Okay! I was a little bored...
Next update will be is the last of Neighbors!
ENJOY!
A different tale on our Descendants tale. Instead of King Adam creating the Isle of the Lost, he didn't… There is no Isle. After the villains were captured after their wrong doings, they were forced to me slaves to the families and Royals they had wronged. Until Adam became King of Auradon. He hated the thought of slavery, and knew that the villains had learned their lessons. They were not the same people they once were, and he made it a law that slavery was illegal and that they would be free to live their lives… or so he had thought…
Ben was getting ready to head to Beauty Castle. He was due to have a meeting tomorrow, but with it being such a long journey, Audrey had offered to let him stay there for the night. He had been king for 9 years now, and he had wished for a break. He was tired of having to be pulled every which way for every kingdom 'catastrophe' that people had. He understood that it was his problem, because it was his duty as king, but he just wanted a day to himself. A day to just relax or have something to do that did not involve being king…
"Benny Benny Benny," Gil called as he and Jay walked into Ben's office. "What… where are you going?"
Ben looked up from his bag and saw the two guys standing in front of his desk with confused looks on their faces. He had made plans with them to hang out, but when a meeting is called, there is no way out of it.
"I have to leave for Beauty castle," Ben said as he continued to make sure that he had everything that he was going to need for the meeting. "Queen Audrey magically decided that she needs to have an emergency meeting, a noted that my presence is required."
"What in the hell does the queen from hell want now?" Jay asked as he sat in one of the chairs and propped his feet up on Ben's desk. "I mean, other than to get into your pants."
"Ha ha," Ben said as he threw his head back and sarcastically laughed. "You are so funny."
"I know, right."
"But going back to the question of what the meeting is about, I do not know," he said. "She just told me that it was urgent and she needed to meet with me."
"Yeah, because anything she says is urgent really is," Gil said sarcastically.
He walked over to the bookcase along Ben's office wall and started to look at all of the books on the selves. There were so many books. Books about all of the tales from years past, books about history, Greek mythology, and even some old romance books. He remembered when they were younger and his dad would bring him over to play with Ben. They would have so much fun and he remembered how Belle would read to them before they went to bed.
"You know," Gil said as he took a book off the shelf. "I wonder where our lives would be if that slavery law was not enacted."
He put the book on the desk and that was when Ben noticed that Gil had put their tale down. The tale of the beauty and the beast. This was one of his favorites to read and had become one of the handful of books Ben would read every month.
"I don't even want to know," Ben said as he put his fingers on the cover. "I would hate to know where we would all be."
"I would still be devilishly handsome," Jay said with a big smile on his face.
"Or you could have never existed."
Jay looked at the king with squinted eyes.
"True… but I think the world would go into moral turmoil if I was not here," Jay said as he stood up. "When are you going to be back?"
"Tomorrow," Ben said as he zipped his bag up.
"Are you serious?"
"I hate to say so, but yes," he said, nodding his head. "The journey to Beauty castle is nearly 4 hours and you both know how she gets if I try to rush out of there. I would rather spend the night so she could get her fix and I could leave right after the meeting tomorrow."
"Smart," Jays said, nodding his head. "Still stupid, but smart."
"I will try to make time when I get back, so we can go and do something," Ben told them as he threw his bag over his shoulder. "I am just hoping that this meeting isn't about anything stupid."
"Adios muchacho," Jay said as he saluted Ben.
Ben walked through the castle and toward his car. He had thought to have a driver take him, but if he drove himself he could leave when he wanted to and not have to wait for the driver. As he drove he started to think about taking a week off to just relax. Sure he was not allowed to take days off whenever he wanted, but if he scheduled it in advance he would be able to. He just needed a break from his responsibilities. As he pulled up to Beauty castle, he could see Audrey waiting for him at the top of the giant staircase. She was wearing a light pink balloon sleeve sheath dress with matching light pink heels. He put the car in park, before opening his back seat to grab his bag.
"Devin! Go and grab the king's big," Audrey demanded, making one of the guards jump and rush over to Ben.
Ben watched as Devin rushed over to him in a haste to grab his bags.
"My apologies, your majesty," he said, not meeting Ben's eyes.
"No need, Devin," Ben said as he held his hand out. "I did not need the help, but it is very much appreciated."
"Thank you, sir," he said. "I will have this brought to your room and your car will be moved to the back of the castle."
"Thank you," Ben said with a kind smile.
Devin bowed to Ben, before he walked up the steps and toward Audrey. She curtsied to him just as he bowed to her.
"Nice to see you again," Ben said politely.
"It's always a pleasure," she agreed. "Shall I give you a tour?"
"I have been here multiple times," Ben said. "I don't know what else you could show me."
"Of course," she said with blushed cheeks. "Why don't we just cut to the chase and head to the garden for tea? Dinner will be along shortly."
Ben nodded his head, before he started to follow Audrey through the castle. He noticed just how much things had changed since Aurora and Philip moved out. The story is still not clear on why they moved, but whenever anyone brought it up to Audrey she would get upset and flustered about it.
After an awkward 30 minutes of sitting and drinking tea, Ben sat up straight and placed his cup on the table.
"So, have you talked to your mother lately?" He asked.
He saw how stiff she had gotten, and grew curious. She placed her cup on the table and settled her hands into her lap.
"I have not," she said tightly.
"I know you don't have…"
"Ben, they abandoned me," she said, cutting the king off. "They chose to move to the Moors and leave me here with no guidance to lead the kingdom."
Ben sat there not knowing what to say. He felt… sorry for her. Maybe she wasn't as bad as he thought. Maybe she was just lost and wished she had her family.
"I had to learn everything by myself," she said, breaking Ben out of his thoughts. "If my grandparents were alive I would have been more prepared to take the throne, but they weren't. They have all passed and my parents didn't even come to my coronation."
Ben reached across the table and took her hand into his. He regretted asking her about her parents, but he was glad that she was able to share with him.
"I am sorry," he said, making her look up at him. "I do not know what you went through, but I am always here if you need anything."
She gave him a soft smile, before nodding her head. "Thank you. That means a lot."
Ben was laying in bed and reading a book. He was surprised about how… nice his evening with Audrey was, and he was glad that she was not forcing herself upon him. When he finished the chapter he was on, he decided to get a drink of water from the kitchen. He looked at his phone and saw that it was almost 2 in the morning. He put on a shirt, and started to walk toward the kitchen, but stopped when he heard people talking…
"I told you to keep her quiet until Ben leaves tomorrow," I heard Audrey say as I stayed behind a pillar.
