Defendants B1:Black and White Decent

Chapter 32

Cotillion.  So far it was just a huge party.  Something Varian had never actually been to.  He didn't know what to do with himself.  Carlos had his date, so, obviously, he wasn't going to follow them around and be an annoying third wheel.  Evie had a date with Doug and Mal hadn't shown up yet because she was the Lady in honor of the night.  Jay didn't have a date, but he minus well have asked Lonnie because they were spending their entire time together.

Where did that leave him.  Alone.  In a corner, trying not to panic and pretend that everything was just cool.  So much for his speech about not hiding feelings he had earlier.

"Why are you standing here alone?"

Varian yelped and turned to find Ruby in her Cotillion dress.  He couldn't help but be surprised with how pretty she was.  He was surprised that he didn't notice how green her eyes were and how sweet her smile really was.  It was just something about the shiny, cranberry colored dress that brought out the features he had never really noticed before.  Though, she always wore cranberry.  He wasn't sure exact why this was different.

Not knowing what to answer with, Varian shrugged and looked away.

"It's a party, you shouldn't be sitting around," Ruby pouted.

"I wouldn't know.  Never been to one," Varian said carelessly.

Ruby gasped.  "This is your first party!  Well, I'm gonna show you what it's like!"  She grabbed Varian's wrist, dragging him away from the corner.

"Woe-" Varian was cut off as she suddenly stopped.  The trumpets were playing, announcing Mal's entrance.

"Oh!  She looks great!"  Ruby exclaimed as Mal came into view.

Varian slowly pulled his wrist from Ruby's grip.  She didn't notice how his cheeks were flushed.  He wasn't certain why they flushed, but he was glad she didn't see it.

The king and queen spoke to Mal for a moment before she joined Evie at the bottom, waiting for Ben.  The trumpets blew again and the man announced for King Benjamin.  Ben came down and him and Mal bowed to each other.

"Mal... I wish I had more time to explain..."  Ben began.  Uma appeared in a fancy dress where both Ben and Mal had emerged moments before.

Varian's eyes widened.  "Uma..." he breathed.  This was not how he expected her to show up.

"What's she doing here?"  Ruby whispered to herself.

Varian's inside cringed.  Things weren't going to go well and it was his fault.  Whatever was about to happen would be partly his doing.  He didn't intend for her to crash the cotillion.  Someone was going to kill him for this.  He didn't know who, but someone was.

Ben grabbed Uma's hand and kissed it.  Varian's eyes caught sight of the ring that had once been Mals on her hand.  Shock was only growing.  Scratch the fear of someone killing him.  Someone was going to murder him when they found out.  It took everything in him not to make a noise as strange noises kept getting caught in his throat.

"Sorry, Mal.  It all just happened so fast.  Something happened when I was on the Isle with Uma.  We formed a connection," Ben explained.

"What are you saying?"  Mal choked over her words.

"It was love!"  Uma answered with a happy chuckle.  "It was.  I guess I realized how alike Ben and I are."

"Ben... Ben.  You went back for her?"  Mal asked.

"He didn't have to..." Uma said.  "I dove through the barrier before it closed and I'm an excellent swimmer."

Varian couldn't help but feel a little relieved that she lied about how she got out.  It cleared enough stress to use his brain and think about what was actually going on.  Did Uma love Ben and Ben Uma?

"Listen, Mal.  I just really want to think you.  I do," Uma picked up Mal's hands.

That's when it hit him.  There was no way Uma would just be all happy with Mal just like that.  He knew Uma.  No, this was much more complicated.  She was acting, but what did that make Ben?  Varian squinted, looking Ben in the eyes, but Ben wouldn't move his eyes off Uma.  He never stared at Mal like that and he knew Ben did love Mal.  At least at one point.  So what was different?  Only one thing came to mind.  Magic.  Ben had been spelled.