Queen Jonquil had never been a particularly affectionate mother. By the time White Rose was old enough to fight, she was in training to be a soldier, princess though she was. She had never known another life, and so was glad to serve her kingdom. In short order, Rose had risen through the ranks, and at last for all her efforts her mother noticed her - in fact, she was appointed the general of Jonquil's personal guard, made of those elite few who would have laid down their life for her, but would...

Light filtered through the trees to dust gold on the grass and the dirt, and on each thing that lived beneath that canopy, so that the Wandering Woods looked nearly as magical as they were. Among the light and the trees stood a lone unicorn. She glittered like glass, from her pale blue mane to the soft pink coat of her fur, and seemed as delicate, too - her long limbs were thin, and they trembled and creaked when she moved. The only part of her immune to the shimmering light was her beach glas...

Prince Aster's obsession grew only greater as each day passed. He took no food or rest, and would not see anyone. The kingdom trembled on the verge of falling. And then a rumor whispered from the shadows crept into the castle and into the royal court, where it found the prince. All at once his demeanor changed, he spoke with his subjects in the streets and even threw open feasts, as if all his love for Jonquil had turned to his subjects. None could complain, for he personally made certain ...

Somehow, the entire world had flipped inside out over the course of a single afternoon. It had even found time to shatter at the same time. Mirror could feel her head nodding. She was beyond tired, and could not have said how long she had been walking, nor even where she was going. Her lungs ached so fiercely that she longed to stop breathing, and perhaps that would have made more sense - but then, Mirror was not a mare to give in so easily. This was the same witch who had spent anywhere fro...

When at last the day of the festival dawned, Hebe rose with the sun, too excited to be tired. She did not have much to prepare, but she found that a white linen gown had been laid out for her, and so she put it on and brushed her curls free of knots, humming a bubbly tune all the while. Then she looked in the mirror hanging on her wall and smiled at herself. At last - at last, she was to see those she loved again. Her heart raced at the thought. Two brusque knocks came at the door, as always ...

It was early morning when Mirror crept back into the cottage, but Faith was still awake. She sat at the table. Mirror plastered a bright smile on her face and lifted her head as if she hadn't been trying to sneak in. "Hello." "Welcome home, my dear. You were out so late. Is everything alright?" "I was caught in the storm. I do apologize, I wanted to come home to you, but I could not make it in those winds." ...