Mal was stiff, watching Hades turn the ring over between his fingers.

"This is an impressive gem," He said, his voice surprisingly stoic, "The colour saturation impeccable. And the gem itself is flawless. This isn't just a ring for anyone,"

"It's not for trade," Mal said.

"Now, now, hold on," He held up a hand and Mal resisted the urge to ground her teeth, "Who's this for? No offence but this doesn't seem your style,"

"Like you'd know so much about my style," Mal countered.

"Touché," Hades chuckled as he held the ring to the light. Mal's breath caught as she watched him find the inscription on the inside of the gem. "Find me in the space between? Now, I'm very interested, have you asked Grimhilde's daughter to marry you?"

"It's none of your business. Now give it here,"

"Probably not, or she'd be wearing this instead of it hanging out in your pocket. Unless she asked you and you're not wearing on the Isle to draw attention," He bounced it on his palm, "It is Grimhilde's daughter you're with yes? It's been the rumour here for a few years now, but there's been anything to confirm it. Just a few glimpses of you two together at events,"

"Now you suddenly have an interest in my life?"

Hades gasped, clutching a hand to his chest, "Mal I've always cared,"

She snatched the ring, "You have a funny way of showing it,"

His expression sobered for a beat, "Are you happy? Happy people are usually the ones who get married, but sometimes people do it because they think they have to,"

That threw her off. She couldn't tell what angle he was playing. Was he trying to make her doubt her decision? He'd have to try harder than that to get inside her head.

"Why do you want to know?"

"You're my daughter,"

Mal snorted, "Listen. You don't get to call me that. You'd have to at least been there for me. The only reason I'm here now if because I something powerful to beat the staff and your emerald was the most convenient thing,"

"You think I didn't want to be there for you?"

"Oh did you? Really? You have a funny showing that. I know the internet is shitty here, but I guarantee if you search 'how to be there for someone?' not one of the results are going to say 'literally never speak to the person as they grow up'."

"I would have, but you know how your mother is,"

Mal rolled her eyes, folding her arms.

"She wanted to be the one to raise you and I didn't push the subject,"

"You ran away from the responsibility. Mom was a lot of things, but she was there,"

"I… I know,"

It was the first beat of hesitation Mal had sensed from him.

"But then you turned her in a lizard,"

Or thought she sensed from him to be accurate because just as quickly she was left unsure again.

"It's temporary,"

"You tell yourself that. Let me guess, the spell will break if she learns true love? It's always true love." Hades gagged, "If anyone is incapable of unselfish love, it would be your mother,"

"You'd know a lot about that, I bet,"

"Think you can judge me because you're allowed to live among the holier than thou royals of Auradon,"

"I can judge you because someone who was never there for his daughter doesn't get to lecture me now about what love entails. You don't get to talk about mom either,"

He huffed, "This is getting us nowhere fast,"

"Believe me. I'm having as much fun as you are,"

"Is this all you really came for?" He asked, rolling the emerald between two fingers.

"And I'm not leaving without it,"

"Eh, might be fun to see what happens," He said holding out his palm.

Mal stared at the gem in his hand. She didn't trust it.

"What do you want? The ring?"

"No. I just wanted to be nosy,"

With a snort Mal grumbled, "Of course," She looked at the emerald for a moment longer before taking it from him.

"Be careful. That was made for a god,"

"I think I can handle it,"

"You're only half of me. And your mother's side isn't going to make up the difference. It won't be as powerful for you as it is for me,"

"I'll manage," Mal closed her hand around the gem, turning to leave.

"And hey, if you need someone to walk you down the aisle call me," He called after her.

"Not happening,"

Mal walked out of the room and sucked in a breath. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Celia leaning against the wall.

"Spill it," Mal said, "How much of that did you hear?"

Her expression twisted, "I don't know anything,"

"Right," Mal snorted, "Listen you mention the ring to Evie and I will kill you, slowly and painfully,"

"What ring?" Celia said, making a zipping motion over her mouth.

