A/N: I just wanted to thank everyone who's been following this story and especially those who have reviewed. It really means a lot to me, especially since I'm trying out something I don't feel all that comfortable with. Melodrama I'm good at, humor not so much!

Chapter Three:

It's just soooo good when you're bad!

The longer you're with your hero, the deeper you'll probably find yourself sucked into the vortex of their goodness.

Try not to feel bad about this, it's inevitable.

They're the humanitarian equivalent of black holes. You think you'll just get a little closer and before know it you're clinging to the walls by your fingernails while the laws of nature try to pull you into the abyss of charity and compassion.

You'll wonder how it came to this? You'll feel shame over all the disgusting acts of kindness you've performed just to please them. And you'll feel as though you'll never find the self-respect to call yourself a villain again.

But I assure you that any villain/hero relationship is about compromise and balance. You just need to give your hero the confidence to understand that sometimes… it's not just okay, it's actually good to be bad ...

…"No, I can't, I just can't anymore!" I groaned. "I need to lie down, take some herbal remedies, perhaps a cold compress. I should hydrate."

Sofia giggled as we walked down the main street of Dunwitty.

"You say that every time we visit the village. You did good deeds, Mr. Cedric, you haven't contracted scarlet fever!

I leveled her with my best sneer.

"Are they any different?"

She laughed again, shaking her head as she pulled me into an alleyway between two cottages. We both looked around making sure we were perfectly alone, and then she threw her arms around me and kissed me as though she were starving. Her soft lips pressing fiercely against my own. Her tongue sliding out to beg entrance to my mouth as though she need ever ask.

When we parted she looked up at me, eyes sparkling with adoration.

"Thank you for coming with me today, even if you only did it for me. You made so many people happy and did so many good things."

What could I say when she gazed up at me like that?

"Wicked wench, you know I'd do anything for you. You spelled me long ago with your enchanting Sofia-ness and I've been powerless to resist you ever since."

She gave me an impish expression, eyebrow cocked and lips lifted in a one cornered smirk.

"You talk a good game, Mr. Villain, but I didn't ask you to help that little girl who was being picked on, or to heal the boy with the bad burn on his face. You helped them because you wanted to."

Damn it, I had thought she wasn't paying attention.

"I…well…I couldn't… they're so little they don't deserve…" I trailed off, lost in memories of my own childhood. Children were so mean, always picking on those who were different, those who were weaker. It wasn't fair!

I was brought back to the present by a pair of arms hugging me tightly. Sofia laid her head on my chest and squeezed me for all I was worth.

"There is so much good in you, Cedric. You try to hide it, but I see it. I've always seen it."

I laughed a little uncomfortably, hoping to end the conversation before she got me to admit anything she might be able to use against me at a later date.

"My sweet, delusional love, come."

We walked out of the alley, each of us nervously glancing around before turning down the street as though nothing had happened.

It was fortunately not unusual to see the most beloved Princess in Enchancia and her faithful sorcerer around the streets of Dunwitty. Since that fateful day years ago when I'd accompanied her to give out apples, but was really trying to secure powers from her amulet, I had joined her on many do-gooding visits to the village.

Because once you gave Sofia an inch….

At least that's what I'd told myself at the time. I realized now I'd joined her because I wanted to be with her. I'd joined her because no matter how much I disliked everyone else, I'd always loved her in one way or another and seeing her smiling up at me, proud of me…well it was worth every miserable good deed performed.

We were just passing the charmacy, deciding whether or not we should stop in and browse, when the shop keeper came running out.

"Princess Sofia!" He said with a bow. "Master Cedric how fortuitous, I was just about to send to the castle to let you know your special order has finally arrived." The old wizard waved us in the door with a huge smile.

"Good morning Mr. Marhands." Sofia greeted.

"Ohh, good morning Princess!" The shopkeeper was positively beaming as we walked through the store, pointing out all the new things he'd gotten which might tickle Sofia's fancy.

We finally reached the front and Marhands went around the counter, riffling around for a few minutes before producing a huge tomb and setting it in front of me.

