Nearly six months had passed since Regina had become Maleficent's student and the brunette found herself spending every moment she could with the dragon. The fortress was the only place she ever felt herself relax. She would now transport herself to the fortress whenever she knew neither the king or Snow would not notice her absence, not just when they were out of the palace.
This, of course, meant their friendship had been growing as well. Mal found herself unwinding more and more while in the younger woman's presence. The blonde was thanking every deity she could think of that she did not throw Regina out that first day they met. The young queen made her happier than she had been in decades perhaps even centuries.
To say that they had been looking forward to the next few weeks would be an understatement. The king was to visit another distant kingdom and was not due back for two months and since it was such a long trip he had decided to take his daughter with him. With a memory potion to use on the servants when she got back, Regina was free to spend all that time with Mal without anyone wondering of her whereabouts.
For the first few days of Regina's stay, the two had continued with magic lessons for the majority of the day, only to relax and get to know one another better for the rest of it. On day five, however, things started to change.
"Poppet?" Maleficent asked Regina when they had finished with their breakfast.
"Yes, Mal?"
"Would you mind if we skipped your magic lessons today?"
Regina's brows rose, normally it was her who wanted to shorten or skip her teachings. But she was quick to smile and nod, "What shall we do instead?"
"There is actually something I would like to show you. It's a bit of a journey from the fortress and I think we could both use some fresh air, but..." she trailed off as her gaze drifted downward, looking a little nervous all of a sudden.
"But what?"
"I must warn you that you may not like it. I just want you to know that if you feel like you want to return all you have to do is tell me and I will bring you back at once."
Regina looked skeptical. They practiced dark magic regularly, what could be so bad that it would make Mal nervous to show her? But she did trust her, so Regina nodded as she stood up. "I trust you," she said with a smile
They were only three simple words, yet they meant so much to Maleficent. The dragon rose from her seat and led Regina to the large open window in the dining room.
"Would...would you like to fly with me, Poppet?" Mal asked in a soft voice.
The brunette eyes widened as a smile appeared on her face, "You mean in your other form?"
"Yes," the blonde said as she nervously looked away, "I...I have never permitted anyone to fly with me before, but you, Regina, I trust you enough to share that with you. That is if you would like?" she looked back at the queen when she heard a giggle.
"Yes! Of course, I would love to fly with you Mal!" Regina caught herself then, suddenly embarrassed over her enthusiasm. "I mean, yes that would be nice," she spoke significantly calmer.
Maleficent laughed as Regina's adorableness, as well as the blush that had appeared on her face. Absentmindedly, she reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Regina's ear.
Their eyes connected and for a moment neither moved, too lost in the other gaze. Then, suddenly Mal shook her head to clear it, "Shall we?" she gestured to the window.
"Yes," Regina said still slightly mesmerized by the older woman.
Mal stepped up to the open window and summoned her magic. Within seconds the tall blonde was replaced by a large purplish black dragon flying next to the window.
Regina stood amazed at the sight before her. She had never before seen such a transformation. It struck her that she had also, never before seen such a beast that looked so fierce yet so calm and docile at the same time.
She grinned when Mal gestured with her large head. Quickly, she moved to sit on her friends back. Soon, Maleficent flapped her impressive wings and took them higher into the sky, flying them over the fortress and the property surrounding it.
They flew for several minutes before, Maleficent landed in front of a small building on the edge of a lush meadow.
As Regina slid off her back she returned to her human form and turned towards the brunette only to find her standing on slightly wobbly legs with a hand over her stomach.
"What's wrong?" she reached out her hand to the brunette's shoulder to steady her.
"As amazing as that was, I think I prefer land travel. Sorry," Regina said hoping the older woman would not be offended.
Her fears disappeared when Mal smiled at her, "Don't apologize Regina. I know it's not for everyone. We'll magic ourselves back when we're ready to return."
The queen gave a grateful smile, "Thank you." She then steadied herself. "So what is it that you wanted to show me?"
"This way."
Maleficent walked the short distance to the entrance of the small structure, some sort of barn from the looks of it, with Regina following close behind.
As the blonde placed her hand on the door she turned around, "Remember what I said. If you want to leave all you have to do it say so."
The uncertain look on Mal's face raised Regina's curiosity, yet she simply nodded, encouraging her mentor to lead her inside.
