Emma managed to keep her eyes open for a second and recognised the blonde hair that dazzled in the light of the beam of magic from her hand before she passed out completely.

Maleficent.

"Get away from them!" Maleficent growled to the creature, her eyes flashed yellow, allowing her dragon magic to flow through her veins. Her arm reached out as she magically clutched the monster by the throat. She flexed her hand, squeezing tighter. "Leave!" With one final crush, she released the beast who flew out of the nearby window and into the distance.

Maleficent then ran over to Alexandra and picked her up.

"Ally, are you hurt?" She asked quickly, scanning the infant's body for signs of injury.

Alexandra shook her head but continued sobbing, before resting her head on Maleficent's shoulder.

"Good," Mal murmured before making her way over to where Emma lay.

She placed Ally back on the floor and told her to be careful before she knelt down beside the other blonde and ran her hand over her body, assessing her injuries, but only found her neck to be damaged. The bruise was already forming, a harsh black against her pale skin, but she was slowly breathing. She was alive. The dragon placed gently placed her hand over Emma's neck and began healing the bruise and the internal damage.

"What's going on?!" Demanded a voice from behind the dragon.

"Momma!" Ally called and Maleficent realised they'd been joined by Regina.

"Emma!" The Queen gasped when she realised that the blonde wasn't moving. She rushed over to the group on the floor and Ally immediately asked to be picked up by her brunette mother.

"What happened?" Regina asked as she knelt to the floor beside her love with Ally resting her head in her mother's neck. She was still crying silently. Regina kissed her head before looking at Maleficent, waiting for an answer.

"There was an infant Chernabog," Maleficent said calmly, not looking away from the blonde in front of her as she carried on trying to heal her. "I've only ever seen an adult but this one had darker eyes, shorter horns and a smaller build, but there was no denying what it was. I have no idea why it was here. I just came out to the bathroom and saw him strangling her. I was too late to prevent any damage."

Regina breathed out a sob as she stroked Emma's hair. "Oh god, Emma." She looked up to Maleficent. "We need to move her to our room where she'll be more comfortable."

The dragon nodded and stopped her ministrations on Emma's neck. The two women stood and Regina passed Ally over to the dragon. The baby was slightly reluctant to let go of her mother but with Regina's soft instruction, Ally let go and allowed herself to be passed over.

With free arms, Regina waved her hand over the blonde's limp body and raised her off the ground. Maleficent followed as Regina enchanted Emma's body to float along side her to their bedroom.

Once inside, she gently lowered the blonde onto the bed and took a seat beside her. Maleficent perched beside the Queen.

"Can you continue the spell?" Regina asked quietly. "Your healing magic is better than mine."

The dragon nodded and passed Ally back to Regina, the child settled into her mother's neck once more. Maleficent then reached out once more and softly pressed against Emma's skin and continued her ministrations from earlier, healing her neck, section by section. From her voice box to the skin surrounding it until she was done.

Before long, the blonde started to stir.

"Mama!" Ally cried as she saw her mother waking up.

Ally's cry seemed to do the trick. Emma's eyes slowly fluttered opened. The green eyes met her favourite chocolate brown.

"Regina," she husked, her voice still not on hundred percent healed.

"Shush," Regina cooed to her love. "Save your voice."

As usual, Emma didn't listen to her. "What happened?"

Regina looked pointedly at Maleficent, silently asking the dragon to answer the question as she knew more information than the Queen.

Emma was surprised to see the dragon still there. She was a little apprehensive to see her in their bedroom, but she slowly took in how they were sitting. Ally was cradled into Regina's neck with the Queen's arms wrapped tightly around her. Maleficent's hand was still slightly outstretched. It didn't take long for Emma to conclude that the dragon had been the one to heal her.

"There was a junior Chernabog," Maleficent answered slowly. "It was sitting on you, strangling you. It had your hands pressed to your side. You couldn't fight it off. I blocked Alexandra from its view and blasted it away. I don't know how it got in. Regina," she turned to look at the Queen, "I'd strengthen your enchantments on the castle to prevent it. I'll show you how."

Regina nodded in thanks.

Emma ignored the last part as she took in her daughter who was now reaching out for her blonde mother. Slowly, Emma sat up in the bed. She looked around, slightly confused at the surroundings but that didn't matter at the moment. She held out her arms and Regina immediately handed the baby over.