"And you'd better forget whatever else you heard in that room,"

"Like I said, I don't know anything,"

"Good,"

Mal started to walk away when she heard Celia idly behind her, "But it makes sense now, his obsession to get information on you,"

Mal turned on her heels. Celia almost walked into her. She yelped, eyes going wide as Mal levelled her with a cold glare, "You tell anyone, I mean anyone, about Hades and I'll make life hell for you. Evie is the only who knows and that's how it's going to stay,"

Celia nodded quickly.

"Please land it," Evie whispered to herself as she watched the roof below come rushing up to meet her. The landing was hard, jarring her entire body, but she kept running. A few years ago she would have made that jump perfectly. Maybe their time in Auradon had made them soft. No time to think of that now, not with Harry Hook on her bike and their way off the isle.

She'd lost sight of it for the moment but she could still hear the engine. Carlos and Jay had spilt off in other directions to track the others from Uma's gang, who were certainly making them work for it.

The engine sounds were ahead of her, in an alley that would let out into the quarter market. Harry would have to turn two buildings ahead and be forced to double back from the way the alley looped around builds. But she could cut across on a bridge.

Another roof jump, this one mercifully shorter than the last. She hopped the gap, vaulting a barrel and jumping down a fire escape. Two stores down, a hop across to the next building via an open balcony. Her memory wasn't going to fail her now. She smiled despite everything.

It was a rush, to be a back on the Isle, back on the streets. She wouldn't trade Auradon for the world but how she'd forgotten the trill for a chase. She tore down the hallway, pushing random people out of her way. She still threw a few 'sorry's over her shoulder. She burst out onto a balcony on the opposite side of the building.

The bridge was gone.

The air was empty, her mind easily filling in the scaffolding bridge that had stood for so many years across this courtyard, giving access from one end to the other without need to touch the ground. It wasn't there.

She saw Harry burst out the alley, cutting across the market way and vanishing from sight on the far side. She cursed, looking for the quickest way down to ground level. With no other choice, she pushed back inside, hurrying down the stairs. At this rate, he'd get away.

She should have known better. Not just about the possibility of the bridge being gone. She should have known how to read the Isle better. She let herself get too focused on Harry. She only saw him tore across the market. She didn't take a moment to consider why he'd gotten across what usually would have been a crowded courtyard.

She should have known when she finally got out to street level, and she could see clear from one side to another through the market stalls. The market was only ever this empty in one situation. She knew that, so why hadn't it clicked faster.

Why didn't she notice until now, when it was too late to stop the dread creeping up her spine?

Central areas like this one, on the Isle, were always, always teeming with people, with only one exception. There was only one time the streets would clear. When one of the big names were about.

Evie cursed herself for forgetting such a simple fact of Isle life. So it was fitting punishment, that the big name responsible for this empty space would be the Evil Queen.

The Evil Queen.

Her mother.

The Evil Queen's head was turned, looking in the direction Harry had gone in. She had seen her yet. Evie still had a chance to move before she was seen. So why? Why wouldn't her legs move? Grimhilde's head turned, her eyes falling on Evie.

Well, shit.

A smile pulled across her expression. She crossed the space towards Evie.

Compulsion overtook Evie, straightening her jacket and pushing the stray hairs away from her face. She looked down, her attention instantly zeroing on her shoes, wet and soiled from street water. She felt sick.

"Evangeline, dear," Grimhilde was a few steps from her, the smile still there.

"Mother,"

"Is it finally time?"

"Time?" Evie swallowed.

"You've come to collect me, no?"

"I… no. Mother. I'm here for other reasons,"

Grimhilde's face fell, "Evangeline, what is taking you so long? I expected you take some time, but this is a disappointment,"

"Mother, what exactly were you waiting for?"

The Evil queen tilted her head her eyes going cold. All at once, Evie was 10 and her mother had just caught her with sticky fingers from pastries.

"Niñaita, really. Have you just been playing the fool? When are you coming to take me away from this horrible island?"

"Mother, that's…" Evie shook her head, trying to process it all, "The isle is a prison,"

"Yes, yes, yes," Her mother waved her hand dismissively, "Come, darling walk with me. I have errands to run. I can't find good help anymore and after you left me, I have to resort to shopping for myself,"

Evie was dragged to her follow at her mother's side without any more effort. She trailed half a step behind her like she had done so many times in the past. She didn't think. Didn't hesitate. She just did. Because her mother had demanded.

