It took her only a moment to catch up to Henry. From above, she battered the king with her wings until he fell off his horse. She landed and stood looming above him. “You will not have the Moors now or ever!” she cried, her voice booming.
Frightened, King Henry raised his armored hand, trying to protect himself from Maleficent. As he did, the iron gently brushed Maleficent’s cheek.
She let out a gasp and raised a hand to her face. Where the iron had touched her skin, it burned painfully.
Noticing that his enemy was distracted, King Henry scrambled to his feet and hobbled away, wheezing in pain. All around him, the rest of the army retreated as well, running as fast as they could from the terrifying creatures.
Sighing, Maleficent gave a signal, and her army ceased its attack. Maleficent saw more familiar faces among the ranks. Balthazar nodded at Maleficent and she nodded back, hoping she was conveying the gratitude she felt. Robin, though shaken, looked undeniably proud of her. She bowed her head and flew away, afraid that if he looked at her long enough, he could tell she’d been spending time with one of the humans he despised, even if the human seemed to be good.
As she headed back into the Moors, Maleficent was left alone with her thoughts. A human attack. Could they dare to hope that this would be the end of it? That peace could still be possible? How she wished she could talk to Stefan. Maybe they could make a plan to form some sort of treaty between the faeries and the humans. But a nagging notion interrupted her other thoughts: what if Robin was right? What if all the humans banded together against them? What if Stefan sided with King Henry?
KING HENRY LAY IN BED, DOZENS OF COUNCILMEN AND GENERALS SURROUNDING HIM. From an alcove, Stefan watched the scene, lighting the last candelabra. He had to lean in closely to hear what the weakened king was saying.
“When I took the throne, I promised the people that one day we would take the Moors and their treasures. And each of you swore allegiance to me and to that cause.” He started coughing violently, sputtering as he tried to sit up. Stefan appeared with a pillow and placed it behind the king’s back.
“Defeated in battle,” the king continued as if there had been no interruption. “Is this to be my legacy? I see you waiting for me to die. You won’t have long to wait. But what then? Who will rule? My daughter? Or perhaps I will choose my successor.”
An audible intake of breath sounded from the other men. One of them, be king? They all stood a bit straighter.
“But who among you is worthy?” The king’s eyes flashed with anger. “Kill her! Kill the faerie, and avenge me. Upon my death you will take the crown!”
Stefan backed away from the bed quietly, knowing that as a servant, he would not be missed. Once he stood outside the king’s chamber, he panted, his palms against his knees. He knew what he had to do.
“Maleficent? Maleficent?” Stefan called out. It had been so long since he’d set foot in their old secret spot, but it was as beautiful and serene as it always had been.
Maleficent landed swiftly behind him. He spun around, surprised. He almost laughed, thinking how he should have been used to her entrances by then.
She eyed him wordlessly for a moment, trying to see if he had changed. It was as though he had never left. He still wore his threadbare clothes and a flask at his side. But Maleficent was even stronger now after winning a battle, aware of her power and authority, her ability to protect her friends and her home. She had been reminded of the Moors’ war-stricken past, why the others were so suspicious of outsiders.
At the same time, she couldn’t help feeling a flutter in her stomach as she looked upon his familiar and comforting face. Forcing the sensation aside, she squared her shoulders and raised one perfectly arched eyebrow. “How is life with the humans?” she asked.