Diaval's POV

As much as I thought I knew of Mistress... thinking I knew every twist and turn of her very being...

In that, I was starting to understand I was wrong.

I did not know everything there was to know regarding my Mistress.

There was still such compelling mysteries hidden about her.

Secrets she had yet to unveil.

As so, as it was expected of her, she would never give the chance to be uncovered by anyone... to be unmasked after hiding what she had hidden for so long....

She would never allow such a thing.

She would not unveil her secrets for anyone.

Not to Aurora, not to the moor-folk, not to her Fey kind...especially not to any human.

Perhaps...not even to me.

Some of her character was still untold, unheard, and unseen to me.

But one thing, I was most certain about...was how Maleficent was always one to distract her own weakness, never to show she was capable of such sentiment.

She was never one to reveal her weaknesses so frivolously to anyone.

She was never reckless.

Always sure, always careful.

Thorough in every step.

And yet, even though she was so careful...I could always find moments to where she was so close to falling off the edge.

So close to giving in to what she wanted to belt out, what began to beat against her chest and very mind.

One I could recall so clearly, was when I had first met her...she had found the news, I had given her of Stefan, pretty bad.

It was devastating to her.

That was the time when I witnessed...the most shattering she had ever been.

I couldn't imagine what it was like for her to loose her wings...to wake up...to see both her freedom and love taken away simultaneously, and vanishing without a trace.

When it came to her feelings and what her heart harbored she was at uttermost caution and I could see why.

Yet, lately she has been displaying more of what she has been feeling.

Slowly, I was beginning to see a side of her I had never really known before.

The side of her that she once was before all the heartbreak and betrayal she had to withstand and suffer through occurred.

An action unlike her, who has always been so reserved and withdrawn from most, if not all.

When I had touched her face to see if she was alright I felt a burning on her no-longer pale skin.

She was unmistakably blushing as her face was of scarlet red.

I figured she did not wish for me to see nor notice her expression.

So I backed away.

I shouldn't have but I did.

Forcing the urge out of my mind that told me to embrace her.

As Maleficent lead the way we both walked back to where the others were so she could eat.

As we walked I could not help but feel fondness for her; for my Mistress.

Being so reserved as she was, the slightest difference was caught by my attention.

The way she shied away from my touch, knowing she wanted to hide such a face from me...I wanted to treasure such moments.

I wanted those kinds of things to only happen around me with her.

I know... it was selfish of me to think such a thought. But I could not hold back for long.

Knowing how much I deeply cared for her; how much I loved her...sooner or later I was going to give way.

Sooner or later I was, to the fullest degree, going to show her how much she truly meant to me.

I wanted her to be fully aware of how much value she had in my eyes, how much she was worth...

She was worth more than that of the brightest of stars...worth more than any number of stars that one could count in the night sky.

Her worth and value in which I saw her to have...could not amount to anything.

She was the only one I could have undoubtedly considered to be someone I loved.

She was the only one.

And being aware of all of this and not being able to tell Maleficent such things pained me.

Suppressing such powerful feelings were only making my heart yearn for her even more.

I could not run.

I could not escape.

There was nowhere to go but by my Mistress's side.

And I wouldn't dare ever leave such company as hers.

I would not replace her warmth for anyone else.

Just then I felt her hand reach to mine.

I jumped up, a little startled.

She did not mistake my baffled face.

She knew she had caught me off guard.

"I said, would you like to accompany me?"

There was a slight hint of humor in her voice as she cracked a small grin.

Her eyes seemed to sparkle in admiration to my lack of attention.

"Yes, of course." I spoke in a coo like manner toward her as she led the way, releasing her hand from me.

I was somehow disappointed. But still thrilled to the fact she had invited me to such a simple thing as accompanying her.

Just then I had somehow caught eye contact with Borra who was previously stealing glances at Mistress.

And somehow I hated that. I clenched my fist and said nothing.

So much went through my mind, all I could do was clench my jaw.

I instantly relaxed as Maleficent turned to face me.

Her honey eyes always seemed to melt away any unwanting feelings I had, any thoughts not pertaining to her were gone for the time being.

Unfortunately, Borra was still lingering in the back of my mind.

My thoughts flooded with fury.

He will not have her.

I won't permit such a beast as him to have what is mine!

I may not think myself worthy of such a magnificent Fey as Maleficent was...but I didn't want to loose her.

I won't easily allow someone else to steal away what I've always wanted for years.

It was not existing, for me to believe Maleficent would ever choose Borra.

Even so and being so sure...I still felt unsettled.

Maleficent's POV

I could sense a certain aura around Diaval that was vaguely unlike him.

It was not of his usual self of proudness or ludicrousness, but of a certain possessiveness.

An uneasiness that started to discomfort me.

It was quite surprising to feel such a wave of energy emitting from him.