When I looked at the cover I felt sweat break out on my brow. I had ordered the book months ago and then completely forgotten about it.

"Translations and Transmutations: The Definitive Guide to Becoming All They Fear." Sofia read the title as one of her eyebrows crept ever higher on her head.

It had disappeared into her hairline by the time she looked up at me.

I gave her my best innocent smile while shrugging my shoulders and throwing up my hands.

"Villain remember?"

"I must say, I took a small peak when it came in this morning and I don't think you'll be disappointed Master Cedric. There are some truly amazing spells in there. I'd try them myself, but you know the wife, she disapproves of that sort of thing." The old wizard laughed conspiratorially at me.

"I believe I can sympathize." I gruffed, watching Sofia out of the corner of my eye as I paid for what was now sure to become an extremely expensive doorstop.

As we left the charmacy the village clock struck one and Sofia and I both frowned.

"We should be getting back." I said as we turned and began walking towards the castle.

Sofia seemed lost in thought for a few minutes and then all of the sudden she grabbed the spell book out of my hands and started leafing through it, her eyes growing ever wider as she got farther in.

"Have you ever changed your state?"

There was something in her tone that made uncomfortable. But I'd promised myself, the moment she gave me her heart, I wouldn't lie to her about anything anymore.

In that respect it had been a long few months.

"I have."

I kept my answer succinct; this wasn't a topic to overshare on.

She nodded and stayed silent for another few minutes.

"You were the snow beast in Arendelle weren't you?" Her voice was level but, as I'd feared, she was piecing many other things together.

"I was."

"You were the sea monster too weren't you? You tried to steal Oona's comb!" Her eyes were as wide as saucers now.

"Villain remember?" I said staring straight ahead at the cobbled path as it bent and wound its way to the castle.

"And you changed Amber into a butterfly on purpose didn't you!"

"Oh come on! She deserved that!"

Sofia laughed a little before stifling it to look at me severely.

"Nobody deserves that Cedric. She was really freaked out."

"Be that as it may, I stand by my answer."

She stopped and turned to me then a serious look on her face.

"I know you don't really want to be king, Cedric, but I need you to promise me you won't keep trying to take over the Kingdom."

I knew we'd been marching towards this moment since the day I gave her back her amulet, but I never expected it to be so easy to lay aside what had once been a life consuming ambition.

"No, I don't want to be king, not really. I hate people, except for you. And I hate wasting my time and talents on worthless tasks.

I don't spend a great deal of time with your father but whenever I am with him Baileywick is always lurking somewhere nearby with a comically long list of things the king needs to approve or solve.

If he followed me around like that I'd kill him.

Actually I'd kill him anyway if I thought I could get away with it. But if I were king I'd just have to replace him with someone else who'd follow me around pestering me all day about things I don't give a griffin's ball sack about. So no, I don't want to be king. I suppose I never really did."

"You just want people to treat you with respect and appreciate what you do, and maybe say thank you every once and a while." She finished for me.

I nodded.

"I wish I could make them all see how spectacular you are Cedric. But you have to know I think you're the most sensational sorcerer and the most amazing man on earth right? It's why I fell in love with you?"

I smiled at her. How could I not?

"Well, if Princess Sofia of Enchancia thinks I'm amazing enough to fall in love with than I'd be a bigger fool than even your father thinks I am to do anything to ruin that."

She threw her arms around me and started kissing my face, my nose, my cheeks, my forehead as she bounced up and down. But then she suddenly pulled back, a look of worry on her face.

"What is it, love?" I asked.

Her hands cupped my cheeks and her eyes searched mine.

"I just…is it enough? Is my love really enough to keep you out of the dark?"

I wrapped my arms around her, not really caring any longer that we were out in the open.

"Just think of me like as a lifelong fixer upper. You've been improving me since the day we met. It's just a slow process. After all, my father is still working on my mother and they've been married for four decades."

She smiled at me then.

"We're a lot like them aren't we?" She asked, taking my hand and starting to walk again.

