\u201cWhat do you think it will tell us today?\u201d Zoey asked the others, as they went in through the back door of CrossWinds Books. It was cold out, colder than it had been, and the sky promised snow later.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Lily replied. \u201cMaybe something to do with the Snow Queen?\u201d She hugged herself tightly. \u201cI can\u2019t believe we\u2019re going to go have tea with her today!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Zoey could hardly believe it either. So much had happened since December had started, and this appeared to be the icing on the cake. She was going to have tea with a real faery. A snow faery. As they trooped into the kitchen, she found herself wishing for a moment that her friends from Evansville could see the magic was real too. Maybe someday in the spring, they can come up,<\/em> she thought. I really want to share this with them!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger bumped her gently with his head. You are such a good friend, Zoey.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why do you say that?<\/em> Zoey looked down at him, surprised.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because you want to share your new home with your friends from your old home,<\/em> he said. You want them to know the amazing things you found. That\u2019s the mark of a really good friend.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She blushed at that. Well, I only want them to see it too, because they won\u2019t believe me otherwise!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is that,<\/em> he said, nodding. Some things can only really be believed when you see them.<\/em> And he winked at her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay, guys, why don\u2019t you do the calendar while I finish getting things packed up?\u201d Molly said. She nodded to the Advent Calendar, but Zoey was looking at the huge package that must hold the castle. How was it going to survive the trip to the Snow Queen\u2019s?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly saw her looking and grinned. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, the castle is safe,\u201d she reassured her. \u201cDrew helped me package it, and it will arrive safe and sound. I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh good.\u201d Zoey gave her a smile in return and went to go help the others find the number hidden in the picture. As she looked, she realized that she loved how the picture repaired itself after it gave up its magic every day. It would be something they would be able to keep. One of them, anyways.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, here it is!\u201d Lily said suddenly, and pressed her finger to the golden 19 that was almost invisible in the golden glow of the candle in one of the cabin\u2019s windows. The window itself crumpled in and out floated the snowflake. Zoey held her breath – what would it do today? Would it be something to do with the Snow Queen? Or would it be something else entirely?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The snowflake spun on its axis, becoming a blur before it exploded and motes of light drifted down on each of them. Zoey felt a weight on her head and looked at Lily, who was looking back at her, and saw a lovely crystal tiara on her best friend\u2019s head. \u201cTiaras?\u201d she said, putting her hand up to her own head. Sure enough, she felt cool, slick crystal beneath her fingertips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then she looked at Schrodinger and Jack. Both of them had smart bow ties now around their necks. Schrodinger\u2019s was black, edged with silver, and Jack\u2019s was silver with red edging.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you guys look awesome now?\u201d Molly said, looking impressed. \u201cJust what you need to go have tea with the Snow Queen!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut you don\u2019t have a tiara, Molly!\u201d Zoey and Lily said together. \u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Molly said, picking up the large package. \u201cI have a castle, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cStill, you should have a tiara,\u201d Zoey said stubbornly. \u201cIt\u2019s only right.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She\u2019s right,<\/em> Schrodinger agreed. You of all of us should have a tiara.<\/em> He went up to the Advent Calendar and placed his paw on it. Don\u2019t you agree, Calendar?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To everyone\u2019s amazement, the window that the snowflake had come out of before crumbled again, and a new snowflake came out. It drifted over to Molly and dropped onto her head, transforming into a tiara like Zoey and Lily\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh Advent Calendar, you are the best!\u201d Lily said, clapping her hands. \u201cI didn\u2019t know you could do that!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Me either,<\/em> Schrodinger admitted. But I thought it was worth a try.<\/em> He looked at everyone else. Let\u2019s go!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey looked back at Molly. \u201cCan we help?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly nodded towards a bag on the island that had been hidden by the castle. \u201cCan you get that?\u201d she asked. \u201cIt\u2019s some goodies for the Snow Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey grabbed the bag, and then they all went out front. How are we getting to the Snow Queen\u2019s?<\/em> Jack asked. Are we walking?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see!\u201d Molly said, and then they stepped outside, back into the cold, and Zoey realized why it was so cold.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOld Man Winter!\u201d Lily shouted happily. \u201cAre you taking us to see the Snow Queen?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am!