I'm Not Wicked

Part Twenty Seven

Eleanor's heart dropped as Uma stepped around the corner, her mind reeling with confusion, anger, and panic.

"Is that..." Gabriela started, but quickly trailed off, grabbing Eleanor's arm as she had started to do when she got nervous.

"The Grimmerie..." Eleanor whispered in a panicked voice, hoping for once that she was wrong.

"No, no, she wouldn't be able to use it-would she?" Gabriela asked insularly, Eleanor becoming too wrapped up in her own thoughts to respond, "Ellie! Mom!"

Glinda was already rushing over to them, the same panicked expression upon her features.

"Eleanor, dear, there must be another answer," Glinda tried to reassure her.

"Not so glad I risked my life for him." Carlos stated with disgust, crossing his arms.

He looked around then, noticing Eleanor didn't comment at all on Ben, quickly spotting her. He rushed over, telling Jane to stay with Doug, not sure what to make of the situation.

"Mal's spell book," Eleanor said finally, "she left it on the Isle, she had it on the ship so she must've dropped in when we were leaving!"

Gabriela looked confused but realization quickly hit her, "Ben's under a love spell!"

"Yes, and luckily not one from the Grimmery," Eleanor said quickly, looking around to find Mal.

She saw her starting to walk off with Evie, her head hung low as tears threatened to roll down her face.

Jay was looking around for them; Eleanor ran to him, pulling Gabriela with her. Lonnie was still by Jay's side, looking equally stressed.

"Ben's under a love spell, Uma found Mal's spell book!" Eleanor stumbled over her words, which was extremely out of character for her.

Jay grabbed her shoulders, "How do we break it?" He asked sternly, trying to compensate for Eleanor's panic.

"I thought you couldn't reverse a spell once it's been cast?" Gabriela exclaimed, running a hand through her blonde hair.

"Maybe things work differently in Auradon," Lonnie suggested, twiddling her fingers.

"Oh, and I suppose she's going to break the curse with true loves kiss?!" Eleanor mocked, pitching up her voice, a horrible feeling hitting her that that might be exactly the case.

"It's worth a shot!" Gabriela stated, seeing Eleanor roll her eyes.

But just then, Lumiere's voice went across the crowd again, "King Benjamin's gift to His Lady, Mal!"

Evie and Mal stopped climbing the stairs. A curtain dropped, revealing a stunning stain glass portrait of Ben and Mal; Mal was holding Ben's hands, the two looking at each other lovingly, and, the most striking part, Mal's green eyes.

"Gabriela!" Dorian yelled, running over to the blonde girl and hugging her tightly.

Eleanor was too focused on the commotion going on around them, seeing the realization on Mal's face.

Mal kissed Ben gently-the crowd around them had gone quiet-and to Eleanor's dismay and relief, it seemed to have worked.

They couldn't hear what he said, only see Ben mouth the word, "Mal".

"Yes!" Carlos whisper-yelled next to Eleanor, punching the air.

Gabriela wiggled free from Dorian, running over to wrap Eleanor in a hug; surprisingly lifting her off the ground a bit as she spun her in a circle. Carlos watched them with a smile on his face.