"You don't spend much time with sorcerers besides my family, but I can assure you when people like us pair it's usually like this. It brings a sort of balance. Good and bad, yin and yang, I make your life more interesting and you keep my neck out of a noose."

That brought a giggle.

"People like us?"

I nodded squeezing her hand.

"Magically gifted people. You're my apprentice after all aren't you?"

She nodded smiling wide.

"Well, then you're one of us. You'll be a powerful sorceress in your own right one day, I promise you Sofia."

She let go of my hand to throw her arm around my waist and I followed suit putting my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into me.

"Good, because I don't think four decades will be enough! I'll need much, much more time to keep you firmly on the straight and narrow."

I leaned down kissing the top of her head and her hand squeezed my waist.

"You never know, I might get you to be a little bit naughtier too!"

"For you, I think I could be very naughty!" She laughed, knowing how she was teasing me.

The castle was in sight now and we parted so there was a respectable distance between us.

"This book is really interesting though." She opened it again, her natural love of magic taking over. "Have you ever been a dragon?"

I looked over to the page she had opened.

"No, but it looks like fun doesn't it?"

"Um, are you kidding? It looks ah-mazing! Do you think we could try it sometime?"

"I think we could, but I believe you have a garden party to attend soon don't you?" Sofia's face fell.

We were in the castle now, making our way up to my tower.

"Amber's invited all our friends from royal prep." She handed the book back to me as we walked into my workshop.

"I would think you'd be happy about that. You don't get to see them every day anymore since you graduated."

I took the book and pulling her into me.

"Hugo is going to be there." She looked as though she was sucking on a lemon.

"Well his humiliation did give you a month long reprieve from his attentions."

Sofia smiled and looked down at her wrist where the bracelet I gave her was once again resting, after being thoroughly de-cursed.

"Hmm, would I be very bad if I said I wished the bracelet had driven him away for good?"

I laughed a little before kissing her softly.

"Probably, but you know you aren't going to be reprimanded for that by me. Go and get ready, I'll see you there. You know Amber would never have a gathering where she didn't trot me out like a party favor."

She looked up at me with adoring eyes.

"I know you hate these things but I can't wait to see what you do. You know I love your magic."

"And you know I'll really be performing for you."

With one last kiss she turned and left me to get ready.

.o~O*O~o. .o~O*O~o. .o~O*O~o.

The green smoke from my transportation spell dissipated and I was standing in front of thirty young royals. Some of them I remembered from various visits to the castle others I didn't know at all.

There were ohh and ahhs from a few of them and applause as they settled on blankets on the grass. Amber shared hers with prince Hugo's brother and from the looks of it, she was decidedly more interested in him than he was in her.

Sofia was sitting right in front of me a huge smile of anticipation on her face until Hugo decided to come and sit beside her. She frowned slightly but didn't get the chance to say anything.

"Oh Hugo, thanks for saving me a seat!" James suddenly bounded up stepping in between Sofia and the other prince. His unceremonious plop to the ground forced Hugo to make room for him.

I hadn't liked the boy when he was growing up, but James had turned out to be a first rate older brother. He was always quick to step in and make sure Sofia's kind nature wasn't being taken advantage of. A brotherly duty he had been called on to do more times than I could remember as Sofia grew from a kind, pretty child whom everyone wanted to be around to a stunning, desirable woman many of his friends wanted to win.

I'd have to remember to do something nice for him.

DEAR GOD! HAD I REALLY JUST THOUGHT THAT?!

What in Hades' Hell was she doing to me?

Shaking away the disturbing fact I'd just thought of doing something nice for someone without being coerced into it, I dove into my show.

Over the years I had gone from being a warm up act for milk and cookies to a compliment for copious amounts of wine. It was still utterly beneath my talents, but at least the alcohol made them all easier to please.

The show was blessedly over in a half hour and I disappeared in the same puff of smoke I had arrived in.

Reappearing just beyond the garden I watched as Amber, James, and Sofia bid their friends farewell. All accept Hugo and his brother, who Amber invited to stay for dinner with batted eyes and blushing cheeks.

