Content warning for suggested smut and lemons in this chapter.
Time went over quickly and before I knew it I was waving goodbye to the last of the council members; unfortunately for me the last party included Lady Leah and to say it was awkward was an understatement! She didn't say goodbye to me; she didn't even acknowledge my existence! But this was perfectly fine by me; she had proven to me and everyone else that she was willing to let her recent actions speak for her. So as I watched her leave with her family I made the mental note that this how it was always going to be between us; and I had no problems with it.
I then excused myself and told Ben that I was going to pack my bags; he asked if I was ok and I reassured him that I was. I was through with Lady Leah trying to get under my skin; we had both made our feelings very known about each other and I wasn't willing to spend any more time dwelling on it.
As I was packing for our trip away I didn't know where we were going but given where we went on our previous Quarantine Lockdown I decided to pack some lazy clothes and a couple of smart dresses in case we went out in public, even though I thought this probably was unlikely. When I just finished packing I heard my phone start to ring; so I picked it up from my bedside cabinet and I smiled when I saw that Ben was ringing me.
"What do you want?" I asked as I answered the phone.
"Hey!" he exclaimed. "That wasn't very nice" he stated and I knew that he probably would be pouting.
"Who said I was your Majesty" I teased. "My boyfriend seems to agree with me" I stated. "With some of the things that he has called me in the past" I grinned.
"Well that was very unkind of him" he replied. "Just out of curiosity-" he started.
"Yes?" I prompted.
"What has he called you?" he asked.
"Bad girl" I stated. "Naughty girl" I purred. "Minx" I continued full well knowing that this was probably riling him up. "Mistress" I smirked and I heard him groan down the phone.
"Mal behave" he groaned again.
"Or else what?" I flirted.
"You don't want to know" he breathed.
"Fine" I shrugged. "Have it your way" I stated. "Was there something that you actually needed?" I questioned with a devilish grin.
"Yes" he chuckled. "I need you to come to my office" he advised.
"Oh" I nodded. "Is something wrong?" I questioned as I started to hope that our trip away wasn't about to be cancelled.
"No" he answered. "I have something to show you" he explained.
"Ok" I answered. "I'll be down in a minute" I added.
"Ok my love" I heard him say lovingly. "Love you" he continued.
"Love you too" I replied before I hung up on him and slid my phone into my jean pocket. I then turned quickly and left the room; very eager as to why Ben wanted to see me in his office.
"There she is" I heard him say happily as I walked into his office. "The little minx" he winked at me as a large toothy grin spread across his face.
"Ha!" I laughed sarcastically as I walked around the desk and stood next to him on his right hand side. "So what did you want?" I questioned as I quickly looked around the room and I noted that no one else was in the office with us.
"I have something for you" he advised causing me to look down at him.
"Which is?" I asked eagerly.
"Come here" Ben nodded towards himself.
"Ok" I said and I turned and climbed into lap and I watched as Ben cuddled into my chest as he arms captured my waist. "Let me get this right-" I began as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You brought me in here for a grope of me?" I teased.
"No" he confirmed. "This is just a bonus" he grinned and we both pulled each other closer and we snuggled into each other. "Hmmm" I heard him purr and I looked down at him. "You are such a tease" he noted with a playful glance in his eyes.
"So are you" I chuckled as I cupped the right hand side of his face with my left hand.
"Well I'll get you back tonight" he offered.
"Promises promises" I teased as I pressed my lips against Ben's and I felt Ben's hand caress the small of my back as the other slid into my hair. I felt butterflies in my stomach and my chest constricted; and as we continued to make out I let my hands leisurely roam from his stomach to his chest and back to his neck.
"I think-" Ben groaned in pleasure as he ended our kiss. "We are getting distracted" he continued as he stroked my left cheek with the back of his right hand.
"Yes" I panted. "What do you want to give me?" I breathed as I rested my head against his.
"This" he stated as he reached forward and picked up a lot of papers off his desk before dropping them into my lap.
"What is this?" I questioned as I untangled my arms from him and I picked them up and looked at them in confusion.
"The deeds, layout and all documentation for Bald Mountain" he explained.
"What?" I asked in shock and I looked up quickly at Ben.
"I asked for King Quasi to send me it-" he began. "He asked one of his staff to bring it here for me" he grinned.
"But you haven't put it to the council" I reminded him.
"I have" he confirmed. "Unofficially" he shrugged.