"Mother, I-"

"Shush. No excuses. Tell me, what's taking you so long to get me free,"

"I couldn't… we can't…" She was utterly baffled at the idea that her mother had been waiting on her all, this time, "We didn't get the wand,"

"You think this is because you failed Maleficent's plan? Posh. It was doomed to fail from the start,"

"If you thought that, why'd you go along with it?"

"It pays to have powerful allies dear. And on the off chance, she did succeed it would mean another way off this retched rock. But you my dear, have always been my plan. Now, why hasn't your husband gotten me free yet?"

"Husband?!"

"Yes, where is his kingdom? I tempered my expectation for you to capture the eye of someone from one of the powerful family lines. I expect this is what is taking time. He's not as notable and it is taking him longer for him bargain my freedom,"

"I-I… Mother I…"

Grimhilde continued talking like Evie hadn't said anything, blowing past her words, "This is longer than I expected. Years, honestly. If he's useless dear, just poison him and find the next one,"

"Mother I'm…"

"Prison is no place for a queen. Just look at my complexion dear. The sun is horrid, but it was some benefits,"

"I-"

"You still haven't said where your kingdom is. Don't be embarrassed if it's one of the small ones. We still have a few years of youth to work with. There's time to find another prince or a king with larger lands,"

"Mother I'm not married," Evie forced out.

Grimhilde stopped, turning on Evie. On instinct Evie drew back.

"Evangeline, what foolishness are you talking about?"

"I… I…" Damn it, why couldn't she just speak. She wasn't a child anymore. Why were her words betraying her like this?

"You're 23 and not married yet?"

"I'm 24 mother," she murmured.

"Even worse. Tell me you're at least engaged,"

Sounds choked in the back of Evie's throat.

Grimhilde stepped in closer, lifting one of Evie's arms, "It's probably because you let yourself go, mija. I worried about this. This is my fault. Without me there to guide you…" She tutted, turning Evie's head to and fro. Walking around her, "I'd hoped you'd have the will to do things without me. But don't worry dear. Your failure thus far isn't final. You still have some time. You will need to hurry some. Your generation has the annoying habit of extended courtship periods,"

"Mother, I…" The words she wanted to say were screaming in her mind. Stop. Don't touch me. No, I don't have a prince, I don't want one. I don't need one. I don't need you. I have someone who loves me more than I thought it was possible to love someone. And I love her the same. I'm a not a failure because of that. I'm not a failure. I'm not a failure.

"I have things I need to do mother," Evie said, shrugging off her mother's hand and stepping back.

Grimhilde's expression grew colder, "Things? What things? What could be more important than your own mother? The woman who gave birth to you."

"I-I'm sorry mother," It hurt to speak, like everything she hadn't said was trapped there, pressing from the inside out.

"Evie!"

Jay's voice. She'd never been more grateful to hear him. Footsteps came pounding up behind them, but stopped short. Evie guessed he saw who she was talking too.

"Oh… I,"

"You're still letting this boy hang around you I see," Grimhilde eyed him with a dirty look.

"Evie?"

"Is he why you haven't found a prince as yet Evangeline? I indulged his presence on the Isle because I knew he'd keep away less savoury men who thought themselves worthy suitors. I didn't think I'd have to spell it out to you. What prince would want you if he thinks you're hanging around a womanizer?"

"Womanizer?" Jay asked.

Evie could endure a million insults about herself. She already had. But she wouldn't have any about her friends.

"Let's go, Jay," Somehow she found the strength to turn away.

"Evangeline, we're not through speaking here. Evangeline!"

She didn't turn back. Jay stumbled after her.

"E, where are we going?" He asked as he blindly followed, giving her mother one last glance.

"Don't know," She got to the first ladder she could and started climbing.

"What did your mother say?"

Evie didn't answer.

"Evie?"

Still, no answer as they pulled themselves onto a roof.

"Did you find out where Harry went? C and I lost track of our marks,"

"I'm going to be sick,"

"Wow, hey," Jay barely pulled her hair out of the way as Evie doubled over the edge of the roof, retching. He rubbed her back as she did. When she collected herself again he pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to her.

"What a gentleman," She managed a weak smile.

