Chapter 2:

The Solstice celebration was set up by the time Maleficent and Diaval made it back to the Moors days later. Maleficent magicked them into their celebratory dress. Her hair was down for once, comfortable and relaxed as she was sure the festivities would be. The new Fey were excited to celebrate in their new home under the free sky for the first time in generations. Festivities for the Solstice was nothing new to the Dark Fey, but now they had more than one reason to celebrate. The Heart of the Moors was alive with creatures of all kinds, the indigenous fair folk and Dark Fey blended and talked together smoothly. At least smoother than the last months had shown. Floating flowers and wisps of lights flowed over and through the many trees, illuminating the field and the main fairy hills that made up the Heart. Even Aurora's Moor Castle was lit with sparkling lights all the way to the tallest tower.

"Well, who ever said that celebrations didn't bring people together?" Diaval tapped at one of the lower hanging glowing flowers.

"They have outdone themselves," Maleficent agreed with a nod and looked at all the lights of the Moors as the sun began to set at the far mountains.

"You think that they did this together?" Diaval smiled at the idea of them all working with one another.

"One can only hope," Maleficent took a deep breath and then turned to him with a knowing look, "Shall we prepare for our other guests?"

"On one condition," Diaval lifted his brows, "You get to tell Borra about the humans. I'm not his favorite creature."

"He can think what he wants," Maleficent scoffed and took another deep breath, "I will tell him."

"Good luck," he put a soft hand at her back for support before he turned his head to see the first of the humans clear the trees and into the clearing. He smiled softly at her again as he saw Borra's feathers bristle and then went to welcome the new guests.

Maleficent walked to the group of Dark Fey who seemed a little more than unnerved by the group of humans who walked into their festival. She noticed that the group was made of most of the clan leaders and she looked at each of them in an effort to calm their nerves, "They are here to celebrate, just you are. Just as we had done in their kingdom months prior for our queen's wedding."

"What do they know of the solstice?" Borra murmured.

"These humans have been celebrating the tradition with us for the past five years," Maleficent waved her hand toward the group.

It was a large, yet familiar group. They were made up of people from the Perceforest Kingdom. Nanny Stoat led the group, her limp more pronounced with the years weighing on her bones, but just to her side was the man that Aurora had called Smiling John. He seemed to help her if she ever stumbled. The group that had accompanied her were made up of all types of men- some born into the families that had once held power and the ones who were born into the life of serfdom and poverty. They all now were equal in Aurora's kingdom and under the treaty that was signed between Maleficent and Nanny Stoat. Maleficent picked out a few of the members of the council that she still had to interact with for the continuing peace between the smaller kingdom and the Moors. She also recognized the young boy Simon that was once a mouse, now not so much a boy and more of a man.

Nanny Stoat searched the hills with her eyes and Diaval greeted her almost immediately. She gave him a small tip of her head in greeting which he returned easily to both her and Smiling John beside her. She seemed to ask Diaval something and he pointed in Maleficent's direction. Nanny Stoat smiled slightly and she saw her wings and bowed her head toward Maleficent, who respectfully returned the nod of welcome. The other humans seemed to spread out and greet their old acquaintances and friends that they had made from the Moors. Both sides smiled and exchanged greetings and the lights seemed to burn a little brighter.

"These humans have taken part of Solstice? Here in the Moors?" Borra asked as he kept an eye on the interactions between the Moor Fair Folk and the humans of Perceforest, "And you allowed this?"

"Of course I did," Maleficent answered as if it was the only accurate answer, "They took a step to understand our ways in the Moors, and we welcomed them as long as they follow the treaty. As we all do."

"They will turn on us. They always do," Borra growled and eyed them before he turned to Maleficent, "What happened to always fighting with the humans since you were young?"

"It's in the past, Borra. They have the same queen as we do," she met his eyes in challenge. She would not have anything souring the Solstice. Neither old grudges or stubborn Fey were going to dampen the night that was to show a new kingdom a way to peace, "Remember this."

"Lady Maleficent."

Maleficent turned her head to see Stoat with John beside her and a small group behind her, a small smile on her older face. Diaval had led the group over and he easily took his place at Maleficent's side- between her and Borra.

