Veiled Rose // Harry Hook

Chapter 12

Harry looked from Azalea to her hand and back again. She finally looked over and her bright blue eyes were clouded in fear. She had bared her soul to him with the lyrics and this one gesture and now she was waiting to see how he responded.

It was the most scared she'd ever been in her life.

Which she really shouldn't have been because Harry locked his storm blue eyes with hers and mimicked the symbol with his hand.

Her eyes widened and it was her turn to look at him in shock. "I ain't good with words." He said quietly. "But I do love ya, little rose. Truly an' honestly."

Tears shimmered in Azalea's eyes and she touched her forehead to his. She'd question him later about how he could love a girl with a mouth that belonged on a horror movie poster. Right now, she only cared that he'd said it. And that he'd meant it.

He stood up and offered her his hand to her. "Come on. Let me walk ya home."

She smiled and took his hand, standing up from the dock. They had only taken a few steps when suddenly, pain shot through her mouth. She gasped, hunching over and holding her hands to her mouth.

"Azalea, what's goin' on?" Harry asked worriedly.

She couldn't answer as the pain increased. It felt like her skin was ripping apart and she could feel warm blood dripping onto her hand. Harry watched, feeling helpless for one of the few times in his life. Her hair fell in front of her face and all Harry could do was watch.

Then, as quickly as it came, the pain disappeared. 

She lowered her hands from her mouth, seeing them stained with blood and Harry's heart dropped.

"Azalea?"

Her hands shaking, she touched a finger to her lips and she felt like she could collapse. She looked up and Harry nearly did collapse. 

The stitches were gone. Her petal pink lips were free and were opening and closing in shock.

"H-Harry?" She croaked and they both gasped at the sound of her voice. "Harry..." Harry broke out into a smile. He could die happy if she just kept saying his name in her beautiful voice. Tears trickled down her face as she smiled as well. "It's... over."

He breathed a laugh. "Like father, like daughter." He joked.

She laughed. Her first full laugh since she was eight. His smile brightened and she squealed when he picked her up, spinning her around. He set her down and cupped her face in his hands. "Please tell me this isn't a dream." She whispered.

"It ain't but trust me, I'm questioning that myself." She let out a small giggle. He looked at her with a smile which she reciprocated.

He leaned down and captured her lips with his.

Azalea had grown up listening to her mother talk about the first kiss she had with her father after his transformation. She said that it felt like everything that had shattered was pieced back together and that it was equivalent to the sun finally piercing the darkness of a raging storm. Azalea had never believed all that. 

Until that moment.

Every shattered piece of her hope and heart was pieced back together and the cracks filled with gold with this one kiss from the pirate who was so good at stealing, he stole her heart from right under her nose.

Harry pulled away slowly, wanting to relish the feeling he just got in that one kiss. She smiled brightly at him and he swears he's never seen a more beautiful sight.

"Let's go home." She said quietly. "I think we have a lot to talk about."

Harry smiled and nodded. She pecked his lips once more before taking his hand and leading him away from the docks and towards the castle.

*******

Azalea curled into Harry's side, the warmth he gave her rivaling that of the fire blazing before them. They were in the library in her father's chair with Harry keeping Azalea secure in his arms as they talked.

"Ya need to make a statement." He told her. "You've been quiet for so long, now you can have everyone listenin'."

Azalea smiled. "That sounds like a great idea." She smirked up at him. "My parents' anniversary ball. Everyone will be there."

He followed her smirk. "It'll just be an extra present to them to see ya finally free of that curse."

"We'll have to keep it secret until then." She instructed. "But I have some ideas."

*******

Mal looked over the ballroom as she talked with her friends. Everyone who was anyone was there. Princesses, kings, queens, friends, family, everyone. All to celebrate the anniversary of the two who made Auradon what it is. 

Evie came up next to her with an excited smile, looping her arm through Mal's. "What's got you excited?" Mal asked.

"Azalea decided to come." She said. Mal's eyes widened as did the rest of their group. Only Harry didn't look shocked. This would be Azalea's first public appearance since her reveal. "She sent me a text asking if I still had her dress ready."

"Did she seem alright?" Jane asked worriedly.

Evie shrugged. "I didn't see her. She had me drop the dress off with no contact, saying she would be using the castle's staff to help her get ready." Ben and Jane's faces fell.

Mal took her fiance's hand. "It's okay, Ben. This is a step in the right direction." Ben nodded and led Mal over to his parents to tell them. Belle and Adam both felt slightly relieved but also worried as to how people would react. 

All too soon, Lumiere called the ballroom to attention from the top of the stairs. "Presenting Princess Azalea of Auradon."

The crowd watched in anticipation and Harry had to restrain himself from having his jaw drop to the floor. Azalea wore a beautiful golden gown with rose lace wrapping around her bicep like her mother's dress did. Royal blue roses decorated the skirt starting at her waist and swirling around the skirt onto the train of golden lace. Her brunette hair was perfectly curled and pulled back in a crown hairstyle with a ribbon of blue lace.

But what shocked the crowd was the mask covering her mouth once again. It was a golden color with small diamonds sparkling on the edges. Belle and Adam's face fell. "She's still covering her mouth." She said quietly.

Harry smirked at the comment and started towards the stairs. Azalea held her head high as she stepped down, taking his hand while on the final step.

He tightened his grip on her hand when the whispers started. 'Why would she still be wearing it?' 'We all know what's under it. Why is she hiding?' 'Probably out of common courtesy.'  Azalea smiled reassuringly under her mask and looked to her parents.

"Mom, dad," She said. The ballroom fell silent and Azalea slowly removed the mask. Aam's eyes widened and Belle gasped with a smile at the sight of her now curse free lips. "Happy anniversary."