While the guys continued to play Tourney well into the morning me and the girls just eagerly chatted about the upcoming coronation and ball. Thankfully Evie had received the orders for our group's dresses when the tour was first announced so she had been able to quickly make them. What I didn't know is that when me and Ben went away for the weekend, after adding the finishing touches Evie and Doug had delivered the dresses to their owners so everyone was ready for the special event - which we were all very much looking forward to.

After watching the boys play three lengthy Tourney games they then came and sat with us as Mrs Potts brought out a picnic for us all to eat for our lunch. As we ate our picnic and chatted with our friends Ben sat behind me throughout so we were cuddled tightly together. I loved being close with my Beast like this; I always felt so settled and safe when I was with Ben. He was the calm in the storm that was always around us; and I would never ever take his solace or love for granted.

As we were eating our lunch we all decided that we would go swimming after lunch; as Auradon Castle had four swimming pools on the grounds we were going to have plenty of options. As the warm Auradon sun was currently bleaching down onto us we decided that the large outdoor swimming pool would be the best bet for our currently large group. I couldn't help but smile as I looked around at our group; and as I walked hand in hand back into Auradon Castle I was noted that I was very much enjoying my time together with our friends. Part of me didn't want our time like this to end; but the rest of me couldn't wait for the rest of the council tomorrow. The whole kingdom was looking forward to the coronation; and I couldn't wait for Aurora and Phillip to finally take their place in the world - as they have been very patient over the years for their rule.

After quickly changing into a dark purple swim suit I then decided to wear my dark purple swim shirt and shorts. If I was just on my own with Ben then I would have chosen to wear one of my bikini's but I needed to keep my scars covered - there was no way I was starting up a drama at the moment as to why I have my scars.

"Wow!" I heard Ben say as I had just finished tying my hair into a high ponytail. When I turned around I couldn't help but gulp at the sight before me; Ben was currently only wearing his dark blue swim shorts. My mind started to show me memories of alone time with Ben and I bit down on my bottom lip to stifle a groan. I still couldn't get over how ben made me feel; but I knew for a fine fact that I would never ever get enough of him.

"What?" I replied as he stood in front of me.

"Even though I can't see very much" he replied as he wrapped his arms around my waist. "You are still so very sexy" he purred as he brushed his nose against mine.

"Why thank you Benny" I purred as I rested both of my hands against his bare chest. "But you know why I am wearing this-" I reminded him. "I don't want people to see my scars" I finished.

"True" he nodded as he brushed his nose against mine. "I know you don't like your scars and I fully understand why you don't want people to see them" he added. "Which is very understandable; however I am looking at it a different way" he explained.

"Right" I nodded. "Go on?" I prompted.

"It might make me sound possessive-" he started nervously.

"So?" I replied. "I think we are past the point of knowing that we are both possessive over each other" I winked up at him.

"Yes" he nodded.

"So Ben-" I began. "Tell me what is on you mind" I continued. "Please?" I pouted and I chuckled as he quickly pressed his lips against mine.

"Ok" he chuckled as he pulled away. "Well I am glad that the guys can't leer at you" he admitted.

"Ben please no one is going to leer" I dismissed.

"Mal please?" He whined. "I think you forget how beautiful you are" he noted as he smiled at me.

"So-" I prompted and he half smiled at me.

"I don't mean to come across as vain-" he began. "But" he said.

"Yes?" I prompted. "Everyone knows that I am yours" I stated. "Especially after last night" I continued as an idea came to me on how we both could feel better about what happened last night. "I know I shouldn't really mention last night" I stated as I started to think about the new outlook that I wanted the pair of us to have. "As I don't want us to fixate on last night; however-" I stated.

"Yes?" He answered.

"You showed the whole kingdom that they are not to come near me" I replied. "Stanley got a taste of the Beast last night" I teased as I started to trace circular patterns on his bare chest. I noticed a playful glint entered his eyes and I knew that he would have liked that comment - my sexy and protective Beast. "So I don't think you need to worry about anyone else trying to turn my head" I added. "As I have decided to think of last night as a warning shot" I continued; and I watched as a large grin spread across his face. "Even though you were out of character" I finished as I pursed my lips together. I knew that everyone who reads or sees anything about what happened last night they are going to be shocked by Ben's behaviour. But given the situation surely they could see why Ben's behaviour had changed from his usual kind, warm and loving behaviour - hopefully it wouldn't affect the reputation he had been building up all his life.