"Ben explain" I stated. "You have been very confused" I admitted. I thought me and Ben had both promised each other that we weren't going to hide things from each other; I could see that he wanted to keep this as a surprise – so I wasn't going to give him any stick of it.
"When you were talking to Chieftain Tiger Lily, Chief Takodo, Princess Aurora, Prince Phillip, Zeus and Hera I asked the whole council about it and they agreed with you-" he stated. "It should be yours, so King Quasimodo is going to relinquish the castle to you" he smiled at me.
"So Bald Mountain is mine?" I questioned slowly.
"Unofficially yes" he said. "It still has to be put to the council so it can be noted" he continued.
"I see" I nodded as I looked down at the paperwork in my hands and lap. I couldn't believe that Bald Mountain was mine; if I was being honest I thought that the council wouldn't want me to have my mother's castle. I thought that they would be concerned about it; yes I was concerned about what had happened at Bald Mountain but after Ben and Fairy Godmother had the place screened again me and Ben could start to live there on and off.
"Mal honey" I heard Ben say which broke me out of my train of thought. "Are you ok?" he questioned.
"Yes?" I replied as I looked up at Ben and watched as he meekly smiled at me and I could see that he was concerned about what was on my mind. "I actually expected them to put up a fight on it" I admitted.
"I don't see why" he stated. "However you need to be made aware of something-" he started.
"Yes?" I repeated.
"You are not going anywhere near that place until it has been screened again" he said sternly.
"Ok" I nodded. "I understand that" I smiled. "What about the staff?" I questioned.
"It's still a museum until you officially takeover" he advised. "Then you decide what you want to do, keep them, get new" he shrugged.
"Well I don't want to put people out of work Ben" I advised. "But I have no need for tour guides" he stated.
"I know" he said before he pressed a kiss against the side of my head. "We'll look into everything my love" he offered.
"Thank you" I said and I pressed a brief but loving kiss against his lips. "Where am I going to keep this?" I questioned as I pulled away.
"I have an idea" Ben grinned and I pulled a confused face at him. "I'll show you" he smiled and I stood up and I watched as he stood up and walked up to the large bookcase next to his desk. He then flicked the mechanism and the bookcase moved to the left hand side to reveal Ben's safe. I then watched as he quickly did the combination before opening the safe and stepping inside.
"I've been doing a bit of clearing out" he advised.
"I see" I nodded as we both walked down the short corridor and into the main chamber.
"Yeah" he said. "Things are still in the dark ages" he advised and I noted that the paperwork was scattered over the desk in the safe. "I was thinking that over there could be your side of the safe" he explained as he nodded to the right hand side of the safe, which I noted was completely empty.
"Thank you" I smiled. "I'm going to move my jewellery down here" I smiled. "Not now though" I stated.
"Whenever" he said. "You know the combination to get in" he teased.
"Yep" I chuckled. "I just watched you do it" I smiled.
"Yeah" he agreed and I put the deeds down onto the empty desk which was now mine on my side of the safe. My eyes then wandered around my side of the safe and my eyes landed on my wand; it was sitting on a dark purple pillow with a glass case around it and when I stepped closer to it the tip started to glow bright green. I felt drawn to it but quickly brushed this away; there was no reason for me to use my wand but when I was close I was drawn to it as it felt like it was part of me.
"Mal-" I heard Ben say.
"Aha?" I replied as I looked over to him.
"Is something wrong?" he asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"No" I answered. "As stupid as it sounds I forgot about my wand being here" I advised as I rested my head against his chest.
"I see" he replied. "Well you don't have to use it; so that is understandable" I heard him say as he snuggled into my hair.
"True" I agreed. "I don't think there will ever a time when I would" I sighed happily. "Fingers crossed" I finished.
"Yes" he confirmed before he pressed another kiss against the top of my head. We then both looked up at each other and smiled and after we had stood staring at each other for a couple of seconds before Ben started to chuckle at me.
"What?" I asked.
"I'm just laughing at you earlier" he explained as he removed his arms from my waist and he cupped my face in both of his hands. "How playful you were" he reminded me.
"I see" I noted. "Well let's just see how playful we both get over the weekend" I flirted as he brushed his nose against mine.
"Hmm" he purred before he pressed a long and loving kiss against my lips. "Are you all packed?" he asked as he pulled away.
"Nearly" I advised. "You?" I urged.