"Ally!" Emma breathed as she held her. "You're okay," Emma murmured into her hair as she cuddled her close. "I'm so sorry you almost got hurt." She pressed a kiss to her forehead before slowly turning to the dragon and as much as she hated that she was about say the following, there was no denying that the words were needed. "Thank you so much, Maleficent. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't there. You saved us." She then tilted her head in slight confusion. "How did you know?"

The dragon bit her lip. "I didn't," she admitted. "I was just going to the washroom when I saw the beast on top of you and did what came naturally. I needed to protect Ally," her face flushed as she added, "and protect you."

Emma's eyes widened in shock. "Me?"

Maleficent sighed and she reached out to stoke Ally's hair, avoiding Emma's eye. Ally was now leaning into her mother, her thumb in her mouth. Something Emma and Regina were trying to prevent but allowed her to indulge on occasion. This is definitely one after the traumatic scene she'd just witnessed.

"Of course," Maleficent said softly. "I know I overstepped with Regina," she nodded to the Queen who stiffened a fraction, "when Ally was first born and I'm very sorry about that, you know I am. I want us to be friends. Regina is my best friend," Regina relaxed and smiled at the dragon, "and I absolutely adore Alexandra." She bopped the baby softly on her nose making her giggle. The sound lightened Emma's heart. "You're a part of their lives, of course I'd protect you too."

Emma smiled and took a deep breath. "You know what, Maleficent? This might be the start of a beautiful friendship."

Regina practically beamed when Emma slowly reached forward and held her hand out. Maleficent hesitantly shook her hand. It was a start for the two. They weren't best friends, far from it, but the dragon had saved both Emma and her daughter. Emma owed her, her life. Friendship was the least she could do.

Maleficent smiled hesitantly before standing up from the bed. "I'd better head back and tell everyone what happened. Shall I take the birthday girl with me?"

Regina glanced to the baby princess who was still in Emma's arms. "Do you want to go back to the party with Mally or stay here with me and Mama?" She asked as she reached out and tickled her.

Ally giggled at her mother's actions. "Stop, Momma!" She cried.

The Queen stopped tickling her daughter who was squealing in Emma's arms. "So?"

Alexandra seemed to ponder for a few seconds before pointing to Mal. "Mally," she decided. "I want Killi!"

Emma couldn't help the chuckle when she saw the discomfort on Regina's face. She was still rather displeased at how close the pirate was with their daughter. However, she didn't say anything as she watched Emma place the baby in Maleficent's arms.

"Say bye bye to Mama and Mommy," Mal said to the baby.

"Babyeeee!" Ally called before pointing to the door. "Goooooo!"

The adults laughed as Maleficent left the room leaving the couple alone.

As soon as the door shut behind the dragon and their daughter, Emma pulled Regina down until she was lying on top of her and sealed their lips together.

"Wha–"

Regina was cut off as Emma kissed her once again.

"I love you," the blonde said solemnly when she pulled back. "I was so scared that I was going to die without saying that to you one last time. And I'm so sorry that Ally almost got hurt and there was nothing I could do." Emma shivered as she remembered the flashes of her past and her breathing increased.

"Breathe," Regina said gently as she leant forward and kissed her softly in an attempt to calm her down. Emma accepted the distraction. "You're okay. You did what you could."

"But if Maleficent wasn't there–"

"But she was," Regina cut her off before Emma could finish her statement. "That's what matters. Alexandra's safe. You're safe. That's what's important to me." She kissed her once more before smirking. "And now, you're friends with Maleficent! Who would have thought? I'd say that means you've behaved." Her eyes darkened a fraction as she licked her lips. She leant forward until she was whispering in the blonde's ear. "You may get a reward later." She nipped the blonde's ear.

"I vaguely remember something like that," she teased before pulled Regina's face to her and kissing her passionately, her tongue quickly seeking the Queen's which she obliged immediately. "But I'd rather have my reward now."

Their hands started wandering and moans and gasps were echoing around the room. Emma was enjoying the attention Regina was paying to her neck with little nips that were soothed quickly by the Queen's tongue lightly licking over her skin.

As the blonde was the stronger of the two, she was easily able to flip them over so that Regina was now looking up at her love instead of down, before she started attacking Regina's neck with just as much fervour. She sucked hard enough to have Regina's hip bucking up against her, causing a delicious subtle friction against where she needed, but not hard enough to leave a mark.

