After we had been stood cuddling for a few minutes Ben asked me to join him in his office; so I let him lead me by the hand into his office away from the world.
"Ben is something wrong?" I questioned as he closed the door behind us and started to lead us towards the couches.
"No" he answered as we both sat down. "I just needed a cuddle after that" he advised and I smiled at him as we cuddled together on the couches.
"I see" I smiled as I snuggled my face against his chest again as I felt his arms tighten around me and his face snuggle into my hair. "I can't believe they tried to push you" I laughed meekly.
"Me neither" he agreed. "It only works against them" he advised.
"What do you mean?" I questioned as I looked up at him.
"Well their house arrests and attendances at meetings and such like are controlled by me; if they continue with such behaviour like that it will make me just keep them detained longer" he explained.
"I see" I repeated. "Well whatever you think best my love" I stated before I pressed a kiss against his left cheek.
"Come here you" he teased playfully.
"Wha-" I managed to get out before Ben's lips collided with mine and we started to get lost in a series of long and loving kiss against my lips. I could tell by the powerful and lustful way that Ben was kissing me that he needed this after what had just happened and I was more than happy to let him kiss me like this. I could feel the sexual tension start to build up between us; so before things could start to get too far we broke apart and smiled at each other and rested our foreheads against each other's. I don't think that me and Ben would have ever taken things too far; given that the council wasn't too far away and anyone could just walk in. But I knew that when we were on our own later on tonight nothing or no one was going to stop us from being together.
"I see" I panted as I smiled at him.
"Yes" he grinned at me as we both interlocked our fingers together. "Thank you for everything you do; and you continue to do" he advised happily.
"Ben you don't need to thank me for that" I replied. "I will do anything for you; you know that" I urged.
"I know" he stated. "But I still want to say thank you; I want to make sure that you don't feel as if I am taking you for granted" he finished happily.
"I would never think that Benny" I dismissed. "So don't fixate on that Ben" I urged as I cupped his face in both of my hands. "That is what I am for" I reminded him and we both smiled lovingly at each other. After we had been smiling at each other I pressed a brief kiss against his lips before as cuddled back together; full well knowing that we probably were going to have to go back to the others very shortly.
After me and Ben left his office I then went to find Belle as I knew that I was helping her host; which to be honest was very easy. I just had to keep smiling talking to all of the council members and make sure that they had everything that they needed for their departure; Ben did come to find me again at one point when I was talking to Az and Az couldn't help but wind Ben up as usual. He told Ben that he was a lucky guy to have me by his side; and if only he could be so lucky. However before Ben could say or do anything I wrapped my arms around Ben's waist and snuggled into him; which made Ben wink at me. I then reminded Az that maybe he was going to be lucky; as I was going to introduce him to Freddie at the End of Tour Ball. Az suddenly went nervous; which then Ben started to tease him which made me nudge Ben and chuckle at the pair of them. I then excused myself so I could go and help Belle, Mrs Potts and the rest of the staff prepare lunch - something of which I was very much looking forward to.
"Dame Mal" I heard a voice say as I left the main ballroom after lunch.
"Hey Prince Nashoba" I returned as I turned to look at him to see he had his drawing pad and pencils in his hands. "You going to draw?" I questioned.
"Yes" he confirmed. "I was wondering whether you would like to join me?" he offered.
"Erm" I muttered.
"I know you might be busy" he quickly stated and I looked around us. Most of the royals were now in their rooms; and most of the lunch things had been packed away - so I think it should be ok for me to sneak in a little bit of drawing time.
"Go on" I teased. "You've twisted my arm" I joked. "Just let me get my things and tell Belle where I have gone" I advised.
"Ok" he nodded. "I'll meet you down here" he grinned.
"Great" I replied as I turned around to walk back into the ballroom to go and find Belle. I didn't think it would be a problem me going to spend some time with Nash; I just thought it would be for the best if I explained where I was instead of just disappearing. I couldn't wait to spend some time drawing with Nash; I did feel bad at the fact that we couldn't visit him and his parents in Winter's Keep. But the fact that we were getting this time together was a perfect way to end a stressful time for the pair of us.
When I came back downstairs Nash told me that he had a surprise for me; which really confused me. We both walked out of the gardens talking aimlessly and we found the track that I had used for a run a few days ago. I couldn't help but smile at the memory of my playful Beast coming to find me; even though it was only a few days ago it felt like a lifetime away - strangely.
