IN ANOTHER WORLD, in another time, Snow White stood hand in hand with Prince Charming in the Royal Castle’s ballroom.
All the kingdom’s subjects surrounded the couple. The two looked into each other’s eyes as the bishop asked Snow if she would have Charming forever.
There was no hesitation. She said that she would, and the two smiled at each other nervously and lovingly as the bishop pronounced them man and wife. The court’s musicians began to play, and Charming and Snow leaned together to kiss once again.
It had been something of a miracle. Charming had awoken Snow from a cursed sleep brought on by her stepmother, the Evil Queen. And they were not, it turned out, free of her yet.
This time, just as their lips touched, a tremendous clap of thunder overwhelmed the music, and many in the room cried out. The assembled guests all turned at once to the ballroom’s great doors, where the sound had originated, which flew open with great violence, striking the walls on either side of the entrance.
There, in the doorway, stood a figure all in black.
The Evil Queen.
Again.
Wonderful, thought Snow. More of this.
Guards rushed her as she began to stride toward Snow and Charming, who stood in the center of the room, clutching each other. The Queen sent a half-dozen guards flying through the air with a flick of her wrist—her magic was still powerful, there was no doubt.
When she was near, Snow pushed Charming back, grabbed the