Disney is unveiling a first-of-its-kind new fairy-tale series.
Here’s your exclusive preview at how things are kicking off.
McKinney (A Blade So Black) slated to pen future installments.
Sasha Alsberg
But Book One is in the hands of Julie C. Dao and we’ve got your exclusive first look.
It follows the story of 16-year-old Elva, a witch who must hide her strange powers and visions.
EW can reveal the cover and debut the first excerpt ofBroken Wish.
Sasha Alsberg
It’s the latest in what’s been a slow, enticing unraveling.
(See Dao’s mirror image below.)
With their participation inThe Mirrornow revealed, expect more teases on their Instagram accounts to come.
See that and the full excerpt below.Broken Wishpublishes Oct. 6 and isavailable for pre-order.
Rayner crossed his arms in an uncanny imitation of their father as he looked down at his siblings.
Elva and Cay were sitting at the big oak table in the parlor, stitching one of Elvas skirts.
What on earth would they do with wings?
Fly, of course, Cay said, as though it were utterly obvious.
Rayner leveled a look at him that would have made Papa proud.
Thats how nature works.
Well, were not trying to show how nature works.
Wereimagining, like Mama says, Cay said, as he went on embroidering his fishs elaborate wings.
Imagining, Rayner muttered.
Anyway, you shouldnt be sewing.
Thats for g
Shouldnt you be helping Papa?
Elva snapped, looking up from the fish she herself was embroidering with violet thread.
If Cay wants to help me sew my skirt, thats his business.
Cay grinned at her.
Rayner shrugged helplessly at the pair of them but left without further argument.
Elva smoothed out the folds of the skirt.
This is turning out nicely!
I think I might wear it to Freidas birthday supper next week.
Shes nice to me.
Is that the Blue Mermaid youre sewing?
He was the only one Elva dared to confide in about her visions.
But unlike their parents, he found her ability interesting instead of frightening.
I cant stop thinking about how close Willem came to finding out about me, Elva said, sighing.
I should have been more careful, but the vision appeared so suddenly.
And he believed you when you said it was a dream.
He paused, then looked up at her.
Except didnt he tell you the woman in the North Woods was kidnapping those children?
He was just repeating gossip.
Its so easy for people to spread rumors.
Just because that woman lives alone, everyone makes up stories about her.
And children have gone missing in the woods for years and years; theres always someone different to blame.
She had been forced to leave forever.
Elva shuddered at the thought of Hanau finding out about her visions.
For more than a decade, she had lived with the shameful secret of being strange and different.
She glanced up to see Cays keen blue eyes on her.
Now that youve finished reading that natural history book, what will you study next?
she asked brightly, deciding it was high time for a change of subject.
Fairy tales, Cay said at once.
I want to study where they came from.
Im sure if a wishing well exists, youll be the one to find it, Elva told him.
Cay grinned, then looked down at his spool of red thread.
This isnt the right shade for my unicorns mane.
Do you think Mama has anything darker, like ruby?
In his enthusiasm, he knocked some books onto the floor.
He pulled out a little wooden box painted with autumn leaves.
When he opened the lid, they saw bundles of yellowed letters tied together with frost-blue ribbon.
Elva scolded, as her brother eagerly pulled the first letter from the bundle.
What if theyre love letters or something?
he asked, still not listening to her.
Ever the voracious reader, he had already begun skimming the first paragraph.
Elvas curiosity was aroused at once.
Mama had always been reluctant to talk about their early days in Hanau.
Its the first home they bought before we were born, she explained.
Across the bridge on the far side of town.
They had me there but moved a year later.
Against her own judgment, she slipped the second letter out of the bundle.
Heres something about Honey!
Honey was an old goat that had been with them for as long as Elva could remember.
What does it say about her?
he asked eagerly, taking the note Elva gave him.
Oh, I think this lady Mathilda was the one who named Honey.
She made sweaters for Mama and Papa once, Elva said, glancing over the other letters.
And Mama made sourdough bread for her in return.
Heres one where she tells Mama shed be a good mother.
Cay nodded his approval.
And it looks like she liked the goat cheese Mama gave her.
I wonder why Mama never talks about her.
Maybe she moved away.
