𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝐻𝒶𝓉

chapter eleven

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Ben swam back to the yacht, Tala looked down at him before calling out to the ocean to help him up. The ocean slowly raised Ben up to the boat and gently placed him on his feet. The crowd applauded for him. Tala pointed at the big tentacle and the ocean went over and carried it out the boat and into the sea not before taking up the bloody water.

Mal had slowly transformed back into her normal self. But instead of the gold and blue dress she was previously wearing, she was wearing a dark purple one with green accents, the dress matching the one in the glass picture.

Ben stared up at her in awe and heart eyes, Mal smiled sheepishly at him before she bowed and Ben returned a bow.

Two guards happily led her down the stairs to Evie who proudly smiled at her.  "I did not know you could do that." she said.

"'Yeah well, I didn't either." Mal joked back before being led to her boyfriend.

Ben pulled Mal in for a longing kiss and was pulled away from Carlos with a smug on his face. "I owe you guys so much."

Jay and Carlos nodded in agreement, "Yeah, you do."

"Is there anything I could do for you guys? Anything at all." Ben asked, holding Mal'a hand in his as he glanced around the trio.

Evie raised her hand and stepped up, "Well, there are more kids on the isle that deserve a second chance like us, maybe I could gibe you a list?"

Ben nodded his affectedly and smiled at her, "Of course, please."

"One more thing, little beast." Tavita spoke up from behind her, he pointed out his cousin. Ben glanced over his shoulder to see Tala looking out at the ocean. Unaware of the situation behind her.

"Did I say something bad?"

"Very bad." Carlos replied, folding his arms.

"How bad?"

"You called her a filthy animal." Jay responded with a tight smile.

"She's going to kill me."

Ben kissed Mal on the cheek before making his way over to his best friend. Tala was busy looking at the ocean for any signs of Uma but couldn't due to the dark sea.

"Better be ready to save him, Mal." Tavita sighs out. They all watched him going to her.

"You might fall off when you do that."

Tala clinched the sword in her hand, still mad and upset with his words. "I have the ocean to save me."

Ben stood beside her, looking out at the isle. Thinking back to how Harry was so careful with her. "Tala, I'm so sorry about what I said."

The girl felt her eyes watering again, her lips slightly quivering. "You called me a animal."

Ben felt his heart break at the sound of his best friends. Feeling guilty building up his stomach he turned and held her shoulders. "I know, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything. It was the potion talking, not me. I would never hurt you like that and you know that. I'm very sorry, T." He hugged her closed. The sound of the sword fell with a thud. He felt extremely scared that she might cut out his guts

The crowd watched the duo with soft eyes and smiles but quietly gasped and cringed when Tala bent his wrist over his head and tugged it down in a painful way.

"Don't ever. I mean ever, say that to me alright?" She raised a brow.

"Yes! I won't, I swear!" Ben gritted his teeth, his voice rising.

She let go and punched his shoulder, Ben held onto his wrist and shoulder in pain when Mal approached them for a rescue.

The crowd laughs at the two going back and forth, Mal with a nervous smile trying to get them to stop.

Adam and Bell watched the two with smiles, the scene reminded them of their childhood memories. "Look at the kids of mine—"

"Ours."

"Ours." Adam corrected himself, seeing Tala as their own.

"And his girlfriend." Bell added with a chuckle.

"And I think we are in good hands." Adam kissed her knuckles lovingly and smiled at her. Bell smiled at her husband with love and affection.

——

After the cotillon, Tala stood by the dock with some few guards. Princes and Princesses were being led off the boat. Keeping their guard up for any signs of danger.

Tala heard a thud beside her feet and she looked down to see the glass bottle with a rolled up paper inside. She bent down and picked it up before opening the lid.

The paper was a bit dirty and rusty, opening the letter a nice handwriting was printed on it.

Dear my little duckling,

As you can see, I've kept all those letters of yours and I still haven't received my hat again. But you can have it, I wanted to let you know that I'm a pirate, I'm Harry James Hook from the Isle. I know you're probably scared right now but from what you said on those letters, I bet your not. This beautiful adorable ring of yours looks very pretty and expressive. I assume you are a princess huh? Don't stop writing me letters, love. It keeps me sane and in place. You probably was hoping for a Prince Charming huh? Well, too bad that you've got me. This is probably a long letter I've written for the first time. I hope someday I will get to see you again, and please tell me your name in the next letter my love.

Love H.H

Tala smiled softly at the letter, it was written before she even got to the Isle. Another thud came from behind her, she glanced and saw another glass bottle. She carefully folded the letter and placed it in her dress pocket and picked up the bottle.

Opening the lid and the paper fell out to her hand, she rolled it open and felt her face heat up. 

Hello love

Come visit me if you can, I've missed that sweet tasty lips of yours. The plan with my Captain didn't work, so I won't be able to see you that much. I really do hope you would come and visit me again. You have something special of mine, give me back the ring and I'll give you back your hat.

H.H

"Tala?" Ben's voice called out, Tala quickly folded the paper and hid it behind her back.

"Yes?"

Ben and Mal stood beside each other, hand in hand. "We're about to leave, everyone already left. Come on."

Tala nodded and placed the letter in her dress pocket. She walked up to them with a smile.

"Have you been drinking?" Ben raised a brow as he glanced at the bottles on the ground, Mal let out a amused laugh.

"No, it's just trash. I'll walk behind you. Go on." Tala ushered them. The two couples walked up front as she followed them.

Tala glanced over at the isle with a small smile.

Still feeling the tingling sensation of his lips on hers.

——