"We are deeply sorry, your grace, but…"
"No buts," Audrey snapped. "If I hear one more whimper out of her, I will have your heads. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, your grace."
I heard footsteps coming my way, so I rounded the pillar so that I was hidden in a small little nook. I saw Audrey walking down the hall and watched as she disappeared. I didn't hear the guards leave, so I waited there until I heard them walk away from where I was assuming the dungeons were. I was hiding for what felt like forever until I finally heard more footsteps coming my way.
"I hate what she makes us do," one of the guards said. "This is immoral."
"I know, but we are servants to the Beauty monarch," the other guard said. "We have no choice."
I watched as they walked past me, and once they were out of sight, I walked toward the dungeons. It was dark and I was trying to watch my steps. I was hoping I was almost down all of the steps, but then remembered that there could be more guards down here. I was holding my breath, for who knows what reason, but mainly it was because I was afraid to be caught down here. Throughout all of the tours I have had of this castle, I had never seen the dungeons until now. There were many cells along the wall with thick iron bars. The ground was dusty and very uneven. I pulled my phone out and shined my light through each cell until I heard a small cry coming from a cell down the way. I rushed toward the sound and shined my light through the bars and saw someone huddled in the corner of the cell and their back was to me.
"Please no," she said as she pulled herself into a tight ball. "I promise to be quiet. I will not make a noise."
What in the fuck was going on here? Who in the hell was this and why was she locked in the dungeons? I put my phone in my pocket, before gripping the iron bars and breaking the door off its hinges. I saw the girl tremble in fear and I walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"No. Please no," she begged. "I will do whatever her majesty wants, but please. Do not hurt me."
I started to grow furious. I know I do not know why this girl is down here, but from the way she is reacting, I know she is a prisoner. I crouched down to almost be eye level with her, but she kept her face to the wall.
"I am not going to hurt you," I said in a low and calm voice. "I am going to help you out of here."
She peaked at me from the corner of her eyes, and I saw a glimpse of hope. She kept her arms wrapped around her body, trying to shield herself from anything. Just from what I could see, she was bruised, bare foot, and beat up, and I was wondering what had happened.
"Come on," I told her as I held my hand out for her. "I am not going to hurt you."
She turned her head to look at her and I got a better look at her. Her eyes were green, her face was round, and she had full plump lips. Her under eyes were dark, and it looked like she hadn't slept in days. She looked at my hand with caution, before she looked up at me.
"Her majesty is not going to like that one of her own guards is talking to me kindly," she said as she scooted closer to the wall. "Or if you are just being cruel to make a joke of me."
I realized that it was too dark for her to see me, but with the little bit of light coming from the small window that was above her, she could see me.
"I promise you," I said as I started to plead with her. "I am not tricking you."
She peaked up at me again, and I could tell she was skeptical of my statement.
"Hey, I only want to get you out of here."
"Why?" She asked shyly.
I sighed, before I slumped my shoulders. "I understand that you are wary of me, but I do not want to hurt you. I do not know why you are down here, but I know for a fact that my father made it illegal to hold people captive."
"King Ben?" She asked in surprise.
"Yes," I said. Nodding my head. "Now, come on. Let's get out of here."
She finally took my hand, and I helped her up, but she stumbled into me, almost falling to the ground.
"Are you able to stand?"
Her body was small and she felt frail as I wrapped my arm around her. She shook her head, but still tried to stand up straight, but fell against me again. I bent my knees and scooped her up into my arms, before leaving the cell behind us, and walking out of the dungeons. As I made my way up the stairs, I gestured for her to be quiet so that I could hear to see if anyone was near, and luckily no one was. I had to go back to my room to get my keys, but I was thankful that I was not far from the kitchen so we could sneak out.
"I just have to get my keys and bag, before we can leave," I said as I walked into my room and placed her on the bed.
She let out a little groan as she laid flat, and I couldn't help but start to check to see if she had any bad injuries. She was dirty and her clothes were shredded up. I could not believe that this was happening.
"Ow," she said as I put a little pressure on her rib cage.
"How bad did that hurt?" I asked.
"Not a lot," she said as tears started to run down her face. "It just hurts what I take in a sharp breath."
"You may have sore ribs, hopefully they are just bruised," I said. "I am surprised you didn't feel it when I picked you up."
"Maybe because I was in the same position," she told me.
"Maybe, but I will have a doctor come and look at you tomorrow," I said as I moved away from her to pack up my things.
My mind started to run a hundred miles an hour with many questions. What was going on here? Why was Audrey hiding her? Why was this girl locked away? Where was she from? What did she do? Who is she? But I was going to have to wait to ask my questions until we were out of here. I threw my bag over my shoulder, put my keys in my pocket, and walked back over to the girl who was taking deep and long breaths.
"Are you ready?" I asked in a hushed tone.
She nodded her head as she tried to stabilize her breath. I carefully picked her up again, and she made a hissing noise before I walked toward the door. I opened it just a little to make sure that no one was out in the hall, and was thankful that it was bare. As I made my way toward the kitchen, I could feel her hold on to me tighter than before.
"I'm not going to drop you," I told her in a hushed tone. "We just have to make it through the kitchen."
She put her head on my shoulder and nodded as I walked into the kitchen. I could swear that there should be more security around this castle, but if there were we would not be able to sneak out of here as good as we are. I rounded the corner once we were finally out of the castle and saw my car a couple of yards away. I pulled my keys out, I unlocked the car and placed the girl in my passenger seat. Once I buckled her in, I ran around to the drivers side and got in. I drove as quickly as I could back home, and I knew it was going to be a long drive back. I turned my gaze to look at the girl sitting in my passenger seat and saw that she was looking at the sky and holding her ribs. She was so small, but that was because of the lack of nutrition I assumed was happening to her. As I continued to drive, I would peek to my right and would see the girl shaking. Her hands would clench and unclench and I couldn't help myself. I reached over and laced my fingers with hers, hoping that she would be able to relax and know she is safe now. She tightened her grip on my hand as I started to rub my thumb across the back of her hand.
"Everything is going to be okay," I told her. "I swear nothing bad is going to happen to you."
She turned to look at me and I could see her eyes were starting to fill up with tears.
"Please don't send me back there," she said as she started to cry.
"Never," I told her. I saw her shoulders slump and I was hoping that she was becoming a little more relaxed, but I couldn't help but ask the question. "How long were you down there?"
