Title: When The Siren Calls You Go (To Run With the Wolf), Part Four
Pairing: Regina/Red, Red/Snow
Rating: R
Length: 13, 575
Summary: Red finds herself indebted to a beautiful queen who only asks for her friendship in return.
Notes: Beta'd by thegirl20.
She's thankful that Regina bade her to take the day off upon her arrival to her chambers that morning, offering the obviously exhausted shifter the day to rest before the great party that evening that proves to be every bit as taxing as Red had assumed it would be. It's by in large the grandest party she has yet to attend, surpassing the previous year's festivities due to the influx of dignitaries from visiting lands. That part Red at least finds interesting, meeting new people had always been thrilling to her, especially those who had exotic tales from their homelands or travels.
But dealing with two royals, one of whom wouldn't meet her gaze to save her life while the other looks as if each smile given to noblemen from her husband's side pains her beyond belief, is absolutely taxing. Both are steadily consuming goblets of wine as the night goes on and Red finds herself with little reason not to join them, standing apart from the crowds of people in the hopes of blending in with the walls as she waits for the new year to begin. Her third round in her hand, Red's eyes take in the exquisite finery the party goers are dressed in when she feels someone take the spot at her side.
"Abel," she breathes in relief as the blonde boy meets her gaze for the first time in months. He's dressed in something vaguely festive for once, having swapped his regular black doublet for one made of a gold material that seemed to bring out the amber flecks in his eyes. She could see the top of the ugly peeking out at the high neckline, standing out against the black stitching at the hem.
"There's a group of men at the window who have been talking about bothering you all evening. I came over when one of them seemed to actually work up the nerve." He nods towards a red haired man who jumps at the realization that he's been caught glowering at the two and promptly returns to a group of men. "It seemed like the knightly thing to do."
Red laughs and relaxes back against the cool stone behind her once more, bringing her cup to her lips again. "My hero." Her eyes catch sight of Snow who is dancing in the middle of the hall, looking jovial if not a little flushed from wine. "The company is appreciated as well."
"As is yours. I still feel as if I don't belong at these functions," he admits, green eyes settling on the Princess as well. "Your absence last night has been the gossip of the serving staff, you know. They say you were absent from your chambers until well into the morning."
"Oh, it's an undoubtedly riveting tale – I was visiting my grandmother." He doesn't laugh, but if Abel were the type to laugh she's sure that's what she would be receiving in place of the small grin on his lips. "I suppose I'll have to come up with a better excuse for such visits. Are you sure you came over here to save me or to be saved yourself?" She asks as a group of women dressed in silks from Agrabah pass them, fluttering their eyes at Abel who remains stoically facing forward.
"Mutual benefit." She guffaws and his grin turns into something akin to a smile. "I had a message to pass on as well; the Queen would enjoy a private word at the top of the hour, if you would grant her the time. I believe you'll find her out by her apple tree."
The Queen is indeed at her apple tree, the garden lit by the bright half-moon hanging in the sky. Dressed in pale pink and shining in diamonds that litter not only her bodice, but set in strands braided in her hair. Even in the bright crimson dress she wore, Red finds herself once more feeling underdressed in Regina's presence, but she approaches anyway, eyes glancing up to the apple tree that, like the rest of the kingdom, remains unravaged by the mild winter.
Regina's lips curve into a smile as Red approaches, her hand greeting the girl before she does by sliding around Red's hip when she arrives next to her. Red only wishes she didn't feel so guilty so she could enjoy Regina's unwarranted affection once more.
"You should only ever wear red," Regina murmurs, breath warm and scented with sweetwine from the far off deserts of their guests. "No one looks quite as stunning as you when you do."
She's brazen tonight – drunk might be a more appropriate term, but she still seems far too composed when compared to the people bumbling around inside – and she proves it by leaning in to steal a not-so-chaste kiss from Red. It's foolish of Regina, really, in the gardens where anyone could spot them, but it endears Red to have the woman care so little when in the pursuit of what she wants, the thrill drown out by the remembrance of the last person to do such a thing, not a day ago.
"She kissed me," Red murmurs before Regina has even leaned away, keeping her eyes closed in an attempt to shield herself from anything might Regina might say or do – or worse, express. Red can't bear it. "I didn't... I swear, Regina, I didn't know she was going to… I wouldn't have let her, you have to believe me."
Regina's breathing has slowed, quieted so much that if it weren't for the steady beating of her heart that Red can still able hear over the commotion inside the castle she wouldn't be sure she was still alive. Regina's expression, when Red finally wills herself to take it in, is a pained mixture of disbelief and something that the werewolf can't quite place; Regina's masks are perfection when she employs them, but there's something dark and scary behind it, Red can see it there even under the layers Regina so carefully constructs.
"You have to believe me," she repeats her plea, hands moving to Regina's neck and holding her close, deciding an offense was better than her weak defense. She kisses Regina once, then twice hoping to convey even a half measure of what she felt. "You can't think after all this time that I've ever even looked at anyone else. You're all I think about. The only one."
She can smell Abel – that scent of polished swords and the faint wolffish aroma that lingers from visits with his father – but she doesn't dare turn to face him until Regina meets her eye again. Her expression is still illegible but she gives Red a look that promises a follow-up about the situation as she steps away. When Red finds Abel's gaze behind her it seems to be guarded and not at all like the warm almost-smile he had given her the hour before.
"The Sultan has inquired of your absence and the King seems affronted that you would excuse yourself without leave."
"Of course he is," Regina mutters darkly as she breezes past Red and back into the castle, Abel at her side like a guard dog. Red sighs, her breath coming out in only a faint visible puff. For some reason the warm winter unnerves her, though she can't figure out quite why that is. It seemed even the snow couldn't match the going ons of this kingdom no matter how much it tried.
It's downright audacious of Regina, really. Sneaking away in the dead of night for stolen kisses is one thing, but it's a different story to have a Queen arriving at the handmaiden's door in the bright morning light just as the castle was turning in from the festivities. There's still a flush on her cheeks from the wine, but her eyes have a sobering clarity as Red opens the door to reveal them. There's something about the sharpness of her gaze that has Red backing away breathlessly as she enters, the door slamming shut behind the raven-haired woman.
Regina grabs her face roughly and her kiss isn't at all gentle, but Red finds herself not caring as she moans against the Queen's lips, the sweetwine flavour still strong on them. It's Regina who takes every step, dominating and in control as she shoves the sleeves of Red's nightgown down her arms and bites at her lower lip. She is only dressed in a robe and shift herself, two items that are easily done away with, but before Red can so much as open her eyes to take in the view she finds herself being pushed back onto her bed, Regina close behind.
She can't see Regina with the continued assault on her lips, but she can feel her; all soft skin and gentle curves that make the vicious kisses that much more dizzying. Her hands splay across Regina's back, sliding up and down the increasingly warming skin. She loves this more than anything, she decides, being wrapped up in Regina and uncaring of the world beyond her door. Red tears her head away and takes in a shuddering gasp as the Queen's idle hands finally motivate themselves beyond that of holding Red down, her left bearing her weight while the other slides up to twist a pert, red nipple. It's experimental, the inexperience hidden behind an upsurge of passion and preeminence, and it leaves Red feeling as if there's a fire scorching her skin in Regina's wake.
The onus to be careful is apparently on her shoulders (though she can't imagine that she would be the one to receive a true punishment if they are caught), with the Queen all but smirking against Red's skin at the reaction her touch receives, lips puckering to press a warm kiss to the girl's cheek before repeating her hand's movement. It earns her Red's nails pressing against her spine, not hard enough to draw blood but she still leaves a few nasty welts nonetheless. Regina returns them in kind, head dropping to Red's shoulder and neck so her teeth can mottle them with bruises that she will surely have fun trying to cover from the prying eyes of the court – undoubtedly Regina's intention.
