The Last Bridge

Chapter 2

Uma sighed as she made her way to Beastie's statue with Mal and Benny, Ben's parents keeping their distance. While it was probably just as a way to give Ben and Mal privacy, Uma couldn't help but notice the glances they kept shooting her. Then again, it wasn't that long ago that they had all watched that second viewing.

Gods, it was hard to believe that not that long ago, she had hated the ground Mal walked on.

Then again, it wasn't that long ago that she didn't know Mal was her cousin. Wasn't too long ago that she was trapped in the barrier that surrounded the Isle. Gods, it truly was amazing how much the viewings had changed things.

Though...Uma had to admit there was one thing that was weighing on the back of her mind.

"...where's the witch?"

"Pardon?" Mal asked, turning to look over to Uma.

"The waste of oxygen? The former royal? The not so nice Granny?"

"Oh! You're asking about Leah? Why?"

"Because I haven't heard anything about what you're going to do with her about what she did to the princess," Uma stated. "Not to mention what she did to us."

"She already lost her crown—"

"So that's it? Mal, that's a slap on the wrist and you know it," Uma stated before lowering her voice to prevent anyone else from overhearing. "Mal you remember what Harry went through after his mom died, a death that could have been prevented if she had had decent food during CJ's birth. All the kids who were crushed because the other residents rushed to get food?"

Mal sighed. "I know Uma. Trust me, I haven't forgotten about everything the VKs have been through. You think I'm not furious every time I think about the fact that our suffering was deliberate?"

"Then why isn't she in a cell someplace awaiting trial?"

"Who says she's not?" Mal asked and Uma paused, looking over at her cousin. "Aurora wrote the day after we were all returned from the viewing. She had her guards seize Leah and Natalie and put them in separate holding cells for their crimes against Audrey. Not to mention Phillip Sr. questioned one of the chefs after the viewing."

"Why?"

"He found it odd that he had the exact same stomach bug as his father even though he hadn't seen his father in months."

"Don't bugs travel? They sure made it through the Isle at a record pace," Uma pointed out.

"We had a myriad of things to work against us though, starting with the fact that we didn't get enough food and probably our lack of sunlight," Mal sighed.

"Ah. So anyway, you were telling me about the Beauty Matriarch from Hell. How is the guy who came up with that wonderful nickname by the way?"

"Chip's fine," Ben chuckled. "He's with Lucas with Lucas' family."

"I'm surprised he left your side Benny. He seemed pretty attached to you at the viewing and you do have your wedding coming up," Uma said but paused as both Mal and Ben chuckled.

"Chip's got plenty of time to travel," Ben explained, seeing the slight look of confusion on Uma's face. "Lord Hades' said that in order to give his permission to propose to Mal, we'd have to have a long engagement."

"Like 'get married after we turn eighteen' long," Mal added.

"Actually I was thinking more around twenty," Ben said and Mal turned to look at him. "What? That way we could have time to actually plan everything out and then we don't have people saying we're rushing into things. Besides, we've got a lot more on our plate."