“What?” Maleficent demanded. She was growing impatient.
“A…um…” He looked down at his feet, then up, his eyes meeting the intense stare of Maleficent’s. “There’s been a…” He pretended to see something on his shoulder and flicked at it.
That was it. Maleficent couldn’t take any more. “Speak!” she commanded.
Diaval snapped to attention. “Child,” he said. “King Stefan and the queen have had a child.”
“Oh?” Maleficent said, at once surprised by the wave of jealousy that washed over her and angry that Stefan could still affect her feelings that way.
Sensing that Maleficent was unhappy, Diaval plunged ahead, his words running into one another in his rush to get them out—and then get far, far away. “There will be a christening in one month’s time. They say it’s to be a grand celebration.”
A celebration? For a baby? It is all just so wonderful, isn’t it? she thought. They will parade Stefan’s baby around like a prize. The baby that is the result of so much betrayal and so much pain. Another human put on the Earth to harm and destroy our kind. Oh yes, it is just so wonderful. Maleficent’s lip curled.
But not if she had anything to do with it…
THE DAY OF THE CHRISTENING ARRIVED. The castle was bustling with activity as servants raced to and fro, decorating the halls and sweeping rooms long since used. The head housekeeper, normally the picture of control, ran around flinging orders at her staff while the king’s personal valet made sure every piece of His Highness’s clothing was pristine.
In the massive kitchen, a fire roared under dozens of pots filled with bubbling soups and sauces. The smells wafted through the room, mixing with the aromas of chicken and duck, cookies and cake. Nearly every surface was covered in flour, yet every dish that went out the door was perfectly plated on gleaming white porcelain plates. No expense had been spared. The guests would dine like never before.
Outside, great care had been taken to make sure everything was perfect. The large trees that stood in front of the castle’s main door had been sheared into immaculate cones. The horses in their stalls had been groomed until their coats shone, and even the hunting dogs had been given a bath and a brushing. The castle walls had been decked out as well. Long blue banners hung from the dozen towers, and on the soft gray stone connecting each one hung even more of the royal banners. The drawbridge had been lowered and Stefan’s flag hung from the archway, waving in the gentle breeze. More festive flags flew from the top of the castle while trumpeters stood on the battlements, heralding the infant. Below, carriages were parked for miles, their passengers dispatched to partake in the huge event.
Inside the Great Hall, hundreds of candles had been lit on the chandeliers that dominated the room, casting a warm glow on the stone floor and walls. A large stained glass window that rose into the arched ceiling forty feet above added muted light for the hundreds of people who had gathered. They were all dressed in their finest, standing shoulder to shoulder, their eyes focused on the podium upon which two huge thrones were perched.
In front of the thrones stood King Stefan and Queen Leila. The queen glowed with pride as she looked down at the infant sleeping in the bassinet. Out of habit, Leila reached up and fingered the bright stone pendant that Stefan had given her when they were first married. She had never seen anything like it, a jewel that seemed to have been made by the sun itself. Catching her playing with the jewelry, Stefan smiled and leaned down to whisper something into her ear.
Well hidden in the back of the crowded room, Maleficent watched Stefan smile at Leila and grimaced. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she could see them clearly enough. And what she saw on the queen’s neck was a stone from the jewel pond—another precious item Stefan had stolen from the Moors. How dare he! Maleficent’s hands twitched eagerly.