She bites her lip preemptively as she feels the hand at her breast slowly make its way down her stomach, hating her eyes for being unwilling to open despite the fact that she had Regina overtop her, dressed in the bright morning light and nothing else. She takes in a jittering breath as royal fingertips brush across her navel, Regina's movements becoming more conscious and deliberate as they move lower, parting wet folds and earning a pained groan for her efforts. Her teeth have stopped their assault on Red's collarbone, warm lips pulling away from the shifter's skin presumably to gauge her reactions. Cool digits warm quickly as they slide down and then back up while Red's own hand falls to the duvet beneath them, curling her fingers in the soft material rather than claw at the other woman's back.
She waits for it, that bite of pain the women in her village and the ones at court promised, and it comes in spades when Regina none-too-gently drives three slim fingers into her. It's at the back of her mind in an instant though, the painful ache taking second to the intoxicating rush as Regina again claims her mouth, kisses sweet while her hand remains almost brutally persistent. Red can't imagine anything less Regina-like.
"Look at you," Regina murmurs softly against Red's whimpering mouth. She feels as if she's engulfed in flames but she manages to open her eyes nonetheless, the brown ones above her all at once malicious and warm. "So beautiful." Red's eyes refuse to remain open as the Queen's fingers twist viciously inside her, drawing a moan that the young girl can't quite keep lodged away. But her hand slows to a maddeningly lethargic pace, assuredly to garner the reaction this decrease receives, which is Red's gaze once again seeking out the older woman's. After all, who would Regina be without an audience?
"And mine," she whispers possessively, comfortingly, passionately – Red can't quite be sure, but she doesn't particularly care because her gaze earns her Regina's favour again. It's maddeningly difficult but entirely worth it to watch Regina's jaw move with each gasp Red takes, mirroring the shifter's engaging movements but not the same sounds. Red's throat aches from the effort it takes to keep her voice down, at each pained breath that seems unwilling to please her lungs. Her body feels like a tense ball of energy, the embers growing with each haphazard thrust of Regina's delicate hand.
But even when the tightening coil inside her snaps, the blaze doesn't seem to peter out, only intensify. Red's whole body seems to vibrate and her gasps still have yet to provide her with any oxygen or comfort. There's no relief in her climax; instantly addictive pleasure, undoubtedly, but rather than quell any desire within her, it gives Red the crushing realization that there simply won't ever be enough nights like these to ever satisfy her. Her gluttony will only grow while Regina is within her reach.
Not that she is, even now. When Red's shaking hand unclenches the bedding and rises in an attempt to take control, she's immediately shot down – her wrist clenched instantly by sticky fingers and pinned back on the mattress. Regina's smirk has returned full force, imperious and resilient to the dangers that could be lurking outside the door from any servant simply trying to get a start on the new day and year. She looks every bit as dangerous as Red imagines she can be, even if that smirk turns into an almost fond smile as her head drops to the top of the brunette's breast, mouth encircling the nipple her fingers had neglected before.
Red groans deep in her chest, freed hands flying to Regina's long hair to tangle in the ebony locks. Her whole body is far too oversensitized for this but she can't bring herself to protest – not that she has the mental faculties to do such a thing at the moment anyway. Crimson lips have passed her navel and before she can recognize this fact her body arching off the bed, the first swipe of Regina's tongue against that bundle of nerves that's calling out for a break has her doubling over. Too much, she thinks but can't force herself to verbalize, the only sounds escaping her lips becoming desperate whimpers and whines.
When it's over – when her hoarse voice can finally muster the words to inform Regina she will surely die if she lays another finger on her after a second, semi-painful climax – the Queen relents, curling around Red, a satisfied smile on her lips as the sound of the castle waking outside Red's chambers echo in the hallways. Her hand sifts through the young girl's chocolate locks, eyes shut and nose brushing against Red's with every move of her head.
"You didn't let me touch you," Red accuses in a whisper, body exhausted and sated, eyes tired and heavy. But Regina looks more serene than Red's ever seen her, awash in the yellow light of the day most have begun already. She can't possibly allow them to close now.
"Trust me, dear, I've been waiting for someone like you far longer than you've been waiting for me. Indulge me this once," she murmurs, tilting her chin to catch Red's lips in a sweet kiss that makes Red melt.
"You've ruined me, you know. No noble lord will take a sullied maiden for a bride."
Regina laughs as her brown eyes open, squinting against the bright light of the sun. Her fingers untangle from Red's hair to trail down her jaw, thumb brushing over her lower lip when she reaches the shifter's chin. "Good."
It's Red's turn to smile, though it fades at the realization that this new year was to start out with the same problems as the last one had. "I suppose I'll be back in Snow's service today."
"You are her lady-in-waiting."
"What do I do?" Red asks quietly, hating the fact that she has to bring this subject up when entangled in Regina's arms and the soft sheets of her bed.
Regina holds her gaze for a moment before closing her eyes once more, sighing softly against the pillow her cheek rests on. "I can hardly blame her for wanting you. I'm sure you can find a way to make it work to your advantage." Her thumb brushes against Red's lip once more. "But she doesn't get to keep you."
Try as she might, and she does try awfully hard, Snow can't escape being alone with Red forever. Her handmaids have diminished to that of Anna, a girl soon to be married, and Red herself. A few days into the new year finally ends with Red being the only one available to wait on Snow. The Princess is as diplomatic as the young woman is expected to be, but more often than not she seems to mumble her words out of embarrassment and there's a pink tinge to her cheeks whenever she accidentally meets Red's eye.
Red is equally conflicted; Regina's words weren't explicit, but her wish for Red to remain close to the girl seems to be paramount since the new year has begun. She assures Red that her plan to be free of her marriage, whatever it is, will be executed within a month or two, should all the pieces come into place. But this... Red glances at Snow in the soft, flickering light of the fire, lips parted and silently moving to form the words she reads. Red doesn't know if she can go through with this.
She has to though. Regina all but told her to and so she must, despite the twisting knots in her stomach as she slides from her own chair to kneel in front of Snow, working up the courage to meet the Princess' undoubtedly confused gaze as she rests her hands atop Snow's knees. The book in front of her face drops to her side and her breathing becomes heavy as Red sits up on her knees, eyes focused on Snow's lips as she nears her face rather than allow her gaze to give her away. She almost wishes she could feel that shock of lightning like when Regina kisses her, that would at least make her feel less like a fraud; but Snow's lips, while soft and sweet and tasting of pomegranates, offer no spark, only a meek return that Red tries to prompt into becoming more.
"Ruby," she whispers after pulling her head back, green eyes somber but judgement-free. She smiles a little sadly at Red as the older girl sits back on her shins, taking in a shuddering breath and speaking more to her hands than the girl in front of her chair. "You don't have feelings for me."
It's a statement unsure if it wants to be a question and it leaves Red to answer tepidly, albeit truthfully in response. "I'm very fond of you, Snow."
Snow takes another breath that's more confident than the one before. "This is a falsehood if you're not doing this for yourself and I fear that is most certainly the case." Red's heart stops for a moment at Snow's words, fearing herself to be found out. "It's nice that you would go to such an effort to appease me, Ruby, but I'm afraid it's for naught if your heart isn't in it."
She lets out a breath, relieved to not be the reason she and Regina were caught, but there's an ache in her chest at Snow's bittersweet tone. "I'm sorry, Your Grace. I thought... I thought this is what you wanted."
"I'm afraid even I don't know what I want," Snow admits, a small, genuine grin on her lips that Red is relieved to see.
