Pandora’s Point of View

The moment Mal set foot on the Isle, I felt it.

Magic—however weak and diluted it was beyond the barrier—recognized magic. It slithered through the shadows, whispering like a warning only I could hear. I stood at the bow of the ship, eyes closed, fingers splayed over the damp wooden railing as I reached out with my power.

She was here.

“She’s back,” I murmured, a slow smile curling my lips.

Footsteps approached behind me, the familiar weight and swagger telling me it was Harry before he even spoke.

“Who’s back?” he asked, voice laced with curiosity.

I opened my eyes, turning just enough to meet his gaze. “Mal.”

Harry’s expression flickered between interest and amusement. “Well, well. Looks like the lost princess finally decided to pay us a visit. Took her long enough.” He leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Should we give ‘er a proper welcome?”

I smirked but didn’t pull away. Harry was dangerous, unpredictable, but his attention was intoxicating, a game I found myself enjoying far too much. “Patience, my dear pirate,” I murmured. “Let’s see what she does first.”

Harry’s smirk deepened, his fingers brushing over mine as they rested against the railing. “And what if I’m not in a patient mood, love?”

A sharp cough interrupted us.

I turned to find Prudence standing a few feet away, arms crossed, dark eyes narrowed.

“Are we plotting or flirting?” she asked coolly. “Because I thought we had more important things to handle.”

Harry chuckled, stepping back, though his gaze lingered on me. “Can’t a lad multitask?”

Prudence shot him a withering glare before shifting her attention to me. “I assume you’re going to track Mal?”

I inclined my head. “I already have.”

With a flick of my wrist, I conjured an illusion of the Isle, the swirling mist forming crude outlines of its twisting alleys and crumbling buildings. A tiny, glowing ember pulsed in the center—Mal’s location.

“She’s headed toward Ursula’s Fish and Chips,” I noted. “No doubt looking for information.”

Uma would be there, and I could only imagine the tension that would unfold. This was no longer Mal’s Isle. This was our territory now.

I dismissed the illusion with a wave of my hand.

“Let’s go,” I said.

---

By the time we reached the docks, the tension was palpable.

Mal stood in front of Ursula’s restaurant, her arms crossed, flanked by Evie, Jay, and Carlos. Uma stood opposite her, expression unreadable, her crew positioned behind her like sentries.

I took my place beside Uma, Harry at my side, and Prudence just behind me.

“Mal,” Uma drawled, tilting her head. “Didn’t think you’d dare show your face here again.”

Mal’s violet eyes flickered to me briefly before settling back on Uma. “I’m not here to play games, Uma. I want Ben.”

Uma smirked. “Oh, you want something? That’s funny. Because last I checked, you left the Isle without a second thought. And now you think you can just waltz back in and demand things?”

Mal’s jaw tightened. “This isn’t about me. It’s about Ben.”

I folded my arms, stepping forward slightly. “And what exactly do you plan to do, Mal? Beg? Threaten? Because let’s be honest—you don’t have any leverage here.”

Mal’s gaze snapped to mine, sharp and assessing. “Pandora Morningstar.”

My lips curved. “You know me. I’m flattered.”

She didn’t return the amusement. “I know what you are.”

Something dark flickered in her eyes, something that made my magic hum in recognition. She had power—true power, even if she didn’t fully embrace it.

“Then you should know I’m not easily swayed,” I replied smoothly. “Ben is ours now. And we’re not letting him go.”

Evie stepped forward then, her blue hair catching the dim light. “You don’t have to do this. We can fix things.”

I almost laughed. The naivety was almost endearing.

“I think you’re underestimating how much I enjoy watching things burn,” I mused.

But even as I said it, Ben’s voice echoed in my mind.

"I don’t believe you’re as heartless as you want me to think."

I pushed the thought away.

Harry leaned in then, looping an arm around my shoulders. “I say we make ‘em work for it. A little chase, a little fun.” He grinned at Mal, taunting. “How fast can you run, love?”

Mal’s expression darkened, but before she could retort, Uma lifted a hand.

“Enough,” she said, her gaze locked on Mal’s. “You want Ben? Prove you deserve him.”

Mal’s brows furrowed. “What?”

Uma smirked. “A deal. You and your little royal friends earn the right to take him back.”

Mal hesitated. “And what’s the catch?”

Uma shrugged. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Then, Mal nodded once. “Fine.”

Uma’s grin widened. “Good. Let the games begin.”

---

Later that night, I stood on the ship’s deck, staring out at the murky waters. The moon barely pierced through the thick clouds, casting an eerie glow over the Isle.

Footsteps sounded behind me, and I didn’t have to turn to know it was Harry.

“Enjoying the view, love?” he asked, voice dripping with amusement.

I smirked. “Hardly much of a view.”

He leaned against the railing beside me, his fingers idly tracing the hilt of his dagger. “That little moment back there with Mal—felt personal.”

I tilted my head. “Observant, aren’t you?”

He grinned. “It’s one of my many talents.”

We stood there for a moment, the tension between us crackling like embers.

Then, another voice cut through the moment.

“Do you two ever stop?”

Prudence.

I turned to find her standing with her arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line.

Harry chuckled. “Jealous, Blackwood?”

Prudence’s eyes flickered between us, but her expression remained unreadable. “Hardly.”

But I saw the way her fingers curled slightly, the way her posture stiffened.

Interesting.

Harry smirked, stepping back. “Don’t stay up too late, ladies.” With a wink, he disappeared into the shadows of the ship.

I turned to Prudence. “Something on your mind?”

She hesitated before speaking. “Be careful.”

I raised a brow. “Of?”

Her gaze flickered toward where Harry had vanished. “Him. This. Whatever game you think you’re playing.”

I chuckled. “Oh, Prudence. You give me too little credit.”

Her expression softened for the briefest moment. “And you give him too much.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me alone with the waves and my thoughts.

Mal was back. Ben’s fate hung in the balance.

And somewhere between power and chaos, I was starting to lose track of where I truly stood.