Maleficent's POV

Once my new found raven turned back to his original form, he flew as high as the wind could take him.

Flying to the one and only castle I absolutely despised.

That castle would be the last place I'd ever step foot in.

Not only because of Stefan but also because of how cruel the previous king was to the Moors as well.

Once he left I travelled back to the broken down stone dwelling to sit awhile and rest my aching feet.

After some time I began to feel weary, so I shut my eyes for what felt like a few moments until I opened my eyes to the time of dusk.

And with a flutter of wings for the sign of Diaval returning, I turned my head toward his presence.

"Into a man."

As he wiped dirt off his outer coat and pants he looked at me with a weary glance.

"Well, out with it." I demanded.

"There is a man that was crowned...King Stefan."

"He did this to me...so he could be king?"

A surge of energy ran through me, glowing green magic unlike my golden magic before appeared and escaped from me in a whirl that immediately blew skyward.

And after that...I was bound to keeping any trust I had left to myself...it seemed locking up what affections I had left was the most wise thing to do at this point.

Without any words Diaval followed me to the Moors.

As a raven he seemed very respectful of my predicament...even if at times he did seem like a human.

—-

After some time of finally calming my nerves once again, I sat upon a rock that resided beside a brook of water.

My reflection, one I didn't recognize.

Eyes sunken in, lips formed in a soft scowl with a paler tone of red then before, eyes drained of any and all joy.

I shifted my eyes away, bearing the realization of my physical state was something I wasn't ready for just yet.

Fluttering of wings grabbed my attention.

Diaval was hovering as he flapped his wings at me.

I swirled my finger as golden magic flowed out to him.

His human form appeared again as I sighed.

"Must you hover Diaval?"

"Oh-sorry Mistress."

"I find hovering to be irritating. Do try not to hover so much."

"My apologies."

"You don't need to apologize so much..."

"Mistress, I'm curious?"

"Curious? About what?"

"Many have their wings here...why don't you."

I looked at him with pain in my eyes...hurt...sadness.

Most of all annoyance that he even asked such a question. But it was a question that was to be asked sooner or later.

"The man that you saw being crowned...he took them."

"Oh." He seemed to be short with words as he stepped back out of shock.

"To be king." He muttered.

"Yes."

"Did you...love him?" He trailed off asking me the question I wished he hadn't.

"Yes. I loved him."

I looked away sharply before tears could even form as I wore a cold expression instead.

Digging my nails into my palms to stop myself from crying like a fool was my best option.

I had to learn to conceal my emotions, a way to seal my heart from everyone and anyone.

"I'm sorry...I couldn't imagine even just the beginning of what you are feeling Mistress." He sat on a near by rock as I felt his gaze soften upon me.

"Do not mistake my situation for weakness. He was a mistake. My mistake. That is all I wish to speak about it."

"Yes, Mistress. I won't pry any further."

We both, for some time sat in silence as I started to wall up the Moors with thorns as tall as the trees themselves. Probably even more so.

"Are you a protector of the Moors Mistress? Is that why you are different from the rest?"

"Different?"

"Well, you do have human features." I looked at him coldly as he corrected himself.

"I mean, I'm not saying you are one of them...you just look like them...just curious."

"If you are not weary enough, that curiosity of yours might just get you killed one if these days."

"Queen then?"

"I have no title. It's only what they see me as. But if Stefan wishes to be king, I'd gladly play queen for awhile."

I honestly believe the word 'queen' will forever leave a bitter taste in my mouth.

Why were humans so destructive that they caused a storm wherever they went, leaving nothing in their wake? Treating us no more than the worth of an ant in the dirt.

Not only did a human take my wings, but humans also took my very parents lives when I was just but an infant.

I'd say...this situation that I had found myself in...was what broke the camels back for me.

My second chance with humans was over.

My very own curiosity had nearly gotten myself killed. I couldn't be weak like my parents...I couldn't open my heart to them even after knowing they've always been the same...the real monsters and killers.

I won't let the same fate happen to me as I did my parents.

"Mistress." Diaval spoke to me as I was taken out of my train of thought.

"I think you should get some rest Mistress."

I didn't say anything as I got up.

I turned him into a raven as I walked on, finding some place quiet to rest from all this.

To escape my reality for just a short while.

To be able to breath for even just a moment.