After me and Ben made love, we then fell asleep in each other's arms, and I didn't know how much time had passed when I woke up to see Ben looking up at the ceiling. I went to smile at him, however I stopped myself when I noticed that he looked like he was deep in thought, which of course I understood with everything that was currently going on. However, I felt that there was something else that was now bothering him.
"Are you ok?" I asked and I watched as he slowly looked down at me.
"Yes and no," he meekly smiled.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I questioned as I sat up and looked down at him.
"Yeah" he nodded. "I have no secrets from you," he advised. "Come back here" he advised as he opened his arms to me. I then lay back down and snuggled back into his chest, and I couldn't stop a smile spread across my face as he tightened his arms around me.
"Yes, I am ok" I heard him say. "Because I am with you" he added before he pressed a kiss against the top of my head which made me purr. "It's just all of this proposition business, and now what is going on with my mother" he sighed sadly, which made me look up at him.
"I get that Ben" I replied. "But we can get through anything," I reminded him.
"Of course we can," he smiled.
"What were you thinking about when I interrupted you?" I asked.
"I was just thinking about how the twins could change everything" he advised. "Especially after what happened today" he added as he snuggled into my hair.
"How could the twins change everything?" I questioned in confusion.
"I was meaning more of the line of succession-" he started to explain. "Because as we haven't had children yet the order of succession after me is Chad, Az, Audrey, Lonnie, Ruby, Melody" he explained, and I nodded at this. I remembered just after Ben's coronation Ben told me that the line of succession had been changed so that it didn't relate to the Elders in the Kingdom. When I asked why this was the case Ben explained that the council thought that the ruling should be done within the same generation, even though some Elders did fight against it.
"But the twins would go before Chad" I stated. "And our children would obviously be behind you" I added.
"Yeah" he nodded. "And everyone would get pushed down the line of succession" he advised.
"I see," I answered as I started to note how strange it felt to talk about my and Ben's children like this.
"And there might be someone to add to the list" he advised which broke me out of my train of thought. "At the very end" he added.
"Who?" I questioned in confusion.
"Well, this is why I said, especially today" he advised. "Before you rang me, I got an email from Snow White" he admitted.
"What did she want?" I asked.
"She requested whether a meeting could be scheduled with Evie," he said.
"What has this got to do with Evie and the line of succession?" I pressed.
"Because as Snow White and Ferdinand haven't had any children, they want to name Evie as their successor" he explained.
"What?" I exclaimed. Snow White and Ferdinand wanted to name Evie as their successor! I didn't know how Evie would react to this; she was still coming to terms with who her father is. I just couldn't believe how much had changed for me and Evie, when we left college, we just expected to live our lives with Ben and Doug. But we now had all these changes to titles and status. It was a little bit overwhelming if I was being completely honest. "That is a very big deal" I noted as I continued to think about how Evie is going to react to this news.
"It is," Ben agreed. "How do you think she will take it?" he enquired, which made me look back up at him.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I think she is still trying to get to grips with the fact that Hades is her father," I reminded him.
"Oh" he muttered as his eyes widened slightly. "Hades" he nodded as he pursed his lips together.
"Yes?" I said slowly as I didn't understand why he was reacting this way.
"He also rang me today," he admitted.
"Did he?" I asked in confusion. "Should I be concerned that he rang you?" I pressed.
"No" he replied. "Well, I hope not" he quickly amended.
"What did he say?" I asked.
"Well, he told me that he was keeping a very close eye on me and Doug, as he wants us to treat his daughters right" he explained.
"You do treat me right" I pressed.
"I know I do," he returned. "Well, I try to" he implored.
"Benny" I cooed as I started to stroke his chest with my right hand. "You do take care of me," I added. "I guess my father just wants to make sure that we are both ok, as he has been out of our lives for most of our lives" I stated.
"I get that," he replied. "But anyway-" he started. "He wanted to know when we could do yours and Evie's coronation, as he wants you made his official heir and princess to the Underworld," he explained.
"How would that even work?" I implored.
"It would be the same as what happened with Aurora" he advised.
"But my father would want to be there" I muttered as I started to think about this.
"Of course," he agreed.
"What did you tell him?" I asked.
"I said that I've added it to my ever-growing list," he told me. "And he warned me that he wants you crowned before you marry me" he advised as he pursed his lips together nervously. I could see why my father would make this request, but it didn't stop me feeling uneasy. I didn't know how people were going to react to us being coronated and I most certainly didn't know how Zeus and his family were going to react if Hades came over - something of which we were all going to have to work towards, I guess. "How do you feel about that?" I heard Ben ask, which broke me out of my train of thought.
"I don't know," I admitted. "Everything just keeps changing" I noted. "Can't I just stay Mal, without all of these titles" I whined. I didn't mean to sound ungrateful over the titles that I was going to get in the very near future. It was just that I never expected half of it, of course I knew that some titles came with being with Ben - it was just everything I wasn't quite prepared for.
