Diablo entered the library, where the two women had settled down; Rose in a luxurious, large armchair, reading poetry, while Maleficent sat at a writing desk and scribbled something on a parchment. Maleficent briefly looked up when Diablo flew in, cawing.

"Look who finally decided to grace the halls with his presence," she said in a sarcastic voice. "If it isn't the long lost brother. I worried about you, silly bird."

He hung his head and cawed quietly as if to apologise, but Maleficent turned her gaze back to the parchment.

"I do not wish to speak with you for the time being. Give Rose the response you carry, get out of my sight, and stay out of my sight for at least a few hours."

Diablo flew over to Rose and landed on the armrest of her chair. Rose untied the message and whispered to the most dejected-looking bird;

"She was so worried she wept. That's why she's a bit touchy now."

Diablo nodded, grateful to find out exactly why he wasn't in his sister's good graces at the moment.

"Perhaps I should inform you, Rose dear, that the acoustics in this room is quite remarkable. It enhances even quiet whispers in the most interesting way," Maleficent said out loud in a haughty voice.

Rose slapped a hand across her mouth, but began to giggle.

"Apparently that was amusing somehow," Maleficent remarked without looking up from the script she created. Diablo left the room; he did not want to stay and find out if this was to shape up to a lover's quarrel or not, and besides, he was already dismissed anyway.

"So you will hear me even if just mouth things?" Rose asked.

"In here, yes, I will."

Rose grinned wildly and formed her lips to the words "I want you to kiss me." She was certain it was almost completely inaudible. There was a pause. Then Maleficent put her quill pen down and said;

"I suppose that would be an acceptable interruption", she said and stood. Rose stared at her with shock written all over her face.

"You heard that?" she asked as Maleficent came closer, swept her up into her arms, and then proceeded to kiss her deeply.

"Of course I did."

She kissed the younger woman again and smiled. It was remarkable how easy it was to smile when Rose was around. She brought out a side of Maleficent that she had believed was dead long ago.

"What does your mother say?" she asked and nodded to the message, forgotten in one of Rose's hands.

"Oh! Uh… just that she misses me. And that she loves me. Maleficent… do you think I can see her some day soon?"

"Of course," she replied, running her fingers through Rose's long blonde hair, kissing her again. Rose returned the kiss and reached up a hand to touch Maleficent's horns. Maleficent began to quiver.

"Are you… cold?" Rose asked, alarmed.

"No, Rosie." She sighed. "I just never thought it'd feel this way again. It is frightening. The last time I…" she cleared her throat, "the last time I loved someone, I was betrayed. She made me think I was worthy of her love, but it turned out she was only measuring me against whatever other offer she could get. She eventually became the Queen of a realm not very far from this one."

"I will never betray you," Rose said, quietly but with fierce conviction in her voice. Her eyes burned with emotions and Maleficent felt it hard to breathe. "My heart will always belong to you."

They kissed once more, but something about the nature of the kisses had changed; they were turning hungry; desperate. And there was fire in their embrace now, something much more powerful, much more demanding than mere affection.

Rose looked into Maleficent's eyes.

"I want to make love to you. Do you want it, too?"

Maleficent swallowed, but nodded

"I do," she replied in a husky voice. "But not in here. Come, Rose. Come with me to bed."

"Does King Stefan know?" Fauna asked as she rode with the Queen.

"No," Leah clipped. "As far as I'm concerned, he took Philip's side without even listening to any other. I love my husband, but he can be rather…" she laughed. It was a bitter laugh. "Pigheaded. He will come around, he always does, but that is of little use if the chance has already passed, isn't it?"

"But Rose and Maleficent?" Fauna said. "Though… it makes sense when you think about it. If anyone is good and pure enough to get through to whatever good there is left in Maleficent, it would be Rose."

"I believe so too," Queen Leah replied. "And Philip is so harsh, so condescending. Maleficent on the other hand, believe it or not, teaches. And Rose has so much love to give, it's only fair if she gives it to someone who needs it."

"I have always admired your kindness and wisdom, Your Highness," Fauna said. "I always saw you in Rose, more and more with each year."

"Thank you, Fauna. But it is you who helped turning her into who she is, since I could not be there for her. I know all three of you fairies loved her - love her - but I do believe you were the only one who allowed her to become who she truly is. And for that I will always be grateful."

She pursed her lips.

"Though I could never imagine I would end up in a situation like this one." She patted the short sword by her side. "I haven't exercised my skill with the blade for many years."

"I do recall you were very good with it," Fauna said, nervously. She had never been particularly fond of weapons of any kind. Even magic used for battle made her feel uneasy. She was very well aware of its necessity, but she would never like it.

"I used to be, yes. I do not know if I still am though," she said and shook her head. "Curse Philip. Curse him!"

"Mylady…" Fauna was shocked to face this anger from the soft-spoken, gentle Queen. "Please, you will regret such harsh words."

"Will I? I will regret not standing up for my child, but I strongly doubt I will ever regret telling the truth about my son-in-law."

Fauna found no words to respond to this, and so she fell silent, but she was even more worried now. Because if Queen Leah of all people could harbour such anger, and Philip was furious, and with a scorned Maleficent thrown into the mix, this could not end well. Fauna found herself praying. But she did not know to what power she could aim her prayers anymore.

A/N

I am so sorry for the long delay! Things happened in life that threw me out of stride, so to speak. Good and bad things - I try to focus on the good ones; the most amazing celebration for my 30th birthday, and the possibility of a brighter future than I had believed in.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and sweet comments! There is still a bit left on this story, so stick around a little while longer. ;)