Title: hourly conceived and hourly born
Fandom: Once Upon a Time/Dracula/historical
Disclaimer: title from Milton; not my characters
Pairings: Jefferson/Grace's mother
Warnings: references to violence; pre-series
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 290
Point of view: third
Prompt: Once Upon A Time. any. "The Truth Behind Truths" (FullMetal Alchemist)
"Papa?" Grace says, lights flickering across her fingers, "do I have magic?" She sounds frightened.
Well, of course she is. The only magic she knows is the kind that stole her mother, the kind of the Dark One and the Evil Queen.
The lamp burned out while he was gone, out sealing the way. Regina seeks them and until Jefferson is sure they are safe, he locks the path every night. The lamp burned out and Grace fears the dark, so she unknowingly created light.
According to his older sister, Jefferson's first magic was the same.
"You do, my dear," he says, reigniting the lamp with a thought. "Your mother did, as well, and so do I."
Grace shakes her head, hiding her hands in the folds of her skirt. "But magic's bad!" she says.
Her mother has been gone for three years.
Jefferson sighs, sinking down in front of Grace and gently wrapping his hands around hers. "Magic is neither good nor bad on its own," he tells her softly. "The wielder decides which it will be."
He could lock her magic away; as one of the Dragon Clan, it is his right and duty, though usually only used by the reigning king. But her magic will be her last defense, should he fall.
"We'll begin practicing every night," he says, meeting her gaze. "If you understand it, you will not fear it."
"Yes, Papa," she says. She glances toward the lamp before looking back at him. "Can you teach me to make light?"
Should they ever return home, she will be known as Princess Ioana of the Dragon Clan, firstborn of Prince Iakov of the Dragon Clan. "Yes, Grace," he says. "I can teach you to make light."