A guard slams through the large ornate doorway, it's echo resounding through the grand hall.
He stumbles, catching his breath, stopping and holding himself up with his hands pressed into his knees. He chokes and sputters, his breath sharp and rapid.
"Can I ask..." Regina's voice pounded towards the intruder. She stood firmly by the window of her castle, her majesty beautiful and intimidating. Red cuddled up against her back as she stared distastefully at the floundering man, "Where you think you are." She continued, her face stern and disapproving.
"I..." stuttered the exhausted guard, "I have..."
"Spit it out." Regina exclaimed impatiently, turning towards him. Darkness flared behind her eyes. Red attached herself tentatively to the back of the Queen's cloak, hiding herself from the onslaught,
"I have a message" the man croaked.
"Go on..." The Queen was becoming increasingly annoyed at the guard's ignorance.
"It's the Quee... Snow White..." he hesitated, realising the consequences' of his choice of words.
Regina's face bled with anger, but remained composed.
"She will marry tonight" He blurted, before she could react.
As quickly as he had finished his sentence, The Queen sent a fireball hurtling towards the defenceless man.
He cowered away, and as it impacted against him his skin immediately bubbled and burnt. Attempting to escape the pain he convulsed manically, rolling himself along the marble floor.
Regina turned to Red, who looked fragile and small in comparison to the elegant Queen. She took her chin in the palm of her hand, the rich leather comforting Ruby's conflicting emotions, and smiled eagerly into her eyes.
"Come, my pet," she spoke tenderly, placing a sweet kiss onto the young woman's forehead. Releasing Red's chin, she began walking towards the doorway, her poise perfect and uninterrupted.
As if by command, Red followed closely behind, removing her cloak and letting it flow to the ground. Her body transformed from the innocent young beauty into a ferocious beast, prowling alongside the Queen, as the man's agonising screams echoed through the halls.
