The People's Palace, D'Hara,

Regina's eyes ran over the inscription before looking up at the Mord-Sith. Berdine had been placed to guide her to the library and then apparently teach her. "Why does Rahl want me to learn D'Haran?" she asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Berdine tilted her head. Regina watched the dark brown braid slide from her shoulder at the movement. She enjoyed the fact that the Mord-Sith were all very uniformed. It was easy to spot them in battle. Clothed in blood with tight expressions gave bone-chilling first appearances. But Regina knew all too well that skills in pain gave them an equal set in pleasure.

"High D'Haran will give you an advantage in the magic of our land," Berdine informed her, "Many of the books in the Wizards Keeps are written in High D'Haran. At your request for the books, he found it important that you learnt as he did. This way you, yourself can read the books and know that myself or others are not misdirecting you with false translations."

Regina smiled widely, "so he's doing this to give me a sense of control?" She chuckled lowly before bring the cup of tea to her lips. Berdine shifted on her feet, looking over to Raina briefly before back to the Queen.

"Does that displease you, your grace?"

"Not at all. It amuses me." She placed cup down onto its saucer. With a single gesture, the chair beside her slid away from the desk. "Do sit down, my dear. There's no point in you hovering over my shoulder."

Berdine nodded before placing herself down beside her. Quickly the lesson began, starting with absolute basics that Regina had already self-taught. With Berdine, however, Regina knowledge grew faster. The woman's methods didn't always coincide with hers, however, Regina easily took on the teachings and then manipulated to suit her own learning methods.

The lessons were only broken when Regina called for a small break of tea or food. Inviting both Berdine and Raina to speak.

"Rahl often speaks to the both of you, does he not?"

"He does, though his are usually brief," Raina said. Though Regina had invited her to sit down, hopefully to put them on the same footing, Raina had resisted and remained standing at her post. "Though we have no doubt that the only reason you are speaking to us is to learn information on Lord Rahl."

Regina smirked, the women were as clever as she'd been informed. There was no denying that she knew she was above status to them, but she was also aware that treating them like common slaves would only work against her. "It's true," she confirmed. There was no use lying. "Though, Cara speaks highly of you."

"Cara is your...advisor?" Berdine asked carefully, keeping her expression masked. Regina eyed her carefully before stirring the tea in grip to think over her reply.

"She explains to me how the Midlands work and has attempted to teach me her knowledge on the world. Her patience is best suited for battle or bed," she shrugged. "She is, as all Mord-Sith are, highly proficient in both."

"Cara is one of Lord Rahl's favorites," Berdine said, "he wasn't happy when you took her from him." Regina's smiled widened at the memory. He had Cara and Garen by his sides and had lead out Dahlia's team of women at the time. Instead of choosing those beneath Dahlia, Regina had taken Cara and Garen.

With a short, "You said I could have any of the Mord-Sith present, didn't you?"

"Perhaps we should return to the lesson?" Berdine said, growing uncomfortable with the questions.

When evening came, a small servant boy entered the library and bowed lowly. "My Lord requests the Queen joins him for dinner."

"Inform him I'll be there soon." The rest of the lessons had gone smoothly. With the threat of her magic being captured looming over her, her temper was kept under control. Rahl would stand for a lot, but he would not allow her to mistreat his Mord-Sith. She had no intention of doing so, anyway.

"Will you be joining us?" she asked out of curiosity. She had no idea what the Mord-Sith did here. Cara, Garen and Dahlia often joined herself for dinner, and why not? But Rahl had different views and opinions on the women.

"No," Berdine replied. "We will remain here until we're dismissed by our Mistress."

"And who's that?"

"Mistress Denna. She is here with new Sisters."

"New sisters? What are they here for?"

"They will be placed beneath us in status to be taught discipline within the People's Palace until they're directed otherwise. To be placed here shows great promise in their first year at the temple after breaking."

Regina nodded. "Tomorrow we'll continue, then?" she asked. Berdine agreed quickly, rising from the chair and falling back into formation beside Raina. On earlier questioning, Regina had found that no one else had permission to enter Lord Rahl's private library, and although guardsmen usually stood outside some of the other private areas, those with magical artifacts were guarded only by Mord-Sith.

Rising herself, she smoothed down her skirts and departed the room, hearing the door close behind her. The hallway was cooler than the private library. Made of dark stones and void of any fireplace. Her steps echoed around her, informing guards ahead of time of her arrival. Immediately, they were all stiff and in place as she walked past, but she had little doubt that like her own men, their shoulders would relax once her shadow has faded down the hall.

Rahl stood by the fireplace when she entered the room, and turned to smile at her, unclasping his hands.

"Glad you could join us," he said with a curt nod. Lifting a hand, he directed her attention to the small dining table. Regina's eyes ran over the decor of the table before noticing the choice of wine.

A small laugh slipped into the warm air. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to seduce me."

"Perhaps I've grown bored of my usual bed companions."

Regina smirked, eyeing him curiously before turning her gaze to the two Mord-Sith present in the room. Neither of them took notice of the comment.

Sitting herself down, she immediately ignored all table manners and poured . As he followed suit and placed himself across from her, Regina grasped at her goblet of wine. "Is it true that a confessor came into one of your private libraries and stole a book from you?" she asked.

Darken Rahl's eyes looked up, warning Regina briefly before he poured himself wine. "Yes. A confessor broke in, killing four of my guards, and two Mord-Sith. However, she's no longer a problem."