"What is the date?" She asked.
"It's February of 2023," I told her.
She turned to look out the window and pulled her knees up to her chest, before resting her head against them.
"Almost 5 years," she said as a whisper, but loud enough for me to hear. "I was down there for almost 5 years…"
It was almost 7:30 in the morning when we got back to the castle, and I knew my mom was going to be up in her library… and there was no way I could get around her without hearing us come in. I walked into the castle with the girl in my arms, and my mom was walking out of her library as I walked toward the stairs.
"Um… good morning?" She questioned.
My back was to her, and I froze from the sound of her voice. I knew I couldn't keep her hidden for long, but I was at least hoping to get her settled in a room before telling my parents. I turned round as the girl wrapped her arms around my neck and hid her face in my shoulder.
"Hey, mom," I said.
My mom's eyes widened when I was completely turned around and she rushed over to us, as if she did not care that I was carrying a random girl.
"Oh, my dear," she said as she put a hand on her shoulder. "What happened to her?"
Oh thank gods, I thought. I should have known that she wouldn't think so little of me. I mean, she did raise me to be a proper gentleman.
"Let's get her upstairs, before you start questioning her," I said as I started to walk up the stairs.
I walked her up to the floor my room was on and remembered that most of the rooms were being renovated because of this past holiday.
"I'm going to put you in my room," I said as I turned round, almost bumping into my mom.
We walked fast and I opened my door, thanking the gods that I cleaned. I laid her down on my bed, leaving my mom with her, before I walked to my closet to get her some clothes. I grabbed whatever I could and walked out of my closet to see my mom stroking the girl's hair.
"Ben, what happened?" She asked, not talking her eyes off of the girl who was still holding onto her ribs.
"I don't know, mom," I said as I walked into my bathroom and put the clothes on the counter. "I have not asked. I just got her out of Beauty castle as fast as I could."
"What do you mean?" She asked as I walked out of the bathroom.
"I have been a slave to Queen Audrey for almost 5 years," the girl said in a low tone, making my mom snap her head to look at her. "I didn't know how long I was down there until his majesty told me the date."
"What do you mean you are a slave?" My mom asked. "We don't…"
"I am sorry to ask, but can you help me to sit?" She asked as she looked at me. "I will tell you my side of the story, which is not much."
I rushed over to the other side of the bed, before wrapping my arms around her and carefully helped her to sit up against the headboard. I sat back and my mom and I looked at her as she slowly brought her knees up to her chest.
"For the first question that is probably going through your mind is, I don't know why her majesty took me from my home," she said as she looked at us. "I know the law about the end of slavery to the villains, but I was just taken."
"What do you mean?" I asked. "Why you?"
"I am the daughter of Maleficent," she told us.
"I didn't know Maleficent had a child," my mom said. "How…"
"From what I know now, I am 25," she said. "I was taken when I was almost 21. I was raised in the Moors and my mother did not want me beyond the barrier because of all of the harm people have caused to the moors in the past. She just wanted to keep me safe."
"What is your name, sweetheart," my mom asked, making me realize that I never even asked for her name.
"My name is Mal," she said. "Princess Mallory Drakos, of the Moors."
"Drakos, as is Hades?" I asked.
She nodded her head.
"I don't even know if they are… we're looking for me," she said in a low voice. "They probably think I'm dead."
My heart shattered. Mal had been missing from her family for years, and there was no word of her missing in Auradon. Were they still looking for her? Did they mourn her?
"This confuses me so much," my mom said.
"I was just as confused as you both are, but I was told that I was going to be a slave to the Beauty monarch for the rest of my life, or until the queen decided on a different course."
"I can't believe… What is Audrey thinking?" My mom asked, while I sat there in complete shock.
"She told me that I was the payment for the loss of her grandparents," she said, making my eyes widen even more than they already were.
"You are not the cause of her grandparents demise," I said as I stood up and started to pace around the room. "What is the fuck is her problem? She is supposed to be a queen and follow the LAWS that are put into place by me or my father who made the damn law to end slavery! She…" I stopped to control my anger. "I am sorry," I said. "What happened when you were taken?"
"I was walking along the border of the Moors," she said as she laid her head on her knees and looked out the window. "I heard a scream and I started to run toward it. I didn't know who it was, but I just wanted to help whoever it was."
I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her as her eyes started to water. I wanted to know what possessed Audrey to take her. It couldn't just be because of her grandparents.
"The yelling was coming from the other side of the thorn barrier, so I went through," she continued. "I saw that her majesty was on the ground screaming in pain, and I couldn't help myself. I rushed over, kneeled next to her, and asked her what was wrong. She turned her head and a menacing smile formed on her face, and I remember starting to grow confused. She gripped my wrist and yanked on my hair, before throwing herself onto me and calling the guards," she said. "And everything was a blur after that."
"I can't believe Audrey would do that," my mom said as she stood up and started to pace around the room like I had. "Where were her…"
"Her parents were with my mother when I was taken," she said, cutting my mom off. "I don't know what has happened since then, but I don't understand why I was having to suffer for what her grandparents did."
"Well, she will be punished for her crimes," I said as I took her hand into mine. "My father made that law for a reason, and not even a queen can disobey them. She will be punished."
"Her majesty is not going to be happy when she finds out I am gone," she said.
"She is not 'her majesty' to you," I said. "You have to earn that title from your subjects by treating them with the utmost respect."
Mal nodded her head before putting it back down. "If you don't mind me asking what has happened over the past years?"
After a long conversation, catching Mal up on everything that has happened, she sat there in a state of shock.
"Wow," she said. "I have missed a lot."
I started to wonder what actually happened between Audrey and her parents, and it was a long shot if Mal knew why.
"Hey," I said. "I know this is a long shot…"
I stopped when my phone started to ring, and I pulled it out of my pocket to see that Audrey was calling me. It was 8:30 in the morning so she was probably wondering where I was. I threw my phone across the room and watched as it shattered against the wall.
"Fuck that shit," I said. "She is not going to be getting away with this. If she calls the castle, then I will talk to her, but as of right now, I do not want to hear the sound of her voice."
"Anyway, I was going to ask you if you know why Audrey does not talk to her parents anymore?" My mom asked.
"She doesn't?" Mal asked in curiosity, before hissing as holding her ribs again.
"Okay, maybe we can talk later," I said as I put my hand over hers. "Mom, do you mind calling the doctor and having him come to the castle?"