I knew Sofia was aware of my presence because as soon as the other guests left the garden she began walking towards where I was concealed.

"Sofia, aren't you coming in?" Hugo stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Oh, I was just going to…" I could tell she was searching for an excuse that would get him to leave her alone. "Well I was um…that is …why don't you go in with Amber, James, and Axel. I'll be right up I just want to gather some herbs for Mr. Cedric. I'm going to help him make a potion tomorrow and I know he could use some extra thorny blackberry."

Sofia tried to move past him, but suddenly he grabbed her hands and pulled her into him, examining her palms.

"A princess shouldn't be picking weeds in the garden Sofia, especially not for a servant." He was smiling down on her but his tone was a disturbing combination of superiority and threat.

"Cedric isn't a servant. He's the royal sorcerer. But even if he were, I can gather whatever I like for whomever I like Hugo." There was an edge to Sofia's voice which I knew meant she was moments away from having a very rare loss of temper.

"Unless their royalty their all servants and you seem overly fond of this one Sofia. That's not a smart thing for a girl in your position."

She ripped her hands away from him then.

"In my position?" If the boy had any sense he would keep his mouth shut and back away slowly.

"Yes Sofia." He exhaled her name loudly as though it was tedious to have to explain such obvious things. "You're not royalty by birth and if you want to make a good match you're going to need to stop playing magic with that old fart, stop acting like every maid and butler is your best friend, and start paying attention to the people who count. People like me."

"People like you?"

The boy truly had no idea how dangerous it was when Sofia started repeating the last thing you said.

"Surely you have to know by now how much I want you. I don't care that you were born a peasant Sofia, I'd make you mine in an instant, but you never give me a chance. You can't seriously prefer spending your days bent over a book with that crackpot sorcerer of your fathers to all the things I could give you?"

He tried to retake Sofia's hand but she slapped him away.

"You had better get as far away from me as you can Hugo. Otherwise I'll show exactly what I've learned bent over a book with my sorcerer and I promise you won't like any of it!"

With that Sofia turned and began walking away, completely missing the truly wondrous expression of offended shock on the boy's face.

She was so upset she almost sauntered right past me, and so I was reached out and grabbed her.

"Cedric!" She threw her arms around me, her body trembling slightly.

I could tell she was too angry to scream and to frustrated to cry and that she needed some form of release before she simply spontaneously combusted.

"Come," was all I said as I put my arm around her shoulder and led her into the woods that bordered the castle.

"Where are we going?"

"I thought we might have some fun." I looked down on her with my best evil sneer and was rewarded with a shiver of excitement.

When we were far enough away from the castle and well shrouded by the trees, I pulled out the transformation book I'd bought this morning.

Sofia's eyes grew wide.

"Really, can we?"

The boy and his nastiness were forgotten as she bounced up and down with excitement.

Part of me wished he could be here to see just how much she wanted to be with me and not him. I might have nothing to give Sofia but my love and my magic, but it seemed those were the things she truly wanted.

"I'll go first," I smirked. "The counter spell is on page two thousand ninty-eight by the way, don't forget that in case I end up turning myself into a banana slug or something."

Sofia giggled but promised nonetheless as I lifted my wand above my head.

"Lords of flame

Masters of flight

Transform this man into a creature of fire and night"

Green light shot out of my wand, heading straight up in a glowing arch before spiraling back down, creating a swirling barrier around me.

I watched Sofia's eyes grow wide with amazement and suddenly I was looking down on her from a great height.

"Did it work?" I had only to ask the question to see a puffy ring of smoke leave my mouth.

Sofia nodded her head somewhat incredulously but whatever she said I couldn't hear from the tree tops. Extending my hand I saw it was no longer a hand but a shimmering green and purple stripped paw covered in scales that reflected the sunlight brilliantly, with sharp black claws at the end of each finger.

I settled my hand/paw on the ground in front of her and she looked at it, awed, for a single moment before stepping into it and sitting down.

I lifted her up, until I was holding her out in front of my face.