"We…we need to get back," Regina husked regretfully but made no attempt to bat the blonde off her.

"They won't notice we're not back yet," Emma replied as she continued her attention. She'd moved her lips from Regina's neck up to her ear, nibbling on her lobe between her teeth before kissing the sweet spot underneath her ear. She didn't stay in the same place fore more than a few seconds, putting Regina deliciously on the edge. "Let me make love to you."

Regina moaned at the words, unintentionally bucking her hips once more. Emma smirked in delight causing Regina to reach up and cup the back of her head, bringing her forward for another kiss to get rid of the smirk gracing the blonde's face.

The Queen didn't respond but opened her legs wider and Emma couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips. She kissed Regina's already kiss-bruised lips once more and was about to reach under the Queen's dress to find her prize when the door slammed open.

"Emma, are you okay!?" Henry cried as he burst in.

"SWAN!" Hook called as he followed. Both men were out of breath from sprinting.

Immediately, the two on the bed flew apart from each other, their breaths heaving, faces flushing in embarrassment. Despite how turned on both had been mere seconds ago, seeing Henry enter the room was a major turn off.

Henry covered his eyes quickly as he realised what was going on. Hook simply raised his eyebrow and bit his lip as he tried not to laugh.

"So, you've recovered from your attack then, Swan?" The pirate teased. Emma pointed at him and sent a zap down his good arm. "Ouch!"

The blonde smirked before glancing at her father in law and bit her lip, trying not to laugh at his embarrassment. She refused to look at Regina who was probably even more mortified that her father had interrupted them.

Clearing her throat, Emma finally spoke, "Henry, you can stop hiding now."

Henry did so, slowly bringing his arms down. His face was flushed in embarrassment. "Maleficent told us what happened," he revealed. "I just can't believe it. Are you alright, Emma?" Concern was etched all over his face and Emma's heart filled with even more love for him.

"I think we both know the answer to that one, Sir," Hook joked as he raised his eyebrow to the blonde. Emma groaned before sending another zap his way, stronger than the previous one. He held his hand and hook in the air. "Alright, I surrender." He laughed. "Jeez, Swan, that was painful."

"As it should be," Regina said, speaking for the first time. She reached over to Emma's hand and squeezed it in thanks before lacing their fingers together.

Emma glanced to the side and smiled at the gesture before looking back at Henry. "I'm okay," she answered, pretending that Hook hadn't commented between Henry's question and her answer. "I mean, I wasn't expecting that…thing," she couldn't remember the name of it, "to suddenly turn up."

"Me neither," Henry commented. "I thought the castle was protected from things like that?" He turned to Regina to answer his question.

"It's supposed to be," she said. "Mother placed many a charm on the castle and added more after the King died and continued to add more." She sighed and Emma squeezed her hand back, giving her some silent support as she knew how much Regina hated talking about her mother, especially in front of Henry. The man in question looked a little tense. Emma made a mental note to ask him what his deal was with Cora was at some point. "Though I doubt she would have left any room for a Chernabog to get through, not even a junior one."

"What's the difference between the two?" Killian asked.

Regina raised her eyebrow. "One is bigger," she said simply.

The pirate rolled his eyes. "I got that, but what do they do?"

Even Emma turned to look at Regina then, she wasn't actually sure what the creature had wanted to do to her. She got even more worried when she saw how tense Regina became at the question. The Queen glanced at her father who just nodded in encouragement, silently telling her to tell the truth.

"They seek out the heart with the greatest potential of darkness," she revealed reluctantly, not meeting the blonde's eye.

Emma couldn't help the gasp at the revelation. She was the product of True Love. How could she possibly have a great potential for darkness? Quickly, she shook her head to try and distract herself from what was going on.

"That's not important," she said instead. "How did it even get in?"

"Someone must have tampered with the charms," Killian said.

Regina was impressed that the captain actually had a brain before sobering. She grimaced. "I don't know who could have taken it down."

The pirate raised his eyebrow. "Please, who's the only one with the magic to break down the Queen's castle protection charms?" He asked rhetorically. "Maleficent is on your side, Ursula is miles away and Emma wouldn't do such a thing like that." He looked around, waiting for someone to answer.

It seemed only Emma was on his wavelength. "Rumplestiltskin," she growled, her voice low and gravely.