The wooden door creaked open as the two women walked in. As soon as she saw what was in the barn Regina gasped in shock, "They're magnificent! Where did they come from?"
Before Maleficent could open her mouth Regina was already across the small room to great the barns occupants, two large unicorns. One gray and the other chestnut colored, both had black manes along with horns that were milky white.
The younger woman beamed at the creatures in front of her as she allowed both of them to sniff her offered hands before petting them.
At the sight of the brunette's reaction, Mal instantly became more relaxed. She walked up to stand behind Regina before finally answering her question.
"I saw them in a field not too far from here when I was out flying last week. They were both bleeding from injuries caused, I presume, by whatever fool owned them. I brought them here and healed them. I...I thought you might enjoy meeting them."
"They are both incredible," Regina whispered, still mesmerized by the unicorns. After a few moments she finally turned back to the blonde, "Why on Earth would you think I would not enjoy this?" she asked with a large smile still on her face.
"I...," Mal felt a wave of shyness wash over her as she looked down. She was unsure how to express her fears, "I thought that if you wanted...we could possibly make this into a stable for them. We could care for them together."
With that, any confusion Regina had instantly washed away, she understood exactly what Mal meant. She wanted to make the brunette happy yet, did not want to feel as though she was trying to replace Daniel or her memories of the stable boy.
With one more stroke to each unicorns nose, Regina went to stand in front of Maleficent. She looked up at her with a small smile that grew larger when she saw the pink hue of Mal's cheeks. The blonde was more adorable than she would ever willingly admit.
"I think that would be perfect Mal," she spoke while reaching out to grab the dragon's hand to hold it tightly within her own.
The blonde immediately let out a breath she had not realized she was holding. It was strange for her to feel this much happiness from one simple sentence, but it was pleasing nonetheless.
While still holding the older woman's hand, Regina led Mal back over to the creatures, "Do you think we could take them out for a ride? They appear tame enough."
Maleficent was actually surprised by the offer. She had never ridden a unicorn or a horse for that matter. Why ride when one can fly? She had no problem in caring for the animals, yet she never thought the brunette would want her to ride one of them.
"I prefer to travel my own way, Regina. But please, don't let that stop you from enjoying yourself."
"You've never ridden before have you?"
"No. I've always either flown or used my magic to get to where I needed to be."
"Well, you could at least try it once." Regina got a smug look on her face, "Besides, I just tried flying for you, now you can try riding for me."
Mal huffed at the younger woman's boldness, she defiantly was not as shy or uncertain as she was when they first met. "I don't know the first thing about riding," she confessed.
"Then I'll teach you," Regina squeezed Mal's hand. "Please, Mal? For me?" she asked, eyes bright and pleading.
Never before had a single look made Mal feel so powerless. She rolled her eyes defeatedly then nodded in acceptance.
Regina smiled as she pulled her into a brief, yet still cherished embrace. She then used her magic to make saddles and reins appear on the unicorns. The smile never left her face as she led the animals and Mal out of the barn.
"Let him sniff you first and pet him gently, just to assure him that you won't hurt him," Regina said while demonstrating on the chestnut colored creature.
Tentatively, Maleficent mimicked her student and did the same to the gray one. She was pleased to see both animals give off a very calming glow from their horns, signaling that they trusted the women.
The two then used their magic to transform their outfits into ones more fit for riding before Regina helped Mal to straddle her unicorn. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing when the older woman stumbled and fell out of the stirrup and into her arms.
Eventually, both of them had mounted the magical creatures and started on a slow trot around the large meadow and the stream that ran next to it.
Slowly, Maleficent found herself relaxing into the ride. Both Regina and the unicorn had been patient with her so far, allowing her to adjust to the new experience.
As soon as the dragon got the hang of riding the two picked up the pace until they were in a full gallop, laughing as they rode side by side. In that moment the blonde felt years younger and incredibly light. She could not remember ever having such an enjoyable time, and she knew that it would not have been nearly as delightful if Regina had not been by her side.
The two had completely lost track of time. It was not until the sky began to turn to dusk that they finally brought the unicorns, now named Thorn and Thunder, back to their new home. Maleficent used her magic to supply the creatures with enough food and water to last the night. She promised Regina they would move the barn/stable closer to the fortress the next day so that they would not have to travel as far. She also promised the brunette that they would fix up a stall for the brunettes beloved Rocinante.