"Yes" he agreed. "But I was pushed to it" he reminded me.

"Yes you were baby" I answered. "But you protected me" I added with a warm smile. "Thank you" I continued.

"You don't need to thank me for that Mal" he dismissed. "I will always protect and fight for you" he vowed. "Even though you are a beautiful, feisty and strong Dragon" he added.

"Oh you flatter me" I teased before I pressed a brief kiss against his lips. As I went to pull away I felt Ben deepen the kiss and I moaned against his lips as his tongue swept against mine and caught the roof of my mouth. I went to start to run my fingers through Ben's hair but we broke apart when our bedroom door opened and Carlos appeared in the doorway.

"Hey dude!" He exclaimed. "Get your hands off my sister" he teased as me and Ben stepped out of each other's arms. "We are heading down anyway" he winked.

"Darn Carlos!" Ben chuckled. "You know we are hopelessly in love" he reminded him as I slid my right hand into Ben's left.

"Yeah" he agreed. "But still" he added.

"Ben he is teasing you" I laughed. "Let's go!" I exclaimed as I started to lead Ben out of the room, following Carlos - who was still laughing at the fact that he had been able to tease me and Ben, my cheekily little brother of mine.

After walking outside into the grounds next to the swimming pool I couldn't help but take in the scene before me. Half of our group was already in the pool; whereas the rest of our group were sunbathing on the sun loungers that were around the large pool. Me and Ben threw our towels onto the sun loungers that we wanted to use before we turned around and looked at the pool. We then walked up to the pool and sat down on the side of the pool; we then slid into the cool water. I went to smile at Evie would waved at me at the other side of the pool; however what stopped me waving back was when Ben splashed me.

"BEN!" I shouted as I winced at the cool water.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"Grr!" I growled as I splashed him back.

"Is that how you want to play it Dragon?" He teased.

"Bring it Beast" I teased as I started to run away from him.

"Oh no you don't!" He laughed as he ran after me and it didn't take him very long to wrap his arms around my waist.

"Got ya!" He laughed into my left ear and I turned my head and I smirked at him.

"Yes!" I nodded. "But not for long!" I sang before I quickly teleported out of his arms and I dropped into the water a short distance away from him. I then heard Ben growl before he quickly started to head in my direction. When he got to me we then started to play fight in the water - which only ended when he threw me into the water after I had jumped onto his back.

After me and Ben play fought in the water our whole group then played volley ball in the water. We all in turn ended up playing three games before me and some of the girls decided to get out and sunbathe. In all honesty I probably could have stayed in the pool a little while longer but I wanted to rest a little while before I went to get ready. I had no idea where me and Ben were going this evening; but I thought having a rest right now would help for whatever my Beast had planned.

"Whoa Ben!" I heard Chad exclaim as the guys were stood at the other end of the pool.

"What?" Ben asked and when I looked over to him throwing a rugby ball to Doug.

"You and Mal aren't hiding anything" he teased with a smug grin as Doug threw the ball to him.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ben questioned as the guys continued to throw the rugby ball amongst themselves.

"Well you obviously got your stress release last night" he teased further before he winked at Ben.

"Chad back off!" Ben warned him as Carlos threw him the ball and he harshly threw it at Chad. "I don't even know what you are taking about" he stressed.

"Well there is scratch marks all down your back" Chad shrugged.

"Oh" Ben muttered as I watched him turn his head to the side and he looked down his back. In all honesty I hadn't seen the scratches down Ben's back but now Chad had pointed them out they were obvious! I can't even remember doing that but this told me that I had done it when me and Ben were very drunk. Yes I couldn't hide it from me that I was happy that I had done it as it showed not only me but Ben that I had enjoyed our drunk love making - sadly everyone else could see this as well.

"Whoops!" Ben smiled.

"You don't look like your complaining" Chad noted.