"Nanny Stoat," Maleficent nodded her head at the woman, "I see that you brought more people this year. Young ones as well."

"They wish to learn the ways of the Moors," both women turned to the rush of little ones who ran toward the muddy holes of the Wallerbogs. After a moment it seemed a few of the young Fey also flew over to join in the fun.

"They will learn the ways of dirtying their clothes where they are going," Diaval chuckled as he saw some mud fly through the air.

"They will be fine with a little mud," she chortled and turned to the group behind Maleficent, "These are new faces."

"These are the Dark Fey," Maleficent turned to the small group of Fey, surprised to see that they were one short. Borra had flown off as soon as her back was turned. Maybe she shouldn't have been that surprised. She cleared her throat and introduced the clan leaders to the council of Perceforest.

"Beautiful creatures you all are," Stoat nodded, "I hope that you find peace in this new world."

"Not so much new as reborn," Udo said as he stepped forward and held out his hand to the older woman.

"Indeed," Stoat shook his hand.

After that, the rest of the clan leaders began to come forward and introduce themselves to the rest of the human council. Hands were held, questions asked and answered just as easily as it had been with one of their own.

Diaval rocked on his feet and bumped gently into Maleficent's side at the interaction. She turned to him to see what he wanted and he only lifted his brows and looked pointedly at the interaction. She rolled her eyes, but kept a small smile on her lips.

"And just where is our lovely, young queen and her new husband?" Stoat asked.

"She will be along shortly, I'm sure," Maleficent answered and looked toward the East where Aurora, Phillip and those that joined them from Ulstead would emerge. As if by her command, another small group of humans came through the opposite side of the tree line, led by none other than Aurora and Phillip.

Aurora smiled at the sight of the celebration and laughed out loud as she pulled on Phillip's sleeve. She turned to the men behind her, a small group of fifteen who were brave enough to journey so far into Maleficent's home territory. Percival, the guard captain, was at Phillip's side as always, still a little unsure- though quickly growing warm to the idea. A few guards were at the sides of the group, still at the command of Percival. Aurora clapped her hands, "May I introduce you to the Moors, gentleman. Do tread carefully, there are many more underfoot than you are used to. Don't forget to enjoy yourselves. You are among friends here."

"Aurora!" Diaval called from the hill toward her and waved. Maleficent had to shake her head in slight amusement. They both saw Aurora just hours earlier. She couldn't blame his enthusiasm, she missed their Beastie every time they were away.

Aurora smiled brighter and pulled Phillip along with her toward her mother and the others. She reached them quickly and wrapped Diaval in a strong hug as he was the first one to reach her. He spun her in a quick circle and set her down on the ground gently.

"Hello, Pretty Bird," she giggled and turned directly to Maleficent. She took her into a hug just as quickly as she had done with Diaval, "Hello, mother."

"Hello, Beastie," she smiled contently with the hug.

Aurora stepped back from the hugs and looked at the others around them, "Nanny Stoat, Smiling John, it's so good to see you both again. How fairs Perceforest during our transition in welcoming Ulstead?"

"Just as well as usual, Your Majesty," John bowed toward her.

"None of that tonight, please," Aurora waved at the man in charge of the Perceforest army, "it is a night of celebration and family- not formality."

"As you say, ma'am," he teased her with a smile and final bow of the head which made her pout like a small child.

"Good to see you once again, Phillip," Stoat nodded at the young man beside Aurora.

"And you as well," he took her hand and kissed the back of it, "As radiant as always, Nanny Stoat."

"And such a flattering fibber," she chastised him.

"The Moors look so beautiful tonight, my lady," Phillip said to Maleficent in a way of greeting, "As do you."

"An extreme fibber," Maleficent gave Phillip a glance. A playful one if you knew how to read her, "Hello to you, too, Phillip."

"So, what are we waiting for?" Aurora bounced on her feet and looked up at the sky as it turned dark and the lights swayed above them, "Let's enjoy!"

"Still just as excited as the first time she enjoyed the Solstice," Diaval chuckled as Aurora pulled Phillip into another direction toward the dancing round in the clearing.

