Regina sat at her dressing table brushing her hair and looking into the mirror. She had told the guards not to interrupt her this evening. They thought, of course, that the Queen was in mourning for her husband murdered just the night before. They were still searching the castle grounds for the genie-assassin. In fact she had authorized them to search the kingdom to find him, knowing full well exactly where he was. The genie's new home lay face down on the table behind her. Let him stew and lay unused for now so that he would learn the price of thinking he could imprison her.

Snow White was still crying, she'd been inconsolable ever since Regina had informed her of the genie's treachery. Let her cry, Regina had thought. She wouldn't have that much more time for tears.

Regina picked up a brush, instead of calling a body servant, she began to carefully brush out her long hair, quietly reveling in the idea of her first peaceful night in ten years.

"You look at peace, little one." Maleficent's voice came before Regina could see her standing behind her in the mirror. The tall sorceress put her hands on top of Regina's and gently took the brush from her. "Word has it that the King is gone."

"Word spreads fast." Regina observed.

Maleficent smiled, "Yes, well, someone should have told Leopold that bad fortune follows those who would challenge the fates and free a genie. Word of that traveled fast." Maleficent's long gentle hands began to brush out the queen's hair. "You got your revenge."

"The first part of it." Regina agreed.

"And the genie? Your knights are searching for him."

"Trapped in a mirror through poor wish wording." Regina gestured to the hand mirror and Maleficent laughed. "You would think a genie would understand the price of his own magic. But then again genies were never the brightest of men. That's how they became genies."

"Yes," Regina smiled widely. "He got his wish."

"And you... are now a real Queen."

"Not that I ever wanted that." Regina said quietly.

"No I suppose you did not. But power gives peace."

"Does it? When was the last time someone barged their way into your castle?"

Maleficent looked thoughtful. "Three months ago. A thief. His roasted entrails are decorating the crossroads near my fortress."

Regina chuckled, "I'm sure tastefully arranged."

"Of course."

Regina bit her lower lip... "Would you stay with me tonight Maleficent?"

The sorceress frowned. "Do you feel unsafe Your Majesty." She teased a bit. She was always teasing when she called Regina that.

"No. I feel... safe. For the first time in a long time and I want to be with you." She reached her hand up and touched the other woman's. "I want to curl up in your arms and not think of Snow White for an evening."

The girl was still under her roof. Still breathing. Still awake. Still adored. And all of those things made her angry. Furious.

"Of course my little one, I would be happy to stay." Maleficent leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Or we could deal with Snow White ourselves tonight."

"No," Regina said with more firmness than she intended, and Maleficent looked confused. "I have to walk carefully with Snow. The people still love her. After her father's death, hers cannot be so immediate. I must suffer her to live a bit longer and die at someone else's hands than mine."

"Politics," the dragon said dismissively.

"My mother did teach me a few useful things."

"Your mother did you no favors."

Regina shrugged but granted the point. She looked up at Maleficent. "Can we go flying tonight?"

"We can do whatever you desire, little one."

Regina stood and turned to face the taller woman. "Why do you put up with me?"

"Because you have fire like no other I've known." Maleficent answered simply, slipping her arms around Regina protectively.

"Well my fireballs are fall less pathetic than they used to be."

"I'm not talking about actual fire." Maleficent leaned down and kissed her on the lips and Regina's parted to allow her tongue access. The queen sucked gently on her lips.

"Firefly hill," she finally whispered after they broke contact.

"Hmmm?" The sorceress raised an eyebrow.

"I want to be with you for the first time on firefly hill... not in this place."

"It is your castle now, little one, not his."

Regina smiled. "It is. But that hill... that is ours."