Soon after the two poofed had themselves back to the fortress, they had sat down to a long dinner, both starving after their long day.
After they had finished the blonde did something she never thought she would do when she first met Regina, she invited her to her bed chambers for a drink. Of course, the younger woman eagerly agreed.
The two soon found themselves sitting in front of Mal's large fireplace, which Regina lit with the blonde praising her for how good she had gotten with her fire magic. They each sat on opposite ends of the couch with their legs curled under them and facing each other.
"You did very well for your first time riding," Regina said while taking a sip of the wine the blonde had just handed her.
"Thank you Poppet. I was actually surprised by how much I liked it. Perhaps we can go out with them again tomorrow after we move the stable closer to here?"
"I would love to," Regina then bit her lip. "It will give me another chance to watch you," she spoke in a soft, shy voice.
Maleficent raised her brow, "What do you mean?"
"The way you looked while riding Thorn today, you were so...carefree," the younger woman smiled up at the dragon. "It was like every single weight had been lifted, like all your walls came down. And the way you smiled through it all...you were adorable, Mal.
"I am not adorable."
"Tell that to the blush on your face," Regina teased and then giggled at the blonde's scowl.
At the sound of the brunette's giggle, Mal allowed her scowl to turn to a small grin despite her attempt not to. She stayed quiet for a moment before she spoke softly, "I would not have had such an amazing time today if it weren't for you, Regina. You are the only one who has ever made feel so alive."
"And you," Regina stood up only to sit down closer to the blonde, "are the only one who makes me feel safe."
"You feel safe with a winged beast?" Mal scoffed disbelievingly as she looked away.
Regina took both hers and Mal's wine glasses and sat them down on the table in front of them. She then placed a warm palm on Maleficent's arm, prompting the blonde to look at her.
"I feel safe with the woman who makes me feel good about myself. A woman who's touch doesn't make me cringe. A woman who makes me feel things I haven't felt since Daniel...A woman who makes my heart beat faster."
Their eyes were locked the entire time Regina spoke and by the time she finished Mal's blue orbs began to water.
"You really mean that?"
"With every fiber of my being," Regina brought her hand up to caress the dragon's cheek, stroking it lovingly.
Slowly, Maleficent swallowed and found the courage to do what she had wanted to do for months. She leaned in and placed a passionate kiss on the younger woman's lips. Regina responded immediately and the two wrapped their arms around the other, pulling them closer together.
When they finally pull back Regina's face is bright red, not even Daniel had ever kissed her like that.
Mal smiled and ran her hand through Regina's dark hair, "Apparently, I am not the only one who blushes adorably, but then I already knew that." She winked.
Regina sighed out a small laugh. She knew she blushed more than Maleficent.
She leaned in and pressed her forehead to the blonde's. "Only for you Sweetheart," she said lovingly.
The dragon leaned back slightly as her nose wrinkled at the name.
"What's wrong? You call me 'Poppet'."
"Yes, but that does not mean I am truly comfortable being called something so...cute."
Regina rolled her eyes with a smile. She should have known Mal would not have gone for that. "What if I called you 'my cariño'? It's in a language my father taught me when I was younger, but it means the same thing," she paused when she saw the blonde was thinking it over. "It would really mean a lot to me, knowing that...that I'm special enough to you to be able to call you that."
Mal looked at Regina's large brown eyes and instantly gave in, "It does sound sexier," she squeezed the younger woman's waist. "But only if you keep giving me such tantalizing kisses as you did a moment ago."
Regina smirked, "I believe I can agree to that my cariño."
With that, the two brought their lips together once again, kissing passionately. A few minutes later Maleficent pulled out of the kiss. "Let me take you to bed Poppet," she whispered in the brunette's ear.
Regina thought she would feel hesitant to lay in bed with another after the king, but when those blue eyes looked into hers, she knew she could trust Mal with her body and her heart.
She nodded and then felt herself being pulled to her feet by the dragon who then took her into her arms bridal style. The brunette giggled slightly as she felt herself being carried to the blonde's bed.
That night would be the first of many, where both Maleficent and Regina would fall asleep, feeling more loved and safe than they had in their lives.