"Of course," she said as she stood up and walked toward the door. "I will tell your father what has happened too, which means that there may be some loud growling around here, so please do not be alarmed, Mal," she said.
"Thank you, your majesty," she said, before my mom turned around to look back at us. "You do not know what this means to me."
"You do not have to thank us for doing what is right," my mom said as she smiled. "We are both just happy that Ben found you in time."
She walked out of the door, before she closed it, leaving Mal and I alone. She tried to scootch down as far as she could, but took deep breaths as she did.
"You have quite the pain tolerance," I said with a little bit of humor in my voice.
"That I do," she said with a small chuckle. "I remember when I was first taken, I was in so much pain that I was beaten for being too loud, so I guess I built a tolerance."
"You shouldn't have," I said. "This shouldn't have ever happened."
"I agree, but…"
"WHAT?!" We heard my dad yell, making Mal stop talking.
"I am assuming my father knows now," I said. "I should go and talk with him."
I hopped off the bed and walked around, before turning back to look at Mal. Her hair was dirty and she was covered in dirt and bruises.
"Hey, my mom has a friend of mine coming to do a fitting on her," I said. "She is really nice. Would you mind if she came and helped you clean up?"
"Um…"
"Or my mom could come and help you," I said, cutting her off. "I don't know…"
"It's fine," she said. "If you trust your friend, she could help me. I think it would be better than me doing it on my own."
"Okay, great," I said with a big smile on my face. "I will… I broke my phone," I said as I pointed to the remnants of my phone lying on the floor. "I'll use my personal phone."
"You have…"
"That was my work phone," I said. "My personal one is in my office. It's better to keep my work and private life private from the world."
"I like that," she said with a smile.
"I do too, but I will leave you to rest, and I'll go and call my friend."
"Thank you," she said as she rested her head on my pillow. "For saving me."
"Anytime," I told her.
I found myself very comfortable around her, and I had no idea why. I had just met this girl almost 6 hours ago, and I felt a connection to her… like I was supposed to find her.
"I will have something sent up for you too," I said as I walked toward the door backwards. "Maybe some water? Juice? A sandwich? Strawberries?"
"Strawberries?" She asked.
I smiled, before nodding my head. "I'll have some sent up with some water. Get some rest."
I closed the door as I left. I wanted to get Mal cleaned up and ready before the doctor got here. I walked into my office, found my phone, and dialed the number I was looking for.
"Hello?"
"Evie? Hey. I need your help…"
I was walking through that castle fast, and Evie was right on my heels. I knew if I was going to be able to trust someone to keep Mal a secret until she was checked over, I knew it would be her.
"Ben? What's going on? You never…"
"I know I didn't give much detail," I said, cutting her off. "I just did not want to talk over the phone. I just really need your help, and I know you are the only one to keep her a secret until she is better."
"Who?"
"The girl I found."
She looked at me in confusion as I stopped at my bedroom door, and slowly knocked on the door so that Mal knew I was back.
"Hey," I said as I opened the door, letting Evie and I walk in.
Mal's back was to us, and I heard her hiss as she tried to turn around.
"It's okay. Stay where you are," I said as I walked around the bed and crawled to sit by her. "That friend I was talking about is here."
Evie walked slowly around the bed and gasped when she saw Mal.
"Mal?" Evie asked as she covered her mouth.
Mal started to cry when she saw Evie, and Evie did the same, while I sat there even more confused than I had been.
"Mal."
Evie crawled onto the bed, and I could see in her eyes that she was in complete shock. Her breath was labored and she held Mal's face in her hands as she cried.
"It's really you," Evie said through her tears. "How is this even possible?"
"Ben found me," Mal said as she smiled up at Evie.
"What?" She asked as she looked at me. "Where have you been? We… we were… we were searching for years… we thought…"
"I know what you all probably thought," Mal said, cutting Evie off. "I was held in Beauty castle," she said.
Evie's eyes widened. "What? The castle was searched…how… you know what? It doesn't matter anymore. What happened to you? Why are you hurt?"
"Her majesty had her guards…"
I saw Evie's shoulders stiffen, and I knew she put the pieces together. "You were a fucking slave?" Evie asked as her voice got louder. "Slavery is illegal!"
"We know Evie," I said. "I heard Mal crying last night when I went for water."
"Audrey is the reason you went missing?"
"She kidnapped me," Mal said. "For payment for what my mom did to her grandparents."
"Payment for what?!"
"Evie, maybe now is not the time," I said. "Will you help Mal get cleaned up before the doctor comes to check on her?"
"Or…" Evie said. "We could take you home."
Mal's eyes widened in joy. Why didn't I even think about taking her home?
"Ben? Could you call Jay and Carlos and have a car ready to head to the Moors?" Evie asked as she kept her eyes locked onto Mal. "I think there are a couple of people who are going to be excited to see her."
When we picked up Jay from his house, he was confused. He was asking me a ton of questions about what was going on, but when he got into the limo and saw Mal, he froze, and Carlos had the same reaction. I had known these people for years and never once did they mention Mal, a missing friend, or… a dead one. I could tell they didn't know what to think and all Mal could do was smile at them. Jay crawled over to her and wrapped her in a hug, trying to hide his tears as he buried himself in her hair. While Carlos sat on the floor of the limo crying.
She looked different cleaned up… she looked… beautiful. Her hair was purple, but with how dirty it was, it looked gray. Her skin was fair and her cheeks were naturally rosey. She looked lively again, even though her ribs were still bothering her.
The entire way to the Moors, Jay, Carlos and Evie did not let go of Mal, but you could tell that she did not mind. You could feel how comfortable she was and how… loved she is. The three of them loved this girl so much, and I started to wonder why they never brought her up. I would have to ask later, because now was a time for Mal to be reunited with her mother.
Once we were getting closer to the Moors, we passed Beauty castle and you could see that there were no guards like there had always been. I doubt Audrey even knows that Mal is gone. I was thankful that I decided to take a different car than my own, and even more thankful that the windows were tinted so that they could not see on the inside. Once we were at the barrier, Evie hopped out of the car just as a giant tree warrior stood tall in front of her.
"Balthazar," I heard Mal said, making me look through my rear view mirror. "I have missed him so much. What is that ribbon around his arm?"
I looked up and saw that he had a giant ribbon tied around his arm and from what it looked like there was something written on the ends of it.
