Choosing Family

Chapter Forty

As the two of them drove off to the location of the date known only to Ben, Mal couldn't help but wrap her arms around the Prince. If only to prevent herself from falling off the bike as she told herself. Ben though couldn't help but smile as he felt her arms around his torso.

"So, I don't mean to pry," Mal said as they rode along. "Actually, who am I kidding, I love to pry. But um, shouldn't you have a swarm of security following us right now?"

"Technically yes," Ben said with a small smirk.

"Technically?"

"I gave them the day off," Ben chuckled at her reaction.

"You did what?" Mal gasped. "Why?"

"Because I figured neither one of us wanted my security team following us around on our date. Do we?"

"Well, no not really," Mal told him. "But Ben, you're heir to the throne. I'm a VK. Wouldn't security just be natural?"

Ben shrugged. "Are you planning to do something?"

"No," Mal said. I have too much riding on not being wicked for once. Besides I've already done something to you. Something that I need to reverse as soon as I get back to my dorm.

"Well then what are you worrying about?"

"I'm a VK. Worrying about potential outcomes is what we're good at," Mal told him causing Ben to chuckle.

"Well don't," Ben told her. "Besides, I give my security team the day off all the time. Drives 'em nuts."

Mal couldn't help but chuckle slightly at that. Ben was definitely not what she'd expected, even if this was just because of a love spell. The scenery wasn't bad either. Unconsciously, Mal raised her hands so that they were resting on Ben's chest and leaned a little closer into him. Ben smiled and sat up a little straighter.

They arrived at a parking lot surrounded by a wooded area and Ben turned off the bike. He was loathed to leave though; Mal's embrace sent shivers down his spine. But they had to get off the bike to go to the Enchanted Lake. Hopping off, Ben held out his hand for Mal to take.

"It's gonna be a bit of a walk. Hope that's okay," Ben said as they started making their way down the path.

"Oh no Ben, clearly I'm the type of person who wouldn't be okay with the idea of walking," Mal snarked with a chuckle causing Ben to chuckle as well. Making their way over a rope bridge, Ben couldn't help but smile as Mal held out her arms as if trying to touch both sides at the same time.

"Tell me something you've never told anyone," Ben said as he leaned forward, grabbing both sides of the bridge with his hands.

"Hmm...my middle name...is Bertha."

"Bertha?"

"Yep," Mal snorted. "Just Maleficent doing what she does best. Being really evil. Mom offered to change it but I kinda liked the contrast between it and my first name."

"Mine's Florian," Ben told her and Mal couldn't help but chuckle.

"How princely," she said. "It suits you."

"Ah well, it's better than Bertha," Ben teased as they continued to walk. Soon though, they made it to a part of the path that Ben wanted Mal to close her eyes as they walked down it. That way, she'd be surprised.

"Hey Mal? Could you...could you close your eyes?" Ben asked, his voice soft. Mal hesitated, closing one's eyes on the Isle could mean the difference between getting attacked or not. But she did what he asked. After all, Ben was trusting her by not having his security; she could do the same. She felt him take her hands as her eyes closed. Ben carefully led Mal through the woods, guiding her feet and taking care to make sure she didn't trip over anything.