David slowly awoke to the bright light filling the bedroom of his new home. It was well past when he had set his alarm for, and checking his phone, he saw that it was in fact almost 10am. Looking around, he found that he was alone in bed, save a note on Snow's pillow. 'This can't be good.'
Snow had not spoken a word to him since they had left town hall the night before, storming into the house silently, and immediately dressing for bed. When he had tried to speak with her about anything, she had simply huffed and rolled over. He knew that she had still been awake hours later when he had finally fallen asleep, but he hadn't expected her to disappear before he awoke. And now she was nowhere to be seen, with only a note to breach the silence.
'Charming,
I know that you wanted to talk this morning, but there is nothing for us to discuss. I know that you want Emma to be happy, as do I, which is why I am going to have to help her, even if she doesn't know that she needs it. She is my baby, and I love her too much to let this happen to her.
I have had time to think tonight about everything that Emma had told me yesterday. I realize that there is likely nothing we can do at this point about Emma being bitten, or her suffering the same curse as Red, so I am hoping that maybe Blue will be able enchant an object like Red's cloak, maybe the necklace that she always wears? Her curse can be a gift, giving her strength, and giving her an escape from the pressures of being The Saviour. Blue can help her learn control, and she won't have to be around the people who are trying to trick her. I though Red was our friend, but her trying to take Emma from us proves how much her sickness has affected her.
Regardless, I can't sit by and not help our daughter. She found us and broke the curse, saving us, and I need to save her now. I have never had a chance to really be her mother, to protect her from things, especially from making terrible decisions, but now I have that chance. My father was right to send me for those lessons, and they helped fix a part of me that was broken. I am so ashamed that my sickness was passed on to Emma. I have to make sure that she gets the help she needs so she can be as happy as we are.
She might not know it right now, but she can never be happy in a relationship like that; it's not natural or healthy. I am going to speak with Blue and with Father Frollo today, and hopefully they can help. Frollo helped me so much, no matter what you may say, and I am sure he can help Emma with this sickness too.
I have brought Neal with me to speak with Blue, and will leave him at the daycare until I have had a chance to speak with Frollo. We will be back tonight, and if you still want to talk, we can talk then.
All my love, always,
Snow'
"Damn it Snow!"
"Regina, I-"
"What the hell did you do?" Pulling back out of Emma's embrace entirely, but not moving to stand, she eyed the blonde with a mix of anger and wariness. She had wanted him gone, but not harmed, despite what she had said. 'What if she killed him? What would happen to her? To Roland? To her mates?' When the answer was not immediately forthcoming, Regina began to panic, worry for both Robin and Emma beginning to cloud her mind. "Emma, what did you DO?"
"Nothing! I didn't hurt him or anything! I just, sort of, dumped him off the end of the docks, to cool him off. He was being an ass, he upset Belle enough that we felt it in the forest, and he hurt you! He deserved more than he got, but I know you wouldn't want him actually hurt, no matter how upset you are." Sitting back, Emma wiped her hands across her face before tucking her hair behind her ears. "As angry as you just were to threaten him, my lie detector was pinging off at every threat. I just wanted him gone before he hurt you more, before her hurt any of you more."
Looking down at her hand in her lap, Emma let her shoulders slump as tears gathered in her eyes. She had gone with her instincts, not truly harming the man, save for no doubt wounding his pride, and removed him from the house. But it seemed that Regina had not wanted that, and the crushing guilt for having gone against what she believed were her wishes was quickly sinking in. "I'm sorry."
"Oh Emma, no." Rushing back to pull the blonde to her, Regina immediately cupped both of Emma's cheeks, forcing her to meet her gaze. "He deserved what he got, much more in fact, you are right about that. I was, well, I was worried about everything. I didn't want you do something you would regret or would cause trouble for you." Wiping the remaining tears with her thumbs, Regina gave Emma a small smile, before pulling her into a hug.