"It has a way of making you feel young and safe," Stoat nodded and then looked at the group of men that had been escorted with Aurora. They looked stiff, unsure and afraid of death, "Well, most of us."

Maleficent sighed and walked toward the small group. Diaval nodded to Stoat so she would be able to enjoy her favorites of the Solstice before he joined Maleficent to welcome the new faces. Maleficent stopped just feet from the group, Percival up front, much more at ease in her presence than before, "Welcome to the Moors, gentlemen."

"Lady Maleficent," he bowed his head low to her in greeting and gave her a guarded smile, "It looks like your home outshines that of Ulstead. I was very wrong in my past assumptions."

"As have we all," she nodded and looked back on the group, "You are free to enjoy the festivities. We have plenty of food and activities if you are so inclined. Please, come."

Percival seemed to guide the most stiff of the men toward the food and water. The other five that were left took in the sights of the Moors and two of them kept their eyes on the guardian herself.

"May I help you?" she asked with a controlled growl and small flap of her wings. She always hated staring.

"Beg our pardon, my lady," one of the men came back to himself and flashed a charming smile, something she was sure he had practiced for court functions. He put his hands on the shoulders of the man in front of him, "It's just overwhelming... the alluring elegance of this place and of its guardian."

Diaval felt his back jolt as a form of staggering protectiveness came to the forefront of his mind. He cleared his throat and stepped closer to Maleficent. He didn't like the way that some of the men looked on her and definitely not the hunger he saw in the eyes of the front two.

She, on the other hand only raised a brow at the man and nodded her head, "Please enjoy and don't dally too long on the views of the Moors. It's only for the Solstice."

Diaval kept his eyes trained on the men until he felt an arm slip through his. He looked down at Maleficent's arm tightened around his, "Mis-"

"I need to see to the Wallerbogs," she announced, not breaking her eye contact with the men in front of her, her chin raised just slightly. Her eyes then turned to his, "Escort me, will you?"

"As always," Diaval nodded slightly at her and then turned to the men again, his chest puffed in pride, "Until later, gentleman."

They both turned as one away from the small group and walked toward the side of the river bank. Diaval chuckled only lightly and threw a look over his shoulder to the men dispersing, "They are going on their own ways."

"Thank the gods," she whispered. Her arm loosened its grip in his, but he put a hand over hers to keep her from letting go completely. Her eyes shifted to him at the small movement, slightly wide in surprise.

"Still need to talk with the Wallerbogs?" he asked with a small tremor in his usually smooth voice.

"No," Maleficent felt his hand smooth over the back of the one in the crook of his arm. She watched the motion as Diaval still hadn't turned to her, "Diaval... I think that I would like a sit on the spire of the castle. To see just how the Moors have-"

"Lord Diaval!"

They both looked up in time to see three flying bodies crash into him and into the ground. Maleficent's arm was thrown from him and she heard five sets of small, human legs who had followed their Fey friends. All the children laughed at the downed raven man on the lush grass, a Dark Fey child on each arm and another on his chest. The human children surrounded the captured man and looked down with their own laughter ringing out. Half of them were covered in mud, but bright smiles adorned their faces.

"And what are you to do with me now that you caught me?" Diaval asked up at his tiny captors.

"Udo wanted us to find you!" the oldest of the Fey children announced, "We are to start our games and the humans wish to join!"

"Well, I can't very well do anything from the ground," he sighed. The children cheered and began to jump up and run toward the open clearing. Two stayed behind to help him up and began to pull on his sleeves. He dug his feet into the ground slightly to look back at Maleficent, "It looks like I am being dragged away."

"It seems that way," Maleficent smiled with a soft giggle despite herself.

Diaval's face softened at the sound, "Call if you should need me."

"Always," she promised.

"Lord Diaval!" one of the children moved to his back and began to push him to go faster.

"Okay, okay, little ones, I am coming," he chuckled at their impatience and smirked at Maleficent before he totally relented to them.

