State of Seduction

Ch. 1 Queen of Storybrooke

"If the choice is love or power, then even having a heart is a liability."

- Cora Mills


Waking up to darkness was something Cora enjoyed. Each morning she opened her eyes to nothingness, as if she didn't exist. In these moments of isolation, a part of her believed she could be waking up to her manor in the Enchanted Forest, or even the dirty walls of that dreaded mill she spent her first twenty years in. She would spend a few moments in this darkness, until she couldn't take it any longer and took off her sleeping mask to reveal the luxurious comfort of the new home she had enjoyed for 28 years. It was a surprise she allowed herself each sunrise. Delaying her triumph only made her victory sweeter.

Like any other day, Cora slipped out of bed and sauntered across her plush carpet to the large windows that faced town. Parting the dark curtains revealed a world without magic, a kingdom she had snatched from under her daughter's nose long ago. Cora breathed a sigh of indulgence, luxuriating in her supremacy as she left the window to get ready for the day. She missed the ease of magic, but had found solace in a morning routine. Cora was putting on her earrings and heels when the smell of breakfast drafted through the vents and she soon found herself eagerly trailing down her gorgeous stairs to the kitchen, where her perfect daughter was preparing breakfast.

Regina was different in this land. Now at 20 years old, she was the opposite of her persona in the Enchanted Forest. Cora had made sure that this Regina was hesitant of everything around her and only trusting of her mother, as she should have been in their old land. Regina's new demeanor was also a bit of a punishment for the disobedience Cora endured all those years.

"Good morning, Mother." Regina cheerily greeted, kissing Cora on the cheek as the older woman took her seat at the bar.

"Good morning, my beautiful child. Breakfast smells wonderful as usual." Regina smiled at the praise and placed Cora's freshly brewed coffee and her favorite healthy breakfast in front of her. She then began fixing her own plate. Cora's coffee mug rightly had "Queen" written on it.

"Thank you, Mother. It's the least I can do."

"For what, dear?" Every morning went like this. Cora found it amusing to pry out details from her daughter. Regina took her place across from her mother and picked nervously at her food.

"For the life you've given me, Mother. I know I'm not the daughter you've always wanted, but I try hard every day to heed your lessons and make you proud."

"You're doing very well, Regina. Are you prepared for your session with Dr. Hopper today?" Cora was merely making pleasantries. She knew exactly how this conversation would go. It was never anything new with her daughter, but that was simply a consequence of the curse. She didn't mind the predictability of her new life. It was worth it for the love her daughter bestowed upon her... and the dominance she had over everyone who had wronged her.

"Yes, Mother. He asked me to draw a memory of a time when I felt happy." Regina explained, placing her barely eaten food next to the sink and grabbing her sketchbook from the table in the dining room. She came back with a page open, showing a black and white sketch of her younger self riding a horse at the stables. Both her mother and father were present. Regina was unsure of sharing this, that was clear. And rightly so. This particular drawing struck a nerve with Cora every morning she was forced to see it.

"Why you insist on drawing pictures of a man who beat you and shamed our family before disappearing, I will never understand. Don't I make you happy, Regina?" Cora scolded, referring to the new memories she had placed in Regina's mind. Regina's tentative personality took over as she brought her sketchbook close to her chest.

"Y-you do, Mother. I just miss the idea of a father... I've been without one for so long." Cora scoffed, leaving the bar to prepare herself a cup of coffee for the ride to work.

"Oh, don't give me those lies, dear. That man was never a father to you." She turned to regard her daughter with calculating eyes, "You say you're grateful for the care I've given you, but you don't act like it. Really, it hurts me, Regina." Cora's biting words tore Regina's heart into shreds and the scared girl ran towards her mother and hugged her tightly.

"No, Mother, I am grateful. Please don't say that." She whimpered against Cora's breast. Cora's painted nails came up to Regina's hair to hold her tightly to herself.

"No one loves you but me, Regina. You should know that by now. You're a fragile, confused, careless girl. What would you do without me? I could easily abandon you at any moment." It was by this point each morning that Regina began crying and looking up at her mother with great tears in her eyes.

"I love you, Mother. I do." She insisted. Cora pulled her daughter off herself and sealed her cup of coffee, ignoring her daughter's pleas.

"Then act like it." She dismissed, grabbing her purse and stalking towards the door. Regina followed, her frail body a shadow compared to her mother's.

"I will, Mother." Cora turned in the doorway, beaming at her victory.

"Good. Now kiss Mommy goodbye." Regina gave her another kiss on the cheek and Cora turned to head towards her black Mercedes. This routine had been going on for 28 years and she would never tire from the adrenaline rush she got from seeing her strong-willed daughter transformed into a weak and cowering thing.