\u201d he boomed, gesturing to the sledge behind him. \u201cClimb aboard, my friends, and I\u2019ll get you there faster than the wind can blow!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Like Lisa and Neil\u2019s sled, there were reindeer and not horses hitched to Old Man Winter\u2019s sledge. But unlike the white reindeer that had cured her cold, these reindeer were huge and brown, with bulging muscles. These were very clearly working reindeer, with branching antlers that had holly and mistletoe twined around them. Their massive harnesses had garlands of pine boughs attached to them, with jingle bells that were almost the size of Zoey\u2019s hand. It was hard to imagine these reindeer taking off into flight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Old Man Winter took the wrapped castle from Molly and stowed it carefully in a large trunk that was strapped to the back of the sledge. \u201cIt won\u2019t go anywhere,\u201d he told her. \u201cThere are blankets wrapped all around it. It won\u2019t move.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt better not – it took me almost three days to do that!\u201d Molly retorted, but Zoey saw the twinkle in her eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Once they had all climbed in, Old Man Winter jumped up onto the driver\u2019s seat and picked up the reins. \u201cEveryone secure?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes!\u201d they all chorused from where they were snuggled among a sea of sheepskins, blankets and quilts. Zoey felt something warm against her foot and moved the coverings to see a small square package that glowed brightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d she whispered to Schrodinger, who looked down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s a foot warmer,<\/em> he said. There\u2019s some sort of chemical reaction that makes it stay warm without igniting.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, so it isn\u2019t magic?\u201d Zoey felt a little disappointed somehow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Schrodinger chuckled. Even here, not everything is magic. But don\u2019t worry. I think this trip will give you plenty of magic.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHang on!\u201d Old Man Winter shouted, and slapped the reins against the reindeer\u2019s backs. They jumped forward and, to Zoey\u2019s surprise, they jumped UP into the air, towing the sledge behind them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Old Man Winter\u2019s showing off,<\/em> Schrodinger told her privately. He loves to make Lily laugh.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And Lily was shrieking with joy as the reindeer climbed into the sky. \u201cFaster, faster!\u201d she shouted, her hair flying back from her face in the wind, the magic tiara still firmly in place. \u201cGo faster!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Old Man Winter obliged, urging the reindeer to greater and greater speeds, until the land beneath them blurred. Then, just as Zoey thought they couldn\u2019t go any faster, a flash of light burst in front of them, and they crossed onto a Road.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How did he do that?<\/em> She thought at Schrodinger, since they were going so fast that she was afraid the words would be ripped from her lips before he could hear them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He\u2019s Old Man Winter,<\/em> Schrodinger responded. Things like Gates are more like suggestions for him. When you\u2019re a spirit like he is, you can go where you want to.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The sledge soared over the Road below them, with Lily whooping in glee and Jack baying. Zoey leaned out and looked down, but all she could see was more grey, so she snuggled back in next to Schrodinger and enjoyed the ride.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After about 10 minutes, there was another flash of light, and then the air went cold, colder than it had been in the Cove. There were snowflakes dancing around them as the sledge touched down gently, the reindeer never pausing in their run even as their hooves hit the ground. Evergreens reached their fragrant branches into the air, blessing them as they went by. Old Man Winter guided the reindeer down a narrow lane towards the Snow Queen\u2019s castle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Zoey said, looking up at the huge structure. \u201cShe lives here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Where else would she live?<\/em> Schrodinger said logically. Everyone has to live somewhere.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Snow Queen\u2019s castle wasn\u2019t grey stone, as Zoey had expected. It was more of a huge house than a castle, painted a deep green like the evergreen trees that surrounded it, and there were wreaths in every window, tied with red and gold bows. In the front yard, two trees were covered with yards and yards of cranberries and popcorn, and as the sledge pulled to a stop, Zoey saw a glorious peacock, brilliant blue and green against the snow, reaching up to take a berry from one of them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waiting on the wide front porch was the Snow Queen herself. Zoey wasn\u2019t sure what she was expecting, but the lovely young woman in the teal blue dress sprinkled with silvery snowflakes and trimmed in silver fur with the welcoming smile seemed somehow too normal to be the owner of the castle, but the tiara on her head, a match to the ones the magical Calendar had given them, gave her away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to my home!\u201d the Snow Queen said, as they climbed out of the sledge. \u201cDid you have a good ride?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt was awesome!\u201d Unlike Zoey, Lily appeared unfazed by the fact that she was addressing someone of stature. She ran up to the Snow Queen and threw her arms around her exuberantly. \u201cThank you so much for inviting us! Look, we even have tiaras too!