ONCE UPON FOREVER, in an ancient, crumbling manor, two sisters, Love and Death, played their eternal game.

Death was the mistress of the said manor, and any mortal who journeyed to its tarnished gates never returned. Her pale skin contrasted her ebony black hair as her emerald eyes contemplated her next move.

"Your move," said Love, gesturing to the chessboard.

"I'm quite aware of that," Death replied. 

"Tsk tsk." 

"Only fools rush Death."

Exhaling loudly, Love pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. Her eyes were the same dark green shade as her sister's but held more life. Honey blonde hair cascaded down her back and was accompanied by a gown of white.

A tall mirror stood against a wall in the room where the sisters played, its silver frame having hints of rust. A sudden movement in the glass caught Love's attention. The mirror showed a young woman, with her face buried in a book. She was wearing a plain pale blue dress of a village girl, which contradicted the impressive fireplace and furniture. Her chestnut brown locks were tied up, and her hazel eyes sparkled with intelligence.

Love's eyes inspected the girl. "Victoria," she whispered. "Will you be victorious, just like your name?"

Death, her fingers poised over the chessboard, said, "Are you talking about my curse?" 

"Yes," Love nodded. "I think she's the one."

"The Everly family has tried for centuries. Do you really think that this girl will change anything?" Death raised her eyebrow in question.

"She's brave," Love mused. "And stubborn-- I don't think she will allow it willingly. Although I must inquire, does she even know about the curse?"

"No, I don't think," responded Death.

"Well, she'd better. That candle of yours won't last forever," Love said, nodding pointedly at the mirror.

It then showed an abandoned room, a layer of dust covering the room in an ashy blanket. The only source of light was five candles from a candelabra, but only one was illuminated. It was sealed in a glass dome cloche, yet the candle was still burning brightly.

"It's pretty simple actually. If one member of the Everly family still lives when the candles extinguish, the curse will be over. Yet I doubt she'd be able to succeed. I'd wager a million louis d'or that Victoria fails."

Love raised an eyebrow. "One million gold coins? You must be rich indeed if you can afford to lose such a sum," she said, returning her attention to the chessboard.

Death smiled patronizingly. In a voice dripping with fake sympathy, she said, "I understand. You don't want to bet. It's too much money. You're afraid--"

"Of nothing. Least of all you," Love retorted. "Make it two million."

Death's eyes lit up. There was nothing she loved more than gambling. Just yesterday, she'd heard a young boy on horseback say, "I bet I can jump that fence!" and another boast, "I bet I can hang upside down a tree with my eyes closed!" She'd won both of those wagers handily.

Love was the same. The higher the stakes, the more impossible the odds, the more eager she was to up the ante. It was one thing that both sisters had in common.

"That gold is as good as mine," Death said. "Humans are selfish creatures who can always be counted on to do the wrong thing. Shall I tell you how the story ends? Victoria never learns of the curse, her father dies of the plague that's been spreading around France, and she dies before the candle extinguishes. Fini."

Love jutted her chin. "You have no idea how the story ends; how the picture is painted. You are not its painter. Sometimes, miracles happen to those who deserve it. I will be the one to win this wager."

Death snorted. "And sometimes unicorns gallop down rainbows."

Love glared at her. "Three million."

"Done!" Death declared. "I will win the wager, sister dearest. Just you wait and see."

"Well, you certainly didn't win this game," Love said, sliding her queen across the board. "Checkmate."

Death's smile vanished. She looked down at the board and saw Love's queen standing in front of her own king. "What?" she said, shocked. "It can't be!"

As Love and Death watched, the queen offered the king her hand. Flattered by her sweetness, the king embraced the queen. A second later, he crumpled to the board, a dagger sticking out of his back.

"And they say I'm ruthless!" Death exclaimed.

Smiling triumphantly, Love rose from her seat. She kissed her sister's cold cheek and said, "Don't get up. I'll see myself up."

Death sat perfectly still, glowering at the chess pieces. Her bishop looked up at her and started to shake. A crack appeared upon his painted face. Fuming, Death swept the pieces off the board. They shattered on the stone floor.

Turning on her heel, her skirts swirling behind her like an ill wind, Death crossed the room to a painting on the wall. The painting was relatively small and looked antique, its unique paints blending together to illustrate a deep red pomegranate on a table. The rest of the painting was pitch black; a color so deep that it seemed like a void instead of a solid color. Its frame was slightly cracked, but the title on its plaque was still visible: Nevermore.

"Hugo! Lionel!" Death barked. "Come!"

Two vultures left their roost atop the mantel and flew to her. They were enormous birds with coal-black feathers and cruel beaks. A dozen more just like them were perched around the room.

"Take this book to Victoria's home. Put it in the locked room," Death commanded. "Be sure no one sees you."

One of the vultures let out a harsh squawk.

"No, Hugo, you insolent creature, it's not cheating," Death said. "It's just stacking the deck a bit. Do you think my sister won't do the same? You know what she's like. She acts as if she's made of dewdrops and moonbeams, but she's ferocious. A sweet-faced monster. She'll stop at nothing to win the wager."

The second vulture screeched. He shook his head, and then his wings. Death's pale cheeks flushed with indignation.

"I know there are rules, Lionel!" she said. "I know I cannot go to the girl before her time. But I won't be coming after her. She will come to me. The rules of breaking the curse only apply to the world Victoria lives in now. What if I can bind her here? That changes things, doesn't it?"

The vulture considered his mistress's words, then dipped his head. Both vultures then grabbed each end of the painting with their sharp talons. Death opened a window, and the two birds swooped off into the night. As she watched them go, her sister's words came back to her.

I will be the one to win this wager.

Death's blood-red lips curved into a grim, determined smile.

"Oh," she purred. "But I already had."