"Not quite" he smiled. "But it shouldn't take me very long" he dismissed.
"Ok" I nodded again as I started to feel playful again. "Well don't keep me waiting Ben-" I purred. "You'll pay for it later" I winked at me.
"Is that a promise?" he purred back and I watched as his eyes started to darken.
"No" I answered as I shook my head slightly before stepping backward causing his hands to drop from me. "It's a guarantee" I winked at him before I quickly span around and started to walk out of the safe; I heard Ben chuckle behind me and I couldn't help but let a large grin spread across my face. I couldn't wait to see what this weekend had it store for us both; yes I had an inkling but all I wanted right now was to have some time alone with my beautiful, playful and very sexy Beast.
As I had nearly finished packing everything together I decided that after I had left Ben's office that this was probably the best time when I made his cookies. So with this thought in mind; I headed towards the kitchens and when I opened the door I found that Mrs Potts was in the kitchen.
"Oh Mal" she said happily. "How can I help?" she questioned warmly.
"I need the ingredients to make Ben some cookies" I advised. "I thought I would surprise him" I elaborated.
"I see" she noted. "Well let's get everything sorted" she began happily. "I'm guessing you don't need any help; you didn't need any last night" she offered.
"No" I replied. "I should be fine, thank you" I smiled to her as I stood next to the kitchen table in the middle of the kitchen. "But if I need anything I'll ask Mrs Potts" I stated.
"Of course my dear" she smiled at me before we both started to collect the cookies for my beloved Benny's favourite cookies.
All in all it didn't take me very long to make Ben's cookies for him; I felt like I was an expert at making them now. I couldn't wait to see Ben's reaction to when I gave him them; I hadn't made them for him for such a long time and I knew that he would appreciate them. So after I had put them into a clear Tupperware box I then took them back to my room and hide them into my dark purple case. I then returned to quickly packing everything else away; and when I was finally finished I pulled my phone back out of my pocket and I rang the love of my life.
"Hello" I heard him reply after the phone rang three times.
"Hello" I answered. "I'm just ringing to see what time I need to be ready" I stated. "I'm just about to jump in the shower" I explained.
"Be ready for five" he stated.
"Ok" I nodded. "What do I need to wear?" I asked hoping that this would give me a hint as to what to expect this evening.
"Some lazy and comfortable clothes" he answered.
"Ok" I nodded. "Well that doesn't give any hints" I chuckled.
"Of course not" he stated and I knew that he would be grinning. "I would join you in the shower babe but I need to pack" he sighed.
"That's ok" I replied. "We are going to have plenty of time together this weekend" I flirted.
"Yes!" he exclaimed.
"See you after I get ready" I said eagerly as I looked at the clock which told me it was half three.
"Ok" I heard him reply. "Love you" he added.
"Love you too" I replied before I hung up; I then put my phone back on charge before I turned to walk into my bathroom. The current mind set was the sooner I got out of the shower and changed the closer I would be to five o'clock which meant one thing – Quarantine Lockdown!
After enjoying a quick shower I decided to wear one of my dark purple vests; shorts and flip flop combo; I had no idea where me and Ben were going but I was very looking forward to finding out. So after I had pulled and arranged my hair into a neat plait I left my bathroom to see Ben sitting waiting for me on the foot of my bed.
I couldn't help but groan when my eyes landed onto my Beast; he had decided to wear a light blue vest with grey strips on it with light grey khaki pants. On his feet he had a pair of light grey trainers on and when my eyes looked back up to his face I noted that he was smirking at me.
"Wow!" I explained as I walked up to him and stood in front of him.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"I'm digging the outfit" I admitted as he stood up and watched as he started to make his way to my already packed bags that he had obviously moved to my bedroom door.
"Thank you" he replied as he picked up my back pack and slung it on his back as he pulled up the handle on my suitcase.
"I can do that you know" I reminded him as I started to follow him from my room.
"I know" he answered. "But I'm still going to carry your bags down the stairs" he chuckled.
"Where's your bags?" I questioned.
"Already in the car" he advised.
"I see" I noted. "Someone is eager" I teased.
"Yes!" he exclaimed which made me giggle at him.
"I want to see what you have got planned" I advised.
"I can't wait to see your reaction" he returned.
"Thanks for this" I grinned up at him as we started to make our way towards the main staircase.
