X

CORA

Belle's face hurt from having to keep her princess mask in place, that combination of resolve and sense of duty which presented itself in a bright smile which never reached her eyes. Her father led her to the head of their table in the dining hall, her hand in the crook of his arm. She listened to Maurice with only half an ear, his droning litany of complaints leaving a bruise to the happy euphoria she'd been in since that morning.

"… you could very well have ruined relations between Avonlea and Whitehall by your callous treatment of the prince," he hissed indignantly.

Belle's brow drew together in a frown of irritation. "So, I was supposed to let him maul my person while we strolled through the garden? Is that what you're telling me? My virtue has so little worth? Well, if I had known …" She left her comment open for her father's interpretation as she took her seat next to him and began filling a plate with delicacies for Rumpelstiltskin as he sat down to her right.

"That is not what I am saying at all, my girl. But that … that …" His face flushed with anger as he pointed one stubby finger at her servant, "beast broke three of the prince's fingers!"

She didn't have to look at Rumpelstiltskin to know he was wearing a satisfied smirk. "At least he's alive to tell the tale of his scuffle with the Dark One," she replied drolly. "Well, I'm glad he's gone, and I hope he doesn't come back. You can settle your own issues with King George without me having to suffer James' presence."

"No, you would rather spend every bit of your time with a monster," he hissed, spooning a helping of potatoes onto his plate with a bit too much gusto and splattering himself and the table. "This situation is becoming unacceptable."

"Papa, you're making a scene. Besides, you are sorely lacking in the art of deal-making. You never come out on the better side of a deal with me," she said matter-of-factly as she speared a bite of asparagus and popped it into her mouth. She glanced at Rumpelstiltskin to find his eyes had lightened to a warm amber and something akin to admiration lit his face.

Maurice bristled with annoyance. "I don't want him near our guests, Belle. The matter is now closed and there will be no negotiations. My word is final."

Belle graced him with a beguiling smile and leveled him with a slightly narrowed gaze. "If you insist, Papa. Rumpelstiltskin will not be seen by your guests," she agreed, her voice honey-sweet. Maurice groaned wearily.

She turned her attention back to Rumpelstiltskin and leaned closer to whisper in his ear. "Just because they can't see you doesn't mean you won't be near me, hmm?" she asked, knowing he'd heard every word of the exchange between her and the king.

"You're playing a dangerous game, pet. I hope you know what you're doing."

"I can handle my father."

He wasn't so certain.

*.*.*

Belle spent the next several hours in their bedchamber with Regina and at least two pots of tea. They seemed to have an easy camaraderie of two people who had a long-standing friendship and years of gossip to catch up on. Rumpelstiltskin sat at his wheel and tried to concentrate on his task of spinning straw into gold, made a lot harder as he felt his mistress's eyes continue to watch him when she thought no one was looking.

Their guests and their unexpected arrival was cutting into their time which was usually spent by a nice roaring fire, her melodious voice reading her favorite tomes and her hands stroking leisurely through his hair. So, no, he was far from pleased.

Without lifting his eyes to meet Belle's, he raised his hand to caress the gold pendant lying against his chest. Her voice trailed off in the middle of her explanation of Lady Winstead's accident with a bowl of peas and he knew … knew she hadn't missed the gesture. It took a moment for Regina to reclaim her attention, her gaze flitting back and forth between Belle and the imp.

Regina raised one sinfully dark brow over the rim of her teacup and grinned knowingly at her friend. "Have you told him yet that you love him?" she asked in a voice so low it couldn't even be considered a whisper.

Belle ducked her head, a rosy blush rising to stain the apples of her cheeks. "I don't know what you mean," she evaded, refusing to have this conversation with the object of her affection mere yards away.

Regina laughed softly and grasped Belle's hand in hers. "Deny it all you like, Belle. But you're not fooling anyone."

