Ever After High

by Heather Alexander

  Clean and bake,

  Create a cake.

  Clean the floor,

  Crumbs no more.

  Magical energy exploded from her fingers, and for a moment, the kitchen clouded in a haze of purple. Raven smelled something baking. She squinted as the fog cleared. Had her spell worked?

  The egg yolk mess was gone. The floor and counter were no longer covered with flour. She’d done it! She peeked into the oven. It was empty. Where was the cake?

  “We’re kings of the mountain!”

  Raven whirled around. The twins sat atop an absolutely enormous pile that took up most of the kitchen. Where had that come from? She edged closer and pushed her fingers in it. Was it made of sand? Gravel? No, but it smelled familiar. She took a tentative taste, and her eyes widened.

  Cake crumbs! She’d conjured the Mount Ever After of cake crumbs. Her spell was a fairy-fail!

  What now? Could she mush the crumbs together and mold them into a cake? With a thick layer of frosting, maybe no one would ever know. Raven shook her head. That would never work. The pile of crumbs almost reached the ceiling!

  “Oh!” Cook gasped as she pushed open the door.

  Raven cringed. “I can explain—”

  “I’d rather not know.” Cook sighed as she lifted her twins off the crumbs. “You are clearly your mother’s daughter in the kitchen. She always caused a whirlwind when she came in here. What if you focus on decorations and leave the baking to me?”

  She shooed Raven and the twins from the kitchen. Then she called to the ogres to bring shovels and wheelbarrows to cart out the crumbs.

  Diary Entry

  I really need to talk. I tried to cast a cleanup spell after creating a royal mess in the kitchen, but my spell created an even bigger mess. It took the ogres and Cook over an hour to clear out the mess I made, so she didn’t have time to prepare the Coronation Chicken Salad for Dad’s lunch meeting. He had no choice but to make a reservation at Ye Olde Restaurant in the village instead of eating in his own castle. He’s been gone all afternoon!

  I can’t stop thinking about what Cook said. Am I really like my mother? I know I look like her, but I’m not like her on the inside… am I? Is it possible there are crumbs of wickedness in me?

  I wish my friends were here so I could talk to them. What would they say? Apple would remind me that even though I caused some problems today, I could never-ever-after cause as many problems as the Evil Queen. And Maddie would tell me… actually, I have no idea what Maddie would tell me because it would probably be in Riddlish, but I’m sure she’d make me feel better. I always feel like myself when I’m with my friends. The one other thing that can make me feel like myself, oddly enough, is a visit to my mother. It might sound weird, but when I see her, I feel fairy, fairy certain that I’m nothing like her!

  Wait! I just got an idea! I’ll visit my mother. She might be able to snap me out of this strange funk. Wish me luck, Diary!

  Spell you later!

  Raven

  aven entered her mother’s old bedroom, where the mirror was kept. As far as she knew, only two mirrors could access the Evil Queen. One was kept behind a heavily chained door in the tower attic of Ever After High. The other was in the Queen’s Wing in the Other Side of the Castle.

  When Raven was little, she loved to watch the Evil Queen at her vanity table as she got ready for a dinner party. Sitting alongside her, Raven would gaze at her mother’s reflection in the mirror as she brushed her glossy jet-black hair with a silver brush and then applied shimmering poisonous-plum lipstick. She would touch Raven’s lips with the lipstick, adding a touch of matching color. Side by side, they would smile.

  Now her mother was inside the mirror. Raven waited without saying a word. Somehow, the Evil Queen always knew when her daughter was there.

  “Namaste, darling!” Her mother appeared in the mirror. Her dark hair was swept into a high ponytail and a stretchy metallic headband rested on her forehead. She wore a fairy stylish black zip-up hoodie and black stretch pants. “I just finished my yoga class. I’m feeling so zen. We must stay healthy, or our dark powers fade. How are you feeling these days?”

  “I’m fine,” Raven replied. She wasn’t used to her mother being so cheerful. Usually, the Evil Queen complained about being locked away in mirror prison and reminded Raven over and over again about how disappointing it was that she was choosing not to follow her destiny.

