“Yes, imagine living up to that legacy, Devin!” Olivina says brightly. “To be the only living relative of the greatest fairy godmother there ever was. To know you’d have to take over for her someday…and yet not want to.”

“Because what you’re doing here is evil!” Tara cries, hot tears falling down her face. “I don’t want any part of what you’re planning for Enchantasia!”

Alarm bells go off in my head. “What does she mean?”

“I raised her,” Olivina says. “I taught her everything I know, and when I realized the strength of her magic, I tried to cultivate her power.”

“You tried to make me my mother, and I’m not!” Tara shouts.

“Oh, Tara, always so short-sighted.” Olivina shakes her head. “Your mother wasn’t strong enough to control her own magic. That was her downfall. It had nothing to do with me. But you, from the time you were a baby, I could see you were different. You were so curious. So open to learning. I knew you could be great in a way your mother never could be. So I tried to give you power you could never attain because you’re not royal.” She looks at me. “Tara could not openly go here because she’s not of royal descent, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t bend the rules when it came to my own flesh and blood. I had her taught by Snow in private. I kept her here as a lady-in-waiting, also teaching her myself at night and in private.”

“So that’s why you once lived in our dorm room,” Sasha realizes. “You were a lady-in-waiting for other students.” Tara is crying harder now.

I glance at Raina’s skirt again. I haven’t imagined it. It really is moving. A small orange snout pops out. Lily! This time, Raina spots her too. Lily slips out from under the skirt, and I notice something on her back. It’s Kira! In her small hand, I see she has the missing jewel. Raina and I lock eyes. Olivina and Tara need to be distracted until that jewel can be placed in the mirror.

“You could have been more powerful than I ever could be,” Olivina says to Tara. “The plans I had for you. For me. For the two of us.”

“I won’t do your evil work.” Tears run down Tara’s cheeks. “I tried to stay away so she couldn’t find me. So I couldn’t hurt anyone.” Tara looks at me. “But you were so convincing. I thought maybe…”

Tara wasn’t evil. She was just alone in her decisions and misunderstood. Just like I was when I was forced to come to Royal Academy. My stomach twists as I think about how harsh I’ve been. But I can make it up to her. I’m not alone now, and either is she.

“You thought she could defeat me,” Olivina finishes. “Foolish girl. Who could defeat me when I have the royal court on my side?”

Lily and Kira begin inching along the debris, passing Heath, who is just starting to stir.