REALLY IMPORTANT PLEASE READ!

I'm back!

After almost 3 months, I know. I am so cruel to you guys, I feel like shit.

But you guys are still so awesome, I love you all so much!

This story is coming to an END, and I am REALLY going to miss it. There is one, maybe two chapters left. UNLESS you guys have anything else you want me to add.

However I will be starting up other maleval stories soon. Along with maybe some twilight, alice in wonderland, Aladdin, divergent, or hunger games ones.

Depending on my mood. And how much time I have.

Huge thanks to (long list); standasawitness, HerDarkHeart, LARACROFT0143, Alex, Steelers1023, Shadow, Bluddy Begh Hid, Tacodestroyeravenger and the three guest for the awesome reviews.

Read on and enjoy!

She was on fire

She could almost feel the hot flames engulfing her as his soft lips moved against hers. Her thoughts ceased, her heart stopped, and she waited for the pain of burning that never came.

Her eyes were shut tight as Diaval finally seemed to shake himself out of his haze, pushing her up against the wall and pressing against her.

Maleficent let out a shocked moan, raking her nails across his chest. His half-pained, half-pleasured hiss only added fuel to the raging fire she found consuming her.

Both of them were beginning to feel light-headed from the lack of oxygen, and the broke away panting as they fell to the floor.

"Wow," Diaval gasped, rubbing his chest and taking deep, long breaths. Maleficent responded with a wide grin.

"Mistress?" Diaval spoke again as they stood up. She brushed herself off before looking back at him. He gave her a small, meek smile.

"I love you," he said simply, "more than any creature has ever loved another," and pulled her carefully back to him.

2 weeks later

Maleficent and Diaval had been invited to the castle for a Christmas ball, something Aurora had made an annual tradition as soon as she was crowned. The girl truly loved celebrating.

While the new couple didn't exactly share the young queen's enthusiasm for such social gatherings, they still decided to attend this one. Mainly because they really missed their fledgling.

Maleficent gracefully flew through the castle window, Diaval perched on her lap. Whirlwind Aurora was quick to envelope her godmother in a hug. Diaval jumped off her shoulder and transformed, brushing himself off before accepting his own hug.

Aurora had left William with his sitter, and Phillip quickly came to take Diaval off to catch up, leaving the two women together.

Aurora excitedly dragged Maleficent to her dressing room. "Aurora," Maleficent said immediately "I am going to this ball as I am." She spoke sternly.

Aurora turned, also looking serious. "Godmother, I love you but I refuse to let you go to royal ball dressed like that. That's funeral attire." Aurora answered.

She turned back to the rows of dresses, and Maleficent rolls her eyes. She didn't like people mocking her clothing.

"And maybe if I dress you up enough, Diaval will finally tell you the truth." Aurora finally muttered. At this, Maleficent grinned. Neither Maleficent nor Diaval had shared the news of their relationship with anyone, so Maleficent decided to have a little fun.

"Truth? What truth?" Maleficent tried to sound suspicious. Aurora jumped, turning again to face maleficent. "Truth? Who said anything about truth?" Aurora bit her lip, looking extremely worried.

"I heard you Aurora. I knew Diaval was keeping something from me. Where is that bird?" she stood, heading to the door and trying not to laugh at the horrified look on her beastie's face.

"No, godmother! It's… it's nothing! Really! Please sit down, let me show you your dress!" Maleficent gave Aurora a look, but sat back down. She allowed herself a laugh as Aurora hurried to pull out the dress.

Maleficent's laughter stopped. Even she had to admit, the dress was stunning.

Phillip had coaxed Diaval into dress pants and a shirt. The clothes both covered his scars and were extremely warm and comfortable.

They both sat in the ball room chatting with guests and helping when needed. Suddenly, Aurora appeared in a beautiful pink gown, and grinned at Diaval, pointing behind him.

He slowly turned, gasping when he saw his mistress.

She was wearing a silk dress of the darkest green, hugging her body and glimmering slightly as she walked. Her green eyes, ruby lips and snow white skin contrasted gloriously against the dress.

Every eye was on her, and Diaval couldn't blame them.

Maleficent, however, was extremely uncomfortable, wanting nothing more than to run back into the dressing room and hide.

"Well, you look almost as beautiful as I do." Diaval said with an easy grin.