Belle cleared her throat nervously and convinced Regina to tell her more about the young man with whom she was so enamored. It seemed she wasn't the only maiden in the castle dizzy with desire for someone who was completely unsuitable for them. It seemed she had been in love for years with a stable hand named Daniel who returned her deep love for him. It was doomed to failure because Regina's mother had higher aspirations for her daughter and would never let her marry a commoner such as he. It was nearly midnight when Regina finally left Belle's chamber to seek out her own bed, promising to go riding with her the next morning.

She rose from the sofa and stretched the kinks from her muscles. They still burned from her activities of the day and she longed to climb into her bed and burrow into the soft mattress. His eyes were boring into her when she turned and walked slowly to the spinning wheel, laying her hand atop his. "You're mighty quiet this evening, Rumpel," she murmured softly, hiding a yawn behind her unoccupied hand. "Won't you tell me what's bothering you?"

He set the golden thread aside and rose from his stool, turning her so her back was facing him. He deftly loosened the laces of her day gown and steered her toward the silk screen to change into her nightclothes. He waved his hand and donned his cotton sleeping pants, leaving his chest bare except for the pendant. He'd bespelled the clasp to keep it secure, not wanting to take a chance of losing it. His breath caught in his chest as she stepped from behind the screen in a silk gown of dove grey, thin straps holding it to her petite frame, the back non-existent as the edge of the material caressed her lower back. Gods, she's killing me!

Her bare feet were silent on the rug as she approached him and laid her hand on his chest just above his heart. "Are you ready to talk to me now?" she asked softly, her voice filled with concern. She trailed her fingertips along his arm until she could twine her fingers with his, drawing him over to her bed.

"I don't think I should …"

His words died on his lips as she shushed him, climbing into the big bed and pulling him in with her. "I want you to stay with me. Just to sleep, Rumpelstiltskin." She'd found she slept better within the circle of his arms and if she had to use the dagger's thrall to get him to comply, so be it. But he spooned against her back of his own free will and buried his face in the curls at her nape, sighing contentedly.

Once again, she twined her fingers with his where they lay against her belly before asking him again to confide his worries in her. "I don't want you anywhere near Regina's mother, pet. Under any circumstances."

"May I ask why?"

He closed his eyes and grimaced. It was his nature to keep his secrets to himself, but she had a right to know why he wanted to restrict her movements within the castle. "She's a sorceress, corrupted by evil, who would love nothing more than to crush everything I …"

"You what?"

He exhaled a hearty breath of frustration and pulled her tighter against his chest. There was no longer room for his denial between them. "Everything I care about." He wouldn't let her turn in his arms, turn to look up into his eyes where his feelings for her were blatantly evident. Not tonight.

"You care for me, Rumpel?" she asked, her voice full of hope that he might return her feelings, whatever they may be. She still wasn't so certain herself.

He nuzzled his nose against the side of her neck and kissed the shell of her ear. "You know I do, pet. Otherwise, I would have already found a way to kill you," he said honestly.

She shivered, realizing how serious he was. Instead of devising a way to do away with her, he'd foregone deal-making for the first time in two decades to spend the day with her in frivolous pursuits. "I care for you, too, my dear Rumpel," she whispered gently, raising their joined hands and placing a soft kiss to his palm. "Now, please tell me how you know of this woman."

"No."

"Why not?" she asked, trying once again to turn and look at him only to have him thwart her.

"I don't want your opinion of me to be any worse than it already is."

Belle snorted. "You are one of the finest men I know. Everyone thinks you're the big bad Dark One. It is only me to whom you've shown your true self. I won't think badly of you, and I want to know if there is a threat in my home."

He pressed his brow against her shoulder. He really didn't want to tell her, knew if he didn't want to suffer her displeasure, he was going to have to bend. But she was asking instead of commanding and he found he didn't want this to forever be a secret between them. "She was my apprentice … and my lover," he told her, the last admittance bitter on his tongue. "I trained her in the dark arts. Thought I loved her until she turned against me. She didn't want me, Belle … just my power. She's nothing like you, pet," he breathed wickedly against her neck. "Promise me you'll stay away from her?"