"I wish I could say yes," he answered. "But these are your birth rights, I can't take them away" he said as pursed his lips together. "I know it is overwhelming for you, and I do feel bad at the fact that being with me gives you even more titles" he pouted sadly.
"Hey!" I cooed. "You don't need to feel bad" I added as I cupped his face in both of my hands. "Being with you means I have titles, it's all these extra ones that are catching me off guard" I explained. "My name is going to be longer than yours when we are married" I advised. "I am going to be called-" I started before I took a deep breath. "Her Royal Majesty Queen Maleficent Bertha Dragon-Beast Adams, Princess of the Underworld, Knight of the House of Beast" I chanted, and I watched as a smile spread across his face.
"Is that everything?" he teased.
"I don't really care right now" I sighed which made him chuckle at me. "Can I knight people or is it just you?" I questioned as an idea came to me.
"What do you mean?" he questioned in confusion.
"Can I knight people under my constituency?" I clarified.
"Oh" he muttered. "Yeah" he nodded. "But only when you are Queen of the Underworld," he explained.
"Right" I nodded.
"Who were you thinking of knighting?" he asked.
"My husband" I grinned as I brushed my nose against his.
"I see," he grinned at me. "So, I would become a knight of the Underworld?" he smiled.
"Yep!" I exclaimed. "Because let's face it, I will need a lot of your help" I continued. "You have had more experience than me at running a Kingdom than me" I reminded him fondly.
"I'm sure I could help you out," he agreed. "However-" he started. "I do believe your father will want to have a hand in that" he advised.
"And he can," I nodded back. "But he will have to come to terms that you will be by my side" I told him proudly.
"Like you have for me" he smiled.
"Yes" I nodded. "I think he will come to like you" I advised as I looked up and down his face. "Eventually" I teased with a smug grin.
"I hope so" he replied as he threw a concerned look at me.
"I know so" I grinned back and as I continued to gaze into his calm leaf green eyes, I suddenly felt driven to hold my handsome Beast. "Benny come here" I advised as I rolled away from him, and I rested my head against the pillows.
"What?" he asked slowly as I opened my arms and legs for him.
"I need a cuddle like this" I told him, and I watched as his face lit up and she quickly but very carefully climbed on top of me. "Because I don't know when I'll get it again" I added as he snuggled into my chest, and he wrapped his arms around me.
"Mally" he pouted.
"Well, it is true" I urged.
"Yeah" I heard him mutter as he pressed a kiss against my chest which made me smile. "I love cuddling like this" he added happily as he looked up at me.
"I think we both do" I smiled down at him again as I started to run the fingers on both of my hands through his hair, and I giggled as I felt his arms around me. I then started to enjoy having this cuddle with my beautiful fiancé and I loved spending time with Ben like this. I know that we hadn't really kept apart for very long, but I think the fact that we were yet again being kept apart made us appreciate this time together more. After lying like this for a few minutes I then started to think about the Beast side of Ben, and a smug grin spread across my face. "Benny?" I sang cheerfully.
"Aha?" he asked as he looked back up at me.
"Can I have a Beastie cuddle later on?" I questioned eagerly. "You know, before we have to get ready tomorrow" I stated. "Your mother might be let out today; and I highly doubt we will be allowed this tonight if that is the case" I sighed sadly.
"Of course," he grinned at me.
"However, Ben- "I began.
"Yes?" he answered happily.
"I can't be held accountable for my actions" I winked at him.
"What do you mean?" he questioned with a playful look in his eyes.
"I won't be able to keep my hands off you like that" I reminded him playfully.
"Oh" he sang suggestively. "Well, that would make a change" he chuckled as he pulled a face at me.
"You can't keep your hands off me either" I accused with a teasing glance.
"Nope!" he said bluntly, which made me giggle. "My Dragon is a very sexy woman" he purred as he tightened his arms around me for a few seconds. "I do get what you mean now" he said as he pushed up slightly, so his face was now inches above mine.
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"When you said you like spending time with my in my Beast form- "he answered.
"Ok" I said slowly and in confusion. "What are you- "I started but quickly stopped when I realised what he was meaning.
"Oh" I muttered. "You want to spend time with me in my Dragon form" I noted.
"Yeah" he nodded. "Not in a sexual way though" he urged.
"Yeah" I answered. "I don't think anything like that could happen, I would kill you" I added as I pursed my lips together. "And I guess I understand about not wanting to hurt me in Beast form now" I nodded.
"Yeah" he repeated, and I watched as a hopeful look entered his eyes. In all honesty I don't know if I would be able to change into a dragon again, but I would try. In all honesty I think me learning how to change would be a good thing, so I could learn to control it – and the fact that Ben wanted to spend time with like that was a bonus.
"I could try and change into a dragon now" I offered. "I don't know if it will work though" I advised.
"You don't have to Mal" he urged. "I didn't say it so you would" he pressed.
"Hey" I cooed with a broad smile. "I want to" I told him. "We would probably have to go to a bigger room though" I stated as I looked around his room. "Are the outside doors locked?" I questioned slowly as I started to hope that if I was able to change that none of the staff walked in.