  “Fine? What’s fine mean?” The Evil Queen eyed her daughter up and down. “Any evil stirrings? Rumblings of terror? Visions of darkness?”

  Raven shifted uncomfortably. When she was little, her mother could tell her exact temperature by placing her cheek on her forehead, but now a thick pane of magic glass separated them. How did her mother know she wasn’t feeling quite right?

  “I’m not feeling evil,” Raven insisted. “We’ve talked about this so many times. I’m not going down that path.”

  “You must be feeling even a tiny bit more wicked today than you were yesterday.” The Evil Queen raised her arched eyebrows quizzically, as if not quite believing her. “No? Then maybe you’re doing some little wicked things? Just… casually?”

  The kitchen disaster flashed before Raven’s eyes. Had that happened because she was wicked? No, that happened because she hadn’t been paying attention to the twins and then her spell backfired.

  This wasn’t working out as she’d planned. Seeing her mother was supposed to make her feel better. She steeled herself and stood up straight, looking her mother in the eyes.

  “I’m all good,” Raven replied confidently, but the slight waver in her voice gave her away.

  “Ah, then there is something amiss.” Her mother’s gaze bore into her like a hex-ray, searching for the evil she had ignited with her curse.

  The Evil Queen was confused. No darkness simmered in her daughter’s soul. What had happened to the curse? She inhaled sharply and worry creased her brow. “You haven’t been sitting under bridges? Refusing people safe passage? You’re not feeling… troll-ish, are you?”

  “Hexcuse me?” Raven replied, laughing. “You’re starting to sound as silly as Maddie.”

  The Evil Queen forced out a sharp laugh. “Yes, yes, just trying out some Riddlish. You know how I feel about those Wonderlandians.”

  “That’s not funny.” Raven grew serious. She hated that her own mother had invaded Wonderland and forced her best friend and many others from their home. “What you did to Wonderland was unforgiveable and pure evil.”

  “Exactly!” She pointed her finger at Raven. “You, my dear, are capable of that delicious darkness, too. It’s inside you. It’s your destiny. You’re just like me. Just look at you—you’re still my mini-me.”

  Raven recoiled. “I may look like you on the outside, but I’m like Father on the inside.”

  The Evil Queen snorted. “How is your good ol’ dad? Tell me. Where is he?” She was wise enough to know that Raven wouldn’t be talking with her if her father was around to entertain her.

  “He’s great. He’s really busy solving all the problems in the kingdom,” Raven answered with pride.

  “Some things never change. He never knows how to say no to his loyal subjects.” She placed both hands over her heart. “Your mother is always here for you, my sweet.”

  “That’s because you can’t leave,” Raven pointed out.

  “You’re missing the point!” she hissed. “I always put you first. When you were a baby, I always made sure you had the best nannies taking care of your every need. And if one of them dared to question me, I’d curse her with ogre breath for a week! Let me tell you, those nannies learned very quickly how to properly care for you!”

  “That’s horrible!” Raven’s stomach turned at the thought of the poor nannies.

  “No, that’s a mother’s love.” The Evil Queen beamed proudly. “You just wait. Your evil will bloom soon. Just like mine.”

  “Enough!” Raven whirled away from the mirror, clenching her fists. She didn’t
like arguing with her mother, but she’d gotten what she’d wanted. She felt back in control.

  Sort of.

  The Evil Queen gave a satisfied grin as Raven stormed away. She’d seen the purple sparks that flashed from her daughter’s fists. It wasn’t the intense evil that she’d been hexpecting to see, but it was a start. The curse would take proper hold in due time. The Evil Queen was sure of it.

  Raven hurried down to the dining room, more determined than ever to throw the best surprise dinner party for her father. He deserved a nice, relaxing meal after all his hard work. At their dinner she’d have his full attention, and they’d finally be able to catch up.

  She surveyed the large dining room with fresh eyes, now that she’d been away at school. No one had used the room for a party in a fairy long time. The tapestries on the gray stone walls had begun to fade, and the purple crushed-velvet chairs had grown threadbare. The slight amber glow of the brass chandelier failed to brighten the dark corners. The room was looking fairy dreary.

