Elicia's Ice-A Descendants Novel BOOK 1

You And Me. All The Way.

The dragon, Mal, whatever, bobs their head once at me then swoops down and sends another burst of flame at Uma. Uma ducks underwater just in time, then comes back in full force, sending a wave of water crashing backward. The wave crushes me under, slamming me against the boat. I fight my way to the surface again, clutching a stray rope on the side of the boat to keep above. 

Ben's at the edge, and he lets out a pained roar before disappearing for a second. The next thing I hear is  "Ben! No!" and Ben is diving off the side of the boat. I gasp and lose my hold on the rope, going under again. I love Evie, but this dress!

I fight my way up again, finding Ben in between Mal and Uma. "Mal! Uma!" He yells. "Stop! Back down!"

Uma laughs. "What'ya gonna do, Ben? Splash me?" She splashes herself. 

"That's enough! This has got to stop, this isn't the answer!" Ben yells as he treads water. "The fighting has got to stop! Nobody wins this way. We have to listen. And respect each other." he looks between Mal and Uma. "It won't be easy. But let's be brave enough to try!"

Ben turns to Uma. "Uma. I know you want what's best for the Isle. Help me make a difference!" He holds his hand out to her. 

I slowly paddle next to him. Uma's not buying it. 

"Uma." I call. "Mal. This is never going to stop! We can't win this way! Nobody will, like Ben said!" Ben looks at me, grateful. "Uma. Contrary to what people may think, you're not the villain."

Uma stares at us for a long moment. Mal roars once. A green tentacle reaches for Ben's hand. But she doesn't shake. She drops a piece of gold in his palm. Ben stares at it then closes his fist. 

But I'm watching Uma. She gives a sad smile, and then drops below the surface. Ben looks at his closed palm for a moment longer, then turns to me. "Are you okay?"

"I just wish..." I sigh. "Let's get back up, I'm not sure this dress will stay above much longer." 

Ben smiles and starts paddling towards the boat. Carlos and Jay drop a ladder down that Ben climbs up and I (much slower, curse this dress!) follow. Everyone starts clapping when Ben and I make it up. But once I'm on, Carlos grabs me and hugs tight. That makes people clap louder, and my face goes red. 

"Are you okay? Did she hurt you?" Carlos asks, completely oblivious. 

"I'm fine!" I assure him. "She didn't do anything, except maybe ruin my dress." I feel my head. "And I lost my crown."

"You don't need one." he tells me. "You look like royalty either way."

"Carlie is alive!" Somebody yells. I choose to ignore it and follow Ben to the foot of the stairs. I look around. Where's Mal?

I glance up to see the purple dragon touching down in front of the glass window. The dragon dissolves into purple smoke that folds in on itself and turns into Mal. But she's not in the yellow and blue dress. 

"It's the window her." I whisper. Evie beams. 

Mal's dress catches on fire at the waist, and she hurriedly pats it down. Once she's done, she looks at Ben and grins. She puts a hand to her mouth and waves. Then she gathers her huge skirt and curtsies low to the ground. Ben does a low bow back. Mal straightens up laughing.

Evie nudges me and points to her. I follow her to the foot of the steps as two butlers take Mal's arms and lead her down the stairs. Everyone starts clapping, and Evie and I stand on Mal's either sides. 

"So..." Mal breathes. "I did not know I could do that."

"Tell me about it, that makes three of us!" I say. Evie laughs.