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As long as Circe could remember, Pflanze had always been there. When Circe was younger, the cat had almost been like another sister. The most levelheaded sister in the house. The wisest, and most mysterious. There was so much more to Pflanze than Circe had ever suspected. And it was all in her mothers’ journals. She had always felt she and Pflanze had an understanding. But that day something seemed different.
I’m so disappointed in you, my little one, the cat said. But there is no time to discuss my broken heart. I must get back to your mothers. They have been waiting for you. We all have. Pflanze gave her a disapproving look.
“I know, Pflanze, I’m sorry. I was trapped in the Beginning.”
Pflanze blinked and said, So the house took you to the place of its birth, and you took away your mothers’ powers to get out?
Circe didn’t understand what the cat meant. “Of course I didn’t, Pflanze! How was I to know taking away my mothers’ powers would release us from the Beginning?”
So lofty Circe took away her mothers’ powers for noble reasons. I see. Well, you have much more to learn. When you took away your mothers’ powers, every spell they had ever cast was broken, including the fail-safe on the house. That’s why you were able to return to the many kingdoms. We have so much to talk about, Circe. There’s much you need to learn, and not all of it is in those journals and that fairy tale book Snow White is reading now. If your mothers knew she was in their house, touching their things…do you have any idea how angry they would be, Circe?
Ci
rce was past caring what her mothers thought.
Oh, that’s very nice, Circe, said Pflanze sarcastically.
Circe had always thought she and Pflanze felt the same way about Lucinda, Ruby, and Martha. Of course the cat loved them, but she remembered times when Pflanze would become so fed up with the odd sisters’ theatrics that she would leave for days just to get away from them. Now it seemed Pflanze was more loyal to them than ever.
I have always been loyal to your mothers, Circe. Always. Long before you ever came into being. Don’t forget that. I saw what they went through to bring you back. I saw them deteriorate into what they’ve become all for the love of their precious Circe. You think they’ve destroyed everyone in their path? You think they’re foul murderous creatures? Well, I can say the same of you. You did this to them, Circe. Your life brought all of this about. If there is nothing good left within them, it’s because they gave it all to you. Remember, Circe, you are them. To hurt them would be like hurting yourself.
Circe didn’t know what to say. Pflanze’s words wounded her deeply, threatening to break her heart into tiny pieces. It felt like one of her mothers’ mirrors; with each heartbreak there was another crack in the mirror, and she wondered how long it would be before it shattered entirely. How long before it sliced at her insides like Grimhilde once described in the book of fairy tales.
“Do you know why they hate Snow White?” she asked.
Pflanze adjusted her paws, giving Circe one of her characteristic looks. Circe could feel that Pflanze was surprised she hadn’t worked it out on her own.
It was never really about Grimhilde, not until she had your mothers escorted out of the solstice celebration, humiliating them in front of the entire court. That is when their hate switched from Snow White to Grimhilde. They always hated the little brat.
“Don’t call her that!”
Pflanze saw beyond Circe’s anger. She saw into her heart.
You have no idea why your mothers wanted to get rid of Snow White! Why they still want to see her dead. What did you do the entire time you were trapped in the Beginning, if not read your mothers’ journals? You know nothing of the women you’ve condemned to solitude.
“Would you like to come with me to the castle, Pflanze?”
Pflanze didn’t answer. Her silence stung Circe’s heart.
“And where are my mothers’ bodies? Are you so angry with me that you’ve left them alone and defenseless in the solarium so you could condemn me?”
Pflanze didn’t answer.
“Never mind. But don’t think this conversation is over.”
Oh, I think it is. If you want to know why your mothers hate Snow White, tell the brat queen to look it up in your mothers’ journals. I imagine she will find it in the section devoted to Grimhilde. I suppose you have one of your mothers’ mirrors in your pocket so you can contact the brat queen?
“I do.”
I see. So you’re not opposed to using your mothers’ magic when it suits you. You think you’re helping Snow White by keeping her locked away in their house? Leaving her alone with only a mirror for comfort and communication? Doesn’t that sound like the life you are trying to save her from?
Pflanze ran ahead before Circe could answer, leaving her feeling desperately sad and alone. She had always thought she could count on Pflanze, but it was clear something within the cat had changed.
Circe missed Snow. They had been together in her mothers’ house since it spirited them off to the Beginning. It felt like a lifetime, but it had all happened in a matter of days. She had felt so far away from Morningstar, and from Tulip and Nanny, when she was only reading about them rather than being there to help them during the crisis caused by her mothers. And in that moment Circe realized how much she missed and depended on Nanny. How much she loved her. She felt terrible for leaving her alone to deal with all of this, and she couldn’t bear to have Nanny upset with her. She saw her in the distance, and her heart desperately wanted to be with Nanny’s.
And before she understood what happened, she found herself magically transported into Nanny’s arms and showered with love and affection.
“Oh, my dear sweet girl, I am so sorry I hurt your feelings when I thought you would be better off if your mothers stayed in the dreamscape. You know I only wished to protect you!” said Nanny with tears in her eyes, kissing Circe again and again, holding her face between her unbelievably soft hands.