"When we couldn't find you, and we were for years," Jay said as he took Mal's hand. "Your mother had all of the creatures wear a purple ribbon in your honor… or more to remember the Moors beloved princess."
"Oh…" she said as she put her head down and Carlos rubbed her hand.
"Okay," Evie said as she popped her head back into the car. "We are clear to go. We are just going to drive right through and Aurora and Phillip are going to meet us at the end of the trail."
"Do they know I am alive?"
Evie shook her head, before she hopped back into the back seat and laced her fingers with Mal's. This was going to be big for Mal… and everyone else who missed her. I drove through the forest and down the dirt path, and I could see Aurora's floral pink dress from 100 yards away. When I parked, Evie, Carlos, and Jay got out of the back and I followed behind them.
"Hello, your majesty," Phillip said with a bow. "What has brought you here today?"
"Not that it isn't wonderful to see you," Aurora said with a beautiful smile. "I am so happy to see how much you have grown and loved to hear what a wonderful king and man you are."
"Thank you," I said with a smile of my own. "I came because I wanted to bring someone home to you."
"Us?" Aurora asked.
I nodded my head and Jay walked to the car and opened the back door, before holding his hand out for Mal to take. I didn't have to turn around to know that Mal was walking toward us, because Aurora and Phillip's face said it all. Aurora was covering her mouth as she leaned onto Phillip for support.
"This can't be," Phillip said. "Mally?"
"Hi, Phillip," Mal said as she walked up next to me. "Hello, sister."
Aurora regained her strength, before walking over to Mal and holding her face in her hands.
"You're real," she said. "You're here. And you're alive."
Mal nodded her head and I saw tears running down her face.
"What happened? Where have you been?"
I took a step toward Mal and put my hand on her lower back. "Maybe she can explain after she sees her mom?"
As we walked through the forest, I held onto Mal, just insane she was going to fall. I didn't know how far we were going to be walking and Mal kept her arm around me for even more support.
"Briar?" We heard someone call. "Who is…"
A woman with enormous wings was standing in front of us, and staring at Mal with tears watering in her eyes. Her cheekbones were high, her eyes were a vibrant green, and she had ruby red lips.
"This…"
"Hi, mom," Mal said as she took a step toward her mom.
Maleficent took in a sharp breath, before taking a step of her own. The six of us watched as they took one step toward each other at a time.
"Mal…"
"I'm here, mom," Mal said.
I couldn't see Mal's face, but I saw that Aurora and Maleficent were crying.
"My dear princess," Maleficent said as she took Mal into her arms. "My prayers have been answered. You're back. You have come back to me."
"I'm home," Mal said as she hugged her mom. "I have missed you so much. You and dad were the ones keeping me strong. You have no…"
"What happened to you?" The Moors queen asked, not letting go of her daughter. "Where… I need to get a hold of your father… What…"
"I'll get a hold of him," Phillip said as he walked over and gave Mal a kiss on her head. "We are so happy to have you back."
Maleficent sat on the floor and pulled Mal into her lap. I could understand that any mother would miss their daughter this much.
"I know I have so much to tell you," Mal said as she looked up at her mom. "And I hope that you all are not too mad."
"Why ever would we be mad at you?" Maleficent asked as she tightened her hold on Mal.
She shook her head, before she looked up at Aurora. "Not at me…"
Hades was not happy when he had gotten to the Moors. He was fuming. He had thought that Phillip was playing a joke on him, but when he saw Mal in the embrace of her mother, he fell to his knees. He had pulled her and Maleficent into his arms, and didn't let go for what felt like hours. Both of her parents were still in disbelief that Mal was here, and were holding on to her as if she was going to disappear. After explaining everything that happened the day Mal left and yesterday when I had gotten to the castle, everyone was sitting there in shock.
"What do you mean, Audrey did this?" Aurora asked in horror.
"That is what happened," Mal said as she leaned her head on her dad's shoulder.
"Audrey said that you two abandoned her," I said as I sat up and put my arms on my knees. "She told me that you guys left her to live in the moors and never…"
"She did not want us a part of her life," Phillip said. "She told us that when she became queen she was going to make us leave, she did not want us to be at her coronation, nor did she want us to help her learn how to be a proper queen, and it shows from what she has put Mal through."
"I cannot believe…"
"Please," Mal said. "I understand what she did was wrong, but maybe…"
"No," I said, cutting her off. "There is no excuse for what she did. She broke the law, and many more with her actions. She is going to pay for her crimes."
"I love my daughter very much," Aurora said as she held onto Phillip's hand. "No matter how she has treated her father and I, but there is no excuse for what she did. Her father and I raised her to be a princess for her people. Not one out to seek revenge on those who did nothing wrong. We do not know what went wrong or when she started to change, but she is the cause of her punishments," she locked eyes with Mal, and I could see that she was trying to get through something. "You cannot give grace to those who do not deserve it."
Two weeks had passed since I took Mal home to her parents, and I have not heard anything. I wanted to make it Mal's parent's decision to see that Audrey receives the right punishment for everything she has put them through, but I am still in the dark about it. I had told my father to take my calls for the past weeks, because I did not want to deal with Audrey and her constant lies about everything. I still could not believe that I had fallen for her lies. She had fooled me, and I was stupid enough to believe her. I remembered a couple days after returning from the moors, Audrey came to the castle for a visit. I was sitting in my office, buried in paperwork and she just waltzed in like she owned the place. She was asking me a numerous amount of questions, and I had to fight the urge to yell at her. I could not let her know that I knew anything, because then she would know she had something bad coming her way…
"Deep in thought?"
I snapped my head up to see Mal standing in my office doorway. She was covering her mouth, probably because she scared me and I jumped a little.
"Hey," I said as I stood up and started to fix my shirt. I didn't even know if it was out of place, but it was just a reflex. "How have you been? You look great."
Shut up, Ben. Though I had to admit she did look great. She was dressed in a long flowery blue dress, her hair looked shiny and clean, and she looked healthier.
"Thank you," she said as she crossed her arms and stepped further into the room. "I feel a lot better. Being home and around the magic of the Moors, most of my injuries healed and I have gained some weight."
She patted her stomach, and I couldn't help but laugh. She did look a little fuller, but it was because she looked healthier. She didn't look like she was malnourished or sickly.
"You look great," I said.
I walked around my desk and shoved my hands in my pockets. I was trying to keep my cool, but it was hard when I was around her, and I had no idea why. After getting her out of the castle and actually getting to know her, I found that my hands got really sweaty, and that I have been thinking about her a lot since I last saw her.