"I just don't want to lose you, Snow," Red breathes, surprising herself a little at the admission.
"Nor I you, Ruby," Snow gushes in return immediately, sliding from the chair to mirror Red's position, taking the werewolf's hands in her own. "You're my best friend. I never thought... People in my position are lucky to have people close to them who are half as loyal as you, and few have the luxury of calling those select few around them true friends."
Red has nothing to say in return, the practised words on her tongue dying at the heartfelt plea. She's never felt so guilty in her life, even at her trial for Peter's death. At least then she hadn't been willingly toying with the life of a person she cared for.
"I hope to be deserving of that praise one day, Snow," she whispers, not trusting herself so she reaches forward and pulls the Princess close.
"I thought you had more of a backbone than this, Abigail," Regina spits harshly, her face more full of contempt than Red has ever seen, even from this distance. She had been asked to wait in the hall for the visiting monarch from her kingdom, though it seems trivial when Regina has left the door to her chambers open, giving Red not only a view of her and the blonde but a clear indication of what they're saying.
"I have a kingdom to think of, Regina. Not all of us have the luxury of being blinded by our revenge." Red wouldn't admit it out loud, but she feels an immense amount of respect for anyone who would dare to speak to Regina in such a way, especially when that person knows of Regina's abilities. "I'm not being sold off–"
"Oh, spare me. You know as well as I that your father will all but do that the moment an offer for your hand comes in."
"My father respects me and my wishes," Abigail replies icily. "Our kingdom is the richest in all of the lands thanks to him, I will–"
"Be a prize to be won then," Regina states, matching the Princess' tone and glower. "What about Frederick?"
"Am I to continue to wait for him forever, Regina? How many men am I to send to their deaths to that lake of yours? I've done everything I can." Abigail's tone, while strong and not lacking in confidence, has an edge of pain to it. "It's my duty to my kingdom to marry and continue my line. I'm sure my father will find a husband to do the job dutifully, and I have no doubt that I will have a final say in who that man is."
"You're a coward."
"I'm a pragmatist," the blonde fires back, gathering the skirts of her dress, "and I will not stand here and be talked down to. Not even by you, Regina."
"Enjoy being traded like a broodmare as I was then," the Queen snaps, turning in the opposite direction to stalk off to her balcony.
Abigail almost breezes right past Red, leaving the young girl scrambling to keep in-step with her. "Abigail, I'm sure she won't hold onto this resentment forever."
"You must not have been paying attention to Regina then," the Princess replies sardonically, "as she excels in that very field of work."
"She just wants what's best for you, you must know that," Red tries once more.
"Undoubtedly. Unfortunately Regina doesn't always take into consideration that our own wishes can't always come first." She continues on muttering darkly, "And I fear she may never learn that lesson."
"I'm sorry," Red whispers, earning her an abrupt halt and a questioning look from the woman. "That you couldn't save Frederick. I'm truly sorry."
An almost incredulous look passes over Abigail's lovely features before she sighs. "You really are a sweet girl, aren't you? Regina... is absolutely lucky to have you." Red smiles a little but it drops almost immediately at the blonde's follow-up. "I hope she deserves such devotion, but I'm becoming increasingly aware that she might not."
Red doesn't reply, dropping her gaze when she realizes that any response she gives will not only be in vain, but that Abigail would be able to easily poke through any defense she could possibly give. Abigail seems to take pity on her, reaching out to grasp Red's arm and squeeze it.
"I know Regina has given you this life, and much more, I gather." Red flushes at the hint of an accusatory tone, but Abigail pays no mind. "And I cannot fault you for your loyalty, Red, it's rather admirable but..."
Abigail trails off and glances back down the hallway to Regina's chambers, hand falling back down to her side as she sighs. "Just watch out for yourself, Red. You've seen how easy it is for her mood to change. And a pretty face like yours, not to mention that loyal little heart, shouldn't go to waste on someone who only has vengeance on her mind. She doesn't deserve you."
Abigail leaves in a flurry of violet chiffon and that's the last Red ever sees of her in this kingdom.
There's a strange guest in the castle whom Snow informs her is a genie, whatever that may be. Leopold had apparently freed the man from a lamp or something equally as ridiculous, Red's not quite sure. Nor does she particularly care. All she knows is that she doesn't like this strange visitor or the way he looks at Regina. She especially doesn't like that.
"They grant wishes, Ruby," Snow informs her for at least the fifth time, an amused smile on her face. "I'm not sure if he still can now that he's been freed, but they're quite powerful."
"He doesn't look that powerful," Red mutters obstinately from her spot behind Snow, carefully pinning her hair back to prepare for the banquet that evening.
"Well you don't look like you could change into a wolf whenever the moon is just right, so I suppose you're not in a position to judge." Snow smiles in the looking glass as Red rolls her eyes. "You really don't care for him, do you?"
"If you're worried about my behaviour, you need not; I will show him every respect a man from a bottle is due."
The Princess laughs outright, waving away Red's hands to tuck in the last few strands of ebony hair herself. She turns in her chair to face Red when she finishes, reaching for her wrist to run her thumb over the bracelet Regina had given her years ago. "You don't have to join us tonight if you wish. I'm sure I can manage without my escort."
"If I do I may very well lose the opportunity to make fun of something he does or says, Your Grace." Snow's grin brightens for a moment before it fades almost completely while her thumb brushes over the rubies inlaid in gold that create flower petals on her ornament. "Is something the matter, Snow?"
"I know... I know it's been a few weeks now, but when you were waiting on the Queen did you..." Her eyebrows furrow for a moment and she bites her lip. "Did you notice anything... odd? Was she... she just seems as if she's been on edge lately, and with Abigail storming out of here the other week, I just... I don't know. I was just wondering if anything in her behaviour seemed off to you."
Red stops to consider her words as she watches Snow trace the jewels adorned on her wrist. "I don't know, Your Majesty. I don't know her as you do." Snow nods absentmindedly, letting out a sigh. "She... she doesn't always seem like the woman I first met," she continues cautiously. "And that is... it's hard to reconcile sometimes – my view of her being different from what I thought."
"I swear, Ruby," Snow breathes, her small smile returning, "sometimes it feels like you know what I'm thinking. Is that just your puppy intuition?"
Red's jaw drops in mock offense, her hand reaching for a small throw pillow to throw at the future queen, who laughs in return, throwing it back at the girl.
The banquet for the King's birthday is subdued compared to most of their royal feasts and grand festivities , but Snow's father doesn't seem to care for the attention so much when his daughter is at his side. The whole party watches as he bids Snow attention in favour of his wife's, praising her in front of the crowd while Regina's exit isn't even given heed. Red watches her leave, itching to follow, but Snow catches her gaze and beckons her over. She watches, though, out of the corner of her eye as the wish-granting man follows her queen out into the courtyard.
She steals away into Regina's room that night before the Queen arrives, standing back in the shadows while she waits. She's not jealous, that would be absolutely absurd. It's just… hard when Red isn't sure what she means to Regina. And the idea of someone else being equally enamoured wasn't absurd by any means, but it was frustrating when Red knows how easily Regina can play upon that fact with someone and she wasn't about to let someone else take the woman's affections from her.
Regina enters with her father, still in mid-conversation while they discuss retrieving a last minute package from another land. Regina almost seems manic with excess energy, not even noticing Red until she had thrown upon the shutters on her window, letting the bright light from the half-moon in. Her hand flies up but the crackle of magic fades as quickly as it had appeared at her fingertips.
"Red," she breathes irritably. The look passes in an instant as an idea seemingly hits her. "Red..."
