Disclaimer: I own nothing beside my crazy mind and my computer… and sometimes it's more them owning me…

Note : Regina's POV

You feel her strength leaving her and you barely have time to wrap both your arms around her waist before she passes out. It's been a long time since you've had someone this close to you. Even if she isn't conscious right now, the feeling of holding someone is something you had almost forgotten.

It amazes you how many little things this woman you don't even know has already made you feel in such a short period of time.

"Majesty, we will take her to the healer. She won't bother you no more." You hear one of your knights says. You don't even look at him. You know this is how he is supposed to react. He is probably just as stunned as you are seeing you taking care of someone.

"No. I'll take care of her myself. Come and take her to my chamber. Gently! If I see you mistreating her, you will pay dearly, is that clear?" you threaten him. You have a role to play. You can't let them see you, you can't let them see beyond the mask.

"Yes, your Majesty" he bows shortly and take the woman in his arms as he would for his child. You know he won't hurt her. He knows better. He is the captain of your guard after all.

You turn to one of your servants to order some plants you'll need to help your healing spells and you follow the knight to your chambers.

"Where should I lay the Lady, My Queen?" you see he is struggling now, very uncomfortable to be in your chambers. He has never been here before but you're sure he's heard stories… You could laugh of his awkward face but you have more urgent matters to take care of.

You go to your bed, pull out the covers and push the pillows to the ground.

"Lay her here. And shut the doors on your way out." He does as he is told. And almost runs his way out.

You look at her. She looks peacefully asleep. But you see the bruises and cuts on her face and that reminds you that she has lots more covering her body. What was once a beautiful dress has been ripped and is barely covering her body. You snap your fingers and the dress disappears, leaving her in her underwear. That's when you realize the full extent of her injuries.

You don't have time to count them yet that your maid is entering the room with all you've asked her. She is older than you. She's been by your side longer than any other. She comes closer to the other side of the bed and sees the injuries as well.

"Oh by the Gods… what happened to her?" you can see she is shaken by the sight of all those cuts and the dark bruises on the pale skin of this dragon woman.

"I don't know. But they will pay. I'll make sure of that." She looks upon your face and take a step back, probably afraid of the fire that is burning in your eyes right now.

"That is all, you can go now. And tell the other that I don't want to be bother today. Under NO circumstances. Is that clear?" she makes a short curtsey and she is out of the room.

At last you are alone. You can finally drop the mask.

"What happened to you, dear?" you whisper softly. You take a cloth, plunge it into the warm water and begin to wash the dry blood off her body. The more you clean her up, the more you see how deep some of her wounds are. That alone brings back some memories and your eyes are filling with tears.

You shake them away as you begin to chant some healing spells for most of the cuts, only one will need the help of the plants.

That's what you think until you roll her carefully on her stomach.

Her back has taken more than the rest of her body. You quickly wash it and heal the smaller cuts but there's one deep going from her left shoulder to her right hip that you know you won't be able to heal as fast as the other… unless…

You don't have time to use that particular spell. She is awakening and panicking. You understand very well the reasons for that and you try to calm her with a soothing voice.

"You are safe, dear, don't move too quickly, your cuts would reopen. Please lay still. Don't worry. It's just you and me. I had to take what was left of your dress in order to treat your injuries. Shh. There. Calm down."

You strike her hair as you speak and that has a calming effect on her.

"You have a very deep cut on your back. I want to use a different spell for that one but you must be still. Can you do that for me dear?" she nods and you begin to chant.

You didn't tell her that this would make her pain disappear but that it would transfer it to you. You are taking her pain. Only the pain. The wound is still hers but you feel the burning sensation in your back. You are used to pain. It's been part of your life since you were a child. But this one feels different. Hurts in a different way. It's the first time you use that spell. The first time you willingly endure the pain of another person in order to relieve her. Your vision is blurred by tears. You are thankful than she won't see you like this. Weak. You can hear your mother's words: love is a weakness. You knew this spell was made out of love. Because it only works if you truly care for the person you are healing.

And yet again, you are amazed by how this beautiful woman makes you feel every beat of your once cold heart.