Trigger Warnings: Violence...
2 Days Later:
There was a private ceremony within the Queens study that solidified Victoria's new status as council member. Snow seemed as happy as ever that she was allocated to be on the council while Midas stood back placidly and watched. She was just thankful Emma wasn't present or the whole thing would have been awkward. She was given a purple sash as a token of her status and they all toasted to her new stature.
Victoria sits in the throne room, shuffling anxiously on her ebony throne by the Queens side. Blue eyes dart around the room of soldiers finding a more than angry Emma staring off towards the far wall. She cant help a small grin sliding onto pink lips, but she supposes its understandable, Emma has been the bane of her life ever since they met, and she cant help finding satisfaction in the blonds suffering. Her attention quickly refocuses and settles back on the man knelling below them with his head bowed. The vampire is a messenger from up North, he said something about one of the Queens bases moving due to Jefferson's attacks on vampire territory.
"So let me make myself perfectly clear, August wishes to run away from the filth now that they have a beach-head in the North?"
"No my Queen, he simply stated we move our base further West so that we can unite with further forces."
The Queen scowls.."That is the definition of running away!"
The messenger bows his head further at the Queens increasing anger.
"And the fact he sent you instead of addressing me personally shows me he is a coward!"
"My Queen, August sends his sincerest apologies for not attending, but he had an altercation with a rogue group that demanded his attention."
"Excuses all of it! I have known August for decades and his ability to choose the easy option has always been his weakness. You will inform his second that he will be taking over the base until I can deal with August personally! I will send elite to the North in aid of keeping the filth back, but I expect you to hold your defenses or there will be severe repercussions, am I understood?!"
"Yes my Queen, at your command."
"You will be escorted back to base, you leave immediately."
The messenger rises to his feet, bowing at Queen and council which subsequently makes Victoria squirm a little. The man backs away and paces from the throne room with a group of elite soldiers behind him. Victoria watches the man go, a breath she didn't know she was holding escapes shakily and she relaxes a little. Its intense sitting on a throne but shes just glad she didn't have to speak.
The Queen waves her hand and Victoria stiffens when a young man bound in silver chains is dragged forward. He's no older than twenty, the boys narrow and scared eyes darting from the soldiers around him to the Queen. Victoria shuffles forward in her seat as a blast of wet fur hits her and the boy is kicked to his knees in front of the steps leading up to them. She watches him snap and snarl at the hands holding him down as ragged breathes bounce around the marble chamber.
"Lycan, you were caught attempting to plant explosives in one of my sanctuary's. If you were to have succeeded, many hundreds of innocent lives would have been lost."
"Innocent?! They're not innocent if they follow you!"
Victoria frowns, regarding the boy quizzically. If he was caught on his own, perhaps there are others with him hiding in the shadows. She shuffles further forward, getting the Queens attention and the sovereign nods at her weakly, allowing her to speak.
"Were there others with you?"
"Yes! And they've planted charges all over your fucking murder holes!"
Blue eyes narrow at the erratic boy, Victoria biting her cheek.."You know, I'm pretty good at spotting lies."
The lycan snarls, lunging forward and straining his chains before he's dragged back into place.."I'm not lying!"
"Then why haven't the explosives detonated?"
"Because we're waiting!"
"Waiting for what?"
The boy pauses, his eyes darting around the placid council until refocusing back on Victoria.."I'm not telling you anything!"
Victoria shakes her head weakly, a small smile on her lips as she inspects the desperate boy. Obviously he's telling lies to save his own skin.
"Let me guess, Jefferson sent you?"
The boy pauses, his snarl slipping slightly as she continues.
"Thought so. You know he's no better than a terrorist. He probably sent you on that suicide mission knowing full well you'd get captured. Its all part of his plan just so he can run back to Granny and tell her vampires are capturing and slaughtering young boys now."
Victoria captures everyone's attention, including the placid council members and her Queen. At a glance, the Queen seems a little confused so Victoria attempts to elaborate.
"You know, with all the rumors of peace talks between us, it doesn't surprise me that Jefferson would pull this sort of stunt. He sent you to your death intentionally just to get a response. He doesn't care about you, he doesn't care about Ruby or Robin or anyone."
"Robin? Y-You have Robin here?"
Victoria smiles warmly and nods at the unnerved boy.."He's being taken care of, trust me."
The boys features darken and he snarls.."I'll never trust your kind!"
Suddenly the boy lunges forward, the chains around his arms snapping free as he launches himself at the vampire Queens throat. Victoria quickly pounces, slamming harshly into the snarling lycan and they both sail down the stairs and hit the marble floor harshly. Emma and the elite quickly surround the wrestling pair, guns hesitant to shoot as the Queen and council quickly descend the stairs and are shielded.
Victoria's eyes roll over red, her fangs slipping free as she feels a sudden rage drive her forward. She flips them over and over, razor teeth attempting to slice into her neck until she kicks out, launching the boy backwards and is on her feet in a flash. She screeches her outrage, pouncing for the recovering lycan and throws him across the room into a marble column. The boy screams painfully, his bones cracking as he hits the floor with a hefty thud.