"I'm sorry for startling you." She glances at Henry and then back to Regina. "I was hoping for a word."
Regina exchanges a glance with her father, muttering something to him about preparing a horse before she walks up to Red, positively beaming as she grabs the werewolf's face, kissing her with more zeal than she ever has before.
"I have my way out, Red. Our way out. The King will be gone before the week is through if you can do me one last favour." The Queen's hands drop to Red's so she can bring the girl's knuckles to her lips. "Tell me you're as excited as I."
"I am, Regina," she insists quickly, earning her another joyful kiss. "What... what of this favour though..."
"Oh, sweet girl, nothing nefarious, I swear. I only need you to ride to the western crossing and retrieve a package for me. You will have to leave now however." Her hands are being tugged towards the door, though Regina stops them when they reach it, turning and waving her hand until Red finds herself dressed in clothes more suitable to riding, her hood included. "Soon it will be over, Red. And we can be happy."
There's something thrilling about speeding through the night on horseback, the only sounds being those of nature and the thundering sounds of eight hooves beating against the dirt paths. The last time Red had been on such a journey was her leisurely journey to Abigail's kingdom in which she had returned as Ruby. She's going the same direction by heading westward and has her same companion accompanying her – Abel is hot on her heels – but there's something about the urgency in which Regina sent her that gives her such purpose that she feels like the wolf, running on instinct through the woods. Even though they make it all the way to the western crossing in what must be record time, the person they're to meet to retrieve the package from is nowhere to be seen, and every minute that passes reminds Red that it will be another minute for Snow to notice her absence when the dawn breaks.
"Where is this trader?" Red bemoans for the fifth time, pacing back and forth while her horse watches with halfhearted interest, far too focused on grazing to give her his full attention. The night is clear and cool, the darkness overhead blanketed with stars that seem to provide as much light as the moon. With each gust of the wind she tries to pick up the scent of anything but fails to do so.
"I'll head further down the path and see if I can see anyone," Abel offers, his dark attire making him appear to be a jolt of golden hair amongst shadows. Red sighs as she watches him trot down the path, leaning back against a tree as she stares at her horse. She had never been a patient person, but this business of having the end so close yet having it withheld from her was absolutely maddening.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, dearie." The unmistakable voice comes from behind her, initially startling her but the fright gives way to weariness as she takes in the sight of the odd man from the forest. He stood with his hands behind his back, but presented them in front of himself with a flourish, an ornamental box appearing in his hands. "I believe this is what you were expecting."
Red eyes him warily before she reaches out, gloved hands reaching to open the lid only to have it snapped shut as the man tuts her as if scolding a child. "Now, now. What's inside isn't meant for the likes of you."
"What is inside?" She finally asks as the box become too intriguing for her to ignore. Its contents move occasionally, but it's the multiple, rapid heartbeats that have truly caught her intention.
"The surprise inside is a few lovely vipers, dear."
"Snakes," Red states, reaching for the box once more, finding the man's own grasp slightly frustrating as she tries to tug it out of his hold.
"Snakes," he confirms, claw-like nails curling around the edge of the ornate box. "Deadly ones." Red yanks the box from his grasp at his accusatory tone. "But I'm sure you know better than anyone what Regina's intentions are. I'm curious as to whether or not she plans to use them for all the members of the royal family."
Red doesn't answer, has none to give regardless, but she doesn't drop his gaze, fearing to do so should it imply guilt of any kind. No, these were for the King and he most certainly deserves such a fate. Of that, Red has no qualms about.
"But, no, I expect she'll be more creative than that when it comes to torturing Snow." He lets out a giggle, clearly amused by himself. But his dark eyes take a sharp, pointed look at Red. "A little more… personal. I'm sure you'll be the one I'll have to ask about that. She undoubtedly intends to get some use out of you after all the time."
"No." She refutes it even though everything inside her is telling her not to answer this man, to not give into his baiting words. "Regina promised I wouldn't have any part in this–"
"Says the wolf-girl with the box of vipers," he cuts her off with a bored indifference. "Come now, dearie, open those big eyes of yours. You can't hide from the truth forever." He disappears in a puff of black smoke but he continues talking, his voice feeling as if it's being whispered directly into her ear. "Especially not when you're holding the King's murder weapon in your hands."
"The Queen has been forbidden visitors."
"Excuse me?" Red asks incredulously, the wrapped box feeling heavy in her arms as she stands in front of the men entrusted with guarding the hallway that leads to the Queen's room. The ride back from her midnight meeting had proven to be exhausting, especially when she arrived back at the castle with the intent of bringing Regina her parcel as soon as she could. She was exhausted and ill-prepared for a day at court as it was, she didn't need this setback. "I am the King's ward and demand–"
"Under order of the King," the nameless guard stresses, "the Queen is to be kept in her room and receive no visitors."
"Lady Comstock." The voice cuts her off before Red can open her own mouth to retort, Henry's timid tone catching her before she lost her temper. The box in her hands and the man's parting words last night had her on edge and she just wanted all of this to be over already. The two wordlessly walk to an empty corridor, glancing around uneasily before they speak. "You've retrieved the snakes then."
Red hands over the box wordlessly, the heavy afternoon sun making her feel more tired than she already is. A lingering sense of dread overtakes her as she wraps her empty arms around herself. "How are you even going–"
"Regina has a plan," the old man says quietly, giving a distasteful glance as a barely audible hiss is heard. "I just have to ensure this gets to the right person."
"I don't want to hear anymore." It's a risky thing to mutter in such a repugnant tone, knowing full well the withering look it would earn her from Regina – or may still, depending on how agreeable Henry is.
But the Queen's father just nods sympathetically and turns to leave. Stopping to look up at Red with a small, genuine look. "Thank you for all you've done for my daughter, Red. None of this would have been possible without you."
"I hope you don't mind," Snow says quietly as she steps in, closing the heavy door behind her as she does. She's dressed in pale pink, the colour having a wildly different effect against her alabaster skin when compared to Regina's tan complexion.
"No, of course not." Red sits up from her position, brushing back her hair from her face. The day had proved to be too nerve-wracking and eventually the brunette had given up and retreated to her room. Though even away from the prying eyes of the court and in the comfort of her own bed, Red felt utterly out of place. "I told Anna where to find me, but I wasn't needed so I came to rest."
"I'm interrupting your nap?"
"Not at all. I'm afraid every time I close my eyes, they just open again." Leaning back against the pillows she's piled up, Red pats the bed and Snow doesn't take any more encouragement before clamouring onto the mattress next to her.
"At breakfast Regina told me she sent you to retrieve something from the market early this morning."
"Imagine my surprise when I returned to the castle only to find I couldn't deliver it to her." She tries to keep her tone light and curious, but she fears her frayed edges have left her more raw than she'd like to appear. Snow's already sullen expression turns absolutely heartbreaking at the quip.
"I don't know what's going on, Ruby," Snow admits, sounding painfully desperate and just as tired as Red feels.
"The King must have given a reason."
Snow shakes her head and looks down at the hands in her lap. "None that he would give me. He doesn't want the palace knowing."
Red sighs as yet another dead end appears, eyes shifting over to her red cloak draped over a chair in the corner. Something about the sight implores her to tell Snow of the box she was sent to retrieve, the deadly contents inside, and how they were meant for her father. But she can't. She opens her mouth but the words don't form.