Maleficent spent the majority of the festivities in a seat that she made for herself. She watched the many traditions that she had learned and participated in as a child. Robin, her long time family friend, seemed to bustle about and cause mischief where he could. Nothing that would start animosity, but enough just for some fun. He threw her a look to ask if she would join him, but she shook her head subtly. With a flick of her eyes she looked in Aurora's direction and knew that the still young queen loved a little mischief herself. Robin nodded to her and began to calmly walk toward the queen.

With Robin distracted, Maleficent watched as the humans added their own ways to celebrate to the Moors and the inhabitants opened their minds to their eccentric ways. She shifted her eyes up to the skies where the winged fair folk and the Dark Fey swirled in their own dances that were shared so seldom. Down in the dancing circles the Dark Fey that stayed on the ground shared their ancestral dances around the fire to all who were interested in learning. Aurora flitted from group to group in natural comfort. She was able to talk with the nobles of Ulstead just as easily as the clan leaders of the far Dark Fey settlements. How she ever doubted her own noble blood Maleficent never understood. She was born to bring nations together and lead. Also cause some tricks with the help of Robin as well.

Her eyes fluttered to the side of the clearing where the little ones had set up their games. There were some that Maleficent recognized and others that looked were brought in by the Fey children and Udo. Diaval was in the middle of the mess of children, usually pulled one way or another as a new game started. She heard his cackling laugh float over the music and voices to where she sat. He was a favorite of the little ones, both human and Fey. He was always good with children, fantastic really. She wondered if that was because he had a hatch-ling or two before he was captured by that farmer years ago.

Maleficent shook her head. If he had, he surely would have flown off to find them once he was released from her service. Wouldn't he?

Another glance toward the children, she saw him look up and catch her eye. He smiled at her with a wave of his hand, but was quickly taken by that same hand by an over eager human boy toward the next game. Maleficent put a hand to her chest as she felt her heart pound. A feeling that rushed through her as she recalled his smile.

What is wrong with me?

"My lady, are you well? You have been sitting on your own for over an hour."

Maleficent looked up to see the man that had spoke up from before in front of her with a cup of what looked like honey mead. His charming smile from before was still present on his face. She took the cup with a small nod of thanks. He took the thanks as an invitation and sat on a rock nearby her created seat of vines and branches.

"I meant to introduce myself earlier, but I am afraid I bumbled that quite effectively," he huffed a laugh at his own expense and looked at her shyly, "May I try again?"

"Only if you don't stare this time," Maleficent added and sipped at the mead in hand.

"Apologies," he half smiled and looked at his own cup before he took a breath, "My name is Wulfstan Elwine. I am the kingdom adviser of harvests and right hand to the Provencal Lord Hemmet."

"And which one is that?"

"What?" he seemed a bit thrown off by the question. She assumed it was because he mentioned the man's name to impress her.

"Which one is Hemmet?" Maleficent waved her hand toward the clearing for the human he spoke of, "The one that you steadied from before?"

"Oh no, that was Lord Warwick- newly seated Lord of finances. Hemmet is not here," Wulfstan shook his head, "He sends me for tasks such as these until he is more inclined to take any risks."

"Risks like meeting the Mistress of Evil, you mean?"

"You don't look evil to me," Wulfstan smiled brighter and Maleficent felt her glare falter. He coughed into his hand, "You actually look quite lovely. Your wings are truly as magnificent as they have said."

She saw his hand reach out and her wings shifted tight to her back and her breath hitched.

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have breached that boundary," he immediately took his hand back.

"Wings of any creature are something precious to them," she explained and shifted in her seat to relax once more, "You are never to reach for them without an invitation."

"I will keep those words close to my heart," he nodded and looked at a group of humans from both Ulstead and Perceforest with two pixies in the middle and a blue flower between them, "Those pixies are quite a pair."

"You should have seen them as a group of three," she sighed out and handed the cup of mead back to him, "I don't mean to be rude, Lord Elwine, but I know not much of you to trudge through conversation tonight."

Elwine frowned just slightly in surprise, but then nodded as he stood, "I understand, my lady. I will take leave, but I warn you, I am very incessant."

"On what?"

"On getting to know those whose stories are worth hearing," he smiled again and bowed to her as he turned away, "We will get to know one another, I promise."