Belle yawned and scooted back so her body was flush against him, his face pressed warmly against her neck and his arms cocooning her. "I promise." Her voice was sleepy. "Don't let your past eat away at you, Rumpel. She wasn't worthy of your love if she couldn't see what a good man you are. I …" Her words trailed away as sleep claimed her, leaving him to ponder her words and how they crept through him, warming him and bringing a small ray of light to his blackened soul.

*.*.*

"Regina, for the sake of the gods, sit up straight in the saddle. You are a lady. Ladies do not slouch," Cora scolded as she watched her daughter prepare for her morning ride. She was intrigued to find Rumpelstiltskin hovering over the little princess of Avonlea. What intrigued her even more was the way the princess allowed his warm glances and gentle touches. There was definitely more than met the eye and would require more investigation into the matter. Of course, her daughter was as tight-lipped as always. She never wanted to share in Cora's little intrigues.

Daniel led the horses forward, the two ladies laughing and enjoying the fresh morning air, waiting for the sorcerer to join them, but Cora's snide, shrill voice held him back. "It must gall you to have to bow to the whim of a royal, Rumpelstiltskin. All that power in the hands of mere slip of a girl."

His lips curled back in a sneer, his spine stiffening in affront. "Do not speak ill of my mistress, witch," he hissed lowly as he turned to face her.

She trailed her fingers over his dragon-hide coat and purred seductively, "I could get it back for you, my dear Rumpel."

The beast fought for control over the humanity which had slowly emerged during his time with his mistress, his ears perking up with hope at the lure of his freedom. The spinner stomped viciously on his head, forcing him back into the cage. "I don't want anything from you, Cora. But I will give you fair warning. Stay away from my mistress and I might let you live." With that, he stomped away angrily and mounted the mare behind Belle, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist as they moved out of the stables.

Cora seethed with fury as she watched them ride away, his rejection burning in the cavity where her heart should rest. Her eyes flashed as she made her way back to the castle to have a chat with Maurice. He should be made aware of how dangerous it was to have his daughter associate with such a creature as the Dark One.

*.*.*

Belle slowed her horse to a trot, leaving Regina to race across the field with Daniel not far behind her. Let them have some time together without her mother hovering like a bird of prey over her shoulder. It also gave her more time to ponder her own confusing feelings for her servant. "Rumpel?" He hummed, assuring he was indeed listening to her as his eyes scanned the surrounding meadow.

"What would you do if I granted your freedom?" she asked, her breath catching in her throat as she waited for his answer. She'd been wanting to ask him this question since he'd taken her to the lake and every time she tried to ask, the words would stick to the roof of her mouth.

His fingers drummed against her belly, a sign of his nervousness. He could never remain still when he didn't want to answer her questions. She could practically see his inner debate as he tried to find his loophole. He sighed in defeat, his breath tickling the hair at her nape. "I would destroy your father and the holy order of clerics."

"Is that all?" she asked with a bitter laugh.

He cupped her cheek in his hand until she rested her head against his shoulder and met his warm amber gaze. She thought of how dark his eyes would turn when he was angry and knew she preferred this softer color. "No, pet. I would take you away with me to the Dark Castle to stay with me forever," he said as he kissed the corner of her mouth. "I know I'm a selfish bastard and would only drag you down into the darkness with me, but I find I want to keep you for myself."

A fire began to burn brightly within her, a fire fueled with hope. She would be free from the weight of her duty to the kingdom, free from the looming specter of the clerics, free to love Rumpelstiltskin and shout it to the rooftops that he was her chosen mate, free to have a life with him away from Avonlea and free to have love and a family of her own. The thought made her so happy she could have wept. But how could she leave her people and the duty which had been ingrained in her? How could she put herself above that? It would take something dire to banish eighteen years of obligation from her being.

"I was just curious." She felt him sag against her with disappointment. "I can't let you harm my papa, Rumpel. He may have his faults, but he's still my father and I love him."