Victoria stalks towards the groaning mass, dangerous growls rumbling from her chest as she scoops the boy up and slams him repeatably into the floor. The Queen steps forward, brushing passed the defensive elite to watch the brutality. After a beat, Victoria stops her onslaught, her face inches from the semi conscious boy.
"If you ever try that shit again, I'll tare you apart myself and send you back to Jefferson in pieces!"
She squeezes his throat, lifting him onto his unstable legs and tosses him back into a bunch of elites. The soldiers quickly grab the battered and bloody boy, securing his arms and dragging him back. Victoria breathes heavily, her anger slowly fading as her fangs slip back under pink lips and red eyes fade back to blue. She takes in a shaky breath, smoothing a hand through her hair as the Queen approaches and glares at their prisoner.
"Take the filth to a cell to await judgment!"
The elite bow, dragging the bloodied boy from the room as Emma issues the guards to return to their stations. Victoria shakes slightly, her emphatic heart slowing gradually as her anger fades. Her first day as an official council member and shes scrapping with a lycan. A hand lands on her arm and she quickly refocuses on gentle whiskey eyes. She can see the concern in them and offers a small smile of reassurance.
"I'm fine your majesty."
Red lips smile weakly, the hand on Victoria's arm sliding down and lacing their fingers together.
"That was our last order of business.." The Queen addresses her people, her hand still clasped within her life mates and not gone unnoticed by a frowning Emma.."You are all dismissed. Attend to your usual duties."
The guards and council bow before vacating the throne room and leaving their monarch and Victoria alone.
Victoria watches them go, her shaking alleviated and she sighs weakly.."I'm sorry." The Queen frowns, sliding in front of her questionably.
"Whatever are you sorry for?"
"I shouldn't have said anything.."
"Victoria, what happened was not your fault. The chains broke, the filth got free and tried to attack me. You protected me and dealt with the boy in your own way."
"But I lost control, I didn't mean to go that far and if you would have told me to stop, I don't think I could have." Blue eyes look down but a hand on her cheek pulls her focus back up.
"You only lost control because of your need to protect your mate. I have felt the sensation numerous times, the most recent, our last mission together."
Victoria smiles weakly.."In those woods you scared the shit out of me, never mind those bad guys."
The Queen chuckles weakly, pressing their foreheads together as whiskey eyes slide shut.."It is natural you want to protect those you care about. It is the only feeling all vampires have in common, but it does tend to drive us away from our senses. Our bond is strong my love, so I do not blame you for your reactions."
"But I feel guilty. I shouldn't have took it that far. I could have killed that boy."
"You could have, but you didn't."
Victoria hums, her guilt settling but the look in the boys eyes, the terror has her stomach churning. Its all about taking steps, but as long as Regina's close by, she thinks she'll take the right ones. She pulls back smiling at whiskey eyes.."So, for my first council meeting, how many stars out of ten do I get?"
The Queen chuckles, white teeth flashing in a dazzling smile.."If you insist on a depiction of your skills, I will reward you with a six."
"Only an six? Jeeze, you are harsh."
The Queen chuckles again.."I am confident you will obtain more stars in time, be patient beloved and you will wreak the rewards from your new stature."
"So I don't get a kiss for saving your life again?" Victoria grins at her Queens ascending eyebrow as red lips lean in, brushing over hers before they quickly pull away.
"That will have to wait, we have communications to check."
The Queen pulls away, heels clicking towards the exit leaving her wanting lover behind. Victoria chuckles, shaking her head before she quickly catches up with the monarch and they disappear down the hall..
The Queen paces hands on hips in her study and mind focused internally. Victoria watches with a small smile and takes a small step forward. They've just talked to Granny over secure channels and arranged a meeting in a mutual location, but as always Regina's all worked up because she thinks Granny's trying to lure them into a trap. To be fair, the Queens skepticism is sound, ultimately they've agreed to meet with an enemy that wants to rip them to pieces, so why shouldn't they be on edge?..
"Regina.."
The woman continues to pace, lost in thought and Victoria rolls her eyes and takes another step forward.."Regina!"
The Queen pauses, dark eyes quickly refocusing.
"You need to calm down."
"Calm down?! I have to be alert, we both do or we could end up losing our lives over this fools quest for peace!"
Victoria sighs weakly, heading over to her Queen and gently running her hands up and down the woman's arms.."Yes, we have to be alert but we also have to be calm. The meeting isn't until tomorrow and Ruby's going to be with us. I don't think Granny will try anything stupid."
"You cannot know that for definite."
"Maybe not, but if she didn't want to talk peacefully, why is she keeping the details of our meeting from her own people? She wants to meet and discuss terms but she also wants to see her loved one. Ruby's her family Regina, and I may not know Granny personally but I do know she wouldn't endanger the ones she loves."