Maleficent watched him integrate into the group that was being captivated by the ramblings of Thistlewit and Knotgrass. She didn't know what to make of the man. He was old enough not to be naive, but young enough to still place worth on his life. As it stood he was definitely younger than what Stefan was, but not by more than a decade. Wisdom is not always given through age with the humans, it would seem.


Diaval had just finished the latest game with the little ones. The children ran in circles as they tried to find partners for the next game. At the mention of partners, Diaval's eyes immediately go to look in Maleficent direction. There she sat as she had been the whole night, enjoying the celebrations as she usually did. But now, there was a human man sitting on a rock close to her. It was the one who had spoke up from Ulstead. He smiled gently at her and he could tell that he was trying hard to earn her attention.

"Looks like she's getting to be more and more comfortable with humans."

Diaval looked in the voice's direction, "I wondered when you would let us bask in your glory once more, Borra."

Borra smirked and leaned against the rocks to one side of him, "Take it from me, raven, it will only be a matter of time until she takes one as her mate. She had almost done so before."

"You have no idea what you are talking about," Diaval rolled his eyes dramatically. He knew Maleficent better than anyone in the land. Better than any of her own people. He heard the light growl in Borra's voice and chuckled darkly. If Borra was trying to ruffle his feathers, maybe he could do the same, "Just because she didn't choose you or take you up on any of your courting actions doesn't mean that she will be looking for a mate with the humans."

"Keep telling yourself that, raven," Borra titled his head toward Maleficent's direction.

Diaval turned back to her and saw the man reached for her wings. Of course she pulled her wings to her back and leaned away from the man.

"Quite a brazen move, don't you think?" Borra whispered to him and then chuckled before he turned to take off into the sky again, "Happy Solstice."

Diaval frowned deeply at the man. It seemed like Maleficent had set him right and he eventually walked off to mingle with others. Another flash of protectiveness flashed through Diaval and he tried to step away to talk with her, but was grabbed by another small hand. On to the next game. He threw a look over his shoulder before he is pulled too far and made sure that she was okay. He would have to break free soon. At the last second he saw two female Fey land beside her and he felt himself relax.


"Greetings Phoenix," a large pair of wings landed to her side and another on the other side.

Maleficent looked up at the two female Dark Fey that now flanked her sides. One she recognized as a younger woman from the desert clan and the other a fierce fighter of the jungle clan. They both waved their hands at the earth and created small seats for themselves to talk with her.

"I was wondering who would be the first to come and converse with me from the clans," Maleficent smiled softly to the two as they had both been invaluable in the integration of their clans into the Moors, despite not being clan leaders, "Saoirse, Shrike... to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"The human seemed a bit too hands on," Shrike looked at the group where Elwine had gone to, "Wanted to make sure that we weren't needed as much as we thought we may be."

"I am fine and set a very sturdy line of protocol," Maleficent explained and looked at the far side of the buffet where Percival stood with a strong sight line on their small group. Maleficent would be more on edge if it was her that had the guard captain's attention. It looked like his focus was more on Shrike at her side, "It seems like you have caught someone's attention, Shrike."

"Please don't draw any more attention," she refused to look in his direction, her rainbow wings stretching in a way of showing them off, "I will do that all on my own. I've been trying to grab his attention enough for him to come over all night. Nothing has seemed to work."

Maleficent's brows lifted in revelation, "Courting a human? Now, that is a surprise."

"Am I fool for it?" Shrike asked suddenly and brought her wings swiftly to her back.

Maleficent stared into the eyes of a suddenly desperate Fey. She thought back to her own misgivings and mistakes when it came to the heart of a human man. She took a breath to tell her of such mistakes, but also took a look at Percival. He was a good man, a bit protective of the royals, but he didn't covet their power or gold. He was happy in his place, a place he had fought for and earned himself. Maleficent turned back to the still eager Fey, "Men's minds are different than that of the Fey."

Shrike seemed to fall a little from her words.

"But..."

Her eyes lit again in hope as she looked at the phoenix.

Maleficent closed her eyes for a moment and then sighed comically when she opened them again, "He is a good man. And he seems smitten with you. Just be careful. As I had to learn with Phillip, not all men are susceptible to power's hold. There are things that mean more to good men. Like... love."