He kissed her temple and urged the horse forward, a small smile on his lips, refusing to let her see his conflicted emotions. Yes, he wanted his freedom, but he didn't want it unless he could have her … and his revenge.

*.*.*

The night air was crisp and cool as it wafted through the windows, leaving the chamber at a comfortable temperature. The smell of wildflowers and honeysuckle permeated the air, even in mid-autumn. It was late in the evening. Dinner had been over for hours and the kingdom was settling down into the quiet which followed children's bedtimes. So, the two figures creeping through the shadows at a brisk pace had the hairs prickling along the witch's neck as she watched. They were moving in the direction of the stables and would, no doubt, escape on horseback and she wondered if she should summon a guard to go after them. Surely the king would be grateful to know of the goings on of his little keep in the hours when noble young ladies should be about their bed.

She summoned a spell quickly to her hands which would transport her below to follow discreetly behind the girls at a respectable distance. Oh, how she loved her little intrigues and wondered about what punishment the unidentified girls would suffer.

Regina kept a tight hold on the bag in her left hand and Belle's cold fingers in the other as they ran across the courtyard and then the path which led to the stables where her true love waited for her. Belle had convinced her to take a chance and embrace the happiness he offered her. There was nothing in the world worth giving up on love. She was coming to realize her friend was right. She loved her Daniel and she wasn't going to withhold her answer to his proposal another moment. Belle had provided them with the means for their escape and there would be no turning back now … and no way she could ever repay the princess.

He was waiting for her, their horses saddled and waiting. "Oh, Belle, thank you so much," Regina cried happily, wrapping her arms around the diminutive princess and hugging her warmly. "I promise to write as soon as we are settled. Just promise you won't ever let my mother know where we are."

OH. MY. GODS. Rumpel is going to kill me. "I promise, Regina. Just be happy, love," Belle said, sharing in her friend's joy. That joy, however, didn't stop the guilt from burning in her chest. She'd tricked her servant, so she could help Regina and he was going to be furious with her. Her only hope was to see Regina and Daniel on their way before he learned of her absence. "I am sorry you won't be at the ball, but you have to leave now without delay."

Regina took Daniel's hand and let him lead her to their waiting mounts, freezing in dread as the door to the stable burst open with a gust of purple haze. "Dear, dear, Regina. Leaving without saying goodbye?" Cora asked with a cruel laugh, her lips twisted into a full mocking smile of malice.

"M-Mother, I can ex-explain," Regina began, withering in her mother's presence and shrinking away in fear.

"Oh, daughter, I believe it's very clear as to why you're here. But I can't let you go. I'm not going to see you run off with a commoner after all the sacrifices I've made for you," she said, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. With a twist of her hand, her magic drew Regina to her side, a thick blue haze enveloping her and pinning her arms to her side, rendering her immobile and cowering in terror.

Cora realized her mistake too late. She should have dispensed with the little Avonlea princess first. Belle was the one with the power as the girl shrieked, "RUMPELSTILTSKIN!"

The sorcerer appeared before them, hair still wet from his bath and a towel wrapped none too securely about his lean hips. "What the …." Belle scrunched her eyes shut as his gaze landed on her, fury flashing in the obsidian depths of his eyes as he took in the situation. "Mistress," he growled through clenched teeth.

"Help?" she squeaked, making it a question instead of a command. So much for me getting out of this in one piece, she thought helplessly.

With a thought, he was clothed in his leathers and boots, his usual black silk shirt covering his torso. The Dark One did not make deals in the nude. Although there was that one time … He shoved the memory to the back of his mind and cast Belle a glare which promised dire consequences once he'd dispensed with this problem. He snapped his fingers, with their blackened nails, and released Regina from Cora's magic, which was no match for his own.

Belle rushed to Regina's side and pulled her quaking body over to where Daniel was trying to calm the spooked animals. "Go!" Daniel helped Regina onto the back of her mare and nodded at Belle before mounting his own horse.