  Raven pulled back the shutters to let the warm sunlight filter in. She found a black lace tablecloth folded in a cupboard and smoothed it over the large table. She set out delicate china plates, etched with the black-and-silver family crest; heavy sterling knives and forks; crystal water goblets; and tall candlesticks. She cut blooming white roses from the thorniest bushes in their royal garden to create a centerpiece, and strung garlands of sweet-smelling lilacs along the walls. Then she folded two pieces of paper. On one, in purple ink, she wrote Raven. On the other, she wrote Father. She placed them side by side on the table.

  She hexted the Fiddlers Three on her MirrorPhone, but they were booked to play a concert that night on the other side of the kingdom. Curses! She quickly rounded up three house ogres. They stood at attention in front of her.

  “Do you think you could be my Fiddlers Three?” she asked, handing them violins she’d uncovered in a closet. She hummed the melody she wanted them to play, but she soon discovered that ogres are not at all musical. In fact, they are painfully out of tune. Their attempts at fiddling sounded like a chorus of cranky cats.

  The dinner gong chimed, leaving Raven no choice. She enchanted the fiddles to play her father’s favorite songs. No longer needed, the ogres scurried back to their basement rooms, but not before giving the air a curious sniff. They must smell Cook’s delicious dinner, Raven decided.

  Indeed, delicious smells wafted in from the kitchen as Raven perched on the edge of her chair, eagerly hexpecting her father’s entrance. She couldn’t wait to see the smile on his face.

  Raven waited. The fiddles fiddled. She waited some more.

  Then Cook appeared. All the happiness drained from Raven’s face as Cook handed her a note printed on royal stationery.

  My dearest daughter,

  I am so very sorry, but I will not be home for dinner tonight. You can order in pizza, if you wish. Get as many toppings as you desire.

  I have been called to help out far, far away. Jack and Jill fell down a hill and there’s the issue of a broken crown. I must speak with the doctors and the reporters waiting at the hospital for the scoop (there’s gossip that it wasn’t an accident and Jill is to blame, but I will defend her). I may be gone for the next two days, and I fear I will not be back in time for the horse races. I know you are hexcited to attend. Perhaps you can bring Ooglot?

  I recall your friend with the red cape invited you to her castle. If you want to make other plans for your Spring Break, I do understand.

  Love,

  Father

  Tears stung Raven’s eyes as she read the letter. She didn’t want to go to the Princes race with Ooglot! She didn’t want to eat a pizza! She wanted to spend quality time with her father. This was so fairy unfair! Before she could stop herself, her hurt and anger swirled together and jagged sparks exploded from her fingertips. The delicate china plate in front of her shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces.

  Raven and Cook gasped together.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.” Raven tried to gather the pieces. “I can fix it.”

  “Don’t be upset. It’s only a plate.” Cook placed her hand warmly on Raven’s shoulder. “And there’s still a delicious dinner to eat,” she added with a smile.

  “Thanks, but I’m not feeling hungry right now. I’ll just grab something later. Can you share the meal with the staff and everyone else so all that spelltacular food doesn’t go to waste?”

  Raven couldn’t bear to eat the meal without her father, and she really had lost her appetite. Something was definitely off about her—she felt the same strange sensation she had been feeling on and off all day. She’d never been this quick to get angry, and she had never let her anger take control. She stared at her fingers. What was happening? Was her mother right?

  “Home usually makes me feel more like me, but now I feel less like me. Do you know what I mean?” Raven asked Cook.

  “Not really.” Cook sighed. “But maybe you need a break from your Spring Break.”

  Raven’s eyes widened. “Maybe you’re right! It’s time for a rewrite. Thanks for everything, Cook.”

  After Cook headed back into the kitchen, Raven pulled her MirrorPhone from her pocket and dialed Cerise. Her friend’s face appeared on the screen. Maddie squeezed in next to her. Before they had the chance to even say hello, Raven burst out, “Still have room for me?”

  The music of the three enchanted fiddles was drowned out by her friends’ cheers. And in that moment, Raven felt like herself again for the first time all day.