"Aw, well… you know me. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not particularly,"

Jay chuckled, "Mal has really rubbed off on you,"

Evie laughed as she sank to the ground, leaning against the roof ledge. Jay sat next to her, resting a hand on her knee.

"Whatever she said, she's wrong," Jay said, giving a squeeze. It was a small gesture, but it made Evie feel warm, helped ground her.

"I'd forgotten… just how much… she was," Evie shook her head, "I was careless. Should have known someone was there. It was too empty,"

"Even the best of us mess up at times,"

"We never did,"

"Yeah, but that's when we were arrogant kids. We're adults now and if it's one thing I've learnt about adulthood it's 95% flying by the seat of your pants,"

Evie's laughter was unrestrained now, "Speak for yourself. I always have it together,"

"Yeah, well you were always the best of us,"

They drifted into silence for a few moments.

"I lost Harry."

"Yeah, Gil gave me the slip too,"

"C?"

"No luck,"

"Looks like we're walking back,"

"Ugh," Jay dropped his head back, "that's going to take forever,"

"Not to mention using the bridge is going announce to everyone we were on the Isle,"

Jay stood, holding a hand out for Evie, "Nothing we can do about it. We should head back to the arcade,"

Evie let him pull her up, "Could you not tell Mal that I ran into my mother?"

Jay arched a brow at the request, but nodded anyway, "It's your story to tell. Or not tell,"

"Thanks, Jay,"

"Come on, Princess. I'll race you back,"

"Oh, you're on,"

Mal and Celia got back to the arcade and one look at her friends told Mal everything she needed to know about how their evening went.

"Oh no," She groaned.

"Sorry Mal," Carlos said, "We just couldn't keep up,"

She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck, "Couldn't be helped. So how are we getting back?"

"The bridge," Jay suggested with a shrug.

"Not ideal,"

"It's our only opinion," Evie said.

"You're right, unfortunately," Mal tapped Celia on her shoulder, "If you want to tell your old man goodbye make it quick. We have a long walk ahead of us,"

"Oh, right," She bounded off towards her father.

Evie pulled Mal aside quietly. "Did you see your dad?"

"Another unfortunate turn of the evening,"

"Are you okay?"

"We can discuss my feelings when Auradon isn't under siege," Mal narrowed her eyes and pressed her hand to Evie's forehead.

"What?" Evie asked, leaning away from her hand.

"You look pale. Are you okay?"

Breaking eye contact Evie wove a hand with Mal's gently pulling it down, "Yeah. I am,"

"E,"

"Another discussion for a time Auradon isn't under siege,"

Mal's silence was clear disapproval.

"Don't be a hypocrite M,"

She exhaled heavily through her nose, "Okay. Added to the to-do list,"

A smile flickered on Evie's lips despite everything, "Right under defeating the bad guy,"

"And just above repairing the gutters outside the kitchen,"

"Oh, really? Hasn't that one been on your to-do list for a month now,"

"I've had a busy month,"

"Mhmm,"

Mal laughed. She saw their friends walking over to join them and pointed out their approach to Evie with a nod.

"Ready?" Jay asked.

"Let's do this,"

"Do we really have to walk all the way back?" Celia asked as she led the way outside.

"Yes," Mal said, "Unless you're a really good swimmer,"

"Oh I know a really good swimmer," A new voice joined the conversation. Harry Hook slunk out of the shadows next to them.

Their group tensed, instantly looking for another way, but a dozen guys from Uma's gang were around them.

"Is there some party we don't know about?" Carlos asked, eyeing the group slowly pressing in closer.

"Uma would like a word. We can be civil about this if you come along quietly,"

"Why couldn't Uma come here herself?" Mal asked, pulling Celia behind her.

"Oh, you know how things are for higher management. She's too busy for every little pickup,"

"We could fight our way out," Mal said, "Easily,"

"We also have more guys waiting at the bridge. You can come with us now, or you'll have to deal our guys rushing you when you open the barrier,"

Mal bit down on her tongue she considered their opinions. She exchanged quick looks with Evie, Jay and Carlos.

"Alright," She huffed, "Let's hear what Uma has to say,"

Nardragon- until the next page.