She blushed furiously at his complement, playfully slapping him, making his grin grow. There was a time when this would have annoyed Maleficent, but now she was always ecstatic when the old, more confident Diaval resurfaced, and this was becoming far more often much to her delight.

Music began to fill the room, drawing everyone's attention away from Maleficent and back to their partners.

Maleficent sighed in relief, and Diaval laughed, pulling her closer and pressing his lips to her ear.

"I jest, you know. I've never seen anything more beautiful than you. You're a vision." And Diaval captured her lips in a kiss.

When the kiss ended-too soon for Maleficent's liking- they realised both the King and Queen were staring at them. Phillip with an amused and happy grin, and Aurora looking both confused, shocked and slightly angry.

Maleficent laughed as Aurora slapped her. "You tricked me!" she frowned. Aurora didn't know what to be more mad about. Her Godmother's little game, or the fact that she had not known about their relationship.

After the initial shock, Aurora was all smiles once again. After the congratulations from Phillip and the inquisition from Aurora, the night went quite smoothly for the couple. Maleficent continued to politely refuse almost every man in the ballroom, yet still managed to shoot daggers at the women throwing themselves at Diaval. Eventually, the two decided to stand in a corner, quite closely together, in order to stop distracting people from the festivities.

Diaval even managed to get a dance out of Maleficent, and even though they both had no idea what they were doing, it was definitely enjoyable.

Too soon, the guests began to leave, and the maids hurried in to clean.

Diaval and maleficent were lead to a guestroom, and both quickly changed to their normal attires and collapsed onto the large bed, exhaustion taking over.

Maleficent awoke a few hours with a shock. She clutched at the sheets next to her, searching for Diaval and finding emptiness.

She hurried out of the bed, wrapping her wings around herself as she exited the room in search of her mate.

The kitchens were empty, the bathroom unoccupied, and the hallways uninhabited. She found herself walking up the flights of stairs heading to the rooftop.

There he was, her dear raven, trying desperately to fly.

Tears immediately filled her eyes. How long had he been doing this? She hid in the doorway as he uselessly flapped his wings. He cawed as his feet left the ground, but the harder he flapped, the more damage he did to himself with no result, and with a sharp cry he fell roughly to the ground again.

Maleficent gasped, wanting to run to him but unable to move. He transformed, appearing on his knees and clutching his left arm in agony. He grit his teeth to hide his groan, and Maleficent's tears began to fall harder.

She sniffled, and his eyes immediately snapped back. She stumbled back against the wall, but it was too late.

"You can come out Maleficent, I know you're there" he drawled.

She guiltily crept over to sit next to him, waving a handful of magic over his injured shoulder. He winced as it healed.

"Thank you," he mumbled, rotating his shoulder.

Both were silent for a moment. "How…how long have you been doing this?" Maleficent asked shakily.

Diaval looked away "A while," he answered hesitantly.

"I'm sorry," was all she could say.

"That's why I hid this. It's not your fault."

"That's not true. I promised to cure you, and this happened because of me."

"And you tried…very hard… to fix me. It's not your fault I can't be fixed."

And it was true, Maleficent had gone through every spell and incantation book she ever owned. Tried every magic potion and relic she knew, yet nothing seemed to work. She had even asked the pixies for their books and assistance, with no success.

She mashed her lips together, not wanting to anger him anymore.

Diaval raised his eyes to the sky, a sad smile on his face, and a single tear travelled down his face. He rubbed it away quickly, but Maleficent had already seen.

"I'll always miss the skies, Maleficent. I'm a bird, it's natural. But even birds would choose a mate over wings. And I have the most perfect mate in the world. I think you're plenty worth the sacrifice.

He stood and pulled her up with him. Maleficent kissed him, and his smile became slightly more genuine. It was rare for Maleficent to initiate a kiss, almost as rare as Diaval taking her advice and not calling her mistress.

They walked back to their room together. Diaval sad but content, and Maleficent fuelled with a new fire. She couldn't bear to know that Diaval was suffering, and she would take away his pain if it was the last thing she ever did.

At any cost.

Well? How was it?

Now what should I do? End it in a while like I planned? Add some other experience? Should Diaval get fly again? Should this become M rated?

WHAT NEXT?

That is completely up to you guys, and if I get no ideas from anyone, I shall continue as planned.

As always... REVIEWWWWWW

(LET'S BEAT THE 11 REVIEWS FOR THIS CHAPTER)