Regina gasped as it hit her and she glanced at Emma.

"It's a warning," she realised. "For that stupid curse of his. We still have another four years at least!"

"Like he cares," Hook sighed. "You can't win against him."

"He won't back down from a deal early," Emma reminded him. "He might be a twisted piece of shit, but he won't do that."

Henry sighed. "I don't like this," he murmured.

"No one does," Emma added. "But it has to be done, otherwise none of this will happen. If Regina doesn't cast the curse, Alexandra will never be born."

Emma's statement hung heavy around the room, no one knew how to reply.

oOoOo

There was definitely a mood shift when everyone returned to the main room. Though the mood in turn could not be named. Perhaps it was because there were too many to choose from.

Maleficent and Emma were chatting somewhat amicably, both sharing amusing tales at the Queen's expense. Regina had left the two of them when she heard the topic. Emma had been worried that she was annoyed but Maleficent pointed out the subtle twitch on corner of her lips showing she did find it a little amusing. Emma was tempted to ask the dragon what she knew about Chernabogs, specially after the revelation earlier, but she didn't know if she wanted to know more. Besides, she couldn't exactly tell the dragon the reason behind her confusion as to why the creature would want her because of being the product of True Love. She and Regina had decided that it was best that the dragon didn't know the truth about the blonde. Well, for now anyway.

Regina was talking to her father. Ally was fast asleep in her arms, not surprising after the traumatic evening. The baby also didn't want to be away from her mothers any longer. She had been in Maleficent's arms when Regina and Emma returned and had reached out to the Queen immediately. Regina had suggested that Nanny Kala came to take Ally to bed when she showed signs of getting sleepy, but she had just cried hysterically until Regina assured her that she could stay which is how she ended up asleep in Regina's arm while she spoke to Henry. Emma didn't know what they were talking about as they were too far away, but it didn't look good. Regina was frowning at whatever her father was saying and shaking her head.

Hook was stood in a far corner with Lina and Esmeralda. His non-hooked arm was wrapped around Lina's waist and the small woman was laughing at everything he was saying. When Emma glanced over, she couldn't help but smile fondly, happy that her friend was actually finally enjoying his time in the past and had stopped pestering her to find the way back to the future.

The best thing to have happened since everyone returned was seeing Laverne and Yzma sitting in the corner giggling with a bottle of wine in front of them. Emma had seen Regina's eyebrow raised in their direction, but when she'd just shrugged it off, Emma could finally put her finger on the mood change. It was to do with Regina.

She was distracted, tense. Something was whirring around in that royal head of hers and Emma couldn't figure it out. She started to make her excuses the dragon to leave her company but Maleficent decided it was time for her to leave anyway and the two made their way over to the Queen. Maleficent bid her goodbye, giving her a hug and kissing the sleeping baby on the forehead. She then nodded to Emma who nodded back and smiled. It was still far too early for an affectionate goodbye between the blondes. Once said, Maleficent flicked her wrist and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"You know, I think we should follow her lead," Regina murmured as she glanced down to Ally who was still in her arms. She had cast a lightening charm on her so that she wouldn't feel how heavy she was getting after an hour in her arms, but her arms were starting to feel stiff from being in the same position. "This one should be in bed."

"I couldn't agree more," Emma admitted before calling loudly that the party had come to an end.

Everyone bid each other goodnight and Henry left the room with Yzma on his arm as he was assigned with taking her back to her rooms for the evening. He also had Laverne on his other arm as she was unable to walk unaided. Esmeralda and Lina just followed laughing. The former was staying at the caste that evening so that she didn't have to walk back to the village alone so late.

"Good night, ladies," Hook said charmingly before also leaving the room.

With a smile at each other, the Queen and her Princess walked out of the room, toward their bedroom. They stopped momentarily in Alexandra's room to place her down in her crib. After both mothers pressed a soft kiss to her head, they walked hand in hand back to their room.

As soon as they entered, something was off. The room was colder than expected. There were no torches lit despite the strict instruction that they mustn't ever be put out. The fire was also bare, but there was a trail of smoke lingering, meaning that it had only recently been extinguished.

Then suddenly, there was a lilting giggle heard behind them that made them shiver in fear. Emma knew exactly who that voice belonged to before she turned and saw him.

"I hope you didn't forget about little old me, Dearies."