TRIGGER WARNING: topics of domestic abuse and assault mentioned in this chapter.
Maleficent knew something was up with the way that Aurora was behaving but she decided not to ask. No, whatever was going on she would either figure it out through Diaval or Aurora would get brave enough to bring it up herself.
"What trouble did you two get up to today?"
She prompted, trying to get a conversation started since the girl was being far too quiet.
"We didn't get up to any trouble."
Maleficent chuckled at the slightly defensive tone.
"Oh, you can't make me believe that. Diaval has always been putting you up to silly stuff all week."
"Hey, I apologized for the mud!"
"oh, as if you meant a snitch of that!"
Maleficent remembered how it was like to be a child, though it felt as though that was eons ago and there was no need to hold childish antics against a literal child.
"Besides, you played along!"
That retort caught Maleficent by surprise, though she just grinned slightly.
well, that is progress.
she thought.
"My word over yours, Beastie."
He could remember how pale she looked on the hospital bed, IVs and the like protruding from her at all angles.
He remembered how her eyes had widened with fear when she had woken up to see him sitting there before turning to a cold, steely distrust.
He could remember how she would accept nothing he prepared for her to eat, preferring prepackaged or items that couldn't be trifled with.
Most of all, however, he remembered the tears he had seen in her eyes after each therapy session and the screams that woke both of them from both night terrors and cramps.
Yet people dared say she was emotionless, jealous, and bitter.
Had she been jealous when Leila announced her pregnancy? Yes, she had. He had known her long enough to recognize that look.
Yet there had been another emotion in her face during that call. A way her eyes widened ever so slightly and her brow furrowed. A look he had only seen once since and that was when it came to Aurora.
Yet they said she lacked emotion.
"Well, excuse us for being concerned! Aurora is a sweet girl and who can be for certain how she will be treated there!"
"We watched what Stefan did to poor Leila and couldn't do anything about it but at least we could protect Aurora!"
"And Maleficent is so like how he became."
He had bit his tongue to refrain from retorting.
Maleficent was not at all like that. She wouldn't hurt a child, no matter the reason.
How he became, bloody hell, how he became was due to his own ego and not a
thing more! He chose to start drinking heavily, he chose to drug Maleficent. He caused her to crash that morning when she realized what had happened.
Like Stefan became indeed.
Diaval half regretted going to talk with them yet he had got the answers both he and Maleficent had wanted.
Maleficent wasn't sure what had happened or how Aurora had managed to trip them both but she became vaguely aware of curious minnows brushing against them and a rather repentant looking goddaughter scrambling to get up.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean...I…"
The girl's voice started to waver, especially as she tried to stand, her face scrunching up and she fell back into the water.
Maleficent was on her feet in an instant, moving toward her goddaughter, who flinched away from her.
What in the nine hells did that man do to you?
The woman found herself demanding in her mind, though she swallowed it back as she knelt down, by her.
"What happened?"
Aurora felt numb. She had not only managed to make a fool of herself but she had knocked her godmother down and could have badly hurt her.
"I'm so sorry...I Didn't.." She began, trying to get up only to feel a sharp pain when she stood.
She saw starburst before her eyes as she stumbled back, only to feel a strong grip on her arm that kept her from falling.
"Aurora, what happened?"
She became aware that her godmother's voice was gentle, much gentler than she had ever heard it.
"It's my ankle."
She managed, feeling. like she was going to throw up if she said too much.
she heard Maleficent curse under her breath.
" well lean against me and try not to put pressure on it. We'll get it checked out once Diaval gets back."
Aurora wanted to argue, to bring up that she could possibly hurt her by accident but one look at her godmother dared her to argue.
"Are you sure?"
She said instead, earning a sigh.
"yes, Beastie. I am not that fragile, I assure you."
Aurora wanted to say she hadn't meant it like that—though she had—but Maleficent didn't give her time.
"and before you dare argue with me on this, It will take more than a little girl to actually hurt me. Now, let's go."