Descendants: Dark One's Daughter

Chapter 20

Ruby and Marlin were sitting together at a picnic table eating lunch between classes at the school the following day. They both had a salad. Marlin looked at Ruby. 

"You seem calmer than usual today," he said to her. "Did it finally sink in that you don't have to go back to the isle?" Ruby smiled at him. 

"Something like that," she replied as she took his hand in hers. "Or maybe it's the fact that I have you in my life."

"Ah, you're just saying that," Marlin replied. "Hey, so, you know how tomorrow we're having the lunch with our families?"

"Yeah," Ruby said as she took a bite of her salad. 

"Well, my parents are going to be there, so I thought it would be a good time for you to meet them," he replied. Ruby looked at him. 

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked. "After all, your grandfather did not take to my...lineage well."

"It'll be fine," Marlin reassured her. "My parents are not like him. After what happened in Atlantis, I explained the situation to my parents. They seem eager to meet you."

"Really?" Ruby said, somewhat surprised. "They're not afraid of me?"

"Not at all," Marlin reassured her. "Over the past couple of days, I've been talking about you a lot and they've been asking to meet you." Ruby smiled. 

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, then," Ruby said with a smile. Marlin grabbed her hand.

"I'm positive they will like you," he said. "Because I do." Ruby giggled. 

"Can I ask you a question?" Ruby nodded. "Do you use magic a lot?" he asked.

"Not really," Ruby replied. "I have a lot of background knowledge in magic from books I've studied, but I haven't used much magic. I mostly use convenience magic, like transportation spells for people and objects." Marlin took a bite of his salad. "It's technically classified as dark magic because it is like a gateway to using bigger and darker magic. You become used so used to using magic that you start to not care and go deeper."

"So, even though you haven't used full dark magic yet, are you still tempted by it?" Marlin asked. Ruby thought for a moment. 

"As much as I want to say no, yes," Ruby replied. "I have studied many of the spells my father used while I was on the Isle. If I wanted to, I probably could use them. But I don't want to use any of those. It's so nice here, and I don't want to go back to the Isle."

"Hmm, maybe you should stop using magic all together then," Marlin suggested. "That way you're not tempted later on."

"I'm sure I'll be fine," Ruby lied. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she knew if she used any of the spells she knew, she could be a formattable force against Auradon. Though she could keep herself under control, she could feel how much the darkness wanted to take her over. She could already feel the spots on her heart hardening. Maybe Marlin was right. No magic at all might be the answer to saving her from her father's fate. But as long as she didn't give in, she would be fine. They had already decided to not take over Auradon. Maybe she could learn to give up magic and live a normal life here. Ruby noticed Audrey approaching their table from behind Marlin. 

"Marlin, there you are," she said as she sat next to him. She glared at Ruby. "We have practice for the lunch tomorrow." 

"Oh, sorry, I forgot about that," he said. "Ruby and I were just having lunch-" 

"I don't care why you are late," Audrey cut him off. "What matters, is we need to practice so we are prefect tomorrow. Now, let's go!" She pulled Marlin up and started to lead him away from the table. 

"I'll talk to you later, Ruby," he said as Audrey pulled him away. Ruby scoffed and stabbed her salad.

"That girl," she said under her breath.