"I don't know what to do," Snow whispers to her right and Red's eyes close when she feels too ashamed to keep them open. Instead she holds her arm out and Snow immediately takes the cue, wrapping her arms around the girl she thinks she knows and burying her face in Red's neck. They remain that way for hours when no one comes to retrieve them, Red's eyes finally drooping of their own accord some time around dinner due to Snow's comforting weight and warmth. She wakes up still pressed against the Princess, Snow's even breath blowing across her neck. She could like this, she thinks, this closeness with someone else, would love this easiness with Regina. But even with Snow, there's a level of intimacy she doesn't think many will be able to top in her life. Their entire relationship was based on a falsehood, but Red can't imagine a world without the future monarch anymore. Her best friend. It was more than she could have ever asked for.
There's a bustling in the hallway that keep Red's tired eyes from closing once again, but people are talking over each other and few seem to actually have any information to share, though they ask each other questions to which no one has answers anyway. She presses her lips against Snow's forehead at the sound of someone slowing to a halt outside her room, the Princess waking a moment later at the knock at the door. Abel enters with a bright look that immediately becomes subdued when he notes Snow's presence.
"Your Majesty, they've been looking for you everywhere."
"S'matter?" Snow asks groggily and she shifts to sit up, leaving Red with a chill she can't shake as the heat next to her leaves.
"I'm afraid I can't say, but you should come with me. Just you, Lady Comstock would do best to stay here while everything is sorted." Red looks at the blonde boy, trying to decipher more from his blank stare then was there to give away. Snow opens her mouth to protest but is immediately cut off. "I'm sorry, Your Grace, but I must insist that you come with me immediately."
"You should go, Snow," Red whispers, reaching over to squeeze her wrist. Snows blue eyes glance back at her, worry in them. "Whatever's happening... you should go, be safe."
"I'll send for you the moment I can," Snow says uneasily, looking at Abel for her own answers but receiving none in return just as Red had.
As soon as the door closes, Red snaps from her lazed position so as to walk over to her vanity, waking herself up by splashing water on her face before she looks into the small mirror. She doesn't know what she's supposed to be feeling, doesn't know how she should be processing all of this. The only thing the commotion in the hallway could be caused by surely must be the King's dead but she doesn't know where that–
"The King is dead." She has to say it aloud before it sinks in. The crushing realization that Snow would never see her father again. Red had never even met hers and now she was dooming someone else to the same empty place that she has in her own life. Not just someone else, her best friend. Who was alone in the world now, with only–
"Regina." Red stands and walks to the door with a set purpose, but although her strides remain confident and even as she makes her way through the now-desolate halls of the castle, she is anything but. The alarm has shifted judging by the change in atmosphere; the people are clearly no longer shocked, they're scared. But Red isn't. She has no idea if Regina's word will remain true now that their goal has been reached. She needs to know though, needs something to come from the last few years of her life even if it's a crushing defeat. She wasn't afraid of the battles anymore, only anxious for an outcome.
The guards at the end of Regina's hallway have changed since she had been there earlier, replaced with two men dressed in a black armour that looked the same as Abel's, who let her pass seemingly without a moment's hesitation, without even a look in her direction. Red doesn't care to think too much about it as she nears Regina's door, her stomach twisting with fear, anxiety, and excitement and she opens the door without knocking. Regina is looking out the window, dressed in navy blue with gems in various shapes that sparkle in the light, making her look like the night sky. She looks pleased with herself, taking a deep breath as she stands triumphant on the other side of the room.
"Come here," she murmurs softly, laughing quietly to herself and extending her hand when Red doesn't immediately move. Red's steps are cautious and slow, though it's less due to her nerves than the feeling of the air leaving her lungs as she approaches, wary of the crackle of energy in the room. Of the power the next choice Regina makes. "You look like you've seen a ghost, dear."
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say," Red admits with a shaky breath as she takes Regina's warm hand in her own, unable to help the relieved smile that spreads over her lips as the Queen steps closer to her, raising Red's chin with a single finger to lift her gaze from their joined hands. "Congratulations?"
Regina's smile grows, but she doesn't say anything for a long time, instead choosing to trail her finger delicately across Red's jaw. "It's done," she says quietly, her whole hand closing in to cup her cheek. "I can't say I really know what I feel, to be honest with you."
"Happy. Tell me you're happy," the brunette implores as she takes her own hold of Regina's face, eyes desperate and frantic as she searches for confirmation. She needs to hear Regina say it. "Tell me this is what you wanted… what all of this was for."
"Very, very, very happy, sweet girl." Her thumb brushes across Red's cheekbone. "Now that you're here to share it with me." Regina has had her victory, it's time for Red's win, and so she takes it at that moment, kissing Regina hungrily upon the affirmation she receives. The Queen is just as eager, if not more so, giving into that rare bit of sloppiness in her haste that Red hasn't felt since the first time she surprised Regina with a kiss.
Her fingers are once again annoyingly clumsy at the prospect of the now-widowed Queen's new guards giving them the space they require for the night, but she's terrified of their time getting cut short once again. She's doing five things at once: kissing Regina with all the reverence she was due, loosening ebony hair from its updo, attempting to save a rather pretty navy dress while removing it hastily, running her hands across Regina's increasingly bared skin, and trying to maintain whatever little dominance she has while she has it. The Queen, in return, remains as cool and calm as ever as she forces Red's kisses to a slow to a savouring pace.
"We have all the time in the world now," she attempts to remind, though before long she finds her dress bunching at her hips and her hair falling down to graze the middle of her exposed back. Red is undeterred however, not ceasing in her alacrity until the velvet material is pooled on the ground. Regina relents and allows Red's exuberance to set the pace. Exuberance and paranoia that someone would come to the door at any moment, that Regina will prove this all to be a falsehood. But she shows her own forward momentum pushing Red back until they near the bed in front of the open balcony, not that the werewolf allows her to keep the lead, using that innate strength she so rarely taps into to switch her position and force the Queen back down onto the duvet. Regina is naked and appreciative underneath her but she stops Red from sliding overtop her with a hand on the younger girl's chest, pushing her back until Regina can sit up on the edge of the bed and reach around to pull the strings binding her corset loose.
"Tell me you're happy," Regina parrots quietly, the demand hidden beneath the purr of her voice. Red can see the sharpness in her gaze though, the genuine need to know Red's answer as she stares up at her. Her chin comes to rest on Red's abdomen while her hands blindly unlace the strings and Red counters by sifting her hands through Regina's long, dark hair, an attempt to stall.
Because she's not happy. Not really. She's relieved, wary, guilty, tired, and desperate for Regina's kiss to comfort her like her words used to. There's an ache in her heart that she refuses to acknowledge to herself at the moment, the agony brimming under her surface for the hell Snow is surely going through at the moment, but she refuses to allow the King's presence to obstruct her and Regina any longer.
"I'm happy I'm here with you," she breathes, the truth at the most and a sidestep from it at the least. Because she is happy enough to be here; happy to allow Regina's hands to methodically finish the laces of her corset, happy to let the Queen slip her dress past her shoulders, happy to indulge in her saviour's hands skimming over her body as her eyes follow. Because she gets to follow overtop as Regina smiles and slides back on her featherbed. Her answer was enough to placate, enough to reassure. She wonders if the Queen even needs reassurance or if it's unnecessary at this point. Red's clearly hers to have.
She's pliable tonight, far more willing to revel in her success and it's a little infuriating to Red. She came in here to conquer, to prove her place in Regina's life outside of her commands. She was the one who kissed Regina years ago, she was the one who brought them here. Regina was hers to conquer by all rights, really. But there's something about the somberness in her heart and the smugness in the raven-haired woman's movements that causes her to withhold, to not give into Regina's clear desire to be ravished so she can relish in her victory, to make this about themselves rather than the forces that have kept them from it.