"Thank you," she said as she took a couple more steps toward me. "I feel a lot more like me."
"Good," I said with a smile. "How does it feel to be home?"
"Amazing," she said with an exasperated tone. "My parents still won't leave my side," she said, making me chuckle. "I had to beg them to let me come here today, and they only let me come because Phillip came with me. He is downstairs with you parents."
I nodded my head. I was glad to see her… I would even say that I missed her.
"My mom and dad were so worried about my health that my dad keeps putting food in front of me," she said with a laugh. "I actually think he's trying to make me fat."
"You're not fat," I said, shaking my head. "You're still beautiful."
"I feel bigger," she said as she stuck out her stomach to make me laugh. "I have gained…"
I made her shriek because I scooped her up in my arms. She laughed as she wrapped her arms around my neck and started to curl her like she was weights.
"You still feel as light as a feather to me," I said, making her laugh again.
I slowly set her on my feet and put my hands on her hips so that she was firmly on the ground. Her hands slid to my chest as she tried to catch her breath. When she looked up, our eyes locked and I melted. I didn't notice before, but she had these little golden flecks that made the green in her eyes more vibrant. I did not know how long we were standing like this, or that our heads were moving closer together, but when our lips touched I felt this explosion in my chest. Her lips were soft and wam, and… just felt perfect. When my head finally defogged from our kiss, I pulled back and took a deep breath, but kept my hands where they were.
"I am so sorry," I said as I exhaled. "I… well… other than that," I said with a small laugh. "Did you need something?"
She laughed and shook her head. "No. I just never actually gave you a proper thank you for everything you did for me," she told me.
"Well… that was one way," I said, before I widened my eyes at what I just said.
What in the fuck? Ben! You have to be…
"It was," she said, making me break off the lecture I was shouting in my head. "It was… a nice one too…"
I felt my cheeks get hot, and I looked down to see that her cheeks were getting red too. She was avoiding eye contact, and I couldn't help the fuzzy feeling that was deep in my stomach. I didn't know this girl, she was actually a stranger to me, but I felt like I knew everything about her. I put my fingers under her chin to make her look at me, before connecting our lips again. The warm feeling came back, and I felt Mal's hands tighten as she fisted my shirt. When we pulled apart this time, I caressed her face with my hand and smiled.
"I think I like these 'thank you's'," I said, making her laugh. "I… I would very much like there to be more of them."
She laughed even louder, before she wrapped her arms around my neck and crushed our lips back together. I don't know where this is going to take, but I was hoping that she would stay around for a while…
Months later, it was nearly Christmas, and I had put Audrey's punishment behind me… well… more of put it off to the side for the time being. I had been busy with getting to know Mal and making sure she is comfortable and happy. She had been amazing and our relationship moved fast, which is something I was very happy about. She had been the best thing to happen to me, and now that she was settled, it was time to finally deal with Audrey. She still had no idea why I left and I don't even know if she was scared that Mal had gone. She acted like everything was fine, during the times I had seen her. Trying to play stupid was hard, because all I wanted to was yell at her or be with Mal, but that was all going to change today.
I walked into the council room, and saw everyone was already seated. This typically would just be a normal council meeting, and I would announce the Christmas ball, but today is going to be a little different.
"Thank you all for coming," I said as I stood in front of the giant table. "This meeting is going to be a little different from the past Christmas meetings."
"In what way, Ben?" Audrey asked as she perked up and sat straight in her chair.
I smirked to myself as I played with the ring on my finger. I was so excited for what was going to happen, and I could not wait to see the look on Audrey's face.
"I am glad you asked," I said. "It does involve you."
"Me?" She asked with a smile on her face.
"It does," I said, nodding my head. "And…"
A knock on the door interrupted me, making my smile grow bigger on my face. I turned my head to let Lumier know that it was okay to open the door, and when I saw Mal standing there, looking as beautiful as she always did, I melted. She walked in and I turned just in time to see Audrey's face fall in fear and in shock.
"Audrey?" I called as she darted her eyes toward me. "Have you met my wife?"
The look on Audrey's face fell when the word wife came out of my mouth.
"W… w… wife?" She stuttered as she looked from Mal to I.
Audrey looked pale as she sat in her chair. I saw that she was holding onto the arms rest of her chair so tight that her knuckles were white. Gods, was this going to be fun? I held my hand out for Mal to take and she walked over, before I gave her a kiss on the cheek. Mal and I had married in a small ceremony in the Moors with our parents and a couple of our close friends there. They knew how I met Mal, and I begged my friends to keep it a secret until today, which I was thankful that they did.
"I know for most of you, this is a shock," I said as I helped Mal to sit in her chair beside me. "Usually, the King is supposed to have a giant wedding, with every council member there, and the whole shabang," I said as I kept Mal's hand in mine. "But Mal and I wanted to have a small private thing with just our close loved ones."
Chad and Lonnie smiled at me. They were the only two royals I had told, along with my other friends, Jane, Gil, and Doug. Mal had invited her friends Carlos, Uma, and Harry. And while we were both friends to Evie and Jay, they were invited too.
"Does anyone want to ask how I met my queen?"
The room was silent for a moment before Aziz stood from his chair.
"Well, I would first like to say congratulations," he said, making Mal and I smile. "And I for one would like to know."
I turned my gaze to Audrey as she gulped. I knew she was going to be in for it, and I was ecstatic to see everyone's reaction.
"Mal?" I said as I turned to look at my wife. "How did we meet?"
"You rescued me," she said as she gave me a kind smile.
"How?" Emma asked, before Mal could even tell the rest of the story.
"My dear husband rescued me from Castle Beauty," she said. "I was a prisoner there for almost 5 years."
The entire room gasped, other them Mal, Chad, Lonnie, and myself. Audrey's grip tightened on the arm rest and she was avoiding looking at anyone in the room.
"As in… slavery?" Ryder asked as he turned his head to look at Audrey. "Queen Audrey? You allowed your staff to keep a slave in your castle."
"It was not her staff," Mal said as she looked at Audrey. "Would you like me to tell them?"
Audrey sat there glaring at Mal as if she was the one who did wrong. I was starting to get excited about this, and I told Mal that I wanted her to take the ropes, until it got to Audrey's punishment.
"I…" Audrey said with a stutter. "I don't have to answer to you."
