Page 61 of The Broken Mirror
Filomena exhales. “I’m ready.”
“You got this,” Ira says, then gives Filomena a nod and disappears. A singular swirl appears. Filomena realizes her viewpoint must be weaving between those of the other thirteen mirrors. Almost all the mirrors are still in the town squares of their respective kingdoms, looking out onto bustling streets.
“Greetings, Never After!” Filomena begins. “My name is Eliana, princess of Westphalia, but my friends call me Filomena Jefferson-Cho of North Pasadena, California. I’ll explain that another time. I want to thank the ogre court and the prime minister for ushering myself, Princess Jeanne, and Prince Charlemagne into the reigns of our kingdoms.Although, contrary to what the prime minister said, I assure you that wearetaking our roles very seriously; we’ve just been rather preoccupied with royal matters. However, I’m delighted to announce that the three of us will absolutely, without a doubt, be ready to be crowned the rightful rulers of our respective kingdoms by the summer solstice. I look forward to greeting you all then, as queen of Westphalia. Good night, Never After!”
Ira’s face reappears, closing the link between himself and the thirteen other mirrors.
“Talk about a mic drop!” Ira says.
Alistair laughs hysterically. “I wish I could see the ogres’ faces right now!”
“I can just imagine it,” Rosie joins in. “They’re like,Huh? How’d that girl from the mortal world get access to a talking mirror?”
Jack chuckles. “They have no idea who they’re dealing with.”
Everyone’s in great spirits, imagining the shock, the confusion, the blood-boiling rage their adversaries must feel. The seven friends sit around the giants’ cottage, laughing and laughing, until Alistair suddenly grows quiet.
“You know, there is one thing we didn’t really think through about this whole plan,” Alistair says. “I know it’s important that we change how the people of Never Afterview us, but we also just sort of gave the ogres a heads-up to our plan.”
“Well, did we? I don’t think we even have a plan, come to think of it,” Beatrice says.
“Good point, Bea.” Gretel nods. “What’s our next move?”
The group looks to Jack and Filomena.
“Oh, uh, good question.” Filomena laughs lightly. She hasn’t exactly thought this far yet.
“Well, let’s see,” Jack chimes in. “We have to get Filomena crowned in Westphalia, we have to turn Charlie back into a prince by breaking Olga’s spell, and we have to find Princess Jeanne’s crown.”
“That’s an awful lot to do in one week,” Gretel says.
“Especially if we’re traveling between kingdoms,” Alistair adds.
“I hate to say this”—Filomena sighs—“but I think we’re going to have to split up.”
No one likes the idea, but it’s become obvious. It’s the only way. But how do they decide who goes where?
“Gretel, Alistair, I think you should go to Eastphalia and help Hori with the frog situation,” Jack decides. “You’re both very clever; you can figure out a way to reverse the curse.”
Gretel and Alistair nod and smile at each other, happy to be paired.
Jack goes on: “Rosie, Beatrice, and Byron, you guys go back to the North and help Riff stave off King Richard’s army and get Princess Jeanne’s crown back.”
The three nod in agreement.
Wait a second. That means…
“Filomena and I will go to Westphalia,” Jack says. “If that’s okay with you.”
Filomena just smiles and nods, a little flustered. More than okay, way more than okay. Does infiltrating a kingdom and taking your place as queen count as a first date around here?
“When will we all see each other again?” Alistair cries.
Filomena gazes at Ira, who’s sitting in her lap and nodding at her reassuringly. She feels like someone is watching over her now, in a way. She’s bonded to Ira for life. Plus she can see all her friends through her talking mirror!
“If you ever miss me, Alistair, just remember Ira can show me where you are! Isn’t that right, Ira?”
“You betcha, kid. I got an all-access pass to Never After, front and center.”
