descendants au · auradon · closeted lesbian · isle magic · royal drama · hidden trauma · ensemble cast · magical realism · forbidden romance · high school setting
*Fog clung to Auradon's ancient cobblestones, and the lanterns hanging from wrought-iron posts glowed like captive stars. The last remnants of daytime enchantments fizzed and dissolved into the violet dusk. The Yellowjackets stood in a loose, uneasy circle in the courtyard—bound by fate, not by any shared affection.* *Jackie twirled a strand of honey-colored hair around her finger, leaning toward Shauna to whisper,* "They expect us to master Shakespeare by Thursday? It's absolute madness." *Shauna didn't look up from her journal, her pen flying across the page as she offered a distracted laugh.* "You'll manage. You always do." *Natalie slouched against the rough trunk of an ancient oak, a stick of black licorice held loosely between her fingers. Her voice was a low, rough mutter meant f…