BEN POV

I groaned dealing with another stack of paperwork. The tick of the clock driving me insane as I tried to concentrate.

Mal kissed Jay.

I had yelled at Mal for being herself.

The papers in my head fell to the desk as a knock at the door startled me.

"Go away"

I groaned as the door opened anyways.

My eyes met Evies instantly and suddenly I was standing

A billion questions were on my tongue but none left my lips.

"Mal's gone back to the Isle"

Evie's eyes were rimmed in red, tears already dried.

An unimaginable sadness was in her eyes.

She handed me my ring and a note with the words "Goodbye" scrawled across them.

"This is my fault!"

I slammed my hands on the desk.

"This is my fault. I blew it."

My words came faster the more I panicked.

"She was under so much pressure lately instead of being understanding I just went all beast on her!"

I was yelling now my heart pounding with fear of losing her.

"I blew it"

Evie touched my arm to calm me.

"I have to go there and apologize!"

I said standing tall with determination

"I have to go there and beg her to come back"

Evie stomped her foot with an impatience that reminded me of a parent listening to a child screaming.

"And you'll never find her!"

Evie grabbed his arm her lip set in a firm line.

"You need to know the Isle... and how it works and…."

She looked up with realization.

"You have to take me with you."

"Yes!" I said grabbing her arms tightly.

Evie winced and I backed off.

"I mean… if you want to"

Evie shook her head and sighed.

"Yes Mal is my best friend"

She then faced the window staring out to the Isle of the Lost.

"We'll need to bring Carlos too… I think Jay left with Mal. There's safety in numbers and none of us are popular over there right now." She stared off into space before looking back as the young King winced with guilt at the reminder of Jay.

"First off you can't go there looking like this"

Evie grabbed my arms leading me out of my office.

MPOV

I made it back to the apartment without running into trouble.

Or at least I had thought.

A shadow came out of the darkness pulling me back and pushing me against the wall.

"Nnnh! Get off me!" I growled.

"Now now lassy, here I thought you liked when I pinned ye down"

The voice made me go still.

"Harry" I gasped more a of a plea than a statement.

His dark chuckle took my breath away.

"Where's your royal plaything? Hmm"

I winced at his question but answered anyways.

"I left him behind"

The pirate squeezed my wrists as he held them above my head.

"Don't tease me Harry or I just might invite you upstairs" I purred.

"Minx" He growled kissing me hungrily.

I ran my nails down his back gaining just enough leverage to flick my tongue in his mouth.

He was just as I remembered each kiss felt like wildfire.

Our tongues battled for dominance as my legs moved to wrap around his torso.

He bit my lip before pulling away for air.

His mouth tasted like cinnamon candy and his hair was dried bits of salt from the sea dried in the unruly curls.

I tugged his hair groaning as he pulled back.

I didn't want to face his questions…...

"Can he kiss you like that?" Harry purred as Mal caught her breath.

"Let me guess he doesn't know the first thing about pleasing a woman…"

Mal glared at Harry. "You know it's not like that over there"

"Yes yes, everyone is so moral on Auradon" he said his eyes playful even though his voice showed disgust.

Harry leaned into my body. I could feel his arousal but chose to ignore it. "Tell me Mal, was it all an act? The ballgowns? The king?" He mentioned Ben with disdain jealousy flashing in his eyes before disappearing. "Some of it… I'm still not a fan of the dresses but they make Evie happy… she then looked away. With Ben... " She blinked away tears. "I lied at first… I hexed him and used him.. But I began to care… but he didn't love the real me." She whispered. "So I guess it was a lie... "

.

Harry let her slide down the wall with a knowing smile. Harry caressed my face with the cool silver hook. "I think we have company" he purred before turning around to face Evie, Carlos, and Ben.

Ben stood beside the other Vks his eyes hardened.

"Mal" he said barely above a whisper his fists clenching.

Harry smirked before slipping off into the night.

"Goodnight little dragon" Harry chuckled.

I looked from face to face realizing Ben heard everything I had said about him.

Feeling burning tears fill my eyes I turned and ran upstairs into my apartment where Jay was.

Jay jumped up and ran over to me.

"Mal what is it?"

I gasped softly trying not to hyperventilate.

"Ben's back… Harry caught me off guard…"

The gate to the apartment opened and Evie's calm voice filled the air.

"Not to mention Ben caught you making out with Hook"

Evie frowned but her eyes softened at the sight of my tears.

"Oh Mal, why didn't you tell me you were hurting?"

I looked down and sighed.
"You were so happy I wasn't going to ruin that for you."

Evie hugged me tightly.
"Can Ben come up now? It's not safe for him to be in the streets"

I nodded and walked over to the pipe that helped us communicate from upstairs.

"Carlos? Ben? Come up"

The gate never opened and my heart began to race.

"Dammit Carlos"

I raced down the stairs running right into Gil, falling backwards.

Just before I could fall on my ass Gil grabbed my arm pulling me up.

He smiled his eyes glistening with joy.

"Uma sent me to tell you that we have Ben! She said to meet her alone or Harry will hook em."

He laughed nervously and then seemed to remember something.

"OH! Meet her at the Chips place"

He then turned walking off humming softly.

I heard footsteps behind me and whipped around.

"God guys! Don't sneak up on me"

Evie and Jay descended the stairs.

I shook off their questions silencing them.

"Ben's captured and if I don't come alone Hook will kill him."

"No Mal!" Jay said rather loudly.

"Mal it's a trap" Evie tried to reason.

"She needs to go guys!" Carlos' voice came from the end of the allyway.

He walked up limping a scowl on his face.

"Bastards attacked me and took Ben."

Carlos got closer to what little light there was.

The other VKs gasped as the light illuminated blood coming from his nose and lip.

"Uma's dead" I said in a deadly calm tone.

The other VKs looked worried as I turned to walked off.