The Impostor

In Her Arms

"Er... Yes, well, I... I wanted to tell you that, er..." Aurora sputtered miserably, looking at her feet.

Maleficent frowned before she turned towards the goblin who was averting her gaze in the most ridiculous way. At that very moment, if he could have just vanished into thin air, he certainly would have.

"Leave us," the dark fairy spat at him.

"Who... Me?" The little minion asked, his voice husky with fear.

"Why no! Of course not." Maleficent folded her hands upon her staff. "I was talking about the Great Satan, obviously." She smiled dangerously.

Aurora stared at her blankly. What was she playing at?

"Were... were you?" Hector mumbled, looking up at his Mistress shyly.

"Yes, yes," the frightening woman nodded, her voice strangely empty. "IDIOT! FOOL!" She shouted suddenly, stretching her arms towards the sky in a threatening, violent rapidity.

The young woman took a few steps backwards while Hector stood still, unable to move, his whole body frozen in terror.

"Of course I was talking to you!" Maleficent screamed, her terrifying voice echoing in all the dark halls and corridors of the Forbidden Mountains. She aimed her staff at her slave, a purple lightning escaped from its yellow ball and flew right towards him but fortunately, the electric ray hit the wall full force instead.

"Now go, before I eviscerate you myself!" She knocked the ground with her scepter.

She had barely finished her sentence that the poor servant had already started running, leaving the two women alone.

Aurora let out a sigh of relief as Hector was gone and out of harm's way. She took a deep breath and looked up at the older woman.

"So..." Maleficent tilted her head to the side as she finally focused her attention to the Queen. "Tell me, Your Highness..." She took a few steps towards the young woman. "What is it you were so eager to tell me?" She asked quietly, insisting on each word. Her calm voice sent chills down Aurora's spine.

You have to tell her... A little voice was whispering in her head.

She shook her head.

No, she wouldn't understand, I can't.

Of course you can! And you have to. You need to.

No, she won't believe me. She'll push me away again. I can't tell her.

Aurora cleared her throat and made a poor attempt at a smile.

"Er, yes..." She began hesitantly, trying to find the most suitable words. "Well, I... I wanted to tell you that... I..." She interrupted herself as Maleficent crossed her arms upon her chest impatiently. Aurora struggled to swallow. "I... I am thankful for what you did, I mean, I wanted to thank you for what you did to Phillip. I know you did that to protect me from him, and now I finally know now why he never..." She closed her eyes, slightly uncomfortable. "I know why he never forced himself upon me. Thank you, Maleficent." She raised her head, her purple eyes finally meeting Maleficent's dark ones.

For the first time in forever, the wicked fairy averted her gaze, turning away. If Queen Aurora didn't know her so well, she would thought Maleficent was feeling embarrassed. But even if it was not exactly the case, still, Aurora understood.

The young woman smiled and took a few steps forward. "There is no need to deny it, Maleficent. I know it. And I mean it when I say, thank you." She gently lay her hand on the fairy's arm.