Mal sighed, her cheek resting on Ben's chest as his fingers traced up and down her spine. She'd never felt so completely and totally relaxed as she did right now. Back on the Isle she'd never been able to let go completely, even tucked away in the Bargain Palace there was still an underlying tension she could never shake yet with Ben she couldn't seem to bring herself to put those walls up. Sixteen years of constant anxiety had left so so overwhelmingly tired and she just wanted a few more moments of this, this quiet security, before she faced the world ready to do battle once more. "So you and Audrey…" Mal began, not quite knowing if she wanted to hear what he had to say.

"I promised myself that the only person I'd take to my bed was my mate, and I've kept that promise." Ben chuckled, shaking his head at his mate, for someone so confident she was so insecure when it came to the idea of someone actually wanting her. "As much as I don't want to, we have to get up." Ben muttered against her hair, pressing a kiss to her violet curls before making his way down to her lips. Sitting up he couldn't help but smile down at the woman lying in his bed, she was everything he'd ever wanted and more and he couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life making her happy. The smile suddenly dropped, a frown taking it's place as he glanced about the room. "You uh, you can't magic yourself back to your room can you? I don't want anyone talking about you like that."

Biting her lip Mal nodded. The school had already made her public enemy number one, she didn't need to give them any more fuel by leaving Ben's room in yesterday's clothes. Sitting up she tugged one of Ben's shirts over her head before walking around searching for her clothes. Fingers curled around her wrist just as she found the last item, pulling her up so Ben could kiss her lips once more. "Hey, go freshen up and I'll be counting the minutes until I get to see you again." With one final kiss Mal teleported herself back to her own room.

"Mal! Where have you been, I've been so worried." Evie pounced on Mal the moment she appeared, arms wrapping around the fairy and holding her tight before promptly pulling back to stare up at the girl. When Evie, Carlos and Jay had returned the door had been locked and even Jay couldn't pick the lock. It seemed added security had been placed on Ben's dorm, making the locks unpickable, which had forced them to return to their rooms and wait for Mal to return.

"Sorry E." Mal sighed, dropping her clothes into the laundry basket and collecting her bathrobe and new undergarments. "My magic kind of went a little crazy so Ben locked the door to make sure it didn't get out and hurt anyone." She couldn't work out why she wasn't telling Evie about her bond with Ben, all she knew was she wanted to keep it just between the two of them for now. Besides, she didn't think she could stand the look of betrayal if she told her friends she wasn't sure she wanted to follow through with their plan. Instead she slipped into the bathroom to shower while Evie nodded sympathetically.

Evie left just before Ben arrived, racing to join the bus-loads of students being taken to the coronation. "I guess there isn't really a point in giving you this now is there?" Mal sighed, holding the small cupcake that held the anti-love potion. She'd planned on giving it to him today, ending her hold over him so he wouldn't be added to her list of casualties when the villains took over.

Shaking his head Ben snatched the cupcake out of her hands. "There's every reason to give this to me because you made it just for me." Devouring the treat in one go the Prince gave her a bright smile, licking every ounce of chocolate from his fingers. "The fact that you made it just proves you're exactly who I thought you were. A good person who just needed a chance." It proved she wanted his feelings for her to be real and she was willing to risk losing his love to do it. "And now I have something for you."

Green eyes grew infinitely wider as his gold signet ring was slipped onto her finger. Knowing that his feelings for her were all of his own making made the moment surreal, never had she thought a vicious, evil girl like her could find someone who loved all of her, darkness and all. "Now let's head to the chapel, my dark Princess." Shaking her head with laughter Mal accepted his arm, letting him lead her down to the carriage they'd ride in on.

May your thoughts and creativity flow,

Lady Ami DragonHeart