"You don't have to thank me for this Mal" he dismissed as we stood at the top of the staircase and Ben picked my case up and we both started to walk down the stairs. "Me and you need to have regular time like this" he reminded me happily. "We need to make sure we put it in our diaries" he added as we got to the bottom of the stairs.
"Yes!" I exclaimed as I started to walk towards the main entrance.
"Mal where are you going?" I heard him ask which made me stop and turn around and look at him.
"Outside" I explained as I nodded behind me. "To the car" I stated as I threw a confused look at him.
"Not that car" he explained.
"What?" I questioned in further confusion.
"Follow me" he chuckled and I followed him slowly and I watched as he led me into the garage that was conjoined to the castle.
"Ben?" I said.
"Yes" he replied.
"I don't understand what is going on" I admitted.
"We are taking your car" he stated as we continued to walk up to it.
"Oh" I muttered as my eyes took in the sight of it. In all honesty I had completely forgotten about my graduation present from Ben; but saying that I had had a lot of my mind recently.
"Is that ok?" he asked.
"Yeah that's fine" I smiled at him as I tore my eyes away from my dark purple hummer that was waiting for the pair of us. "I've never drove it" I cooed as I threw another look over the perfect paintjob.
"The keys are in my pocket" he advised and I looked back up at him.
"And you want me to get them?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes" he winked at me. "My hands are full" he grinned at me.
"I see" I noted. "I just think you want me to cop a feel" I flirted.
"No" he answered and I smirked at him. Well if this is how my Beast wanted to play it then I was more than willing to play along. So as I didn't take my eyes away from Ben's I stepped in front of him and I slid both of my hands in his trouser pockets to get my car keys; but when I pulled my hands out I made sure that both of my hands caught him member slightly.
"Hmm" he purred as I opened the car door and watched as Ben quickly opened the car boot and slid my bags in next to mine. "You need to be careful Mal" he warned me as he closed the car boot before looking at me.
"How?" I asked innocently.
"Because we might not make it to our destination" he advised and I noted that his eyes started to darken. "I might have to have you right here" he admitted boldly which made my stomach start to tighten in lust.
"Is that so?" I flirted. "Do I get a choice?" I teased.
"Of course" he answered. "As always" he grinned.
"Well then-" I started before I winked at him before I quickly span around and walked around the car and opened the driver's side door. "You wanted my hand in your pocket" I reminded him as he opened the door and quickly closed the door and we both watched as Darren stepped out and opened the garage door for us both. "So suffer the consequences" I added before sticking my tongue out at him.
"Darn you" he chuckled as we both put on our seatbelts before I slid the key into the ignition; and I grinned as I started the car and heard it start to purr smoothly.
"Wow!" I exclaimed.
"You like?" he teased.
"I love it!" I grinned at him as I slid my seat forward a little bit and checked my mirrors were in the right place. "I'm guessing you are going to tell me where we are going?" I asked.
"Yes" he confirmed and I nodded and I slowly pulled away and drove out of the garage. I loved how the car moved; it was like a part of me and it moved so effortlessly – I could really get used to this!
"I could get used to this" I admitted as we drove slowly towards the gates of Auradon Castle, causing Ben to chuckle at me.
"Go right here on the dirt track" he explained as he pointed in the dirt tracks direction.
"So we aren't leaving the grounds?" I questioned.
"Just follow the dirt track" he repeated and I nodded as I slowly turned onto the dirt track and I slowly and carefully drove down the dirt track which took down the side of the castle. "Left here" he directed and I did this and we made our way down another dirt track. I had no idea where Ben was taking me; but I did as he asked and I gasped when I took in the view when we arrived at the large lake on the grounds of Auradon Castle.
Everything suddenly feel into place; as the Auradon Rose was waiting for the pair of us. So it looked like that this is what Ben had planned for the pair of us; which was perfect. It looked like he had arranged for a small walkway to be constructed so we could walk onto the boat with ease that was currently lit up with dark blue and purple lanterns.
"Ben" I muttered.
"Yes?" he grinned smugly as he looked over to me.
"What's this?" I asked even thought I already knew.
"Our quarantine lockdown" he answered. "I'm going to sail the boat into the centre of the lake" he explained as he nodded in the direction of the Auradon Rose as I continued to drive towards it.
"So we will be totally alone?" I asked.
"Yes" he grinned again.
"I can't wait!" I exclaimed. "You did promise a Quarantine Lockdown on the Auradon Rose" I reminded him.