"You do," I said as I sat back in my chair and started to play with Mal's fingers. "She is my wife and therefore she is your queen. So you do have to answer to her, now answer her question."
Audrey looked at me with wide eyes, hoping that I would save her, but I was not. I still don't know if she put any pieces together about how Mal is here, how she got out, why she was married to me, but from the looks of it, I could tell that she was going to try to play victim.
"Mal was a prisoner in my castle, yes, but that was only because she was sneaking around the grounds, trying to break in," Audrey said. "What other choice did I have? I had to protect myself and my staff."
"What a load of bullshit," I said in a low voice.
"Your majesty," Audrey said, making me look at her. "I understand that you may be in some sort of trance by her, but I would never…"
"Never what, Audrey?" Someone said as they walked into the room.
Audrey tensed at the sound of her mothers voice. She slowly turned in her chair to see her parents, Maleficent, and Hades standing in the doorway. All four looked at her with such disappointment that everyone else in the room looked flushed. I know I should feel some sort of pity for her, but I don't. She committed a crime… for absolutely no reason.
"Hello mother," she said as she turned back toward the table, trying really hard to maintain her composure. "Father."
"I will ask again. You never what, Audrey?" Aurora asked, before Phillip turned Audrey's chair around violently, making her shriek in fear.
"Answer your mother the first time she asks you a question!" Phillips' voice boomed through the room, making everyone jump.
"I would never keep anyone prisoner," she said in a hushed tone.
Audrey sunk in her chair, trying to hide the fear her father was giving her.
"Then why did you lie to your mother, Maleficent, Hades, and myself when we asked if you had even Mal?" Aurora asked as she looked down at her daughter. "Why would you put a mother through such pain like that?"
Audrey remained silent, and I was enjoying this. She deserved to be embarrassed for what she did, but by the way Mal is gripping my hand, I know she was not at ease with it.
"Answer the question!" Phillip exclaimed, making Audrey cry.
"You love them more than me!" Audrey exclaimed as she covered her face. "You always chose them over me! You chose to keep my grandparents away from me, because of the lies Maleficent told!"
"And those thoughts gave you the right to commit a crime?" Phillip asked as he tore Audrey's hands away from his face. "You did something unthinkable."
"I did it because she owes me for what her mother did to my grandparents!"
"What about what your grandfather did to me?" Maleficent asked as she walked over to where Mal was. "Your grandfather put me through a great deal of pain and suffering."
"Lies!" Audrey yelled as she stood up and glared at Maleficent. "You are nothing but a liar and a monster!"
"Audrey Beauty!" Aurora exclaimed. "You apologize at once!"
"Make me!" She exclaimed. "You want to believe the lies and deceit of what that monster put my grandparents through the fine, but I will protect my kingdom until my last breath from them."
"Were you there?" Aurora asked, making Audrey look at her.
"What does that matter?"
"Where you there?" She asked again.
Audrey rolled her eyes, before crossing her arms. "No. I was not there, obviously, but…"
"There are no buts," Aurora said as she looked at her daughter. "Then who in the hell are you to call Maleficent a monster? Who are you to kidnap her daughter and torture her? Who are you to say what is right?"
"Grandpa…"
"Your grandfather was crazy," Aurora said as she cut Audrey off. "He was a power hungry, selfish, and… just a horrible person."
"No…"
"Listen to me!" Aurora yelled. "You were not there! You did not see anything! You do not know! You are going based upon what a crazy man said, and never even bothered to ask! Maleficent has been a better mother to me than my own. I do not blame my mother, because it was my father's way of life that made her go into a deep depression. But you need to shut up and listen for once!"
In all my years, I had never seen Aurora or Phillip this made, and even I was starting to feel sorry for her, but not enough to stop this.
"I do not understand what he had told you that turned you this way," she said as she shook her head. "I did not raise you this way. I don't know if it was me keeping you away from the Moors until you were of a proper age, but your grandfather had done something to you while your father and I visited. What was it?"
"What are you talking about?" Audrey asked.
"What 'stories' did he tell you?"
"I could take a guess," Hades said as he started to walk around the room. "Maleficent placing the curse on our Briar here was what made former Queen Leah, may her soul rest in peace, not well. Stephan tried anything to get his little girl back. That Briar is not well in the head, but has some connection to the Moors. Ring any bells?" He asked.
Audrey stood there quietly, and everyone in the room knew it was true.
"So all of these years," Audrey said. "All of these years, you held Mal hostage as revenge?" She asked. "You held an innocent girl from her family, from her friends, from her home? Kicked your father and I out of our home, a couple months from your coronation? And all because you chose to believe your grandfather and not ask your father or I?"
"Audrey," Maleficent said as she walked up to the young girl. "I understand that rage can blind you, I know that all too well," Audrey turned her head away from the fae but Maleficent placed her fingers under Audrey's chin and turned to look back at her. "Your grandfather made me fall in love with him, when we were young. We grew up playing in the moors, but when the king, Leah's father, announced that whoever brought him the monster of the moors wings would be king and marry his daughter, he made his choice," she said. "He drugged me, and while I was asleep, he sawed off my wings with an iron saw."
This was the first of all of us hearing Maleficent's side of the story, and from what we have head, it is way different than what Stephan would say.
"I held onto that rage for years," she said. "I hated him. I wanted him to pay for what he did to me… and I did," she said, before she looked at Aurora. "I cursed your mother, that is true, but as she was hidden in the Moors, I watched as she grew. I watched as she blossomed into the beautiful woman she is now, and as she grew and the more we spent time together, the more I regretted what I had done," she explained. "I tried to lift the cure, but it was bound until the end of time… until true loves kiss woke up your mother."
"And it was not your father," Aurora said as Audrey looked at her. "Maleficent woke me up."
"Why am I just hearing about this now?"
"You have always been an independent girl," Aurora said as she held her hands out. "You never wanted help with anything and you always managed to figure things out."
Audrey started to cry as she looked at her parents, and she was coming to the realization of what she had done.
"I… I… I don't…"
"Audrey," Mal said as she stood up. "I understand the anger you had, but what you did was…"
"Unforgivable," she said as she finished Mal's sentence. "I am getting that now."
She looked at everyone in the room and from what it looked like, she was ready to face the punishment I was going to give her.
"Before I hear your punishment, Ben," Audrey said as she turned to me. "Can I offer one?"
This was new. I had never had anyone offer to create their punishment, but I was open to it. I nodded my head, before she sighed.