So she kisses her sweetly, slamming Regina's wrists back down to the bed when they attempt to rebel and reach out to touch Red. The Queen's breath catches in her throat and Red can't tell if it's from intrigue or a result of her insolence, but she softens the blow by sliding her palms up to brush against Regina's, locking her fingers through hers as she relaxes her body overtop. It's a demand, but one made in the most polite way she can think of, her lips slow but full of deference as her skin slides against the other woman's. The open room lets in the cold night air, but neither seem to notice. Red's always felt like her was fire in her veins, the cold never bothered her. Regina seems much the same.
She can't stall here, can't savour this moment when she could lose her nerve or, worse, the upper hand if she dawdles, so she shifts her weight onto her right arm, mouth pulling and pushing against Regina's in their gradual kisses as her hand slips down tanned skin to flit across smooth skin covering a flat stomach. The Queen is receptive to Red's soft fingers, her skin pebbles with goosebumps in their wake and her eyelids flutter and Red has to stop kissing her because it's too hard to not watch wine-coloured lips fall open as her hand dares to venture lower.
"Oh." She sounds almost surprised as Red's fingers slide against her heat, eyebrows drawn in and mouth agape, her nose brushing against Red's while the younger girl watches with pointed interest, as desperate to see Regina's reactions as Regina had been to see hers the night she stormed into Red's bedroom. She watches that small moment of embarrassment cross over Regina's face at such a reaction, but before she has time to steel herself to prevent another, Red surges on, deftly sliding her fingers up until Regina's gasp turns painful and her hips jerk violently as they brush over and over against the small bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs.
She should savour now, she knows that, wants to on some level, but her Queen has appeared underneath her again, beautiful and yielding and so, so, so in need of Red's help once more. She can't drag this out, doesn't want to, really, so she doesn't, sliding two already sticky digits down to her entrance and pushing in until Regina's arching her neck and whimpering so pathetically that Red feels some surge of power she's sure must be the equivalent that Regina feels at any given moment. Other than this one. In this moment she's helpless and urging Red for faster, more, anything so long as she continues, and as soon as the commands come Red feels the need to meet them, to surpass them and prove her worth even if the Queen was beyond needing assurance. She just couldn't get beyond needing her.
And Regina does, now, judging by the desperation in her panting breaths and the way she clenches around Red's fingers. "Red," she chokes out in a whine (Yes, Red thinks as her hand starts to cramp, Me. I'm here, I've done what you've asked without question, I've served you better than anyone, I've given up too much for you to not need this too.), hands digging into the girl's flesh. "Red, Red, Red." Her voice comes in mindless babbles and keening whimpers and crooning groans and eventually give way to rapid, shallow breathing as the younger girl digs down into the inherent strength and speed her blood gives her, face imploring Regina to give in because she needs to see it just as badly as Regina surely wants to reach it.
A cry that borders along the lines of distress is what ends it, forcing its way from Regina's throat as the woman seems to all but splinter apart underneath her. Red knows the feeling. Her body was a flurry of movement; bucking hips freezing for a brief moment just to give way to a tremble that overtakes every limb. The cold air settling in the room doesn't hit her until her wet fingers are exposed to it once again (the desperate, violent shiver Regina's body gives as she they leave is just… delicious) but Regina doesn't seem to notice, even as her breath turns visible while she attempts to catch it, facing the open balcony as Red resituates herself. Her eyes are trained on Regina's, which had snapped shut at some point after looking so totally lost, her gaze beseeching her unsaid words. Tell me you needed that, tell me you need me. Regina's body relaxes after her fitful breaths turn even if not still loud. Tell me I'm enough. Please tell I'm good. There's no surrender when brown eyes open though.
But, yes, Red will allow the continued onslaught instead of the reaffirmation that wasn't likely to sate her anyway. She will allow herself to be conquered and devoured as Regina's hands pins her down with renewed exuberance, the smile on her face both wicked and wonderful as her painted lips claim Red's once more. Regina isn't hers after all, not really. She is Regina's though. Her wolf, her spy, her lover. She is Regina's to vanquish, she's known that all along, but it doesn't hit her until her shuddering sob gives way to a climax, and when she rejoins the cognizant world the revelation makes Regina's expression seem darker than before. She doesn't let it in though. Tonight is a night for Regina's victory and for her win and she's blocked more out on worse nights.
Though there probably aren't many people who do like them, Red hates funerals. Hates the overt pain and grief from so many people when it feels like it's radiating off of each person in the room. The party is small inside the castle, the man from Agrabah still hasn't been caught after all, and half the kingdom had shown up to pay their respects as the casket was carried from the chapel to the castle, the whole city silent and somber. Red stands back from the royal party as much she can, finding no peace in Abel's presence as they eventually find themselves silently agreeing to escort one another if only to reasonably avoid everyone else. Still, there's little comfort in their unexplained distance, there hasn't been since he walked out on her and Regina at the turn of the year.
Eventually all but Snow and Regina are left in the room with the casket and Red returns to her chambers, finding herself nearly ripping off her mourning clothes until she's left in the black corset and shift, pacing around her room with an itch to scratch that she can't quite place. She wants to cry. Not for the King – never for that man, but for… for someone. For Snow, for Regina, for herself. The pressure is there, as if she's been walking along a cliff all week, glancing down every once in awhile but never quite taking the plunge. She wants to but something about allowing herself to shed tears over the situation makes her feel dirty, as if it wasn't her place to do so or out of line when she had helped all of this along.
Snow shows up, she was bound to eventually. She had called upon Red the morning after her father's death, but by the time Red had returned to her room, half the day had gone by and Snow was in the midst of counsels and meetings and grieving. She's still dressed in her full attire though she tears at the veil in her hair the moment the door closes behind her. The Princess takes in a shuddering breath and glances around before wiping at a stray tear.
"Do you have something I could change into?" She asks hoarsely and Red doesn't hesitate before rushing to her wardrobe, pulling out a slip that was meant to ride shorter on her and would do for the other girl. She helps Snow out of her dress, feeling weirdly calm about the return to their former routine as she helps her redress. Standing there, barefoot and in only a green slip with her eyes tired and wet, she looks so small, so young. Red sometimes forgets there's only a few months between them. She wonders if she looks small and tired too. She wonders if she still looks young because she doesn't feel it. "She was so nice to me, Ruby. So sweet. It was like I was seeing her for the first time in… in so long, but..."
Red folds the Princess' dress and drapes everything over a chair, rubbing her eyes as she tries to find something to say. The crackling from the fireplace fills the room, a pleasant distraction from her unspoken words. Her cloak catches her attention out of the corner of her eye and something about the reminder of her life fills her with such a deep sense of self-loathing she can barely breathe.
"I tried to find you that morning… it was so early, I thought for sure you'd be in your room. You weren't though." Her voice breaks and Red is forced to turn around, she has to watch Snow crumble because she had a turn in cracking her foundation. She looks more betrayed than sad and it makes Red jump off that cliff she had been on.
"I'm sorry, Snow. I'm so sorry." The tears fall and her heart feels like it's stuck in her throat, but Snow is forgiving, too forgiving, gathering Red up in her arms as if she was the one who just lost a parent. Snow's tears burn against her shoulder as they seep through the fabric of her clothing and Red thinks that maybe, even if this makes her an even more terrible person by taking comfort in the victim she created, they can support each other, at least here, hidden away from the Queen and the court.
"Snow tells me you're to take a stroll in the woods this afternoon."
Her chest seems to tighten and she immediately feels lightheaded, though some part of her takes some sort of pride in knowing that her instincts are at least spot on. The shifter had known the moment she was called into the Queen's chambers that this meeting would be disastrous, though she had been waiting for this all week. Expecting it. She knew the second the guards began to lax on their rules about Snow and Regina coming and going unescorted, after the threat of the Agrabahian had died down, that Regina would have use for her at least once more.