"I'm not" Ben stated. "But that is all I am going to say" he informed him. "I don't want to disrespect Mal in anyway" he stated and I smiled at myself. I knew that Ben would never disrespect me or talk about what goes on when we are alone openly in front of my family or our friends. This is what made me love Ben even more; he not only loved me but he respected me and he didn't treat me like I was just someone he slept with.

"Oh come on!" Chad exclaimed.

"She won't know" he dismissed.

"She will Chad" Ben stated.

"Well not if we don't tell her" Chad sang as they continued with their game. "She's on the other end of the pool" He reminded Ben. "She can't hear us" he laughed.

"Erm" Ben muttered and I watched as he glanced in my area; we both smiled at each other before we looked away. I knew that Ben was probably wondering whether to tell Chad that I have hyper sense hearing; as not a lot of people knew this - and I didn't know whether I wanted people to know this, if I was being honest.

"Give me a second-" I said to the girls as I quickly stood up as I decided that I wanted to put an end to Chad's comments before they got even more out of hand.

"Where are you going?" Evie asked in confusion.

"To settle something" I advised before walking up to the edge of the pool. "CHAD!" I shouted and I watched he looked at me.

"Yes?" He called back and I sensed that Ben started to feel nervous.

"Come here!" I advised as I wiggled my right index finger at him and I sensed that a sudden wave of nervousness started to fill Chad.

"Erm" Chad muttered as he threw Ben a nervous glance.

"You want me to come over there?" I questioned cheekily.

"No!" Chad answered. "Not at all" he added with a fake smile. "I'm on my way!" He advised and I watched as he slowly started to make his way towards me; and as he did this I sat down and slid my legs into the cool pool water. "Yes Mal" he said as he stood in front of me.

"How much do you know about fairy's?" I questioned and I watched out the corner of my eye that Ben was debating whether he should also walk over.

"Erm" he muttered. "A bit yeah" he confirmed.

"Right" I nodded. "So why do you think I have asked you to come over here?" I asked sweetly as I tilted my head to the right hand side slightly.

"I have no idea" he admitted.

"Well should I give you a little hint?" I asked as I slid my hands onto the pool wall at either side of me.

"Please?" He nodded. "However we don't to make Ben jealous do we?" He winked at me.

"Chad" I sighed. "Me and you could never make Ben jealous" I replied and I watched as his face dropped at this. "As nothing is ever, ever going to happen between us" I stressed. "And I wasn't listening to your conversation on purpose but I couldn't help but overhear you" I smiled. "I also should warn you-" I began. "Fairies have hyper senses" I explained.

"Right?" He stated in confusion. "So?" He shrugged; I then threw him a stern look and I watched as his face dropped in realisation. "You heard?" He questioned in disbelief.

"Yes" I nodded. "Very nice stress reliever comment" I added sarcastically.

"Erm-" he muttered as he ran his right hand through his wet and messy hair. "You see-" he began. "Erm" he repeated and I could tell that he was trying to think of a way of wriggling out of it. There had been times in the past where Chad had been very crude about me; and Ben had defended me every time - but it still didn't stop Chad acting like this every now and again.

"So if you don't mind stop asking about me and Ben in bed" I stated sarcastically as I rolled my eyes at him.

"Well it is very hard to Mal" he advised bluntly. "To be fair-" he added. "You have maimed my best friend" he finished smugly.

"Well-" I stated as I started to think about what to say; however when I went to say something I was stopped by Ben's voice.

"What is going on here?" He questioned. I then looked over to him and as my eyes landed on my Beast I started to feel very playful and I was going to make sure that Chad knew that he wasn't off the hook quiet yet.

"Just chatting" I answered. "I have just told Chad about my hyper sense hearing" I explained as Ben stood next to me and Chad.

"I see" he nodded.

"And he was saying that it was hard not to mention what you were talking about as I have maimed you" I advised. "Which is something that I apologise for" I teased.

"Ok" Ben replied. "You are forgiven" he teased with a large smirk.

"And Chad-" I began as I win willingly tore my eyes away from Ben and looked at Chad.

"Yes?" He gulped.

