’re safe.”

Alex and Conner looked at each other, completely exasperated.

“Not too many people were eager to accept her when she first moved into the palace, though. Many of the aristocratic families were upset that Prince Charming hadn’t chosen one of their daughters to wed. But she’s overcome all that since.”

The men all dressed beautifully, too, some in formal armor and some in suits with broad, fringed shoulders and square cuffs.

All the effort and flair that the guests had put into their appearance made the twins feel very insecure about their impromptu robes.

“And who are your parents?” asked the guard snootily.

This was all such a revelation to Alex.

“The Evil Queen is still very much at large, and that she has her former mirrors makes her a much greater threat to all of us. We are asking—pleading—if anyone in the Charming Kingdom knows anything about where the Evil Queen is hiding, that they please let us know immediately.”

It wasn’t every day that they got to have such an intimate conversation with one of the most famous women in history.

She couldn’t believe she was actually holding on to one of Cinderella’s glass slippers. They both were completely dumbfounded.

The subtle shakes of the pear cart finally rocked Alex and Conner to sleep.

BY C.R.A.W.L. DECREE AND APPROVED BY THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER ASSEMBLY, WOLVES OF ANY KIND, BREED, OR COLOR ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE RED RIDING HOOD KINGDOM.

"More walking?" Conner said with a furrowed forehead and his hands on his hips.

Alex clambered up the tree faster than any animal she had ever seen in a documentary.

It was so dainty and picturesque that they felt like they were in a theme park.

A bell in the steeple of an old schoolhouse rang.

The twins were so enthralled by everything that they were getting strange looks from the villagers and townspeople.

He was very good-looking, but he wore a subdued expression.

She happily sang a soprano ballad as loudly as she could.

“Oh, the day is here, and so am I,
To wistfully dream of birds that fly.
If I had legs, I’d see the world and travel away,
But I’m only a harp, and this window is where I shall stay.”

The woman looked to the ground at one of their lanterns, and a coy smile appeared on her face.

“No, I haven’t; I’ve been a little preoccupied,” Alex said, still looking down at the map.

The goblin was gangly and thin with big, yellow eyes and pea-green skin.

The troll was fat and frumpy with a huge nose and horns.

Bobblewart, the troll, ran off and returned a moment later driving a small cart pulled by a frail donkey.

They both took the reins and whipped the donkey belligerently until the cart reached full speed.

They watched over their citizens with crude smirks, enjoying the festivities around them.

They were all silent and cowered at the sight of Egghorn and Bobblewart steering the cart into the room.

“Good heavens, child, are you daft? After the curse was broken on the Sleeping Kingdom, all the thornbush and shrubbery that had grown wild around the kingdom was cleared out and dumped into a large and deep pit,” the Tradesman said.

“What’s your name?” the troll girl asked him in an airy and engaging voice.

Alex was taken aback. Had she done something wrong?

“Plaaaah!” Conner said, breaking away from her. He was wiping his mouth manically and gasping for air.

All the trolls and goblins that Alex and Conner had seen carousing on the way in were spread across the floor, passed out.