"Something definitely to keep in mind," Shrike finally did turn her head to the guard captain. She saw him raise his drink to her and then smiled as he walked toward Phillip and a few other nobles.

"Talking of pairs..." Saoirse took her opportunity and looked past Maleficent toward the children and where Diaval was now 'it' and chased many in the group around him, "Tell me, Maleficent, how do I find a servant as well placed as Diaval? Your servant is very tactile."

Maleficent watched her face closely, looked toward Diaval and then back to the young Fey at her side, "You don't. Diaval is no longer a servant. He isn't mine. Hasn't been for a while now."

"So, he is unbonded?" the young Fey continued and began to eye the raven further, "He is available for breeding?"

Maleficent's feathers began to bristle at her back, "...What?"

Shrike looked between her two conversational companions quickly and sat herself in front of Saoirse to cut her line of sight to Diaval. She then looked back at Maleficent, some green swirling in her eyes, "... maybe he isn't your servant any longer, but that doesn't mean that he isn't yours."

Maleficent's eyes blinked back to their normal, warm color and turned to Shrike with a raised brow.

Shrike looked over her shoulder to the group of children again, "Especially with the way that he has looked this way through out the night. Just as he is now."

Maleficent followed her stare and she caught Diaval staring directly at her, a warm smile on his face and barely paying attention to the current game. Once it dawned on him that she had caught him staring, he looked away with large eyes and for the first time he was the one dragging a child to the next game even when they were in the middle of their current.

"How interesting it is when you find that you are not the only one staring," Shrike giggled and looked at Saoirse who held a deep frown, "Oh don't look at me like that, Saoirse. He wasn't interested in you anyway."

"Hmph," Saoirse rose to her feet and then flapped her wings to take off into the sky.

"I apologize for her. Breeding season is coming soon."

"I am aware," Maleficent nodded and took a glance at the sky where the young Fey disappeared and then to Shrike, "She wouldn't be able to handle him."

"Maybe he already has found one who does," Shrike smiled and then took into the sky before Maleficent could retaliate.

The great phoenix was confused. They could not believe that her and Diaval... that they are... or could be...

She closed her eyes and leaned back into her seat with a push of air through her teeth. She admitted to herself that she had thought on it before. However briefly that the thought had been before. The raven turned servant who then turned friend and then something so much more. He was her confidant, her closest friend outside of those of the Moors who had raised her. He knew things of her soul that would make others turn from her forever, and it seemed to only pull him closer. She gave him freedom and his only answer was to stay. Stay with her... with no thought on leaving ever again. His freedom was the choice to stay with her.

What did I do to make you want to stay?

"Mistress?"

Maleficent sat straight up in her seat and opened her eyes to see Diaval right in front of her. He stood in front of her chair, close enough that she felt his breath on her face. He searched her eyes as if he was on search for something that was hurting her. He knew her moods and what she did to try and make it feel relatively normal. He knew when she was fighting herself for whatever reason. Ever the protective raven.

"How many times must I ask you not to call me that anymore?" she asked after she blinked.

He took a relieving breath and took a step a back from her. He looked over her face once more before he gave her a soft smile, "Until I get it right, I suppose."

"That will be a long eternity," she muttered playfully up at him.

"You wound me," he patted his chest, "The little ones have dispersed to their parents. I am free once again."

"And you still come to me?"

"Always," he said it so casually. He had no idea how much it meant to her.

"Sit with me then?" she asked.

He nodded and looked toward one of the seats that Shrike and Saoirse left. Maleficent cleared her throat and extended out her chair so that she would be able to sit with her. When he didn't move, she looked at him to the seat to her side.

"Well?"

He half smirked and sat next to her as she had asked. He looked at the clearing around them. Many of the attendees had claimed a portion of the clearing to watch the skies. Some of the Moor Folk decided to make a show in the sky for the Solstice. The flower lights all dimmed as the wisps of lights began to climb into the sky. Diaval caught Aurora and Phillip not ten feet away from them, in one another's arms as if they had always belonged there. They loved each other so deeply that perhaps they had. He then caught a flash of rainbow wings just to the side of the flash of shiny armor. He had wondered if Shrike was to say anything to Percival- the human man didn't have a romantic bone in his body. His eyes landed on the group of men that had settled at the side of the clearing and the man who had talked with her earlier. He eyed the both of them with his friend doing much the same, but focused on Maleficent.