The fierce grip the blonde held her in both soothed and excited her. 'Is it really so farfetched that we might be mates? She means as much to me as Henry. And Robin's words against Belle and Ruby snapped my control on my anger as quickly as if he had spoken of Emma or Henry.'
After a few moments, Emma pulled back, and quickly stood, helping Regina to her feet as well. As Regina turned to face the other women in the room, she found herself swept up into an equally fierce embrace. Beyond shocked, Regina only paused a moment before returning the grip on the lanky brunette. As they pulled back, Ruby flashed a timid smile before lunging to Emma without a word, nuzzling her jaw and snuggling bodily into her embrace.
The look of love and contentment that both the Sherriff and the waitress wore was not lost on Regina. Looking to the last woman in the room, who wore a shy expression, Regina could only smile and hold open her arms for her as well. 'This feels more right than I can believe.'
Gently wrapping her arms around the former queen, Belle inhaled her unique scent for the first time. 'God, she smells like heaven.' Not pausing to think of her actions, Belle began to nuzzle at Regina's jaw, catching the woman off guard.
Realizing the former mayor was frozen, and her actions, Belle quickly pulled back with a wary smile. Regina, breaking from her stupor, quickly turned from the women, moving towards the kitchen to hide her blush. "How about we have some coffee and then we can discuss everything? I am particularly interested in what you have to say about things, Ms. Swan."
Sputtering, Robin broke the surface of the cold ocean water, disoriented from the impromptu dip. "FUCK!" Seeing the docks a few feet in front of him, he made his way to the edge before hauling himself up onto the worn boards. 'Those whores! They bloody well twisted her. I had her fixed, and they pulled her in. But she's mine. I won't let her go.'
Standing on the end of the dock, Robin began to wring out the drenched material of his jacket, when he heard a softly accented voice behind him.
"Given your sudden arrival here, I think we may have a mutual problem to solve Master Locksley. We are always looking for another ally in our cause, and I think you may have just been given a very good reason to join us. Care to join me for a drink?"
Coffee turned into breakfast, which turned into the preparation of a feast for them all, all before any talking was really done. Emma's stomach has grumbled at the scent of coffee, as had Ruby's, and Regina could not resist following through with her earlier plan.
Ruby and Regina worked flawlessly in the kitchen together, barely needing to speak a word, but each able to work perfectly around the other. Music played softly in the background as they worked, and Belle and Emma could not help but watch the way the other two interacted. They truly were in a world of their own when in the kitchen.
Not wanting to interrupt the domestic goddesses in their element, Emma and Belle moved out to the dining room to begin setting the table. Humming along to the music in the kitchen, Belle swayed to the music, finally feeling calm after Robin's amusing departure. "Are you sure he can swim? I don't think Robin is all too fond of water, given his hygiene routines." Belle was grinning naughtily at Emma, who was grinning in return at her comment.
"Honestly, I am not 100% sure, but there were people around, so he should be fine." Walking up behind Belle, Emma wrapped her arms gently around her waist, swaying to the beat with her.
Turning in the embrace, Belle brought her arms up to wrap around Emma's neck, snuggling under her chin. Speaking softly, Emma began to sing along to the music in the kitchen, Bailando having just come on.
"Yo te miro, se me corta la respiración. Cuanto tú me miras se me sube el corazón. Y en silencio tu mirada dice mil palabras. La noche en la que te suplico que no salga el sol." Pulling back sharply, Belle stared in wonder at Emma as she continued to sing.
"You accent that too well to only be singing along. Do you speak Spanish?"
Smiling softly, Emma nodded. "Among a few others. Don't know how to write any of them, but it came in handy to be able to ask around to some of the people who couldn't, or wouldn't, speak English about the jumpers I used to chase. Found more than one guy by asking his mother about him."
"What others can you speak?" Belle loved languages, often learning any new one that she came across as fast as she could. It had come in handy when she had been tracking the Yaoguai all those years ago. Those on the Star Trek forums she chatted on had taught her a couple as well, Kingon being her most recent favorite.
