Hook sat in Regina's bedchamber with Seraphina. He was cradling his daughter and looking out the grand window. He watched as Regina rode her horse in circles around Henry. She then led the horse out over a hill and Henry followed. Hook was conflicted. Henry had been here for almost a month and he doesn't think he had ever seen Regina so happy. Now that she had Henry she barley paid Hook a second glance. She would get up in the morning and feed Seraphina, then she would go to breakfast with Henry. She would do her work while Henry was in lessons. They would have lunch outside with the baby if it was nice. Then the two of them would go riding. Sometimes Hook wouldn't talk to Regina until dinner. Even then, she would spend all her time talking to Henry and cooing at Seraphina. Before Henry arrived they had been like a little family, something he didn't realize he desperately wanted. She sometimes would let him sleep in her bed so that he could be near Seraphina. Now he was in a bedchamber on the other side of the castle. Seraphina slept in a cradle next to Regina's bed and napped in her nursery, which was next to Regina's room. Across the hall was Henry in his custom room. Hook wished Henry wasn't here. He knew it was selfish, but he really cared about the queen and he was losing her.
Seraphina fell asleep so Hook went to her nursery to lay her down. At least he could spend time with his daughter.
"Really? I can ride without someone holding the reins?"
"Of course Henry, I think you're ready."
Henry watched as his mother rode her horse around him, a huge smile plastered on her face. They hadn't had this much fun together since he was nine and she told him he was adopted. He had been so angry with her, and as time went on it just got worse. He pushed her away, and she just kept on fighting. He really did regret what he had done to his mother. Henry had forgotten that she could be fun if given the chance. He loved living with her again. Sure, she was strict about some things, but she had missed her. They rode everyday and she let him read to Seraphina. When he first arrived she sent him into the villages with guards, to play with his old friends. His grandparents never let him do that, they said it wasn't safe. But his mom encouraged that he go. After a week of going everyday his mother started to come with Seraphina. At first, everyone was terrified, but they all came around. Now, some of them would come to the castle and spend all day with him.
"You coming Henry?"
Henry was jolted out of his thoughts and looked up. He saw his mother giving him a teasing smile as she rode over the hill. He grabbed the reins and went after her, laughing.
The night air was crisp and cool. It ran through the castle to show that winter was coming. Regina stood near her new apple tree, enjoying this time alone. She didn't deserve the happiness that she currently had; Henry, Seraphina, and even Hook. She should be spending her life alone, but she was surrounded by love. This was all she ever wanted. Not power, not status, but love.
"Something on your mind love?"
There went her private moment. "I didn't realize that everything I did was your business." She retorted.
Hook walked up to Regina, this was his chance. "You are running a kingdom and raising two children, I just though you may want to talk about it."
Regina laughed. Hooked loved the deep sexy voice she had. "You are a pirate, since when do you care how people feel."
"I thought I would try something different. I grew up alone and I don't want my daughter to feel like I'm not there for her."
Regina looked at Hook in confusion. Never once had he really cared about anyone, yet here he was. He really loved her daughter. No. Regina corrected herself, their daughter. She walked over to Hook and ran her hand down his arm and smiled.
"Why don't we go inside Hook?"
"The name's Killian."
Regina smiled even wider, no one ever called him Killian anymore. He leaned down and kissed her softly, pulling her closer to him. The warmth of his body felt wonderful in the cool air. Regina returned his kisses. She welcomed the warmth his body brought and lead him inside.
"I thought you had control of your…condition." Regina looked down at the beautiful woman in front of her. She stood in this castle begging for help.
"I do, but..."
"But what Ms. Lucas?"
"It's the eclipse in a week"
"I am sorry to say that I have no experience in turning into a wolf. You will have to elaborate on that statement."
"I mate."
Regina smirked. "Well, Ms. Lucas, I'm sure that isn't too bad."
"No! You don't understand! For a week I will be hungry for flesh. I will bite anyone who comes near me until I find the right person. Things could get out of hand, I could kill someone. The people who don't die will have to go through the change. It will kill at least half of them. Regina, please, I have hurt too many people. I don't want to hurt more."
Regina got up from her chair and moved towards Ruby. "Look, I am sympathetic to your situation, but I don't know what I can do. Have you tried Rumplestiltskin?"
Ruby looked down. "The price…"
"I understand."
"People with Dark Magic can't be turned."
Regina hummed in thought "I have children here Ms. Lucas. I can't risk you biting them."
Ruby walked up to Regina and took her hands. "Please Regina! Please! Lock me up in the dungeon if you have to. It's only a week. I will give you anything."
Regina took her hands from Ruby and walked around her. Humming once again. Ruby started to feel nervous. She knew Regina was about to ask for something. "I want you to find any other people who change. I want their names and where they live. I'm tired of some of these wolves running wild through my forest. I can't run a kingdom if they keep attacking my people."
"If I do this, you will help me?"
"Well, Ms. Lucas, the eclipse is soon so I will be helping first."
Regina looked to her guard. "Jonathan, please show Ruby to the far chamber, the one with the metal and stone doors." Regina directed her attention back to Ruby. "You will join me for meals until the weekend before the eclipse. From that point on you will stay in your room. I will lock the doors and put a spell on them. I will bring you your meals personally."
Ruby ran at Regina and engulfed her in a hug. "Thank You!"
Regina stood stiff, not sure how to respond to the affection. "You're welcome dear."
Remember in the early chapters when Rumple said that desperate people made deals? Well, that will come into play very soon.