Artemis's POV:

I tried to be the perfect princess i could during the ball, when it was time for Vladimir and I to dance I did my best not to mess up and to make him look good. I didn't want to get him angry, and based on how he acts for a slight five minute delay, that's something I didn't want to find out what it would look like. He seemed to know what I was doing because he was slowly starting to relax. We had been dancing for a while when I excused myself for a minute to get myself a drink. I curtsied and walked off to go get a glass of water, as some of the other ladies tried to talk to him, and I tried to find Mags needing to talk to her. I eventually found her talking to a crowd and put a hand on her shoulder to alert her. I excused ourselves and took her hand and led her off away from the crowd of people.

"Artemis? What's wrong?" she asked worriedly setting down her drink as a butler had passed by with trays

"What is it?" I just shook my head not wanting to tell her right now for fear of being overheard.

Once in a safe spot wedged between a bust of my great grandfather and a table running low on food I looked at her. "I have this bad feeling something is going to go wrong tonight, i just don't know what." I said, trying not to get too worked up.

" I-i need you to stay close by and be ready for anything and be ready to help me escape if it does." I said a little anxious and she nodded knowing when i got like this it was serious. I sighed not wanting to but I walked back over to Vlad and immediately saw that he was angry at me. My blood was running a bit cold but I did my best to not show it.

"What were you and your servant talking about?" he demanded as he put a little venom when saying servant as he pulls me away from the crowd to a slightly private area and I see Mag carefully staying out of his sight.

"Well, Vlad, first thing i would like to point out is that Mags is my friend and i talk to her about a lot of things." I said not liking how he's talking about her.

" She and I grew up together." I said defensively.

"Once we're married all she'll be is a servant. A maid of sorts that's all, just like she's supposed to be." he snapped and I shook my head refusing to take this.

"No! I'm not going to shut her out ever, she's like my sister and I will never do that to her." i said firmly but i instantly regretted it when i saw him glare and his eyes went dark. I backed up backed into the nearby wall which only made things worse, he grabbed my arm holding on so tightly that I whimpered in pain.

"Ow!" I said hissing in pain

"Let go of me Vlad, you're hurting me." I tried to get out of his grip but it only got tighter, like a steel trap, and then he shoved me with such force that I stumbled and fell to the floor and right on my arm as I heard something crack.

"You will listen to me or I will do worse next time." he threatened standing above me before walking off leaving me on the ground. As soon as he was out of sight Mag ran over to me and quickly helped me up. In a matter of seconds we left the party behind and traveled through the secret passage out of the castle. As we exited the tunnel she turned to look at me with worry as I cradled my injured arm before giving me a small smile to try and distract me.

"You know the stories we would hear about. Go to the Moors, Maleficent and the fairies will protect the ones who need protecting." She said as she nodded while i do the same

"Hide out there i'll do what i can here to make sure you stay safe from everyone until its safe for you to come back. Run as fast as you can." Mags said and I nodded as she helped me pick up my skirt, fixing it so it doesn't fall while running and as fast as I could I darted out of the kingdom heading straight for the Moors. It's good that everyone is at the ball because it means there aren't as many guards crowding the street. I kept running, not letting myself feel the pain in my arm, not wanting to think of the fact it may be broken or that i was going to be forced to marry someone like that. I ran faster with each thought that came into my head. I couldn't let myself break down. Not yet, not until I was safe in the Moors. I soon saw the line of trees that were the way into the Moors and ran straight forward feeling myself losing the battle with my emotions. Tears soon clouded my eyes and I couldn't see where I was going and just like that I was on the ground. I couldn't get up. I started sobbing, holding my arm curled up on the moss covered ground letting all my emotions out knowing I'd be safe here.

Diaval's POV:

"Diaval it seems as though someone has entered the Moors, be a good right hand and go see who it is and if they need help. If they do need help bring them to me." Maleficent said to me. She had changed a lot since Aurora's wedding. It was nice to see her willing to help those who needed it.

"Yes Mistress." i said and walked off in the direction she had indicated. Lately i hadn't minded being human as much as i used to. I still didn't like it but i didn't mind it when it needed to be done like now when someone needed help. After walking for a few minutes i had found who had entered a forest. It was a princess, and from the looks of her dress she had ran from a ball of sorts. I walked closer to her and noticed her dress was torn at the bottom and that she was holding her wrist close to her and that she was crying. I kneeled down next to her and place my hand gently on her shoulder.

"Your grace? Are you alright? Are you hurt?" i asked gently not wanting to scare her.

She looked up at me her cheeks streaked with tears and her beautiful green eyes filled with fear.

"I-i need someplace safe t-to hide where my kingdom can't find me, i heard stories the great Maleficent could help. A-as for being hurt i-i think my wrist is broken and i think i twisted my ankle." she said shivering. I couldn't tell if she was shivering from fear or from the cold.

"Yes, Maleficent can help. In fact she sent me to bring you to her. I could carry you if you don't think you could walk." i offered trying to help her as much as i could.

"That's very kind of you, but i don't even know your name." she said and i smiled a little.

"Forgive me your grace, my name is Diaval i am Maleficent's right hand." i said as i took her uninjured hand and kissed it softly.

"My name is Artemis its a pleasure to meet you Diaval and please call me Artemis and not your grace." she said and i smiled.

"As you wish. Now about going to see Maleficent, would you allow me to carry you?" i asked her and she nodded. I helped her wrap her good arm around my neck and i then pick her up in my arms and carried her back towards Maleficent's part of the Moors.