"I speak Spanish pretty well, English obviously, a little Italian but that mostly is just swearing, Gaelic, and Russian. I also know a little Cantonese, and have been practicing that with Mulan."
"Say something." Belle commanded, a glint in her eyes that Emma had seen the previous morning.
Knowing that Belle was demanding something of her, Emma couldn't resist being just a bit cheeky. "In which language?" Ruby had told Emma that Belle liked languages, but she hadn't realized it would be such a turn-on for her mate.
"Any of them. All of them."
"Принцесса, Я люблю тебя всей душой. A chomhlánaíonn tú dom ar bhealaí riamh bhí a fhios agam go raibh mé ar iarraidh. How's-" Emma was cut off as Belle slammed her lips into her, their teeth clinking with the force.
Feeling Belle's tongue against her lips, Emma allowed entrance, and was further lost to the taste of her mate. 'MINE!' Moaning into the possessive kiss, Emma lost track of everything except the feeling of her mate, her hands gripping tightly at Belle's hips.
Hearing Emma speak so softly, first in Russian, and then in Gaelic, Belle felt every word shoot new desire straight to her core. "Princess, I love you with all of my heart. You complete me in ways I never knew I was missing." Unable to resist, Belle pulled Emma's lips to her, demanding entrance with her tongue. Hearing the muffled moan, Belle pushed Emma back against the table, forcing her to rest on the edge, as she slipped her leg between Emma's thighs. 'MINE!'
Pulling back with a sharp gasp, Belle was shocked to recognize the voice of her wolf for the first time, before she began to feel her desires overwhelm her. Kissing along Emma's jaw and down her neck, Belle nuzzled the unmarked skin where her shoulder met her neck. Belle drew a deep groan from Emma when she began lightly nipping at sensitive flesh. "Mine." Sucking hard, Belle did not fight the urge to mark Emma. She wanted everyone to see that she had claimed her mate.
Hearing Belle claim her, and feeling the mark being left on her neck, Emma let out a low growl of pleasure, her wolf revelling in the intent. Pushing back, she reversed their positions, pinning Belle against the nearest wall, drawing one leg up to hitch over her hip. Running her hand up Belle's thigh, Emma drew her hand back down, scratching her nails over the skin and leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake. "Yours." Emma panted against Belle's lips, before diving back in for another heated kiss.
Following Regina from the kitchen to the dining room, Red nearly dropped the plates she was carrying as Regina stopped short in front of her. Confused, Red looked around the room, and immediately noted the cause. Emma had Belle pressed up against the wall beside the door, locked in a heated embrace. "Yours." Scenting the air, she noted it was heavy with the scent of her mates' arousal, as well as Regina's, who was still staring open mouthed at the pair. 'Good to know.'
Seeing that no one else was of the mind to speak up, Red broke the silence, knowing that there was a good chance they would pounce on her as soon as they noticed her there. "Ok. I reeeaally get wanting to jump her no matter where or when, but show a little restraint Emma, we are guests here."
Breaking apart, Belle and Emma's eyes were both faintly glowing yellow, shocking both the brunette women. Pushing ahead, Red continued on into the dining room, placing the plates on the table, before cocking her hand on her hip. "And don't make me stick you in my cloak to keep your hormones in check either. You know I will."
Breaking from the fog of their desire, Belle and Emma both shook their heads, blushing furiously as the stepped away from the wall, subtly straightening their clothing. "Sorry about that. We just got a little lost."
Finally waking from her voyeuristic trance, Regina took a deep breath to steady her nerves. Hoping desperately that none of the wolves made comment about her clear arousal, Regina resolved to take some time for herself later that day. 'Later. We can think about this later.'
"Why don't we sit down, have some of this lovely food that your mate helped cook, and then we can discuss the ever increasing list of urgent matter?" Gesturing to the table, Regina took her usual place at the head of the table. Emma seated herself to Regina's right, Ruby and Belle to Regina's left.