"The confessor is dead, and yet you didn't find the book?"

"No. I did not. Are you trying to make a point Regina?" She shrugged, leaning back in the seat. The truth was, she had need his confirmation that a book was stolen. If his forces weren't impenetrable against a single woman, then it would explain his sudden hospitality to her. Especially the choice of wine.

"Which book?"

"The Book of Counted Shadows."

Regina paused, eyes looking up at him. "Is that why you've been so accommodating to me?" she asked, "because you know that I have the 'arcane knowledge' that you desire?"

"It has come to my attention that my forces could use a witch's hand. You are one of the most powerful witches of your time. How else did you manage to break through your mother's spell and push her into the looking glass?" Regina looked away, scowling at the memory. It was usually an unspoken rule that neither brought up the past. "I need someone of your ruthlessness on my side, Regina. And you need me."

She clutched the goblet tighter in her grip. "I didn't kill my mother."

"No, you did something much worse and locked her away for all eternity. Not that it changed anything for you. You still remained locked in that palace, did you not?" She could feel Rahl's glare, hot on her skin. She'd surpassed the line. Dropping the wine glass, she turned back and looked at him.

"Perhaps it's time you explained exactly what you want from me. I've made myself perfectly clear, after all."

Rahl brought his goblet to his lips, taking a moment to hold the pause between them. Only when he placed the wine down did he look back to Regina. "I need your assistance in a delicate matter," he informed her smoothly.

"I see," Regina said, curiosity soothing her resentment. Before anything further could be said, the first course was brought in and served to them. Cutting into the food, she looked at Rahl with an arched eyebrow. "Has this to do with Book of Counted Shadows?"

"No. It has to do with branches of prophecy concerning one of us. Long ago I adverted a prophecy from a true Seeker coming into power. However, it has come to my attention that another child will be born soon, and they will rise to overthrow the kingdoms in power. Perhaps only if they're brought up with the morals of their parents, but who's to know?"

Regina blinked. "And what? You wish to steal this child and place it in an unfriendly household. Perhaps you are the tyrant your people speak of."

He chuckled at her comment. "You and I both know who we are. However, I have little doubt that you would ignore such a prophecy since it affects the dear Snow White you are fond of."

Regina's eyes snapped to him. "Snow White?"

The immediate reaction set Darken Rahl's smile wider. The unadulterated loathing that contorted not only Regina's expression, but her entire body, was something delicious to observe. Her shoulders would snap back and her neck raise. He especially enjoyed how her eyes snapped and narrowed in accusation at the name.

"The child is born by 'true love', isn't that a form of magic in your land that is so powerful that it has the ability to break any spell?"

"Not all magic can be broken," Regina replied shortly. Her jaw clenched shut and a particular vein pulsed threateningly as though magic coursed through it. Regina took a breath, controlled her anger and partially relaxed her body. "It would be presumptuous to assume that it could only be Snow White's child. Magic sweeps across both our lands and more."

Rahl's smile widened only further. "She is however, the only one of true love who's 'life was hunted by a dark queen'." Regina blinked, amused at been titled a dark queen in prophecy. "A step down from the Evil Queen title, but all things considered, it's safe to assume that Snow White's child will have to be killed."

"You are seducing me," she smirked. "Taking Snow White's child will eternally leave her in misery, wether we kill the child or leave it in an orphanage."

"I would prefer to ensure the child's death," he informed her. "But we can discuss methods another day."

Regina smiled at him. Feeling her heart beat faster as she pictured Snow White's expression. Perhaps this would bring her the happiness she wanted. Revenge with Snow White. Her eyes closed briefly, taking another drink of wine before finish the first course. The rest of the meal was finished with lighter conversation about politics and their reputation over the lands.

Eventually the two of them rose, settling by the fire with the last of the wine in grip.

Regina stood watching the flames. From behind her, she felt Rahl step closer and place a familiar hand on her waist. "It's been a while since you were in my bed," he spoke softly, placing a kiss against her jawline. Regina's eyes shut as she arched against him, feeling his hand slide around to the front of her dress, stretching over stomach.

"The last time you were in my bed," she replied, "was when you came to my castle to find magic to tear down the boundary between D'Hara and the Midlands."

In truth, he had come to search her books, knowing she had a particular interest in mastering certain aspects of dark magic. It had been fortunate Regina already knew the particular weakness of that magic, saving him time and allowing a far more eventful stay at her castle.

"Of course it was. But you make it sound as though I was not requested there. Did I not solve an unfortunate problem you had at the time?"

Regina hummed shortly in reply. Taking a step forward, she turned around to face Rahl. "Are we going to play games again?" she asked. "I prove I'm above you, you prove you're above me. We have a fun, but tiresome power play that eventually leads to your room. How about we change it up this time and go straight to the bed."

He pressed closer, laughing lowly at her, "does wine make you impatient Regina?" Before she could speak, he had his lips pressed against hers. Regina hands grabbed his robes, annoyed at his tactics before she broke away. She paused to look at him before pushing him back to arm chair by the fire, climbing on top of him.

Perhaps she did enjoy the power play. The delicate games with knives running over skin, teeth against flesh, nails ripping apart clothes as they fought over and over again. Sex with Rahl was a battle and neither one seemed to win. But they didn't play to win.

.