Karma
They landed softly at the border where the human kingdom merged with the mystical. Neither of them seemed eager to give up their close proximity, so the winged faerie crossed the threshold into the Moors with Aurora still cradled in her arms.
The forest, usually alive with the chattering of sprites and nymphs, was peacefully silent, granting the pair the privacy they deserved.
They traveled like that for an unknown distance before Aurora kissed her companion's temple and beckoned her to set her on the ground. Maleficent reluctantly obliged her, but ceased her pouting when she felt Aurora thread their fingers together.
Heavens above, she was gorgeous.
"Why are you so hesitant?" Aurora pressed with renewed confidence. "I can see you feel the same as I do. Why can't you say it?"
Maleficent sighed, not bothering to argue. Aurora regarded her carefully, noticing how the faerie was without her usual stoic composure. If ever there was an opportune time for the queen to try to unravel the thorns guarding her companion's heart, it was now.
Maleficent averted her gaze above them to the stars and inhaled the deep, earthy scent of the Moors. "Aurora," she began, closing her eyes, "does your kind believe in Karma?"
"Some do."
"All fae revere the concept," Maleficent explained. "It is how we have been able to exist as an egalitarian society. Each of us is respectful and courteous to one another, for it will be rewarded back to us in kind. No spirit would dare claim superiority over another; it would be practically sacrilegious."
Aurora was silent, allowing Maleficent the opportunity to continue.
"When I cursed you," the faerie's tone grew solemn, "and seized control of the Moors... I committed the most egregious of sins."
"You suffered terrible pain as well in that situation," Aurora tried to console her.
"It doesn't matter," Maleficent dismissed her, "the point is, I forever doomed myself when I cursed you."
Aurora's heart shattered at her words. "How is that?"
"One who cripples another's fate is destined to experience identical pain," Maleficent's words were hollow and distant. "I cursed you, and in turn, I cursed myself." Hot tears trickled down chiseled cheeks. "I was bound to you from the day you were born," she whispered brokenly, "I couldn't stay away. I wanted to hate you, but it was impossible. My love for you grew exponentially each day, ensuring my heart break on the day you would fall into your death sleep."
"But," Aurora point out, "you lifted the curse."
"I tried to revoke it long before then," Maleficent admitted quietly, "believe me, I did."
"I believe you." Aurora thumbed away the tears that continued to drip from her companion's eyes. Worry flooded her features, seeing how stricken the faerie was.
"When you woke up," Maleficent went on, "I was so conflicted… I was overjoyed to have you back. But it made me fear an even worse fate for you was coming this way."
"Like what?" Aurora asked in disbelief.
Maleficent swallowed thickly. "I was afraid if I acted on my feelings, if I told you the truth – I'd lose you forever."
"So you kept me at arm's length to protect me?" Aurora asked skeptically.
"I don't expect you to understand."
"I do understand," Aurora contended, "I just think you're being rather silly."
Her words jolted the faerie. "Silly?" she gasped disbelievingly.
"Mhm," Aurora answered, smiling warm and wide. "When are you going to work it out Maleficent? You are my destiny."
Maleficent gawked, unusually lost for words. Aurora laughed at her companion's shocked expression.
"I wish it were that simple," Maleficent trailed off.
"It is," Aurora countered, "You've known me – protected me - my whole life. You ensured I had a happy childhood when by all accounts I should have starved to death." The dark-haired being rolled her eyes. That was true. "Fortunately, you separated me from a man so corrupt and dark I fear who I would have become if he had raised me himself."
The faerie grit her teeth. "You're nothing like him."
"Exactly – thanks to you," Aurora's voice dropped barely above a whisper, "You brought me back from the dead. You are, and have always been, my hero. It doesn't get any more fated than that." The blonde caressed Maleficent's cheek, eyes dropping to the elder being's lips. "I love you, Maleficent. I'm convinced you're my soul mate."
Dark, amorphous restraints creaked and snapped from around Maleficent's heart, hissing like serpents rebuked by unconditional love. The freeing sensation was like fire, searing away all her guilt and trepidation, liberating her all at once to finally feel –
Aurora barely had time to register Maleficent surge forward and kiss her, hard. It was desperate and possessive, all tongue and teeth, leaving the queen breathless in her love's arms. They pulled apart – seconds later Aurora felt a hot, open mouthed kiss pressed to her pulse point. It made her knees give underneath her, but Maleficent caught her easily, wrapping the younger woman's legs around her waist. In their new position, she couldn't quite reach Aurora's lips, so she settled for the queen's chin.
"I love you too, Beastie. You taught me that true love exists."
"We should be married."
This time Maleficent was the one to lose her footing, and they tumbled together to the ground. Aurora grabbed for her and they met in a feverish kiss, hands tightly clutching one another's clothing. Maleficent slid her hands up the queen's thighs and rubbed circles with her thumbs into her hip bones. Aurora smiled into her mouth and then pulled away slightly to pepper the faerie's face with kisses.
Maleficent turned her attention to her love's neck and kissed a path down to the swell of her partner's cleavage.
"Maleficent."
The elder being lifted her gaze to cerulean orbs, staring back at her with adoration and trust and everything she ever truly wanted.
"Yes, Beloved?"
"Marry me."
Maleficent flashed that elegant smile that Aurora loved most. She dropped a kiss to the skin directly over the queen's heart and whispered, "if that is what you wish."