@bexmuses
"It can't be..." King Stefan gasped, the glass he had raised in a toast dropping to the floor.
It had been a pleasant evening. King Hubert and Prince Phillip had been invited to dine with Stefan and his family, to toast the previous months of peace and happiness. "To the destruction of that wicked creature!" Stefan had announced brightly, bowing his head towards the heroic prince seated beside his daughter. "And to the brave young man responsible!"
But before anyone could drink to this, a sound caught the attention of all at the table. Approaching footsteps clacking along the stone floor. A slow, sarcastic clapping of hands. And when they looked up, the sight of the approaching figure had caused the king to gasp and drop his wine in shock.
She looked so much like Maleficent... Younger than any had seen her, yes, dressed in simple, dark riding clothes rather than the flowing robes... But the face, the tone of her skin, those horns... Even Aurora, who had never met the dark fairy, recognized this silhouette from her nightmares.
The young woman grinned as she approached. "No, don't let me interrupt," Mallory said, "you were making such a nice toast! To the brave prince and his courageous use of fairy magic, am I right?"
Stefan stood on shaking legs, pointing a finger at the intruder. "You! Whoever--whatever you are, you're not welcome here! Guards!"
"Please." Mallory rolled her eyes, dropping into an empty seat at the table with unbothered grace. "Your guards are all having a nap right now... Nothing to worry about, they'll wake up in a bit. I just thought I might stop in for a chat..."
