“Your Majesty,” Aurora said when she had composed herself. “I tried to find her.” Just speaking of her failure made fresh tears well in Aurora’s eyes.
For a moment, anger flashed on Queen Ingrith’s face. But it disappeared as quickly as it had come, and was replaced by a look of sympathy. “My heart breaks for you,” Ingrith said, moving closer. “She has brought a cloud of darkness over your happiness. I know she was against this marriage — never trusted your instincts.” Ingrith stopped, shaking her head sadly.
Aurora struggled to fight back tears. The truth in Ingrith’s words stung. Maleficent had made it clear that she didn’t want Aurora to marry Phillip. But Aurora had hoped Maleficent’s love for her would overcome the fear.
It had not.
Ingrith went on, her voice growing more intense. “When I saw her at dinner, with her horns covered, bent cowering…” She paused and then shrugged ever so slightly. “Well, it’s no wonder she lashed out.”
Aurora found herself nodding. She could see the anger in Maleficent’s eyes. She could hear her caustic tone as she talked of Phillip and his “romantic” gestures. She remembered the disgust on Maleficent’s face when Aurora giddily told her Phillip had said he loved her for the first time. Maybe love wasn’t something Maleficent could understand.
But then other memories flooded over her: Maleficent waking her with a kiss. Fighting Stefan to protect her. Giving her the Moors so she would have a home full of joy instead of sadness. Aurora shook her head in protest.
She could reminisce about the good moments, but Ingrith was right. Of course Maleficent had lashed out. The whole evening had gone against who she was. And one could fight their true nature for only so long before finally giving in.
“I just don’t know what to do,” Aurora finally said, her voice shaking.
At her words, the queen seemed to perk up. “You do truly love him, don’t you? My son?”
Aurora nodded, biting her lip. “Deeply.”
“Then it is love that will heal you. It’s what heals us all. Let’s move forward together,” Ingrith said. “As a family.”
Aurora let out a surprised cry. She had not anticipated such a response. Nor was she prepared for it. Family. The simple word made her feel less alone and quelled the pain filling her chest. Aurora walked to the queen and threw her arms around her. Ingrith smiled and even began to stroke Aurora’s hair.
Aurora was still hugging Ingrith when the door opened.
Phillip’s voice echoed through the chamber. “Mother?” he asked, his eyes locked on Aurora. “What’s going on?”
Ingrith pulled free from Aurora’s embrace as Phillip entered the room. She took Aurora’s hand and placed it in his. “I have made a decision,” she said. “In the name of your father, the wedding will take place in three days’ time.” Her statement delivered, she smiled at the couple and then left the room.
In the wake of her departure, Aurora and Phillip stood in shocked silence. “Aurora,” Phillip finally said. “We don’t have to think about a wedding now.”
Aurora shook her head. Ingrith was right. They owed it to everyone — especially the king. They could not let the darkness of Maleficent’s actions, or King John’s dire circumstances, ruin what was supposed to be a joyous time for their two kingdoms. If they backed away from hardship, it would set the tone for the rest of their reign. But if she and Phillip stayed strong, showing their love was powerful enough to overcome anything, it would make for a wonderful beginning.
“What about Maleficent?” Phillip asked after Aurora explained her choice.
“I believe she’s gone,” she said. “Forever.”
• • •
As the sun rose over Castle Ulstead, news of the wedding spread swiftly. Villagers jumped into action, eager to help make the wedding perfect. Bakers began baking. Florists began gathering. Street sweepers began sweeping. The air was full of happy anticipation.
But far away, deep in the heart of the Nest, Maleficent was unaware of how quickly things were changing. She was not looking to the future; instead, she was trying to make sense of the past. At her request, Conall had brought Maleficent to the Great Tree.
Walking around the base of the enormous ancient tree, Maleficent felt small. It was the most sacred site in the Nest. Conall told her no one knew just how old the tree was, only that it had been there when they came. Elaborate inscrutable etchings were carved into the curved walls that surrounded the base of the tree. Over the years, the room had become a shrine, and the history of their kind was written on its walls.
Conall paused in front of a huge rock. In the center, preserved in thick orange amber, was a set of bones. “A phoenix,” Conall said when he saw the question on Maleficent’s face. “It is said that the Dark Fey began with her — evolved over centuries. But soon our time will end….” His voice trailed off, and he turned to look at Maleficent. “Unless you can save us.”
Maleficent was confused. A day earlier, he had seen her use the darkness in her to slam Borra against a wall. She had seen Conall’s disappointment at the time and known that he wanted her to be better than that. Yet now he was saying she could save them all?
“In your hands you hold life and death,” Conall went on cryptically. “Destruction and rebirth. But nature’s greatest power is the power of true transformation. You transformed when you lost your wings. When you raised Aurora and when you found love in the middle of pain.” Conall moved closer so that he was almost touching Maleficent.
She shifted on her feet. There was something about the strong, handsome fey that made her nervous.
“You are the last of her descendants.” His gaze moved to the phoenix’s bones. “Her blood is your own. I’m asking you to take all of your fury, all of your pain — and not use it. Peace will be the Dark Fey’s final transformation.”
Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings echoed through the chamber. Dragging her eyes from Conall, Maleficent watched as Borra landed nearby. As usual, he was frowning, his eyes full of unleashed rage. She couldn’t tell if it was directed at her or the world. She guessed it was a bit of both.
Giving Borra only the briefest acknowledgement, Conall continued. Maleficent wasn’t sure why he was so determined to get her on his side, but she listened. “The Moors are our last true nature on earth. And yet you named a human as queen. A daughter you cared for—”
“I have no daughter!” Maleficent shrieked.
The words were out of her mouth before Maleficent could stop them. Hearing them out loud made her heart ache, and she reflexively put a hand to the still healing wound on her stomach. Up until that very moment, she had not allowed herself to admit that what she believed was true: Aurora was no longer a part of her life. Now it felt real — and raw.
Seeing the pain on her face, Borra smiled cruelly. “We’ve just heard there’s going to be a wedding at the castle in three days,” he said, giving the reason for his arrival. “Humans will come from all over.” Borra stalked closer. He looked thrilled by the news, which confused Maleficent until he added, “We will kill the king and queen of Ulstead — and the young prince.”
Borra’s words echoed off the walls until they faded, leaving nothing but silence. Maleficent stood motionless while her mind reeled. She wanted the king and queen of Ulstead to suffer for what they had done. And Phillip, too. In a flash, she remembered Aurora’s feelings. If he were to come to harm, what would that do to Aurora?
A small bitter thought crept into her mind. Aurora would get her heart broken. Would that be so wrong? Should Maleficent even care? Her fingers traced the outline of her wound. A few days earlier, the idea of Aurora’s feeling pain would have filled Maleficent with fury. Now she just felt numb.