A Red Queen Tale Part 3
Disclaimers on Part 1
Notes: Thank everyone for the follows and favorites and the very kind reviews. Especially ScOut4It for the lovely tips. (It's a lot harder than I thought to think of a clever title involving the name Ruby hah). I hope you continue to enjoy this story. Any constructive criticisms are very welcome.
This is a short bit, spurred in part by an interview where Lana mentions the Evil Queen wants a pet wolf….that alone got me hooked on the idea of this pairing haha. Anyway, this is really a filler chapter, meant to fill in until I can figure out what's going to happen next. This The muse handled this one herself and I just wrote what she told me to.
Also, I'm fairly certain Ruby is OOC, especially when it comes to David, but I just really dislike him and think everyone else should too (ha).
Last but not least, as I re-read things I find errors after I've posted so from time to time this story may be updated with corrections. (I am my own beta)
Spoilers: Let's say all episodes up until now, with a hint of Child of the Moon and a teeny spoiler for the previews for the upcoming episode.
"Relax Ruby, it will be okay."
Ruby looked at David Nolan with incredulity. "Really David? In less than twelve hours, I'm going to turn into a wolf for the first time in nearly thirty years and possibly kill somebody. How exactly is that okay and how exactly am I supposed to relax?"
David followed Ruby and Granny from the back of the diner where they'd shown the acting Sherriff the reinforced cell that would contain Ruby for the next three nights during the full moon until she could find her cloak.
"You said before the curse that you had learned to control the wolf?"
"Yeah, well I spent the last two decades not having to think about it. I don't know if I remember how."
"Well, Regina really did screw everybody then, didn't she?" David scoffed.
"Stop," Ruby snapped, not willing to listen to another rant about the so-called Evil Queen. She let her mind drift to the night before and the hours she'd spent at Regina's. It had been one of the most enjoyable 'non'-dates that Ruby could ever remember.
Once the initial awkwardness had worn off, Ruby had found Regina to be funny and surprisingly open, well open for Regina Mills anyway, and dear god the heated looks and innuendos she'd so casually tossed at Ruby between the sarcastic insults had nearly driven the waitress crazy but it helped considerably to know she'd had a similar effect on Madame Mayor.
After dinner, they'd sat in the study and discussed Regina's ideas for returning Emma and Mary Margaret. To Ruby's surprise, the older woman had actually listened to her questions and comments without mocking her. When Ruby had casually asked how magic was brought to Storybrooke, Regina looked as if she was going to kiss Ruby right then and there. Of course Ruby had been vastly disappointed when she hadn't and instead just explained that magic had been brought over by Gold via an old well out in the woods. It was highly possible that there lingering traces of magic inside the well which could allow them to use it as a portal. Regina was more animated than Ruby had ever seen her and it was an awe inspiring sight to behold.
After a lengthy and excitement filled discussion of the multitude of possibilities for using the well to return the wandering Queen and Savior, Ruby finally decided it was best to leave before she'd worn out her welcome. As Regina walked her to the door, Ruby found herself unable to resist doing something that could have ended with her untimely death, something she'd been wanting to do since she'd arrived at the mansion. As Regina opened the door, Ruby quickly turned and leaned forward, placing her nose against Regina's neck, savoring the sweet aroma of soap and something Ruby could only identify as pure Regina. She longed to trail her tongue up the soft skin, desperate to know if she tasted as wonderful as she smelled, but knew that would be definitely be risking life and limb. Instead, she scented the woman, noting instantly the increased pulse and then placed a brief kiss on Regina's cheek, her own knees shaking violently, before backing away.
Regina hadn't so much as slapped Ruby, instead she looked shocked and simply asked why Ruby had done that. Drawing on years of practice, Ruby put on a cheeky grin and told her that as the full moon was coming soon, she thought she should familiarize herself with Regina's scent. Just in case.
Regina had narrowed her gaze and commended Ruby for her bravery, but there was a touch more amusement in her dark eyes than any true anger.
Ruby's lips lifted in a soft smile, remembering the bemused look on Regina's face and then sighed, wondering if she'd ever have the chance to be that close to the intimidating woman again. Her scent, the softness of her cheek had Ruby aching for more, but Regina was a very complicated woman and Ruby didn't want to do anything to risk pushing her back into her shell.
"Earth to Ruby."
Ruby jumped at the amused voice and suddenly remembered she was in the middle of a conversation with David and Granny.
"Uh, sorry. What were you saying?"
"It doesn't matter," David assured her. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, referring to locking herself in a storage closet.
"I don't really have a choice," Ruby said, her lightened mood turning dark once more as she feared what was going to happen in a few short hours. Already she felt the wildness and the desire for the hunt building inside of her. The need to run free through the forest was stirring her blood.
Before David could argue further, the bell over the front door opened. Ruby smelled her before she saw Regina enter the diner. It was a scent she'd never tire of. A scent that was calling to the animal inside of her.
"Regina," David said coldly.
"David," Regina retorted with a mocking politeness. "Mrs. Lucas," she greeted Granny who merely nodded in reply.