"I would like to abdicate my throne," she said. "I would like our queen to take it, if she would like, and if she would, I would like to work as a servant to her for as long if not longer than I made her."
I was shocked that she would give herself such a punishment, and to hear the respect she was giving my wife.
"I…"
"Ben?" Mal said as she took my hand. "May I speak with you, and our family out in the hallway please?"
I was taken back for a moment, but ultimately nodded my head as we stood from our seats.
"If you will, please excuse me," I said. "We will be back momentarily."
As we walked toward the door, my parents, Mal's parents, Aurora, and Phillip walked in front of us. Mal stopped in front of Audrey and held her arm out for Audrey to follow, and I was shocked to see she did it with no hesitation. Once the door was closed, Mal turned to us.
"I know that what Audrey did was unthinkable," she said as she crossed her arms. "She was selfish, cruel, and rude, but she was influenced."
"Mal…"
"Ben, I understand that when you found me, I was in a horrible condition," she said as she looked at me. "But to be honest, we would have never met if it weren't for her." I looked at my wife with a peculiar look. "I want to hope that you have a slightly different perspective now, but I would hate for your life to be ruined."
"I ruined your life," Audrey said.
"Did you?" Mal asked as she held her hands out around her. "I am married to the king of Auradon and am their queen. I hate to say this, but if you did not kidnap me, I would not have the life I have today."
"I am sorry, but… what?" Shakes as she looked at Mal.
To be honest, I had the same reaction Audrey did. I wanted Audrey to be punished, but if Mal had a different route I would listen.
"I am saying, no matter how much I hated being down there, I should be thanking you," Mal said. "That sounds weird because I was tortured, but it is honestly true. So, I was thinking," she said as she took my hand. "That you abdicate your throne… for as long as I was taken, and in that time, your mother will take the throne and you will learn from your mistakes in any way she sees fit."
"I committed a crime," Audrey said. "I don't even deserve the chance to earn my kingdom back."
"Understandable, but to be honest this is just a suggestion," Mal said. "It has to be council approved so we have to ask them."
"I know now that what I did was wrong," Audrey said as she looked down at the ground. "I was raised by two different sets of parents, and I guess I was blinded by what my grandfather has told me that I grew resentment toward my parents. I never comprehend how they could want to go to the Moors after the stories I was told."
"Why didn't you ever ask?" Phillip asked.
Audrey shrugged. "I guess I started not to care when you would extend your visits."
I saw as Aurora's heart broke, and that made me go soft. I wanted Audrey to pay for what she did, but if Mal could forgive after what she went through, then why can't I.
"I was going to be the one to handle your punishment, Audrey, but if the council agrees to Mal's or your own, I will be okay with it," I said as I pulled Mal close to my side. "I am going to say the night I found Mal, I was holding in so much rage and the rage to find you. I wanted your punishment to be as bad as the pain she went through, but if she can forgive you, then I do not see how I could hold a grudge. Maybe she is just a better person than I am," I said, making my father-in-law laugh. "It will take a while before I or others may be able to trust you, but if you really show that you can change, then maybe things could go back to the way things were."
"Minus my rotten views," she said.
"Exactly," I said. "Now, let's head back in and have the rest of the council decide."
Mal laced her fingers with mine, before we walked back into the room. Everyone was sitting there waiting for us, but anyone could tell that they were wondering what was going to happen. I gave the council the punishment choices, and they all sat there quietly. They were thinking about the options, and Audrey was looking down at her hands. Jane stood up, and all eyes went to her.
"I understand that Audrey said she is going to change, but how could we know that for a fact?"
Jane had a point, and by the look on Audrey's face, she was starting to get nervous.
"If I may," Maleficent said as she stood from her seat. "With what my daughter has suggested, I would like to have Audrey live in the Moors with me for two months out of each year. It would give her a lesson on what the moors is really like, unlike the tales she was told all of her life."
"She will also be a servant to the Beauty monarch until she earns her title back as queen by the council here," Phillip said. "I know we had said 5 years, but I think it should be up to the Royal council to see who sits on the throne of a kingdom."
"Verdict?" I asked after a couple seconds of silence.
Chad stood up and all eyes went to him. "I get that what Audrey did was wrong," he said. "Hell, anyone would say it is despicable, but if I had done this, I don't know what I would do. I would hope that I was given the option that Queen Mal has given."
"We have known Audrey our entire lives," Lonnie said. "We know she can be stubborn, but she is a genuine person."
"We all grew up to live our lives and run kingdoms," Doug said. "We had high school together, and after that we were busy. We kept in touch, sure, but we haven't really shared our struggles with one another. We don't know, truly, what each other has been through."
"Mal?" Ryder said, making Mal and everyone else in the room look at him. "We need to understand that this is something you want," he said. "You are the victim in this whole scenario, and what you say is going to help us make a deciding verdict. We just need to hear it out of your voice," he added before he sighed. "Do you truly believe that Audrey deserves a second chance?"
I turned to my wife, and saw the steady look on her face.
"Everyone deserves a second chance," she said as she stood from her seat. "Everyone is capable of cruel acts. Hell, look at our family tales. Stealing or cursing babies, kidnapping, slavery, attempted murder, and so much more," she went on. "What makes what Audrey did different from what had happened before we were born? And who is to say she doesn't deserve a chance to correct her mistakes."
I smiled up at my beautiful wife in amazement. She was so strong, so wise, and so wonderful. I was so lucky to have her as my queen.
"Then it is settled," Ryder said. "Audrey will abdicate her throne and work and learn to gain it back."
"Thank you, your majesties," Audrey said as she stood up from her seat. "I will try to prove to you all that I will never make a mistake like this again."
"Come, Audrey," Maleficent said as she held her hand out for Audrey to take. "I would like you to visit the Moors for the first time, and maybe your first 2 month visit could start today."
Audrey did not say a word, before she took Maleficent's outreached hand and walked out of the room with her. I was hoping that this would work, and that Audrey was going to be able to learn from her horrible actions. I feel that this is going to be good for her, but only time could tell.
"That will bring this meeting to an end," I said as I stood up and helped Mal out of her seat. "Now, if you do not mind, I would love to spend some time with my wife, before she is whisked away by her friends."
"Oh!" Evie said as she popped her head through the council room door. "You guys are done."
I sighed and laughed, before Mal wrapped her arms around my waist and kissed my cheek. Now, if I could just get a moment alone with my wife, other than when we would go to bed.
Until next time my Lovies! xoxoGM