"Yeah" he confirmed. "Blinds and curtains are closed too" he added.
"Someone was prepared" I teased.
"Defo" he chuckled, and we both smiled at each other for a few seconds before I came to a decision.
"Come on" I advised.
"What?" he asked in confusion.
"Let me try" I advised, and he nodded at me, and he climbed up off me and rolled over back onto my left-hand side.
"Are you sure?" he offered as we both sat up.
"Yeah" I nodded. "I don't see any point in putting any clothes on" I teased. "So don't worry, I won't obstruct your view" I flirted.
"Good" he answered smugly as we both the slid off the bed and stood up. I smiled broadly up at him as I slid my right hand into his left and slowly started to lead him towards his bedroom door. I then quickly unlocked and opened the door, and when we walked into the living room, I started to look at the high ceilings and hoped that I was going to have enough room to change. My eyes then however locked on the furniture I pursed my lips together.
"I'll put it back, I promise" I advised as I looked up at him.
"What?" he enquired in confusion.
"This" I stated as I dropped his hand and I let my eyes burn bright green and I swept my right hand to left and all of the furniture slowly moved and rested against the right-hand side of the wall.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed. "How long have you been able to do that?" he urged, which made me look up at him.
"I just figured it out now" I admitted.
"Ok" he smiled proudly at me.
"Right" I nodded at myself as I took a couple of steps away from Ben. "Let me try" I added after stepping over to the other side of the room and stood still facing him. I really didn't know where to start so I decided to think about my argument with Leah, since it was the reason that I had changed in the first place!
As my mind started to replay my argument my breathing started to quicken, and a smile spread across my face when the familiar ringing sound started to build up. I felt my eyes started to burn, which told me that things were moving along nicely.
"Mal" I heard Ben say in concern.
"Ben" I answered back.
"Is it working?" he questioned.
"I think so" I nodded as my stomach contracted sharply for a couple of seconds as the ringing continued to intensify. I couldn't help but note how different this transformation felt, but I put this down to the fact that it was just me and Ben. A comfortable space to be able to try this, which was something that made me love him even more!
I felt a growl from within me and I gasped as my heart started to pound erratically in my chest. I then grinned to myself when I started to see the familiar dark purple smoke start to form around me. My body then started to tingle and when I threw my head back, I felt like I was being torn in two before I felt like I suddenly erupted. I groaned as I closed my eyes, and I felt my body start to change. When I felt my body tingles, the smoke and the ringing subside I slowly opened my eyes to see a very eager look on Ben's face at the fact I had been able to change. I then purred happily as I sat down on all fours and wrapped my tail around me.
"Mally?" Ben started as his eyes eagerly roamed over me. "Can I come closer?" he asked.
"Yes" I thought as I nodded at him, and Ben froze as his face dropped.
"Mal" he said slowly as I pulled one brow up at her. What on Auradon was happening?
"What?" I thought slowly as Ben started to walk towards me.
"I can hear you" he advised.
"I know" I thought. "This is really strange" I admitted as I tilted my head to the side.
"It is" he agreed as he stood in front of me. "I wonder if it works the other way around" he added.
"Try it" I suggested eagerly, hoping that it was going to be the case as I brought my head down so it was closer to Ben. Mine and Ben's eyes locked, and I felt a warmth start to spread within me which made my heart and stomach flutter.
"I love you" I heard Ben's voice echo in my mind which made me grin at him.
"I love you too" I thought it back and both of mine and Ben's eyes widened at the fact that me and Ben could talk like this.
"This is different" Ben said.
"Yeah" I agreed. "I wonder if it happens when I change back" I stated. I really didn't know if this was the case, how come it didn't happen before? Unless the fact that I was on my own with Ben with this transformation had changed something with me and my powers. I really hoped that me and Ben were going to be able to talk like this after I changed back – how thing would change so much! "I guess me changing like this is going to open all sorts of powers" I shrugged.
"Yeah" he nodded. "I wonder if it is just me it works with though?" he questioned.
"Well, we probably will never know- "I replied. "I don't intend to be like this with anyone else" I teased.
"Hmmm" he purred as he reached forward and he stroked my left cheek with his right hand, which sent shivers down my spine. "You are so beautiful" he flirted, which made me purr happily at me. I then slowly and carefully shifted my arms out slightly to give him room so he could get closer to me.
"Come and give me a hug" I smiled once more. I then watched as he stepped forward and sat down and slid his back against my chest, I then carefully moved my arms once more around him. I felt heard him sigh as he placed his arms on top of mine and he snuggled his head against my chest as the room then fell into silence. I felt my stomach continue to flutter, I loved that me and Ben were able to share this very intimate moment together. It just showed me even more that it was meant to be me and Ben, of course I already knew this, but it was moments like this that really solidified the fact that me and Ben were soul mates. I just couldn't wait to marry him, and then we could spend the rest of our lives together, hopefully with no further interruptions or distractions – fingers crossed!