She smiled at me and reached out a tiny hand. I lowered my face slightly and felt her caress what would have been my nose, but was now a long, equally scaled snout.

"What did you say?" I asked her, trying my very best not to let any smoke escape.

"I said you're sensational! And you make a pretty good looking dragon!" She laughed, still petting my snout.

"Hmm, it does rather suit doesn't it?" I laughed, hearing how the sound echoed.

"I would definitely say Dragon is your best look so far."

"Want to join me?"

She nodded her head and I began to lower to her to the ground when there was a bellow from directly below us.

"Put her down you beast from hell or I'll make a dragon skin rug out of you!"

Sofia and I both looked at each other and groaned.

There was Hugo riding up on horseback, shield and sword in hand. And just in case his prowess as a handsome, noble prince wasn't enough to win the day, he'd brought a contingent of soldiers from the castle with him.

"He doesn't take a hint does he?" I asked.

"He's probably thanking his lucky stars right now. Thinking if he saves me from a dragon I'll be so grateful I'll forget he basically called me a jumped up peasant. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm totally fine with it if you want to singe him a little."

I gave her an approving sneer, complete with a little steam.

"Careful love, you might want to take your amulet off before you go around saying such adorably wicked things."

Putting her on the ground I leaned up against a tree as Hugo stopped feet from her. I had a feeling if I played my cards right I could get her to take care of the Prince all by herself and maybe encourage a little of the naughtiness I was dying to see.

"Don't worry Sofia, I'll save you!"

"Hugo you don't need to save me…."

He didn't even paying attention to her. He simply pushed her behind him and brandished his sword, which looked about as frightening as your average toothpick, poking it at my leg.

"Hugo!" She'd walked right up to him now, patting him on the back as he continued to poke me.

There were snickers from the soldiers, who seeing the princess was in no danger, where sitting back to watch this display of idiocy.

"Sofia, run! I'll hold him back while the soldiers get you to safety!"

Laughing at the absurdity of it all I let out a little fire, making sure to miss him, but only by an inch or so.

Hugo jumped back screaming.

"Hugo just go back to the castle okay!" Sofia yelled at him exasperatedly.

"Don't fear for me Sofia! I might not live through this but you're worth any danger. Only promise me that if I survive you'll look favorably on my suit." He stopped annoying me long enough to look back at Sofia who was picking up my wand. "Sofia?"

"Lords of Flame

Masters of Flight

Transform this woman into a creature of fire and night"

Sofia held my wand above her head as it shot out purple light before engulfing her in ribbons of magic. Before everyone's eyes she began to transform, until a purple dragon, only a bit smaller than me, stood in her place, holding my family wand carefully between two black claws.

"SOFIA!"

A telltale stain spread out from the center of the boy's pants and he began to scream as Sofia bent over, picking him up by the back of his shirt and hauling him high above the tree line. He didn't stop until he was staring at her long purple snout with its smoke fuming nostrils.

"I told you, you weren't going to like it Hugo!"

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Sofia! Please put me down." He blabbered, bursting into terrified tears.

"But Hugo, you came all the way out here. It seems such a shame for you to make that long trip for nothing. And after all I wouldn't want you to think I was ignoring you; not when your, how did you put it, someone who counts!"

"Ahh, no, no it's really okay. I totally understand. You can do whatever you like with whomever you like."

"Oh Hugo that's so sweet of you! You just wait right here and I'm sure the castle guards will have no problem getting you down…eventually. Maybe you can even make friends with one or two of them, it might make them more inclined to help you."

With that Sofia hung Hugo by the back of his shirt from one of the taller branches of a large pine tree.

Handing me my wand she picked up the spell book between two dainty claws and spread her large gossamer purple wings.

"Want to test these out?" She looked at me with what I can only assume was the dragon version of her most winning smile before flapping her wings and pushing off into the sky.

I watched her for only a second, awed by how utterly awesome she was, before spreading my own wings and joining her.

It didn't happen often but when Sofia was bad she was thoroughly good at it!