Once Upon a Twist Read Online Free Page B

naked before her.
    “Underwear?”
    Ella shook her head. “My last pair of knickers gave up the ghost months ago.”
    Linda cackled. “Never mind. It makes for much easier access.” She pointed her wand at the stinking, ragged dress festering on the floor. This resulted in the largest flash to date, forcing Ella to close her eyes. When she dared open them, she gasped.
    “Oh wow,” she said, gazing in awe at her reflection in the full-length mirror Linda had created from a candle. Her hair shone with health and was piled high, golden ringlets framing her subtly made-up face. It was like gazing at a familiar stranger.
    Her ragged dress had been transformed into gold silk. The tight bodice had an integral brassiere that pushed her small breasts up, giving the illusion of cleavage while the skirt hooped out and down to her ankles like a shimmering meringue.
    “Are these glass shoes?” she asked, tentatively admiring her feet.
    Linda beamed.
    “They’re very pretty but won’t they be a nightmare to dance in?”
    “Yes they are glass and no they won’t be a nightmare. They’re molded to your feet. You’ll find they make an excellent weapon if Christell kicks off.” Rolling her eyes at Ella’s quizzical expression, she said, “Take one off and look at the heel.”
    Ella obeyed.
    “Press the largest diamond – carefully now, we don’t want any blood. Not yet anyway.”
    Her curiosity increasing, Ella did as she was told. The heel came off in her hand. On closer examination, she saw it was a perfectly formed, perfectly lethal, dagger.
    “If you keep your finger on the diamond, it extends in length,” Linda said.
    “This might come in handy when the undead show up,” Ella commented drily.
    Linda shook her head. “Sorry dear, but this lot are only good for five hours – once midnight strikes, the shoes will turn back into slippers.”
    Ella’s face dropped. “And my dress will turn back into rags?”
    “Never fear, Linda’s here.” Her fairy godmother smiled wickedly, before waving her wand again. In a flash a suitcase appeared. “Take that with you and keep it in the carriage while you’re at the Ball.”
    “What’s in it?”
    “The clothes from Christell’s wardrobe.”
    “Brilliant.”
    “And a bag of gold coins from Christell’s bureau. That should set you up nicely. Now it’s time to get you to the Ball…”
    “There is one more thing,” Ella interrupted with a cheeky grin. “Any chance you could zap the spots on my chin?”
    ***
    Anticipation thrummed through Ella’s veins as the carriage approached the towering red-bricked palace. The stars out twinkling in the clear night sky appeared brighter than usual, illuminating the four enormous towers. She didn’t know what she was more excited about – seeing the looks on Ana and Christell’s faces when they caught sight of her, or seeing James. How wonderful that he would be able to see her looking her best rather than like someone who’d been dragged through a gooseberry bush backwards.
    Before they could cross the bridge over the moat, which was surrounded by alert soldiers, they were stopped and asked for identification. Luckily Linda had anticipated such a move and had magically produced an exact replica of Ella’s invitation. The original had no doubt long been burned to a cinder.
    Approved, the footmen led the horses over the bridge and into the courtyard. Itchy, who still had a couple of stray whiskers on his now human face, helped her down from the carriage, which looked remarkably like a giant pink pumpkin. After hugging him, Scratchy and the froggy-looking horses (she could only hope no-one stared too hard and noticed their extra-long tongues flicking out to catch flies), she was escorted through a high archway and into the palace.
    “I hope I’m not too late,” she said, doing her best to quell the butterflies that were rioting in her stomach.
    “They are still making the introductions,” her escort, a somber looking,