Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

12

When Kara and Jay entered the boys' dorm, Mal, Evie, and Carlos were already gathered around the round table in the center of the room.

"Finally, there you are," Mal said, her irritation evident.

"Are you okay?" Evie asked as Kara walked toward them.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Kara replied, standing beside Mal. Jay joined her and nudged her shoulder playfully. Kara glanced at him and saw his smirk.

"So, you made a plan?" Kara asked, looking at the papers spread out before Mal. They included a drawing of the wand, their house, and a blueprint of the hall where the coronation would take place.

"Okay, we all know what this looks like," Mal began, pointing to the drawing of the wand. "We'll be up on the dais under the Beast's spell jar and we'll be coming in from here." She pointed to the entrance of the hall. "Kara will be at the very front," Mal said, meeting Kara's eyes. Kara nodded in acknowledgment.

"We'll be up in the balcony," Mal said, referring to the rest of Kara's friends.

"Okay," Evie agreed.

"Carlos?" Mal asked.

"Okay, so I'll find our limo, so we can break the barrier and get back on the island with the wand," Carlos said.

"Perfect. Evie?" Mal prompted.

"Yeah?" Evie replied.

Mal retrieved a perfume bottle from her bag and handed it to Evie. "You'll use this to take out the driver. Two sprays and he'll be out like a light," she explained.

"Okay," Evie said, taking the bottle.

Kara glanced at Carlos and gave him a sad smile. Carlos, Jay, and Evie moved away from the table, leaving Kara and Mal. Kara sat down on one of the chairs while Mal studied the blueprint.

Kara stared at the table, her mind racing. They were really going to do this. Despite her growing fondness for Auradon, she felt compelled to support her friends. But what about Ben? They were planning to take the wand and return to the Isle, allowing her friends' parents to seize control of Auradon. And Ben would still be in love with her—at least, that's what Mal had suggested about the spell. Was she really that cruel? Did she want Ben to stay in love with her even as they took over Auradon? He was a kind-hearted prince who wanted the best for his kingdom. She couldn't bear the thought of him being in love with her when they were poised to dominate everything he cared about.

Leaning forward, Kara spoke softly. "Mal?"

"Yes?" Mal responded.

Kara glanced around to make sure no one was listening. Everyone seemed engrossed in their thoughts. "I don't want Ben to be in love with me when we take over Auradon." She paused. "Do you have a spell to break the love spell?"

"Uh, yes. One moment," Mal said, retrieving her spell book and flipping through the pages. "Here it is," she said, placing the book in front of Kara.

Kara studied the page intently. "Do you need my help?" Mal asked.

"Uhm, I would rather do it alone if you don't mind," Kara said.

"That's okay," Mal replied, giving Kara a sad smile.

Kara read through the list of ingredients and the instructions for making the antidote. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her focus.

"Ra?" Evie said, peering over Kara's shoulder.

"You want to break Ben's love spell?" Evie asked.

"Yeah," Kara confirmed. Evie shook her head slightly.