Thorn and Ember

·. 𝒲𝒽𝒾𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝑅𝑒𝒷𝑒𝓁𝓁𝒾𝑜𝓃 ·.

THE FIRST HINT of daylight streamed through the curtains of Maleficent's room, a soft golden glow that did little to soothe the tension swirling inside her. She lay beside Hades, who was still asleep, his arm draped lazily over her waist. Normally, she found a strange comfort in the quiet moments they shared in the mornings, but today was different. 

Maleficent could feel the storm brewing within her. The news of Belle and Beast's upcoming wedding had spread like wildfire, carrying with it whispers of even darker rumors. Rumors of plans to isolate the villains, casting them away to an island where they would be imprisoned under a magical barrier. The thought of being trapped again, controlled by the so-called "heroes," was infuriating. And worse, it reminded her too much of her past—of Aurora, Queen Leah, and the curse that had led to her downfall. 

Slipping out of bed carefully to avoid waking Hades, Maleficent quietly dressed and stepped out into the hallway. The stone walls of Merlin Academy felt oppressive today, as if they were slowly closing in on her. As she made her way toward the courtyard, her mind churned with thoughts of betrayal, injustice, and her never-ending struggle to be seen as more than just the villain in someone else's story. 

She barely noticed the others gathered there when she stepped outside. Eve, Cruella, and the rest of their friends were chatting, as they often did in the mornings before breakfast. But the usual lighthearted banter felt dull in the face of the mounting pressure she felt in her chest. 

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence," Cruella remarked with a smirk as Maleficent approached, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "You look like you've seen a ghost." 

"Or maybe she's just thinking about all the fun we'll have at the wedding," Eve added dryly, adjusting the silver crown that sat atop her raven-black hair. 

Maleficent's lips tightened into a thin line. "Fun? Is that what you think this is going to be?" 

Eve shrugged. "A royal event? Big dresses, extravagant displays of wealth, rubbing elbows with every 'hero' in the kingdom? Sounds like a blast." 

Cruella rolled her eyes. "She's right, you know. The whole thing is sickening. But at least the food will be good." 

Maleficent's anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. "You're missing the point. It's not just about the wedding. They're talking about isolating us. Throwing us onto an island like animals." 

Eve's gaze sharpened. "What?" 

"Belle and Beast," Maleficent said, her voice hardening. "There are rumors—about a plan to round up all the villains, cast us away behind some magical barrier. A permanent prison." 

Cruella scoffed. "That's absurd." 

"I wish it were," Maleficent muttered, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "But they're serious. Beast is pushing for it. Belle... well, who knows what she thinks. But she's going along with it." 

The group fell silent, the weight of the revelation sinking in. Even Eve's usual sarcasm was absent as they absorbed the implications of what Maleficent had said. 

"It can't happen," Eve finally said, her voice quiet but firm. "We can't let them do that to us." 

Maleficent nodded, her expression dark. "They think they're better than us. That they can control us, decide our fates. But I won't let them. Not again." 

Just then, Hades approached from the shadows, his usual smirk replaced with a more serious expression. "What's all this talk of rebellion without me?" he teased lightly, though his eyes lingered on Maleficent with a knowing gaze.