I then started to get lost back into the picturesque view in front of me; the grass was a bright green colour and the cool Auradon breeze was making the grass sway and dance in the wind. In the distance I could still hear the familiar nose of chirring grasshoppers, squeaking swallows and whirring dragonflies; and I smiled once more when I watched the swallows fly around in the bright brochure-blue sky.
My eyes caught the large oak tree that I previously hid in and I grinned as I looked down to the floor; the memory of Ben telling me that we were going to be spending the night together completely alone then came to my mind. I loved it when it was just me and Ben; we could just be ourselves and not worry about how our words or actions looked to other people. If only people knew what we got up to behind closed doors - I knew it would cause a drama scandal that me and Ben could very much do without. I hated how everything in mine and Ben's relationship had to be so heavily scrutinised; I only hoped that after we were married that we could enjoy some privacy and seclusion that being a married couple involved.
My mind then started to play out what being married to Ben would feel like and I couldn't stop a large grin spreading across my face; there was a time in which I never thought that marriage, soul mates and children would ever be a part of my life - but now it was I could never change a thing. I knew in my heart that Ben was the only one for me; and this was never ever going to change. Yes I also knew that there was going to be parts of our relationship that I didn't understand but I would get through it - as I would have Ben with me to help me.
My mind then wandered onto the fact that I was currently with Nash; I hoped that he didn't think that I was being rude as we aimlessly talked. I knew he could tell that I was distracted but then another thought then came to my mind. I found it strange that Nash would have a surprise for me; and I just hoped that Ben wasn't going to take this the wrong way.
"What's this surprise?" I asked.
"See" he nodded before he quickly clicked and I heard a squawk before a quick blur flew towards us before it landed with a thud in front of us.
"Vuma?" I asked in confusion. "What he doing here?" I questioned as I looked up at Nash.
"He came and found me" he chuckled.
"Wow!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah" he returned. "And I thought as you are not coming to visit me any time soon that you would like to draw him" he offered.
"Wow!" I exclaimed again. "Nash that's amazing" I said happily.
"Yeah" he answered. "Vuma come" he nodded towards himself and Vuma strutted proudly towards us and stood closer to us both. I couldn't help but smile happily at him; he was such a beautiful creature. His feathers on his body with evenly dark brown however his head and tail was bright white in colour. His tail was moderately long and slightly wedge-shaped; and his beak, feet and irises are bright yellow. His feet were feather free, and his toes are short with large talons. His beak was large and hooked and his stern eyes were currently fixed upon me, which I found unnerving.
"He's beautiful" I observed.
"Would you like to hold him?" he grinned.
"Would he let me?" I questioned as I looked up at him.
"Yes" he smiled. "Vuma" he stated as he held his right hand up and Vuma quickly jumped up onto his wrist. "Now Vuma-" he began. "This is Mal" he advised. "Be nice" he warned him and he nodded towards me and I lifted my right wrist up and Vuma looked at me and slowly jumped onto my right.
"Hello" I said happily as I slowly stroked his chest and he stood proudly for me.
"You've got a friend there" Nash advised happily. "He doesn't just do that for anyone" he added.
"Well I'm grateful" I smiled. "Thank you Vuma" I continued to smile as I heard him squawk at me. "Is it ok if I draw you?" I asked him and I grinned when I was rewarded with another squawk. "I'll take that as a yes" I chuckled.
"Yes" Nash chuckled back. "Vuma stand" he advised as Vuma jumped up from my wrist and returned back to the spot he was currently stood on. "Good boy" Nash cooed. "He might pose for you" he explained. "Vuma pose" he instructed and we both watched as he stood proudly with his wings opened slightly.
"Wow!" I exclaimed. "You have him well trained" I noted.
"Yeah" Nash nodded. "I love him to bits" he said lovingly. "If I am being honest-" he began. "I knew that he would follow me here" he continued.
"I suppose so" I agreed. "He will have been worried about you" I said as I pursed my lips together.
"Probably" he agreed. "Can't go anywhere without him looking for me" he chuckled and Vuma clicked at him. "Hey!" he sighed. "It's true" he urged and I couldn't help but chuckle at both of their playfulness.
"Well we best get to drawing-" I stated. "You'll be due to leave soon" I advised as I opened my drawing pad.