"Just so, Your Grace." She doesn't recognize the hollowness in her own voice. Surely Regina won't… no. She'll just tell her to… convince Snow to run–
"Then we have our chance. To end this once and for all." She looks so pleased, dressed in dark red velvet and framed in long, ebony locks. So terrifyingly beautiful that Red can't help as her breath gets caught in her throat as her silky smooth hands slide up to rest on either side of her neck, making her heart race and beat against the palms resting against her pulse.
"Regina," she whispers.
"Just one more thing. That's all." Cooed in her ear like some sweet sonnet, Red closes her eyes when warm lips press against her jaw. "One more thing from my wolf and our lives can begin."
"I can't."
Surely if her eyes were open she would see the displeasure on Regina's face but she can feel it fine as rounded nails press against her skin in a moment of agitation, a passive threat that probably wasn't even intentional. "I understand that you've grown fond of the girl, years with so few else to talk to will do that, believe me, I know." The nails again, poised and ready as Regina's voice drops in tone. "But do not forget what a monster she is, Red. She's the reason I'm miserable."
"But you're not anymore," Red insists, hazel eyes flying open to force her point. "You're free of the King, she will take over as queen when she is wed or whenever you step down, and we can stop this."
"And what will that solve? What lesson will that teach her?" Commanding and vicious, a whisper so akin to the hiss of the vipers in the box Red carried that the girl shudders in remembrance. "She must suffer. As I did. I want her heart."
"Her heart?" Red croaks in disbelief, feeling her own tighten at the thought. She remembers Regina's brief mentions of her mother, the terrible woman who could steal someone's heart and crush it to dust with her bare hand. But Red didn't even have the luxury of magic. All she has is wolf blood and her own two hands. "I-I can't. Regina, please, you promised you would never–"
"You can and shall do so without questioning me again, Red." The nails dig in then. "You've sworn your loyalty to me a hundred times–"
"And proven it a hundred and one–"
Her jaw is grabbed, the smoldering brown eyes in front of her like a burning log in the flames. Red chokes on a sob but Regina continues. "As I have to you. Don't forget that you owe me your life, your name, and your friendship with her."
"She's just a girl, Regina."
"As you are just a girl?" She asks fiercely and Red closes her eyes in return, the hold on her face vanishing as Regina turns to stand at her balcony, surely glowing in the morning sun that peaks over the shadows. It's the beginning of an idyllic day in the Enchanted Forest. "You will bring me her heart, Red. Or suffer the consequences."
Snow's out of her mourning clothes already, insisting her father wouldn't want her to wallow in grief for a moment longer than she had to. The Princess was pragmatic like that, nothing seemed to keep her down for long. Red's wearing a familiar dress too as she walks through the woods, her cape tied around her shoulders, whether as a measure of comfort or a form of letting go of that Red who was adored by Peter so long ago, she didn't know. But she felt like she couldn't do this without it, felt like it had to be there to witness her turning into a monster, no longer responsible for keeping that part of her in check.
Snow doesn't comment on her silence though she doesn't look all that perturbed by it either. She seems lost in thought herself. So much so that she makes no mention of the knife hanging from her handmaiden's belt.
"I don't think the Queen shall let me live at the castle much longer," she says quietly out of nowhere, her voice not sad or resigned, just factual. Part of Red is desperate to know why Snow just accepts this from Regina, why she holds so little resentment towards the woman she clearly knows doesn't love her as she says she does. It seems cowardly, years ago she would have resolutely thought it was, but Red knows it's more courageous than anything she can imagine. To put a smile on when you can barely face the world. She takes a sharp breath. "I don't know what… what's going to happen, I have no idea who I can even turn to, Ruby–"
"That's not my name." Snow stops walking immediately at the sound of Red's empty voice, though the werewolf takes a few more steps, if only to keep the Princess out of her peripheral vision until she finishes her sentence, not feeling courageous in the least as she speaks but doing Snow the courtesy of stopping and looking in her direction when she's done. She owes her that much. She owes her so much more. "It's not Ruby, it's just… it's Red."
Red keeps her eyes trained on Snow's neck, but she can see the disbelief wash over her face, looking as if her heart was breaking in her chest. Red takes another sharp breath but she manages to keep her gaze on the girl despite her desperate wish to look away, the gold bracelet on her wrist clicking against the metal handle of the hunting knife, the bangle now feeling like a collar rather than a gift. "No," Snow whispers, begs, cries – some horrifying combination of all three. "No. No, no, no, no… not you…"
Snow had known it was coming, that clever, tragic girl. Realistic to a fault but apparently still blind to Ruby's charms. Red can feel the tears welling up in her eyes and she has to look off into the forest then, unable to watch the other girl's face turn from incredulity to a distraught expression when Red doesn't refute the charge, a picture that she knows will be burned into her mind until the day she dies. "Everything was a lie."
"Not everything," she whispers, begs, cries.
"She put you in my life to spy on me?"
"She saved my life," she tries in desperation, feeling lightheaded as guilt tightens around her heart, squeezing until she's sure she's going to die. But she can't, not yet. She has a mission to complete and there's a knife at her hip reminding her of that. "I owe her everything."
"Ruby–"
"Red." Her hand twitches to move to the knife, but she's cut off herself.
"I loved you," she sobs in retaliation and Red's arm once more falls listlessly to her side, taking in her own shuddering breath. "You're my best friend – my only friend. All I have left. Why did she have to pick you? Anyone else…" Her voice gives way and the Princess is wiping away royal tears. She knows exactly why Regina picked Red to kill her but still she pleads. "Not you."
Red closes her eyes as the forest quiets around them, the sun warm and beating down on her as they stand on the rich, dark soil of the forest. There's a family of deer nearby, the two girls' fight having been a quiet battle going unnoticed by the wildlife as they meander through the ancient trees. When she opens her eyes again Snow is still standing there, surrendering as if her dress was acting as her white flag. She wouldn't fight Red. Red wishes she would. She grasps the hilt of her knife, pulling it free from its holder but letting her hand drop once again. A stag would do.
"Run," she whispers quietly, as if the trees themselves were listening to them. Snow shakes her head and Red almost feels like slapping her. "Run away and don't look back, Snow."
"She will kill you."
"I need you to run." It's a plea this time and she steps closer to Snow, closing the gap between them. The ebony-haired girl doesn't flinch but she doesn't move either, as if rooted on spot. She leans in though, as Red nears, her eyes a bright green in the afternoon light. "Please don't make me take your heart. I can't… you have to leave. She won't stop. You know she won't."
"Come with me," Snow whispers urgently. "You must. Think of what we could do together, Red, you and I. Just us. We could run far away from her, go west, find a place for just the two of–" She stops when Red freezes, her expression having turned horrified, and Snow turns to watch as Abel appears amongst the trees.
"The Queen sent me to see to the body," he says plainly as he approaches, face hardened and grave. Red steps up to Snow's side, brushing her shoulder over the other girl's to keep her back just the slightest. Not defensively, as she hopes Abel sees. He doesn't seem to care though. "Do you need me to take care of the Princess?"
"Abel–"
"Have you told her?" Abel asks harshly, more emotion in his voice than she's ever heard before. It's terrifying. More chilling than anything she's ever witnessed and it has her arm lifting, if only a little, to put anything between the blonde and Snow. "That you're the Queen's pet?"
"Yes."
"That you're her bedmate as well?"
Red winces because judging by the small, sharp gasp from the girl at her side, Snow hadn't put those pieces together, hadn't considered such a thing. Abel had though, Red could see that twisting hate in his eyes. Is that how the Queen had gotten him? Using his infatuation with Red against her? She knows the answer already.
