Maleficent(16)
Hearing the rustle of wings, Maleficent watched as a large raven flew into the castle. The bird was carrying a piece of corn in his beak. Landing on the ground, the bird dropped the corn and then began to preen, clearly proud of his prize. As the creature pecked at the corn, Maleficent watched him sadly. The black bird’s wings reminded her of the ones she had lost, and she wished, not for the first time, that she had never allowed them to be taken.
As the bird flew off, Maleficent sighed and got to her feet. It was no good to wish for things that could never happen. She had done that before and it had only ended up hurting her. She had to focus on the real things that could be done. Like making this abandoned castle her home.
For the next few days, Maleficent kept busy at the castle. There was not much she could do to rebuild, but she could at least try to make parts of it livable. And it wasn’t like she needed a lot. Just a place to stay dry and hidden from any snooping humans. Having grown thirsty from her efforts, she made her way to a nearby stream. But as she bent over to drink, she heard the frightened cry of a bird from somewhere nearby. Quietly she made her way to the high reeds that lined the stream, and looked through them, kneeling down to keep herself out of sight.
On the other side, she saw the raven that had visited the ruins trapped under a thick net. Two farmers were approaching, clubs in their hands and dogs at their sides. The dogs growled at the raven, causing the creature to flap his wings frantically. But there was nowhere for him to go.
Feeling the familiar rage toward the cruel humans building up inside her, Maleficent waved her hand. “Into a man,” she said.
There was a shimmer of magic, and before the shocked farmers’ eyes, the raven transformed into a man. Throwing off the net, the raven-man climbed to his feet unsteadily.
“It’s a demon!” one of the farmers cried. The two men turned and took off, the dogs following close behind.
When she was sure they were gone, Maleficent stood up. Her gaze fell on the bird she had transformed. As a human he was tall, with silky black hair and dark eyes that darted around nervously. While man wasn’t her first choice of form, at least she had saved the creature.
Catching sight of the faerie, the raven-man cocked his head. “What have you done to me?” he asked, gesturing at his body, clearly unhappy with its present form. His voice was surprisingly rich and melodic for one not used to having the power of speech.
“Would you rather I let them beat you to death?” Maleficent asked.
The raven-man lifted his wingless arms into the air. “I’m not certain,” he replied.
“Stop complaining,” Maleficent said as she began to walk around him slowly, scrutinizing. She had to admit he wasn’t terrible to look at, even for a human. She could have created far worse. “I saved your life.”
Uncomfortable with her penetrating stare, the raven-man shifted on his feet. “Forgive me,” he said.
Maleficent nodded. “What do I call you?”
“Diaval,” he answered. “And in return for my life, I am your servant. Whatever you need.”
Whatever I need? Maleficent mused. Well, that was certainly an interesting twist. There were so many things she did need and so much she could use. Then a smile slowly spread across her face. There was one thing she needed more than anything. “Wings,” she said, nodding. “You’ll be my wings.”
STEFAN OBSERVED HIS SURROUNDINGS AS HE SAT PERCHED ON HIS NEW THRONE. The ornate room was the picture of royalty with its detailed moldings, its draping tapestries, its lofty ceilings. Though he was there to be crowned the new king, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy, as if the small group of advisors, the raven perched outside the window, and even the throne room itself were judging him and knew he didn’t rightfully belong there.