Regina's eyes were filled with grateful tears as she turned her horse toward the stable entrance and spurred it forward. "Thank you, Belle," she called over her shoulder, disappearing with her love into the night. Belle said a silent heartfelt prayer to every deity she'd ever heard of, and some she hadn't, that they would find their happiness. She edged closer to an open stall as she watched the two purveyors of dark magic face off with each other. Cora strived for a confident air, but there was fear in her jade green gaze. Rumpelstiltskin, of course, just looked cocky.

"Enough of your machinations, witch. Leave the girl to find her happiness. Don't live vicariously through her. You had your chance," he sneered, his tone mocking in his sing song lilt.

"Oh, Rumpel, she's my daughter. She deserves better than a mere stable hand. She will one day be queen," she intoned, her smile slipping a notch as he inched closer. "Surely she will be happy as queen."

His smirk never betrayed the roiling anger in him as he faced off against his former lover and he had to wonder how he'd ever thought he loved her. "Last chance, Cora. Take your sniveling husband, leave this kingdom and do not return. Do not pursue Regina. And do not continue to piss me off."

"Or what? You have no power except what your little mistress affords you," she sneered in a biting tone, digging in with both feet in an effort to bedevil him.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, dearie," he said, his lips thinning into a straight line as he plunged both hands into her chest. It wasn't her heart he was after, knowing she'd done away with that unnecessary organ years ago, seeing it as her weakness. No, he was after her magic. The magic he had infused her with, the magic he had trained her to twist into a force which nearly rivaled his own. He could feel it creep under his skin, returning to its master and leaving her weak and powerless, a mere mortal twisted by the evil in her soul. The beast within him roared in pleasure as the spinner ran in fear, cowering in the face of the dark magic swimming through his veins, leaving the Dark One in control.

Cora fell to the hay-strewn floor as he withdrew, shrinking away from his rage and the cold malice which left his eyes completely black. She had no choice but to obey. She was powerless and praying he would leave her alive, so she may plot her revenge. "I'll leave as soon as I can pack," she gasped fearfully as he towered over her, his hands still glowing with the force of his magic.

"No, dearie, you'll leave now. I'll make certain your husband returns to you with all haste," he snarled down at her. With a thought, he sent her back to her home in Stratford, alone, powerless and miserable with her hate. He was nearly prancing with glee as he spun on his heel in search of his wayward mistress. "Ohhhh, petttt," he sing-songed. "Don't make me chase you, dearie. It will only make me angry."

Belle chewed her bottom lip as she peered around the open door of the horse stall, her fingers twisting together anxiously. "Are you mad?" Stupid question, idiot! she chided herself silently. He was seething with rage and he had no outlet except for her. "I know I tricked you, and I'm so sorry."

He stalked forward, his hands itching to lay themselves on her alabaster throat. "You ordered me to take a bath … a bath! All so you could sneak out of the castle and deliberately put yourself in danger! She could have destroyed you! She would have destroyed you once she had taken care of her daughter's would be husband."

Belle lifted her chin stubbornly and met his fury with some of her own. "Someone had to help her," she shouted back. "She is my friend and needed assistance. She didn't have anyone else to stand up for her. And technically, Cora wasn't even here."

"Yet, you aren't deluded enough to think she wouldn't eventually show herself!" His hands grasped her upper arms and gave her a little shake. "When are you going to stop putting everyone else's needs and wants before your own?! You could have been killed!"

Some of her anger dissipated in the face of his underlying concern. "But I wasn't, Rum. I'm fine because of you."

He lifted her in his arms bridal style and carried her off toward the entrance of the stables, purple smoke enveloping them before they could reach it and appearing once again in their bedchamber. "You might feel differently after you're punished, mistress. I may suffer the agonies of the damned to dispense it, but you'll suffer, too. Next time you make me a promise, you'll damn well keep it."

A/N: I know, I know … I'm so horrible to leave you with a cliffhanger. What does Rumpel have in store for his wayward mistress? Hmm … stay tuned my beloved readers. So, I hope you all liked the way I wrote Regina this time. I do adore her. Love you all so much. Thanks for reading my fic! You guys are so great.