Flashback

Cora had finally done it. She had tricked her fool of a husband into once again opening a portal between Wonderland and the Enchanted Forest. This was, exactly what she needed. And she had taken precautions to make sure she would not be returning to Wonderland this time.

Cora felt a rush in her veins as she stepped through the mirror and felt the air of her home land for the first time in years. The last time she had visited, it did not end well. Regina had foolishly hurt herself by drinking a potion to ensure she'd never have a child. Nothing like that would be happening this time. Cora knew Regina had nothing left to lose.

"Where is my daughter?" The Queen of Hearts demanded, quirking an expectant eyebrow at Henry as she surveyed her surroundings. The castle was the same (too dark for her tastes) and the cowering man in front of her was an eye sore.

"Regina is with him." Henry croaked, eyes jumping like he wanted to flee. Cora's eyes darkened. "I really don't think she'd like to see you."

"Well, I suppose I'll wait for her to return then. Do send up something for me to eat, will you, dear? I'll wait in her room." Cora ordered, completely dismissing the shuffling man before her. Henry hesitated before jerking his head in an awkward nod and quickly leaving. Maids came up shortly after with a feast. They laid it all out on a long table, allowing Cora to graze as she snooped through her daughter's belongings. She was turning the pages of her old spell book when Regina poofed in, hair and clothing in disarray.

"Mother!" She shouted, out of breath and running her hands over her elaborate updo that was falling apart. "How did you find a way back?"

"Don't shout, Regina. Aren't you happy at our reunion?" Cora frowned, tossing the spell book onto Regina's vanity. She judged her daughter with disapproval.

"No, I'm not. And it's not what it looks like. I needed advice... on a spell." Regina explained, grabbing a glass of wine from the spread. "I didn't realize the thorn in my side was so hard to get rid of."

"Thorn In your side, poison in your veins… There's no way for you to get rid of me, darling. Now," Cora prodded, stalking towards her daughter like a predator. "If you want to be a whore, at least admit to it, dear." Cora stopped in front of Regina, eyes like daggers, though a smile was now on her face. "I'm so happy I've returned. It looks like you're driving your life into the ground." Regina crushed the empty wine glass in her grip, her gloves protecting her hands from the glass. Cora simply watched, amused.

"When will you get it through your head that I don't want you here?" Regina shouted once again with bared teeth. Cora chuckled at her daughter's display of emotion.

"It doesn't matter what you want. You should know that by now." Her voice lowered menacingly. "I'm ashamed of you, Regina. Cavorting with that twisted imp, like a lovestruck teenager. Have I taught you nothing?"

"You're just jealous because he chose me over you. How does it feel knowing that you can't rip out the heart of Rumplestiltskin, Mother?" Regina baited, leaning into Cora to make her words sting more. Before Regina could react, Cora's jeweled hand came up to backhand her across the face, making her fall onto the table. Regina took a moment before pushing herself back up with blood pouring down the side of her mouth and a look of astonished anger in her eyes.

"All you have are silly words. How dare you speak to your mother that way." Cora warned, towering over Regina. Regina casually wiped the blood away from her chin and flashed a wicked smile at her mother.

"I don't have to listen to you, Mother. I'm not afraid anymore." She stepped closer and growled, "And if you don't leave, I'll rip your esophagus out of your throat and hang you off the side of my castle for the birds." The two women stood eye to eye in a stalemate.

"I see you are lost to me in this life, child. There's no helping a soul as abandoned as yours." Cora commented, eyes searching her daughters for any sign of love that may be hidden away.

"You abandoned it." Regina snarled.

"And you destroyed it," Cora bit back just as viciously. "As your mother, I hope you find a way to be happy, even if it's without me." Cora vocalized, then poofed away.

End flashback.


Cora Mills sat in her office, swirling a glass of apple cider as she reminisced on days past. Regina was so callused towards her then. All she was trying to do was help her win. Sometimes, Cora wished she could awaken Regina just for a few hours to see her anger and pain. If Regina would behave, Cora would surely find a way to bring her daughter's memories back so that they may exult in Snow White's defeat together. But if Regina was anything, it was difficult.

Cora sighed and went back to her research. Papers and books were strewn about the table in front of her. She was staring at a map that had several pinpoints and notes on it, a project she had been working on since the curse began. Cora glanced at the clock, saw 8:14, and decided to keep working. She didn't quite feel like seeing Regina that evening.


Creating chaos just to prove we're alive

Demolition of a delicate kind

Midnight confessions keep on blurring the lines

Say you're here on my side

Want you here on my side

-"State of Seduction" Digital Daggers


AN: Hi everyone! I really hope you enjoyed my story. I have it all planned out, so I will definitely keep posting until it's completed! Please review and let me know what you think! :)