And when I saw him taking a glance at Borra, I knew exactly what was going on.

I wanted to calm my raven down.

There was no need for him to be so affected by such a brute as Borra was.

I looked him square in the eyes. I couldn't help but become serious.

I wanted to reassure him that he was the only one for me.

"He will never win Diaval."

Just then Diaval's eyes lit like the night sky.

He revealed such an infatuated glance toward me.

"And for that I know, but still...I feel to protect you Mistress. No matter what."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

It's definitely the other way around.

But I kept silent for him to have his proud moment of speech.

He was a raven for sure, proud in all his ways.

And being aware of how he wished to protect me...made my heart long for him that much more.

——

Later on, after being able to fill my empty stomach, we stayed for a late bonfire the Fey had started.

Most of the small and young Fey were directed to sleep. As well as the elderly who decided best to sleep as well.

It was now mostly Fey who were in their prime or/and adult, a mingling night I'd presume.

Just as I was about to leave with Diaval I was confronted by Borra.

I was ready for sleep but being that Borra had stopped me, I started to sense the dragging out of time between now and me finding rest.

"Maleficent may I have a word with you?"

I looked at him straight in the face.

"Alone if you will?" He continued as I only stood my ground.

"Whatever you have to say can be said now."

He seemed a bit cautious but still ready to pronounce what he had to say to me.

"I want you to be mine Maleficent." He took my hand in his as I stared at him, baffled and unprepared by his confession.

"Pardon?" I spoke out.

I truly couldn't find words for such a manner as Borra was putting forth, it was unlike his usual beast-self.

So brutish and headstrong...was now confessing his affections.

Affections I wish he hadn't said, for I knew even before I met him...he'd never be the one I'd fall for.

"You're worthy of being my beloved mate! And I can be the one you care for!"

Beloved?

"That crow boy of yours is ridiculous! He can't possibly be the one for you!"

My raven? Ridiculous?

How would he know who my raven is, when he only squanders Diaval's self-worth?

Crushing Diaval any chance he had just to show 'who's boss'.

I hate those kinds of beings the most.

Those who think they can do whatever they want with no say-so from anyone.

"You need someone strong by your side not some puny weakling."

Diaval wasn't weak.

Such an insult coming from Borra's mouth, one who had no say, only playing a hypocrite...fed my anger.

I gripped onto my staff as he spoke his last words.

"I can protect you if you'll allow m-"

Just as he was about to finish off his little spew I took my hand away from his firm grasp, as if he didn't want to let go.

"Stop. When I first came here you ridiculed me, offended my raven and even disrespected me. How could I possibly even like such a brutish Fey as yourself when you can't even respect the ones dear to me? You are no more than a companion of war. Unless you wish to be my enemy?"

"I-!"

When I turned around and he went to grab my hand again, Diaval intervened.

"I would advise you to heed my Mistress's warning."

"Don't touch me vermin! You can't even say her name! How are you so worthy of her?!"

And that's when Borra lashed out.

Like a wild dog. Uncontrolled.

He threw Diaval down, knocking the breath from him.

Diaval tried his best to defend and fight back.

Just then something snapped inside me.

I blasted Borra after he stole a few more throws and punches at Diaval.

"Enough! What you think you have for me is nothing but a mere illusion! Affection you do not have!"

He got up without a problem after I shot him with my magic just like the first time we met.

And the first time we met, he was nothing but force and muscle.

Nothing has changed.

And nothing was getting through to that thoroughly thick head of his.

"Do not touch my raven. I could have your head for that."

"You wouldn't dare. I'm Fey just like you. Would you really kill your own kind for a mere bird?"

Borra, a fool. Challenging me was a mistake.

Diaval was not just a bird to me.

He was the most extraordinary creature, and he was not just any bird...but a raven...he was Diaval.

One I would risk my life for if need be.

And for Borra...he could not compare.

He was lucky I had well-built tolerance or I could have ended his life.

"Do not challenge me."

Just then I heard wheezing coming from Diaval.

I felt compelled not by duty but by want, to aid him in healing his pain.

But Borra stepped in front of me.

"He's not worth-"

"Do not." I warned, for the last time.

I was sick of him talking down on Diaval.

He was down already, what more could this brute Fey want?

I knew he wasn't giving up and as he laid a hand on me once again, like a fool, I twisted his arm and blasted him with everything I had.

As gravity would put it, he went flying.

By then a crowd of young Fey had formed, witnessing all this unfold between Borra, myself, and Diaval.

No one stopped any of us or took any course of action.

————

I escaped with Diaval in my arms before Borra could come back.

He would truly need a beating or two to know his place.

And if I was the one to do it, I wasn't going to hold back.

Here are a few Fanarts I did ☆

Tried my best (by memory) to correctly place them in order from the date I drew each.