As everyone took a sip of their respective drinks, Emma's stomach gave a loud growl at the scent of all of her favourite breakfast foods. There were plates of eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, potatoes with sautéed peppers and onions, toast, fruit, and French toast with real maple syrup. For only four people, there was enough food to feed an army. For a growing werewolf, it looked just right.
"I think I've died and gone to heaven. This looks and smells so good!" Emma was grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, eyeing each woman in turn. "Thank you so much."
"I'm glad you approve." Regina could not help but beam at the praise, sharing a shy smile with Ruby. "Well, you had better start before it gets cold."
"Thank you so taking the time to see me today Blue. Has Snow been to seed you yet?" David hoped that he had made it to see Blue before Snow had gotten there, hoping to speak to her about his concerns, for both his wife and his daughter.
"I have not yet seen the Queen today Majesty. Was there something she was seeking my counsel on?" Blue had some idea of the situation that was developing, as several of the council members, as well as concerned citizens had approached her the evening before to questions her about the wave.
Sighing heavily, David gestured to the seats in the room, silently asking to sit. "There are a few things that have happened in the past few days, and I am worried about how Snow is handling them. Given that you were at the meeting last night, you know that Emma was the cause of the wave. Do you know more than that though?"
"I am aware that the wave was created by Emma's magic, yes. I am also aware that it was a form of True Love magic. The princess has met her fated love then?" Although she was annoyed that Regina had publically volunteered her to check the wards placed by Emma and herself, she was happy to hear that Emma had found her True Love. The fairies thrived on helping those in need find happiness, and there had not been many opportunities in this new land to cultivate symbols of True Love.
"First, is it possible for Fairy dust to be wrong about someone's True Love?" David had been think over all night about the fact that Emma and Ruby had created that wave, and as accepting as he was, he was still worried that his little girl would be hurt.
"There are very rare cases where the dust is wrong. In that situation, the dust is considered tainted and highly unstable. If the dust had failed, it would have had the reverse effect, showing the person they are least meant to be, rather than their True Love. The last time that we had tainted dust many, many years ago, we disposed of it as soon as it was safe to do so, but a small portion of it was lost and never recovered. Is the princess' fated that obviously a poor match?" Blue was highly concerns now, as it was beyond rare for that amount of power to be released in anything other than a True Love bonding.
"Is it possible for someone to have more than one True Love? At the same time, I mean?" David was sure that Emma was not lying, but there was a persistent doubt that had been bothering him since Snow had been so adamant that Emma was being manipulated.
"There are only three known instances of someone receiving more than one True Love in their life time, and only one occurred simultaneously. Majesty, have you ever heard of the White Wolf?"
"Do you mean the ruler of the wolves that had three mates? I heard about them for the first time yesterday." Sitting back David his hands over his face. There was no point in beating around the truth any longer, and Blue had always held his confidence when asked. "In the strictest confidence, I will tell you. Emma created that wave last night. The person she created it with was Ruby."
Unable to stifle a gasp, Blue was unable to speak for several minutes. "The dust that I used to confirm Ruby and Belle's True Love was pure. There is no possibility that it was wrong. Has the princess been bitten?"
"It was an accident the other night, barely a graze from what Emma told me, but it was enough. She is showing sign's already, much faster than Granny, or anyone really, expected."
"And Her Majesty is not taking this news well?"
"No. She is coming here to ask you today to help her convince Emma that it's not true. She is also seeking out Father Frollo to help her try to convince Emma as well."
Not bothering to hide the look of distaste at the mention of the priest, Blue began to understand some of the concerns that were being raised. "Her Majesty intends to ask me to prove that Emma does not share True Love with Ruby and Belle? I can perform the spell, but given the wave from the other night, it is very likely that the outcome will not be what Her Majesty believes it will be. Are you of the same mind, that this is not a suitable union for the princess?"
Thinking for a moment, David knew that all he really wanted for his daughter was to be happy, no matter what. "I just want Emma happy. Whether that is with Ruby and Belle, some prince, or with no one at all, as long as she is happy, that is all I have ever wanted for her."
"Then I think we should stop waiting here, and see if we can head this off before it escalates any further."