Elva scanned the dates as they moved through the bundle of letters.
They started writing to each other in 1847, the year before I was born.
When is the last one dated?
He located the letter at the bottom of the pile.
The beginning of 1848, he said, and as he scanned the message, his face grew serious.
It looks like they stopped being friends.
that Mama wasnt the person she thought she was.
Elva asked, stunned.
She says something about magic in here.
I think Mathilda did magic, Cay said, looking troubled.
Papa didnt like her, which explains why weve never heard of her.
He doesnt even like it when people talk about that woman in the North Woods.
Their old cottage wasnt far from the North Woods.
What if that woman is Mathilda?
If they were friends once, that would explain why Mama was upset about the notices.
I dont know if Mama would associate with a witch.
You know how Papa gets.
But maybe they didnt know about her at first.
He paused, his eyes widening.
If that womanisMathilda, do you think she could help me with my fairy tale research?
Cay, Elva groaned.
She lives in the North Woods, and there are all kinds of strange stories about that place.
We could ask her about the family curse, too.
And more often than not, it did.
Her mother had sounded so young, hopeful, and trusting, and Mathilda kind and caring.
No sooner had they taken their spots at the table again than Agnes Heinrich swept into the room.
Come outside, their mother said merrily, her cheeks rosy.
Its an incredible sight.
What is, Mama?
Elva asked, but their mother only chuckled and led them out to the front of the house.
Oh, good, everyones here, Herr Bauer said, smiling at Elva and Cay.
Come and see our good fortune.
Or should I say,Willems good fortune!
Elvas stomach lurched at the sight of Willems shirt, which was soaked with water.
Its scales glimmered cerulean and sea-foam green and lilac.
To her relief, he seemed to understand.
Cay cried, glancing at Elva.
Papa patted his shoulder.
Willem caught it this afternoon.
It shimmers so, Mama said.
I thought it was only a legend.
You and the rest of Hanau, my dear lady, Herr Bauer said brightly.
We joked about it for years but never believed it would actually be caught.
And by Willem, the lucky rascal!
I want to study the fish a bit more, Elva said.
Her parents agreed and soon she found herself walking beside Willem and the wheelbarrow, wondering what to say.
She kept her eyes trained on her shoes.
Im happy for you.
Imagine catching the Blue Mermaid.
It happened just as you dreamed.
Do all of your dreams have the habit of coming true?
It was a coincidence, she said quietly, but Willem stopped in his tracks.
Then why did you look at me with so much fear just now?
You shook your head so I wouldnt say anything in front of the others.
If ithadbeen a coincidence, we would have laughed about it.
A long silence passed.
I think youknewfor sure I would catch the Blue Mermaid.
To Elvas horror, her eyes filled with tears.
Her heart beat a frantic rhythm.
Here it was, the moment she would lose Willem forever.
She waited for him to say as much, to bid her good-bye.
kindly dont cry, he said, his face now etched with distress.
I swear I havent told anyone.
Though I must admit I dont know many people who can predict things before they happen.
Elva bit her lip.
Telling him the truth would be a relief, a way to share a part of herself.
But doing so would mean betraying her family and breaking her vow to Mama.
You must think Im mad, she whispered.
The kindness in his eyes broke through her resolve.
She sighed, hugging her arms close to her, despite the warm spring air.
Ever since I was little, Ive seen things before they happened, she said softly.
Always in watermy uncle breaking a leg, Papas goats escaping, my brother finding an injured rabbit.
But as I grew up, I did my best to make the visions stop.
I didnt want anyone to be afraid of me, so I tried not to look.
The night of the Easter party, I was careless.
I glanced at the river before remembering what might happen if I did.
And its all come true?
She nodded, holding her breath.
Elva, thats amazing, Willem declared.
You saw that I was going to catch the Blue Mermaid, and I did.
Imagine if Herr Bauer knew I was always destined to be the one to do it!
No one can know about this.
Ive kept this secret for so long, and I promised Mama and Papa I wouldnt tell anyone.
Theyre worried Ill be called a witch.
Id like to see people try, he said hotly.
What you have is a gift, and it does no harm.
She blinked at him.
Ever since the Easter party, Ive been borrowing Herr Bauers fishing rods and sitting out on the river.
