“Here we are, hardly able to catch our breath after the near destruction of the Fairylands at the hands of your old charges, the Odd Sisters, and now you’re trying to drag us into another battle. I can’t go flying here and there just because Cinderella is worried about her stepsisters. They’re not fairy-worthy,” the Fairy Godmother said. Her hands shook as she poured herself a cup of tea to calm her nerves. She hated being so rattled by all this, especially in front of her sister, but she couldn’t help it. From the moment she’d received the letter from Cinderella pleading for help, her heart had not stopped fluttering. She was now regretting sharing the news with Nanny.

“Well, I don’t see you have any other choice! Cinderella has asked for your help, and it’s your job to do just that! And why exactly are you so rattled by the Tremaines? They’re non-magical and hardly a threat,” said Nanny, eyeing her sister in a way the Fairy Godmother hated.

The Fairy Godmother cleared her throat, steeled her nerves, and spoke in the slowest, sternest voice she could muster. “I will not help Anastasia and Drizella, and that is the last word on this topic, Nanny. Now, if you’d like to continue having our tea, I’d appreciate it if we could talk about something else. The subject of Cinderella and her wicked stepsisters is closed.” The Fairy Godmother took a sip of her tea and put her teacup down gently on the saucer, never taking her eyes off Nanny. “Besides,” she continued, “I know what this is really about. You feel guilty about everything the Odd Sisters have done, not to mention the sacrifice Circe had to make to stop them from destroying the Many Kingdoms.”

Nanny looked as though the Fairy Godmother had slapped her in the face. She got up from the table abruptly and violently, causing her chair to make a horrible scraping noise on the cobblestones in the Fairy Godmother’s garden.

The Fairy Godmother felt terrible. Yes, her sister was annoying, domineering, and rather eccentric for a fairy. (After all, she hated wearing her wings, and only did so begrudgingly at the Fairy Godmother’s request. The Fairy Godmother could never fathom it since wings were so glorious and their fairy-given right and honor.) Still, she loved Nanny and felt sorry for bringing up a topic that hurt her.

“Nanny! I’m sorry! Where are you going? I shouldn’t have mentioned Circe. I know you’re grieving. I am so sorry!” she said, but Nanny didn’t answer, and the Fairy Godmother could tell she’d broken her sister’s heart, even with her back turned to her. Nanny’s wings were hanging low.