"Please try and stop asking perverted questions about me and Ben" I suggested sternly as I glared at him. "It's not really cool" I added and I watched as he nervously readjusted himself. "Next time I won't play nice" I advised and I made sure a dark glint entered my eyes. "Got it?" I snapped.

"Got it!" He quickly nodded.

"Yes!" He exclaimed in panic. "Consider me told" he nodded as he put both hands up in front of him. "Sorry" he quickly apologised as he threw me and Ben an apologetic look. "If you would excuse me-" he quickly turned and swam off.

"Mally" Ben sang slowly as he stepped closely to me.

"Yes Benny?" I sang as he stepped in between my legs and he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Were you listening to our conversation?" He questioned as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Not purposely, no" I admitted. "But when I heard the words stress release that made me listen" I confirmed. "Sorry" I quickly apologised as I started to hope that Ben wasn't about to be mad for my recent actions.

"It's ok" he smiled.

"I know you would never disrespect me Benny" I urged; as I wanted him to know that. "So don't worry about anything; however I need to say something-" I started. "Only to you" I advised as I tightened my legs around his waist and I pulled him closer. "And I hope that what I want to say isn't too out of turn my love" I added.

"I doubt it" he dismissed. "But go on?" He prompted with a large smile.

"Ok" I smiled back before taking a couple of deep breaths to steady myself. "But the fact that there is scratch marks down your back I would have thought that would have told you how much I enjoyed what you did to me" I smirked at him and I watched as a large smirk spread across his face.

"Is that so?" He purred smugly.

"Don't you know it!" I exclaimed. "Add that to how I react when we are having sex I think you should know how I think about how you are in bed Benny" I flirted.

"Yes" he nodded. "Likewise to you" he replied as he rested his forehead against mine, causing me to giggle at him as we brushed our nose against each other's noses. "I need to be careful" he advised.

"How so?" I questioned.

"You taking to Chad like that has turned me on" he admitted.

"Whoops!" I winked. "Yes you need to be careful" I giggled. "We don't want anyone meeting my not so little friend" I teased before I pressed a brief kiss against her lips.

"Nope" he answered happily. "He is yours" he purred and we both chuckled at each other. "Rain check to later on though?" He asked hopefully.

"Rain check to later on" I confirmed and he pressed a kiss against my lips. We then fell into a long and loving kiss; however before it could get out of hand and embarrass Ben I quickly pulled away breathless.

"You go and play Beast" I panted as we started to regulate our breathing. "I'll go and have some more time with the girls" I stated as I nodded towards the girls. "However I'll be going to go and get ready for our evening in a little bit" I advised.

"Ok my love" he smiled.

"I love you" I said lovingly.

"I love you too Mal" he replied before he pressed another long and loving kiss against my lips. When we broke apart we then untangled ourselves from each other; I then stood up, turned around and walked back to my sun lounger where Ben re-joined the boys in throwing a rugby ball to each other. I then sat down on my sun lounger and started to re-join the conversation about the upcoming coronation and ball.

"You are so whipped Ben" Az teased.

"I don't think I am" I heard Ben answer. "I just think it shows that we are very much in love" I heard him answer.

"What has got you grinning like a Cheshire Cat?" Ally teased and I looked over to her.

"Nothing Ally" I smiled at her. "Nothing at all" I added as I started to think about what had just happened. Yes I had to remind Chad not to make lude comments about me and Ben; but I couldn't escape the fact that I was very much loved by my Beast - and this was something that I wouldn't give up for the world.

After having a long and length conversation about the upcoming ball and coronation me and the girls decided that we needed to go and get ready for our evening - especially at the fact that it was going to take a while for our hair to dry.

Now that I was very close to my evening with Ben I felt even more excited than before - if this was even possible! I know that we have just had the weekend alone together but I am going to go along with Ben's plan. I loved spending time with my Beast; and before I went to leave to go and get ready for the evening I glanced at Ben to see what he was doing. He was currently play fighting in the water with Chad and Az; I loved seeing Ben so playful and free spirited and this is how I loved seeing him. Yes me and Ben had been through a lot over the last few weeks, but we got through it - as we had each other, and this is how it was always going to be.