Dark brown eyes soften and a small sigh is released from red lips.."I don't like this Victoria."
"I know, but I promise I'll be by your side every step of the way."
"But that is what frightens me." Victoria frowns weakly as the Queen slowly curls herself within Victoria's chest and buries her face in the girls neck.
Victoria gently wraps her arms around the woman an feels her tears surfacing. She can feel the Queens fear and can only assume Regina is thinking about losing her life mate.
"Regina your not going to lose me."
The Queen shakes her head weakly so Victoria wraps the woman further into their hug.."Listen, we've been through a hell of a lot and I'm still here. A few months ago I didn't even want to live, but now I do, because I have something worth fighting for.." She pulls the flustered Queen back and peers down into red rimmed eyes.."I have you.."
Victoria brushes her thumb against the Queens cheek, removing a single tear rolling down cool skin. Brown eyes look at her deeply as a small smile rolls onto red lips.
"And I have you."
"Yes you do..And your stuck with me."
The Queen laughs and Victoria startles, chuckling alongside the woman. Shes rarely heard Regina laugh, it comes as a breath of fresh air into their weird and smoggy relationship.
"Feeling better?"
The Queen clears her throat, taking a step back.."Yes."
"See I told you, all you need is a good cry sometimes, it does wonders."
"Queens do not cry."
"No, but Regina does."
They stare at one another a moment before Victoria watches with a smile as the Queen saunters over to a Crystal decanter and pours two drinks of sweet red wine. After a beat, the monarch presents her with a full crystal flue but Victoria holds her hand up.
"No thanks, besides from the emotional support, I actually came to ask you a favor."
A sculpted eyebrow is raised.."Oh? An what might that be?"
Victoria subconsciously starts playing with her hands.."I was going to ask if I could go to the Village for the day, you know, to buy a few bits for myself and Amelia and Ryan?" She watches anxiously as the Queen gently lays both glasses on the oak table an avoids eye contact.
"I can have someone retrieve the items in which you need.."
"That's kinda not the point."
There's a long pause, the awkwardness in the room building. Victoria can feel the Queens conflict, she can sense the woman doesn't want her to go.
"I'm coming back Regina."
Brown eyes finally refocus on Victoria.."Of course you are."
If Victoria didn't know the Queen so well, she would have taken the answer as a solid, but she can see the hesitance in dark eyes and the anxiousness in her mates heart that confirms Regina doesn't fully believe her own words.
"Of course I am." Victoria confirms definitively and relaxes a fraction when the Queens features soften and the pain in the woman's heart lessens.."I'll only be a few hours and then I'll be back to do some council stuff."
A small grin pulls at red lips.."Council stuff?"
"You know, prepare Ruby, help Midas if he'll let me and talk to Snow about getting me ready for tomorrow encase anything goes down..But it wont." She quickly reassures.
The Queen hums, picking up her crystal flute and taking a sip of sweet wine.
"Do you want me to pick you up anything form the village?"
The monarch turns questionably and stares.."And what exactly would I need?"
"Ugh..I dunno, that's why I asked."
The Queens face scrunches up like shes just caught a whiff of something bad and Victoria cant help a small chuckle. She can see the woman trying to figure it out and guesses no ones every asked the Queen if she needs something from town before. Guess it must be nice having things offered to you on a silver platter without actually asking for them..
"Look, never mind, if you do think of something, I'll give you my number and you can.."
"You have a mobile phone?!"
Victoria's taken aback and quickly takes a step back when the livid Queen is suddenly in her face.."Ugh..Yeah.."
"Do you realize the enemy can track your location..!"
Victoria quickly cuts the rambling, angry Queen off.."Regina its fine, Midas sorted it out for me when I got back. He fortified the shit out of it so there's no way I can be tracked." She watches the Queens shoulders relax and smiles weakly.."Midas has all the info on the system, but I I told him not to tell you because I didn't want you spying on me all big brother style."
The Queen frowns.."You kept this from me and involved Midas?!"
"Yeah, I just..I just wanted one thing to myself, one thing that wasn't controlled.."
"So now I am controlling?!"
Victoria sighs weakly.."That's not what I meant and you know it. If it makes you feel better..You can have it." She retrieves a mobile phone from her back pocket and holds it out to the Queen. The angry Monarch snatches the device from her hand and she cant help her heart sinking. Yes having a phone is dangerous, but Midas made sure she couldn't be tracked or recorded by the enemy. That phone made her feel a little normal.
"I'll be back in a bit."
Without making eye contact with the Queen, Victoria heads towards the double doors a little despondent. The Queen notices the girls sudden shift and her steely facade melts away.
"Victoria wait.."
Victoria pauses with her hand on the doorknob.
"I..I will have the phone thoroughly scrubbed and have it returned to you when you return to the palace."
Victoria smiles and turns back.."Thank You."
The Queen smiles weakly and nods her head. Victoria bows before slipping out of the Study and rushes towards the front of the palace, eager to interact with normal people again and enjoy the sun while she still can...