  Diary Entry

  Other people’s houses smell different, Diary. I don’t know what our castle smells like, but Cerise’s cozy cottage smells like warm cinnamon buns and pine trees.

  As soon as I emerged from the well (well travel is the easiest way to reach the Dark Forest), Red Riding Hood flung open the front door and squeezed me in a tight, welcoming hug, making me feel instantly at home.

  I felt a pang of worry that I was going to cause problems for them just by being there. A visit from the daughter of the Evil Queen could cause a stir in the forest. But I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. I was invited! They wanted me here!

  When I entered, Cerise smiled widely. Maddie turned three cartwheels in a row! Then Red handed me a basket of baked treats and suddenly my appetite returned. I ate three pecan tarts. Mr. Badwolf walked in as I was finishing and made a joke about me wolfing down the tarts. I didn’t know what to do or say. I glanced nervously at Maddie. Had Cerise told her that Mr. Badwolf was her father?

  As if he was trying to smooth over the awkward moment, Mr. Badwolf made another joke. “Wolf got your tongue?” he asked me.

  Maddie peered into my mouth, and declared that my tongue was indeed there. Then she asked how a bandersnatch’s bill is like a mushroom wearing boots, and we all cracked up laughing. You can always count on Maddie to make an awkward moment better.

  As discreetly as I could, I asked Cerise if Maddie knew about her parents, but of course Maddie heard me and announced, for everyone to hear, that of course she knew. The Narrators had told her.

  I’m so glad that Cerise and her parents don’t have to keep this secret while we visit. As it is, they must keep the curtains shut at all times. Most people don’t understand or approve of off-story romances.

  I looked around for Ramona, Cerise’s sister. Ramona goes to school with us, but I don’t know her that well. It turns out she was spending the break with one of her friends.

  Right now, Diary, I am tucked under a patchwork quilt in a huge wooden bed. Cerise is fast asleep and snoring loudly on my right side. Maddie is sleeping on my left side with her feet on the pillow and her head under the covers, and she’s laughing as she dreams.

  I am so happy here with my BFFAs.

  I’m sure I’ll feel like myself tomorrow.

  Spell you later,

  Raven

  at-a-tat-tat-tat. The drumming of a woodpecker’s beak on a nearby tree trunk woke
Raven with a start. What a strange sound! At home, the cries of the seagulls soaring over the cliffs trumpeted the sunrise. At Ever After High, the sweet song of Apple’s bluebirds started the day. It took Raven a moment to remember that she was in the Dark Forest.

  She opened her eyes and saw two feet in fuzzy pink striped socks. They weren’t standing on the floor. Instead, they waved in the air in time with the woodpecker’s rhythmic beat.

  Raven smiled. If Maddie’s feet were up, that meant Maddie’s head was down. Raven peeked over the edge of the bed.

  “Hi, Raven,” Maddie said from her spot on the floor. “A good morning stretch is a tea-rrific way to start the day. Tea is also a tea-rrific way to start the day, all day, every day.” She turned rightside up. “I think it’s time for my third tea party of the day.”

  Raven lazily rubbed her eyes and smiled at Maddie. She was used to Maddie’s boundless energy, even first thing in the morning. “Hi, Cerise,” she added, smiling at her other friend.

  Cerise stood in front of her mirror, brushing her thick, white-streaked black hair. “I’m glad you’re awake. You know how you said last night that you didn’t have a good start to your vacation? I declare today a Day of Fun. Let’s spellebrate that you’re here!”

  Raven bolted upright, suddenly energized. “What’s first?”

  “A picnic in the woods. My mom is already preparing a basket,” Cerise said with a huge grin on her face.

  At school, Cerise usually stayed quiet, hiding in the back of class so she wouldn’t be noticed. Now, in her own home, Cerise’s bright and bubbly personality was able to shine. Raven wished her friend could feel this way everywhere.

  A little while later, the three girls set off into the forest to search for the perfect picnic spot. Maddie wandered ahead while Raven and Cerise traded opinions. Raven thought they should find a sunny, grassy hill to lay the plaid flannel blanket. Cerise wanted to tuck away under the shady canopy of intertwined branches.