Ruby ran her hungry eyes over the woman who looked far sexier than anyone wearing a rather uptight business suit should look and she told her heart to settle down. "Regina. Is there something I can do for you?" she asked, pouring a truck load of suggestion into the innocuous question. She ignored the startled looks from David and Granny and grinned at the amusement that flickered in Regina's eyes.
"Oh I'm sure there is dear," Regina drawled, fighting a smile at the suspicious and unhappy expression being thrown at her by the ever-meddling Charming, "however, I came here with the desire to do something for you."
Ruby's blood pressure spiked at the seduction dripping from the woman's voice. God….Damn, she thought numbly as she basked in the waves of the woman's sexuality that poured of her like a tsunami. "Is that so?" She pushed passed an annoyed David and concerned Granny and walked around the counter, letting herself believe they were alone.
Regina couldn't help the grin at Ruby's hopeful expression but then shivered at the almost predatory flicker in the young woman's eyes. She only briefly wondered how someone could look so innocent and so provocative at the same time. "Down puppy," she said quietly, amused by the offended narrowing of the young woman's eyes. Before Ruby could retort she held out a small box.
"What's this?" Ruby asked, diverted as planned from the puppy comment.
"Well, it's something I came up with to help with your…situation," Regina said, hoping she sounded less nervous than she felt. After a few minutes of Ruby staring at the box Regina sighed.
"Really dear, it's not going to open itself."
Ruby blinked and then snorted "Well, given that it's from you, one can't be too sure." Deciding not to further test Regina's questionable sense of humor, Ruby took the box, opened it and exhaled sharply. Inside lay a ruby red pendant in the shape of an apple. Of course, Ruby thought negligently.
"It's beautiful," she said sincerely looking into eyes that for once she couldn't read.
"Yes, well it's a mere trinket," Regina prevaricated, "and while it won't prevent your transmogrification, I placed an enchantment on it that I'm hoping will allow you and the wolf to remain connected. This way you don't have to worry about remembering how you used to control it. It's on a fairly lengthy silver chain which should be long enough to fit your lovely neck while in your wolf form and the silver may help control your more ravenous tendencies…at least until you're back in human form, in which case," Regina leaned forward to whisper into Ruby's ear, "I may be able to help with that."
Ruby's head was swimming at the blatant flirtation and the hot breath against her skin. "Regina I…"
"You enchanted that?" David asked stepping forward to try and take the box from Ruby who angrily pulled it away from him.
"I did," Regina replied coolly, knowing what was coming.
"Back off David," Ruby snapped, holding the present against her chest protectively.
"You promised Henry you weren't going to use magic again," David scoffed. "I guess we can see what your promises are worth."
"She did it to help me David," Ruby snarled. "Do you really think Henry would have a problem with that?"
"No, but…"
"But nothing. This is a private conversation Your Highness, so if you'll excuse us?"
David looked as if he was going to say something else but then shook his head. "I hope you know what you're doing," he breathed.
"I'm a grown woman David. I think I can manage my own life just fine. Thank you."
David glared at Regina and then nodded at a stunned Granny before storming out of the diner.
"I'm… just going to go into the kitchen," Granny said glancing cautiously between her granddaughter and a woman that she'd never seen as anything as evil.
"I'm sorry," Ruby told Regina who was now wearing her usual frigid mask.
"Whatever for?" Regina asked nonchalantly.
Ruby wanted push her, knowing David's words had to have hurt, but she knew to pick her battles. "Thank you," she said instead taking the necklace from the box.
"Let me," Regina said quietly when Ruby went to fasten the necklace. She pushed Ruby's dark hair out of the way and with the grace that seemed to permeate everything she did, quickly fastened the silver necklace.
Ruby's breath caught and she barely bit back a moan when a long warm finger slid slowly across the nape of her neck.
"How's that?" Regina breathed into Ruby's ear, chuckling softly at the resulting shiver.
"I think I may have a piece of hair struck in the clasp, maybe you should double check," Ruby suggested, her voice sounding raspier than she would have liked.
"I think it's fine," Regina said with a smirk and moved away. "I wish I could guarantee that it would work," Regina said seriously.
"The fact that you even tried makes it more valuable to me than you'll ever know," Ruby said gently. She knew that Regina's tolerance for tender moments had been reached when the former Mayor looked at everything in the diner but her, however she didn't do anything to force the issue.
"Yes well, I hope that it does," Regina said awkwardly. "Oh, and I'm on my way to meet with Gold. Tomorrow, once you're…yourself again, I would like to meet with you and Granny to discuss what I find out."
Ruby nodded, wondering why of all people Regina had selected a werewolf and her grandmother for allies. "I'll let her know, if she's not eavesdropping that is." A clatter from the kitchen told her that the old woman had been caught and Regina and Ruby shared a smile.
"Thank you Regina," Ruby said sincerely, "even if I'm not entirely sure why you did this."
Suddenly a slow and very dangerous smile that was pure 'Evil Queen', crossed Regina's face and she lifted her fingers to Ruby's jaw. "That's easy dear. I've always wanted a pet wolf."
Feeling far more turned on by that statement than she should have been, Ruby could do nothing but watch the enigmatic woman walk away.