A Flickering Flame (A Descendants Story)

Chapter 14

Ben had not moved from Mal's bed in the last two days.

He felt dread and worry for his partner, his soulmate.

He has no idea where she is.

And he can't think or do anything without her.

His so called parents are trying to get him to move on, even talking about getting him a new suitor, which made him mad.

He would never replace Mal and they don't see that.

"Ben?"

Ben snapped his head up to reveal Maleficent, which made his blood boil.

"This is your fault! If she didnt listen to you then-"

"Then she would be a shell of herself" Maleficent said, putting her arms up in defence, in recognition that she was unharmed. 

Ben noticed she did not look like herself; her skin was quiet pale and she looked like she has not slept in days.

"Are you okay?" Ben asked, standing up.

Maleficent chuckled as she put her arms down. 

"I am...okay, thank you for asking" Maleficent said, looking down "I just came to tell you something away from everyone else, as you will understand more than they do. They will just attack me"

Ben looked at her confused.

"She has accepted my staff, hasn't she?" Maleficent asked, making Ben nod. 

She sighed, looking at him.

"I know it will be hard" Maleficent said "However as she said, she needs it or...she will lose herself"

"Won't she lose herself like Audrey taking it?" Ben asked, making Maleficent look up.

Her facial expressions flittered to disgusted for a few seconds before returning to normal.

"She won't because she is my daughter" Maleficent said "My guess is that she ran away because she's scared"

Maleficent stepped towards Ben.

"She will come back" Maleficent said "And when she does she might be slightly different...especially trying to control the new powers and get used to having the staff on her 24/7"

She put her hand on Ben's shoulder.

"But she needs your support, to make her realise she is needed here" Maleficent said.

Ben nodded, almost surprised by Maleficent's behaviour.

"I know this is different from what you expected" Maleficent said "But my history is quiet different"

"Mal explained it to me" Ben said, "I honestly do not blame you"

Maleficent smiled.

"It just made me so angry, I had to protect my land" Maleficent said.

"Ben? Who are you talking to?" Belle said, making Maleficent and Ben turn to the closed door.

"I have to leave but just remember to support her" Maleficent said "She means more to me than you think" 

And she disappears in a cloud of green smoke.

Ben sighed, knowing Maleficent isn't the villain as she seemed.

Belle pushed into the door with frightened eyes.

"Are you okay?" she asked, rushing over to her son.

"I'm fine" Ben reported harshly, moving his head away from her hand.

She sighed, lowering her hand.

"Ben, you must know what she did was for the best of the kingdom" Belle said "Do not blame us upon her decision"

"What happened to you?" Ben asked, looking at his mother, who was looking at him confused "At the Cotillion, you were happy of Mal and I being together...and were supportive of her when she needed it...why did you change your opinion on her?"

"What happened to you?" Belle asked, making Ben confused "You were so in love with Audrey, you never stepped out of line but now since Mal has appeared in your life she has caused a mess of what you once were"

"I might be different" Ben started, narrowing his eyes "But that's because I'm growing and learning from my experiences as king...I know you and father built a kingdom of peace however peace isn't a real thing...it never was in Auradon"

"Peace is a real thing son, I don't know what you're-"

"It wasn't peaceful for the people who you accused of being villainous" Ben said, his voice raising "And their children who did nothing wrong"

"Benjamin, don't speak to me like-"

"Leave me alone Belle" Ben snapped "I need time alone"

Belle, shocked by her son's behaviour left, leaving Ben to fall back onto Mal's bed with tears in his eyes.

~~~~~

"What are you doing Mal?"

I looked over to Audrey, who looked at me confused and anger.

'Evil' Audrey just wants to fight and get revenge.

She doesn't think rashly.

"I am watching over my fiancée if you're wondering" I said, making the blue flame disappear.

"Why? Love is weak" Audrey said, making me sigh.

"It depends on the context Audrey" I snapped, annoyed "And besides, I want observe the interactions of the former royals, they could be our key to success"

"Why?" Audrey asked "We already have those annoying fairies upstairs"

As soon as we arrived, the 'good' fairies found us, making Audrey knock them out.

We soon took over their little cottage and I created a second floor, which is invisible to the outside of the cottage but a staircase on the inside.

Upstairs is where books of light and dark spells sat with a cauldron and three annoying fairies, who would not stop moaning and complaining that we had to put them under a sleep spell similar to what my mother cast.

Now I understand why my mother hated them so much.

"They might know what happened" I said, making her smirk.

"What's the plan?" she asked.

"There is no plan" I said.

"WHAT?" she snapped "WHY DON'T YOU HAVE A-"

I immediately knocked her over with my staff, flames surrounding me.

"Do NOT raise your voice at ME!" I snapped "You are MINE to control understand? You are NOT charge"

Audrey looked startled for a second.

"Of course" Audrey said "I will be practising my powers on the fairies upstairs"

I sighed as she disappeared up the staircase.

I have to act the part, or I will never get the revenge I need.