"Yes" he advised as we both started to pull our drawing pencils out of their cases. "Sadly" he sighed and he pulled a funny face at me which caused us both to chuckle. We then both looked down at Vuma and he proudly posed for us again and I started to draw an outline of him in my drawing pad. I was glad that Nash had suggested this; as by the looks of it I needed this time to draw. It helped clear my mind and de-stress; and I made the mental note that I needed to try and sketch and draw more often – as maybe it would make things a lot easier to deal with.
"Finished" I said happily after I had finished drawing Vuma.
"Me too" I heard him answer.
"Let's see" I replied eagerly and Nash showed me his drawing and I grinned at it. "That's amazing" I noted. "However-" I stated. "You do have experience in this field" I teased.
"Yes" he confirmed. "But you got details that I haven't" he offered.
"Thank you" I replied.
"What do you mean?" he questioned in confusion.
"I really needed this" I explained. "I haven't drawn for a little while" I added.
"Well you're very welcome" he smiled. "So what are you up to the rest of the week?" he asked. "After we have all gone home" he continued.
"I don't know" I admitted. "I do know that our exam results are due this week; so probably a night out" I explained.
"Oh" he nodded.
"Yeah" I said. "Do you get yours this week as well?" I questioned.
"Yes" he confirmed.
"Well you are more than welcome to come to our night out if you want?" I offered.
"Really?" he asked slowly.
"Yes" I confirmed. "Az and Leroy are coming as well" I explained.
"I can't wait!" he grinned. "I haven't been on a night out with you lot" he added excitedly. "I bet it is wild" he noted.
"It can get like that" I chuckled.
"Well thanks for the invite" he stated.
"Yeah" I said. "Obviously you can stay here; there's a few staying over" I offered further.
"Cool!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah" I replied; I watched as he opened his mouth to say something but stopped when we heard Ben's voice.
"Mal!" he called out to me.
"Oh hey Ben" I smiled up at him.
"I was going to ask what you are doing-" he started. "But by the looks of it don't need to ask" he added. I sensed that the Beast part of him didn't like the fact that I was on my own with Nash; but I then noticed warmth enter his eyes – by the look of it we weren't going to have a repeat of what had happened in Neverland.
"No" I answered. "With us not going to Winter's Keep Nash asked whether I wanted to draw Vuma" I explained hoping that this would calm the Beast part of Ben down.
"That's nice" he noted.
"Do you want to hold him?" Nash offered.
"Can I?" he asked nervously and me and Nash both laughed at him.
"Of course" Nash said and he held his hand up and Vuma jumped back onto his wrist.
"Now Vuma-" he stated. "This is his Majesty; be nice" he warned and Vuma chirped before he jumped onto Ben's waiting right hand.
"Whoa!" Ben exclaimed. "He's heavier than I thought" he noted. "He's magnificent" he stated Vuma posed proudly.
"Oh" Nash chuckled. "He liked that" he stated happily.
"How old is he?" Ben questioned as he stroked Vuma's chest.
"He's four" Nash replied. "He's five at Christmas" he added.
"I see" Ben noted.
"I'll take him from you" Nash offered and he held his hand out and Vuma jumped back onto his wrist.
"Thank you" Ben smiled. "I just came to tell you that your parents are looking for you" he added. "They are getting ready to leave" he advised.
"Oh" Nash muttered as we both stood up. "Is that the time?" he sighed sadly.
"I've just invited Nash to our night out" I advised.
"Cool" Ben smiled as we both started to pack our things together. "Will be good to see you then" he added as Nash helped Vuma onto his right shoulder.
"Yeah" I said. "To mourn or celebrate our results" I stated as I pursed my lips together.
"I'm sure you will have done fine" Ben smiled.
"I hope so" I advised.
"Mally" Ben cooed.
"What?" I asked. "I want to have done well" I urged.
"You will have" he stated as he slid his right hand into my left. The three of us then started to walk back to Auradon Castle all eagerly chatting about our night out on Monday night. I really couldn't wait to spend time with our friends; yes I was concerned about my exam results – I just hoped that I had done enough to prove myself.
After I put my things in Ben's office I then went back into the main hall and stood and said goodbye to as Sultan Aladdin, Sultana Jasmine, Az, Prince Consort John Rolfe, Princess Pocahontas, Nash, King Quasimodo, Queen Madellanie and Leroy all went to leave. I felt sad to say goodbye to them; but I knew that Az, Nash and Leroy would be coming back in a couple of day's time. Yes I wondered whether there was any point of them actually going home; but they did have things that they had to do but it wouldn't be long before they were back with us. So would could all celebrate or mourn over our exam results – whatever they might be.