"Snow," she says quietly as the boy approaches, green eyes set to an icy glare, "you need to run."
"The Queen has asked for her heart," Abel counters, hand reaching for the sword at his belt. He makes it one more step before Red springs from Snow's side, the knife in her hand dropping to the ground in favour of grabbing his wrist to stop his movement. Abel is smart though, he has trained with her, trained alone, he knows her too well and knows himself even better. She catches his arm but her twists hers back in response and doesn't release until Red manages to get close enough to to snap her neck and smash her forehead into his nose. Still, the trained knight is only undeterred for the briefest moment, his brute force and sturdy position underestimated by the werewolf because before she can blink his foot is sweeping under her leg and she finds herself on her back, his forearm bearing down on her chest. She looks for the boy who escorted her through the streets of the city but she can't find him in the foreign green eyes above her own.
His weight is suffocating, his face a terrifying blank mask until the moment it twists in agony. Snow, that foolhardy girl, that courageous Princess, drives the knife into the boy's back but before he can turn to look at his attacker Red's hands have found his jaw and they twist it roughly. And just like that Abel is no more than Peter, no more than Kane, no more than the woodworker's apprentice, no more than the King. He is dead and Snow looks horrified but before she can process it, Red is on her feet with Snow's face in her hands.
"Go now. Run as fast as you can." Snow's mouth opens but her words die on her tongue as Red leans her forehead against the younger girl's, pleading and desperate to keep her bright eyes on her own and not on the corpse of the dead boy. "I'll buy you as much time as I can but she'll send more soon if I don't return now. Please run, please let me give your best chance to live."
"I need you," she whispers back just as urgently, though her tears have stopped falling from her blue-green eyes. Her own hands come up to wrap around Red's neck, and the taller girl can't help but allow it even in her urgency. She's going to miss Snow but it hurts to know that even now, after her sins have been confessed, Snow is going to miss her just as much. Maybe more. "I can't possibly last… survive. Not alone." Red wants to give in, to grab the girl's wrist and start running west, until they could run no more. But they wouldn't make it far, the Queen wouldn't let them. "I can't leave you with her, Ru… Red. I can't. You're all I have left, I can't lose you too."
Red closes her eyes and finds herself running her hand down Snow's arm and up to one of the hands at her neck, opening them once more when her heartbeat has evened out. Snow is alright, she can breathe. "Stay along the river, out of sight. I have to go back to her – have to," she insists when Snow's mouth opens to protest. "If… if I can, I will come, Snow, I will find you, I promise."
"Be safe," the Princess whispers in return, her voice hoarse and eyes wet.
"Run fast," she replies, allowing one more lingering hug before she's urging Snow off in the direction of rushing water and turning to the body of her former friend.
"You're back." The Queen looks relieved, dark hair piled up tight at the back of her head, brown eyes a familiar warm as she stands in an ostentatious black gown, looking dark and terrifying and lovely. Red feels her heart drop at the sight because, Gods, wouldn't this be so much easier if the Queen hated her as she hates Snow? If Red could hate Regina like she should, like her grandmother had all but told her to with her eyes that morning Red visited her. The satchel at her waist feels heavy, her hands still stained red with blood. Granny had paid them no mind when Red had shown up fresh from the forest, telling her to leave, to hide. Unlike Snow, she had listened without question, though Red had received a hug from her as well. The castle had seemed somber and quiet when she returned to it, as if the hallways themselves already feel the loss of the Princess. Red had walked through them undisturbed, bloodied hands and all, not a soul to be seen other than the faceless knights dressed in black that had overtaken the Palace guard. "You were successful?"
Red's gaze remains distant, her tongue heavy and useless as she holds the bag up without word. The older woman lights up at the confirmation she chooses to accept, stepping towards Red and kissing as sweetly and softly as she ever had. A show of gratitude and fondness that makes Red's stomach turn, but she kisses back fiercely despite herself. This very well could be her last chance to kiss the Regina she knew. The Queen smiles against her mouth at the surge, pulling away to take the bag.
"My sweet wolf," she murmurs, knuckles caressing her cheek briefly before she turns and walks into her closet, a carved box sitting on a podium, in wait of the contents it was made for. Red's eyes drop to the floor and she takes a ragged breath, steeling herself as she waits. The glow from the heart is immediate when the Queen pulls it from the satchel, but so is the sorceress' anger as she looks at the organ in her hand, voice a dangerous hiss as she turns on point, skirts rustling at the movement. "What is this? It can't possibly be Snow White's heart."
She's in front of Red in an instant, grabbing the young girl's chin and forcing it up to meet her furious gaze. Red looks at the item in question, at the black swirling around the red. No, it couldn't possibly be Snow's heart. She wonders what hers looks like, if it's as poisoned as the one in front of her eyes. "Whose heart is this, Red?"
"Abel's." The slap across her cheek echoes in the quiet room, her face surely turning to the same shade as the hood she wore. Her hand must hurt. Red hopes it doesn't.
"You insolent little bitch." Her sweet wolf no more, it would seem. She wants to hate the Queen, for putting her in this position, for taking away her life as quickly as she had given it back to her at that trial. She can't though, no matter how much she wills herself to. The slap hurt and the words even more. She wants to be her sweet wolf again, her only confidant, the girl who made her smile like no one else. But the royal party is all fire now, an inferno seething with rage that has no intention on letting the rain quell. "You're choosing her over me–"
"No–"
"Then what is this?" She spits back harshly, forcing the black tinted heart into the werewolf's face. Abel had been so sweet, how his heart became so dark terrifies her. He was just following the Queen's orders as she was. "You swore your loyalty to me."
"I meant it–"
"You disobeyed me." Her voice doesn't rise but it still manages to come out like a roar and Red shrinks back at the statement. The heart is thrown back in the bag and the bag tossed aside, the Queen practically snarling, eyes wild with anger and pain. "You let that monster go."
"You would have regretted it. Killing her. I know you would have, I just know–"
It doesn't hurt as much as she had assumed it would. There's pain, undoubtedly, a squeezing pressure that robs her lungs of air and nearly has her doubling over, but that all takes a second place to Red's attempt to look at the Queen's face while her hand is in her chest, the young girl's jaw open as she gasps loudly at the suffocating ache. Red watches the raven-haired woman's anger give way to something else as their eyes meet, not quite disappearing but toned down and muddled. The brunette hopes it isn't her own delusion telling her there's sadness there, anguish and pain.
She's thrown back onto the stone floor before she can sort the thought out, heart beating strongly under her breast while the monarch towers over her empty-handed. Red can see the woman trying to mask her face into something menacing and angry, but all that's there is misery and betrayal. Night has fallen, casting them in shadows from the fireplace as they stare at each other, while Red breathes in roughly and wonders if the Queen is flashing back to the day they met as well. The monster on the floor and her saviour standing above her.
"Leave." Her voice has dropped its simmering rage, leaving her tone hollow and daunting. Red can feel her throat tighten at the command, at the inflection, at the expression that's being cast down on her. Where was her saviour? "And know that this is the last kindness I will ever show you."
"Regina," she starts to whisper, voice shaking.
"Your Majesty," the Queen snaps back immediately, commanding and regal once again. "Now get out of my kingdom." Those are the last words the woman says to her before she turns away from the girl on the floor and walks over to her balcony, a shadow against the night sky. Red rises from the floor, heart aching and head dizzy. She stares at the back of the Queen's head waiting for Regina to turn around, but she doesn't. Regina left this room the moment Red handed over the false heart. She leaves, but not before sliding the gold bracelet off her wrist and setting it down on the woman's vanity, looking back one last time before she runs to find Snow.
