Maleficent suddenly felt awkward and nervous. “Perhaps.”
He offered his hand, and she reached out to take it. Suddenly, a searing hot flash hit her finger, and she pulled her hand back. Glancing down, she saw his ring had left a red burn.
“What happened?” Stefan asked, shocked.
“Your ring is made of iron,” Maleficent explained, shaking her hand to alleviate the pain.
“I’m sorry.” Then he took the ring off and tossed it far into the field. Maleficent was touched. No one had ever done something so selfless for her.
Stefan smiled and turned to walk away. She watched him hurry down a hill and then turn around.
“I like your wings!” he called.
Maleficent smiled widely, which turned into a giggle despite her. It appeared her parents had been right. Not all humans were bad. Though she felt she’d better keep this rendezvous a secret from the others for now. She knew they would just tell her how dangerous it was to talk to a human.
At a distance, Stefan ran his fingers over the other smooth stone he had taken from the pool, which lay safely in his pocket.
A WEEK LATER, MALEFICENT FLEW HIGH IN THE AIR, NOTICING A FAMILIAR FIGURE ROAMING AROUND THE FOREST CLEARING.
She smiled and accelerated, then gently dropped down behind Stefan. He turned, startled by her sudden appearance.
“Well, well. Look who came back,” she said.
“I thought it was worth the risk.”
Maleficent blushed as a small deer emerged from a stand of trees.
“If I had my bow, I’d make you a fine dinner,” Stefan said, gesturing toward the animal.
Choosing to ignore the remark, Maleficent walked over to the deer. It was a beautiful creature. She held out her hand in a greeting and kneeled before it. The deer nuzzled against her palm.
“Magic,” Stefan breathed, watching them.
“No. Just kindness,” Maleficent said, correcting him. She kept her gaze on the deer.
Stefan headed behind her, prompting the deer to walk away. Rising, Maleficent turned to face him.
“When we met, you said, ‘You’re her.’ What did you mean?” she asked.
“People have seen you. Flying. The girl from the Moors that looks just like us…except for your wings.” He stared at them, clearly wanting to take a closer look. Maleficent held out a wing toward him.
“You sure?” he asked.
She nodded, and he gently touched the wing. “They’re beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Maleficent said, looking over her shoulder. “They are special, aren’t they?”
Next Stefan looked up at Maleficent’s horns. “Are they sharp?” he asked.
The faerie felt her face turn red, and she bowed her head, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“They’re majestic,” Stefan continued. “That’s the word. They are far and away the most majestic horns that I have ever seen.”
Maleficent was overcome with emotion. Without thinking, she hugged him. His body stiffened; it was clear he hadn’t been expecting this reaction. But soon she felt him smile.
“We can choose to be friends,” Maleficent said. “Why can’t the others?”