"Yes I did" he chuckled as we pulled up to walkway and I stopped the car and pulled the key out.
"God help me when we get on that boat" I teased.
"What do you mean?" he questioned.
"Well the sexual tension has been building up all day Ben" I stated bluntly. "We probably will be naked for most of our trip" I added now knowing why Ben had decided that we were only to wear our lazy and comfortable clothes.
"True" he agreed. "But what else is new" he teased before we both laughed as we climbed out of the car so we could start to enjoy our time alone together.
After taking our bags from the car and into our room on the boat I then locked my car and put the keys on the kitchen table before joining Ben on the deck. He smiled at me before he slid his right hand into my left and I let him lead me into the cock pit.
"Can you actually drive this?" I asked as Ben dropped my hand and started the boat up.
"Yes of course I can" he chuckled. "I used to go sailing with Father when I was younger" he advised as he started to move levers and the steering wheel and we slowly started to pull away from my car and the world. I watched as Ben turned the boat around and started to head towards the middle of the large lake; I couldn't help but sigh at the perfect views around us of Auradon starting to settle in for the night. Yes it was still light as we were still in the middle of August; but everything just seemed so calm and serene.
"Do you want a go?" I heard Ben ask which caused me to look over to him.
"Please?" I grinned and I stepped forward and took hold of the stirring wheel and Ben stood behind me.
"Just keep it steady" he explained and when he let go of the steering wheel I felt the strain for a few seconds before I gripped the wheel more tightly.
"Ok" I nodded as he started to push a couple of buttons on the dash board. "Like that?" I asked.
"Yeah" he said before he pressed a kiss against the top of my head.
The rest of our journey to the middle of the large lake was in near enough silence apart from Ben giving me directions every now and again. Otherwise Ben was just cuddled into me; I continued to feel my stomach twinge in lust. I could tell that Ben was feeling the same way; as he keep lacing the right hand side of my neck with kisses. I also knew that when we stopped the boat there wasn't going to be anything in our way to stop us from finally reliving the sexual tension that had been building up all day.
"Cut the power here Mal" he said causing me to sigh in relief. "It should be ok here" he grinned.
"Ok" I nodded and I turned the key off; and I watched as Ben pressed a red button before we both heard a loud splash which told me that the anchor had just fallen to the ground, keeping us in place.
"So?" I heard Ben say.
"Yes?" I replied as I looked up at him.
"Here we are" he said smugly which made me grin at him.
"Here we are" I repeated as I turned around in his arms before I snaked my arms around his neck. I quickly crushed my lips against Ben's and his lips reacted instantly to mine and we started to fall into a long and loving series of kisses. Our hands started to roam over each other's bodies and with every passing moment I could tell that me and Ben were getting closer and closer to going past the point of no return. I could help but groan in disappointment when Ben broke apart and looked down at me with nearly blackened eyes with lust.
"Should we continue this in our room?" he purred which set my skin on fire.
"I thought you would never ask" I panted as I stepped out of his arms and I slid my right hand into left.
"Lead the way my love" he said lovingly as we both regulated our breathing.
"As you wish your Majesty" I flirted and I quickly led him from the cockpit so we could go and find our bedroom. I nearly broke out in a run; but I decided against this. Me and Ben were going to have plenty of opportunities to make love and I wasn't about to rush anything. I wanted to fully enjoy every second with my Beast before we had to return back to reality; and this is what I fully intended to do.
"Now first things first-" Ben started after he closed our bedroom door behind us.
"Yes?" I said as he dropped my hand and he quickly picked me up into a bridal hold.
"BEN!" I shouted in shock.
"What?" he asked as he started to carry me to our bed.
"You know what?" I snapped.
"No I don't" he grinned as we stood at the edge of the bed. I then watched as a large smirk then spread across his face before he threw me down onto the bed and I groaned.
"I knew you were going to do that" I advised as I kicked off my flip flops.
"Yes" he nodded as he watched me pull myself backward and resting my head against the pillows. "Now my naughty minx" he purred as he quickly kicked his trainers off. "Let's finish where we started off" he grinned as he slowly climbed onto the bed and on top of me.
"Yes" I said as I wrapped my arms and legs around his once more. It didn't take very long before our lips collided with each other's and this time when things heated up we didn't stop. Instead we helped each other out of our clothes; and then as we continued to head towards our releases I completely let myself get lost into my Beast – my perfect, handsome soulmate.