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou do!\u201d The Snow Queen, to Zoey\u2019s surprise, knelt down and gave Lily a huge hug. \u201cThey\u2019re lovely!\u201d Then she turned to Jack, who had galloped up next to Lily. \u201cAnd what a handsome bow tie! You all look so wonderful!\u201d She hugged Jack, heedless of the dog hair and the kisses he gave her, and then moved over to Schrodinger. And then she looked at Zoey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to my home, Zoey,\u201d she said kindly, and held out her hands. \u201cAre you enjoying the Cove?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am, thank you,\u201d Zoey said shyly, coming forward. She was enveloped in teal velvet and warmth, and the Snow Queen whispered in her ear, \u201cI\u2019m so very glad you came. I hope you find everything you\u2019re looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Before Zoey could answer, the Snow Queen let her go and rose, holding her arms out to Molly, who embraced her warmly. \u201cThank you so much for inviting us here,\u201d Molly said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you!\u201d the Snow Queen replied. \u201cDid you get my gift?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI did!\u201d Molly turned back to Old Man Winter, who was carrying the carefully-wrapped castle. \u201cI hope you\u2019ll enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure I will,\u201d the Snow Queen said, linking arms with her and leading them all into the castle. \u201cCome and let\u2019s see it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She led them down a hall into a surprisingly cozy sitting room, with a fire burning merrily in a large flagstone fireplace. A table near the fireplace was set with a lavish tea spread, including a large tea pot that looked like a curled cat sleeping on a cushion. There was also a cleared table, where the Snow Queen indicated that Old Man Winter should put the gingerbread down. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to see it!\u201d she said, taking off her fur-trimmed cloak. \u201cPlease open it, Molly!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After taking off her coat, Molly obliged, revealing the nearly-three story castle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, Molly.\u201d The Snow Queen went up to the castle, her eyes drinking in the details. \u201cYou have truly outdone yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot just me,\u201d Molly said. \u201cI had a lot of help.\u201d She indicated the others. \u201cThey did a lot of work on the other houses, so I could concentrate on this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou all did amazingly,\u201d the Snow Queen said. \u201cNow come. I have tea ready.\u201d She grinned. \u201cAnd food that probably isn\u2019t as good as Molly\u2019s, but my talents lie in other directions, and kitchen witches are rarer than one would think.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Molly blushed and said, \u201cWell, you know, I never come empty-handed.\u201d She took the bag from Zoey and opened it, handing several packages to the Snow Queen. \u201cAlthough if you don\u2019t want to share, Jade, that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jade laughed. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t! How often do I get such lovely things? But I will.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They had a wonderful tea party – Jade had a charmingly down to earth manner that even Zoey couldn\u2019t resist. At the end, as they got their coats back on to leave, Jade left the room and came back with a couple of envelopes. \u201cI don\u2019t normally do this,\u201d she said, as she handed an envelope to Lily and to Zoey. \u201cBut I think this year, you three have earned this.\u201d She smiled at Schrodinger. \u201cYou have already received yours!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily\u2019s eyes went so wide that Zoey was afraid they would pop out of her head. \u201cIs this\u2026?\u201d Her voice trailed off as Jade nodded. \u201cREALLY?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReally,\u201d Jade said firmly. \u201cYou will come, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lily turned to Molly. \u201cDo you think Mom and Dad will let me?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI think so,\u201d Molly said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Me too?<\/em> Jack said, his tail wagging.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou too,\u201d Jade said. \u201cYou need another occasion to wear that bow tie, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Zoey opened the silvery envelope. Inside, there was a thick white card, with the following invitation written on it in elegant black script:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Snow Queen invites you to her annual Christmas Ball on Saturday, December 21, at 8 pm.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d she said. \u201cI hope I can go.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI hope so too,\u201d Jade said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou have to, Zoey!\u201d Lily said. \u201cIt\u2019s the SNOW QUEEN\u2019S BALL!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Molly and Drew dropped her off that night, Schrodinger leaned out the window and said, Don\u2019t worry, Zoey. They\u2019ll let you go. I know they will.<\/em> Then he ducked back inside, into the warmth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cWhat do you think it will tell us today?\u201d Zoey asked the others, as they went in through the back door of CrossWinds Books. It was cold out, colder than it had been, and the sky promised snow later. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Lily replied. \u201cMaybe something to do with the Snow Queen?\u201d She hugged …<\/p>\n