Hey there guys ^_^ sorry for the short chapter but with content planned for the next one it felt better to end it there and put the next bit in its own chapter. Thanks again to POTC misty potter temple for feedback. It'd be great to hear your thoughts too if you get time! :)
H xx
The house was awake with shadows and monsters,
The hallways they echoed and groaned.
Regina shifted in her sleep and moaned softly. Cassie stretched her paws out and yawned before ambling closer to Regina's face. Her whiskers brushed her owner's eyelids gently as she sniffed her cheek. This seemed to work as the frown upon her face dissipated and her shoulders relaxed slightly.
The Queen's father bows as he leaves to prepare the carriage for his daughter's journey to Longbourne. She watches him scurry away before turning to her large, ornate mirror. With a wave of her hand the mirror distorts and reshapes to show a map of the kingdom, with the Dark Palace in the northwest corner and Longbourne in the east. She traces the route onto the map with her finger. A dark purple line follows the tip of her finger as it trails across the surface of the mirror, twisting this way and that, touching several small villages and transecting some of the darkest parts of the forest before reaching the sea at Longbourne. As the line reaches the town it is circled by what looks like a small ring of twisted gold. I can see from the Queen's face that she feels the same pang of longing that I do.
"Feeling sentimental?" She turns, trying to hide her embarrassment. Rumplestiltskin stands by the dresser looking mischievous. He takes a step towards her. Self-consciousness turns to anger as he giggles at her and she moves closer to him, her face reddening with rage. Before she can retort Prince Henry shuffles into the room.
"Your carriage is ready my dear," he says quietly, avoiding eye contact and keeping his head down. The Queen turns on her heel and strides down the hall. Shadows flicker across her face as, aided by magic, she sweeps along the darkened corridor. In this flickering torchlight the stark contrast of highlights and darkness throws shapes across her features in a way that contorts them into unnatural, disturbing forms. Only when she emerges into the courtyard does the smoother light once again illuminate her in a more flattering way. As promised the carriage is waiting, lavishly decorated and borne by four mares the colour of obsidian. Henry opens the door as his daughter gracefully takes her seat. The four guards standing by the carriage remain motionless as Rumplestiltskin vanishes into a green-gold vapour which fades to indigo as Henry takes his place next to the Queen. He calls out to the driver (another guard) and the carriage moves off.