"I had thought that maybe that human would want to sit with you again," he huffed and took a quick look to Elwine.

"Lord Elwine?" she also huffed and shifted her wings just slightly, "He needs more etiquette when it comes to Fair Folk. I must remember to tell Aurora to teach her future council manners."

Diaval felt a smile grow on his face at that, but then frowned again, "He had no reason to reach for your wings as he did."

Maleficent looked at him beside her and realized that he had watched her when Elwine had sat with her. Her ever observant raven, "No, he didn't."

"Everyone knows you need permission to touch another so... so... intimately."

"You touch my wings often."

"That's different," he blushed. She could see it even in the lower lights from the flower's glow, "I have your permission. If not, I wouldn't dare touch your beauteous feathers."

"Diaval... are you jealous?"

He turned to her with a start, "Of what? That human doesn't have a feather on him. Couldn't compare to my beautiful self."

"No, he couldn't, you vain raven," she said in an amused voice.

Once more, he felt an arm wrap around his. He looked as Maleficent watched the lights climb into the evening sky, but her arm linked with his, again as natural as breathing. He wondered briefly if she even knew that she did it. This time, his eyes softened as he looked back to her face and his hand moved to weave his fingers with hers. He felt her gasp a little as he quickly turned his face to the sky, showing nothing of his bold choice. A single moment of fear flashed and then quickly died as she didn't move- until she let out a breathy sigh and put her head on his shoulder. Her face tilted up to watch the lights once again. His face broke into a smile and feeling as foolhardy as he did, ever cautious of her horns, he chanced a fleeting meeting of his lips to her hair.

As the show began above them, Maleficent turned her head to face him. His eyes already trained on her, she didn't have to grab his attention. She already had it. Just as she always had. Her hand squeezed his with no reasoning. Was she beckoning him closer, or was she trying to ground herself in the one thing that was ever steady in her life?

His eyes stared into hers and without breaking the gaze, he brought up their linked hands to press another kiss on the back of her hand. Her breath hitched again, the feeling from before back and running through her body just as wild as her magic.

Be careful! Her words from earlier raged. A search of his face, always led back to his eyes- his inhuman, loyal and honest eyes. But this is no man... this is Diaval. More than a good man.

As the lights lit her face before him in new colors, his heart couldn't stop thrashing against his rib cage. She hadn't pulled away again, it even seemed like she was pulling him in toward her. Was Aurora right that night at her wedding?

'Anyone with eyes could see your affection for one another...' Aurora had said, 'It would make you both happy.'

His eyes drifted to her lips as he tried to find words. Words to describe his fear and his hopes and his-

A large crack echoed through the Moors and blew the lights above the fields in disarray. Both Diaval and Maleficent fell back from one another, bolted to their feet as the flower lights bloomed in bright light once more. The Fair Folk in the sky dove to the ground for cover. Another large boom like crack echoed and threw some of the smaller Fair Folk back by its blast. Diaval had his hand at her back as even Maleficent stepped back from the blow.

"Mother," Aurora stepped up next to Maleficent and grabbed her sleeve gently, "What is that?"

"I don't know. I've never heard it before. Stay here," Maleficent shook her head and watched the forest line. She carefully pulled Aurora's hand off of her arm and took to the sky for a better view.

"Don't worry. We will find out what it is," Diaval reassured her and turned to Phillip beside Aurora, "Watch Aurora, Phillip."

"Wait. Percival!" Phillip called over his shoulder. The guard captain was there in a moment. Phillip nodded toward Diaval, "Follow them from the ground."

"Yes, sire," he nodded and waved to the guards over to him.

"Thank you, Phillip," Diaval shifted into his raven form and flew up to Maleficent.

Maleficent turned to Diaval as he flew next to her and saw both Borra and Shrike come toward them, "It's the Southern Border."

"Let's go, quickly," Borra nodded to her to lead the way.