You encouraged me, dont you see?Youremy good luck.
Elva could have kissed him right then and there, though they were still within view of the others.
And you really dont mind that Im .
You are not odd.
Willem squeezed her hands.
Youre beautiful and strong and kind.
And today, I feel like almost the luckiest man in Hanau.
There is only one more thing I would ask to be truly happy.
Willem ducked his head, his cheeks pink.
Ill need to speak to your father about it, of course .
Elvas stomach gave another lurch, but this time it was a pleasant, swooping feeling.
I know youre only sixteen, he said quickly.
Turning seventeen in November, she pointed out, and he laughed.
And I need time, maybe two or three years, to earn money.
I want
to build a cottage with a dog lying by the fire and curtains at the windows.
How would you like that, my dear one?
Elvas cheeks flamed as he looked shyly at her.
She kept her eyes down, too overwhelmed with joy to speak.
She felt like spinning in giddy circles right where she stood.
Dont answer me now, Willem said gently.
Just think about it.
I wont ask your papa until I have enough savings to take proper care of you.
I should get back.
Herr Bauer wants me to show off the fish to all of the neighboring farms.
Ill think about what you said, Elva told him, and he beamed.
He kept his eyes on her as he walked away, turning back several times to wave good-bye.
He wanted her to share her life with him.
He loved her for exactly who she was, and he would wait patiently for years to have her.
Willem might have caught the Blue Mermaid, but she was the lucky one.
She twirled as she entered her house and heard Papas affectionate laugh.
He looked so kind that Elva came close to kiss his whiskered cheek.
There was something sweet and almost sad about the way he looked at her.
Come in here for a moment, he said.
Mama and I would like to talk to you.
No, darling, Mama reassured her.
We only wanted to tell you how proud we are of you.
Youre everything we hoped you would be, and more.
I suppose I still thought of you as my little girl up until the night of the Easter dance.
We looked up and suddenly you were a woman.
They gazed at her fondly, and Elva felt a rush of love for them both.
You and Willem Roth make a handsome couple, Papa said, clearing his throat.
Bauer says hes a nice, hard-working boy, and his parents were good people, though penniless.
They died of consumption, one after the other.
Weve noticed for a while now that Willem has taken a special liking to you.
I despised him for it at first, Papa said, and Mama swatted him on the shoulder.
But your mother encouraged me to get to know him better, and Im glad I did.
I dont think anyone will ever be worthy of you, my Elva, but Willem comes close.
He hasnt spoken to me formally yet, though he has hinted, and seeing you together just now .
Do you know what this means?
Mama asked, looking wide-eyed at Papa.
Three wonderful things have happened.
Has the pattern been broken at last?
I think it must.
Ithasbeen more than seventeen years, so perhaps.. .
More than seventeen years?
Elva repeated, the old letters springing to mind.
Since what, Mama?
But her mother shook her head.
Never you mind, love.
I am happy for you and Willem.
You are only sixteen and must not think of marrying for at least two years.
Yes, I know, Mama.
And Willem will need to work for a few more years before he can afford a home.
We know that, Elva said, some of her joy giving way to exasperation.
Were both happy to wait for two or three more years.
And as for your .
Mama hesitated, and Papa froze, looking shocked that she had brought up the subject.
It will have no bearing on your marriage.
He would beherhusband, wouldnt he?
And it would beherlife to share with him alone, just as it washersecret to reveal or keep.
Go on the way you always have, Mama instructed her.
Willem doesnt need to know.
Im glad thats been settled.
Ive chosen the perfect spot.
Oskar, you dont mean that area in the south fields?
Mama asked, surprised.
Didnt we agree that its too hilly to build a house?
And its so bare.
Elva will like this plot, Papa assured her.
Besides, Willem can always plant some trees.
and hide the ones they did not approve of.
In fact, they were helpful and had even encouraged him to try catching the Blue Mermaid.
Perhaps it was time she made her own decisions.
Perhaps it was time to use her ability instead of pretending she didnt have it.
Her breath caught at the thought of looking straight into her basin instead of closing her eyes.
But it was long past time to reach the power she had been given.
And now,Elva thought,I will decide to do it for myself.
