"It's- It's all right, Mistress," Diaval said weakly, managing maybe a hint of his normal smirk, "you've stretched out my life far longer than a common raven has any right to hope for already. I don't," he paused, wheezing for breath, "want to leave you, but . . . it's all right. It's time."

"You," Maleficent began, crystalline tears catching in her lashes, "have always been a most uncommon raven, my Diaval."

Diaval reached up, his arm wavering until Maleficent's palm moved to support it, and cradled her sharp cheek.