Wes's Perspective

"Well don't keep me waiting, Viv," Wes said. "What is it?"

"One of EQ's books. The table of contents showed a spell that could make sources of good magic work for an evil wielder flawlessly," Vivianne explained. "Maybe the Queen had a similar idea."

"Well...it's risky," Wes said uncertainly, considering the possibility. Evil Queen was good with magic, as she proved in the courtyard. "And I'm mildly curious how that'd work. I mean, good magic leans more toward imagination and love than evil magic, how would that even..." he exhaled and shook his head. "But things are different no-"

"Things are not different!" Vivianne said. "We agreed to raze Auradon to the ground and rule over the ashes. To be partners. To never be weak or mistreated again. You can't just act like a total coward when you get scared-"

"I'm scared because you died!" Wes yelled. His face had flushed red and his heart was pounding. He seriously couldn't believe this. "Do you not understand that?"

Vivianne's jaw dropped. "This is literally only the second time I've died. What's the problem?"

Wes exhaled. "Because you don't have infinite lives, you had nine. And seven now. And...you're the only person in the world that-ugh!" Wes flicked his fingers and sent a blast of fire out of his hands that singed the floor. "I don't want you to die permanently because then I'd be alone! Is that what you need me to say for you to get it through your stupid, furry head?"

The familiar put a hand on her hip, eyes turning dangerous. "Like I'd believe that. What happened to replacing me with a fox?"

"What are you-?" Wes started. Then he remembered. "I was trying to bring out the best in you!" He couldn't, for his life, understand why he needed to say any of this. This was never a thing when she lived in cat form, but ever since coming to Auradon, they had to speak and...it was infuriating. "Anger is a powerful tool, you need it brought out of you to achieve your potential sometimes. Case and point, the burned-up courtyard in this very school. I wasn't gonna replace you, you just needed to believe that."

"Then why say it?" Vivianne yelled.

"Because..." Wes faltered. "I don't know. Why? Are you still mad?"

"Yes, Wes!" Vivianne said. "I am still mad. Do you understand what life is like as a stray cat on the Isle? It was horrible. I thought I had a home with you and we would come to Auradon to rule over thousands of innocent people. It was supposed to be paradise and you ripped it away-"

"I never even sent you anywhere! You got the collar back in, like, five minutes."

Vivianne sighed. "That's not the point."

"Then I'm sorry," Wes said genuinely. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, I just...thought you would be more successful stealing back the collar if you were desperate. You didn't have powers, I knew that was the only thing I could give you."

"Why do you think being desperate to get the collar would do anything but make me hate you after I got it back?"

Wes sat down in a chair, leaning against the table and sighing. "Because...when I jumped on the baboon's back to get us off the Isle, I was hungry for freedom and magic. It was adrenaline and fear and desperation that bought our freedom and I was hoping it would be the same deal for you. But, if that's not the case, I'm sorry. I was just trying to help, but...there was nothing else I could do. I had to protect our cover and I didn't have many spells I could cast to help you. And that was scary."

Vivianne sat across from him. She looked as if she'd grab his hands, then grimaced at the thought. "If you care so much...fight. I don't wanna keep running. I don't wanna feel weak. I'm scared something will happen to you, too. This collar practically programs me to be. But I'm more worried that you'll lose your wickedness. What happened to 'witches don't run from anyone?'"

Wes put his head in his hands. He didn't even notice the glow returning to his ring until he looked up and saw Vivianne's face glowing with red light. "I guess I'll have to get ready for some serious magic, then." Wes grinned for a moment before the expression and the light from his ring faded. "Do you...actually hate me?"

Vivianne considered it. "No. But I do hate the spell ingredients that you use. They either smell horrible or they're horrible to catch and prepare."

Wes grinned. "Cost of running around with one of the greatest witches of my generation. Now, where's the book?"

"One small problem," Vivianne said. "I think it's hexed. Other than the table of contents, none of the pages have any visible ink or writing. I even tried the tricks you showed me to reveal invisible ink, but they didn't work."

Wes breathed out through his mouth, the sound similar to the hissing noise Vivianne made from time to time. "She taught us that at the academy. Blood-blocked ink. If you're not the Evil Queen, you can't read it. The book would burn to ashes before it let you try to break the spell."

"Hmmmmmm," Vivianne purred. Wes smiled, raising an eyebrow. "What about someone who's half of the Evil Queen?"

Wes didn't quite understand for a moment. Then it dawned on him. And then he cackled wickedly. "I think that'll work."

Evie's Perspective

All of the students were being looked after at Charmington Castle and it was surreal being here. Once upon a time, Evie's greatest dream was to marry Chad and live as his queen in this beautiful palace. And it was beautiful. But it wasn't a life she could even imagine wanting anymore now that she had For Hearts, Doug, and her own independence. Especially now that she knew what Chad was really like. She felt bad for even thinking that while he was trapped in Auradon City with the rest of the AKs, possessed by the villains. It almost broke everyone's hearts when Queen Cinderella and King Charming welcomed the students to their castle. The two were obviously so crushed, but they'd made everyone feel welcome.

Evie was walking down a hall, returning to her room. Opening the door, she was surprised to see a bouquet of blue hyacinths. Sighing in happiness, Evie picked up the flowers, looking for a card. She picked it up as she smelled the flowers, basking in the beautiful fragrance. Sniffing the flowers again, she took the card, reading it aloud as she paced about the room.

"I hope you enjoy these beautiful flowers. They mark the beginning of what I hope will be a successful partnership," Evie's voice cracked before reading the rest. "By the way, they're coated with a sleeping tonic."

When the smell of smoke filled the room, Evie turned to see Wes standing a few paces from her with a smirk on his face. "Enjoy your gift?"

"You," Evie said. "What is it with the sleeping curses? Haven't you done enough?"

"First," Wes began, "can you even read? It says tonic, not curse. It's not permanent. Second, I need you to help me break my curse. I thought you'd be happy about this."

"What are you even-" Evie buckled, eyes falling shut as she lost her balance. She heard Wes say, "apporime." and felt a weird sensation of floating. That was the last thing she remembered.