AN:Sorry for the delay but I really had to think about this chapter before posting. A lot is about to happen so hold on..
Trigger Warnings: Violence...
Well it wasn't as sunny as she wanted, but at least it was warm. Victoria strolls the streets of the village, several shopping bags in one hand and a new Ipod in the other. She smiles, scrolling through dozens of songs and quickly hooks up her new earphones into the slot. Listening to music has, and always will be her ultimate chill out method. Anytime she was stressed or feeling a bit low, she would hook up her phone or Ipod and listen to a bit of Ed Sheeran or Sia. She just hopes that the Queen will allow her this new privilege, but considering the woman's reaction to her mobile phone earlier, Victoria's confident her life mate will let her have this small token of freedom.
Victoria pops in her earphones, smiling and humming along to Ed Sheeran's Castle on the Hill, but she stops abruptly, peering into the distance. Barthmont Castle can be seen between the quaint little houses, an ally stretched out before her and she cant help a chuckle. An ally leading to her new home? That's how her new life began and she cant help another chuckle at the coincidence before she continues with her stroll through the market.
After a beat, her smile slowly fades, the impending meeting tomorrow putting a downer on her mood. She thinks about all the possible outcomes but hopes for the best. Many things can happen tomorrow night, including her death, or the Queens but she has to look beyond that. Ruby really is a good person, and there's no doubt the young wolf speaks the truth. Her Granny really does want to meet to talk, but its Regina's anger and ability to make brash decisions that has Victoria worried. She just hopes to god that she can keep her cool, that they all can and talk like sensible adults.
Victoria pauses, popping out one of her earphones and peers into the distance. She takes a few steps forward just to be certain but confirms it. She frowns watching as Killian talks with another man by the side of the road. Victoria watches as something is exchanged before each men look around and head off in different directions. She fidgets, her senses telling her to follow one of them but she stops herself, mentally scolding herself for her suspicions. Emma probably sent Killian on and errand, maybe to get blood or weapons so she needs to stop being so nosy. Victoria brushes it off, reminding herself not to do anything else that gives Emma the chance to hate her..not that she really cares anyway..
"Hey."
Victoria quickly refocuses, a man with dark hair and piercing eyes holds a notebook in his hands. She cant help blue eyes roaming the mans muscly arms and chest as they peak through his Adidas T-shirt. He clears his throat and she quickly refocuses on his smirking features, her cheeks blushing slightly.
"You never called."
Her eyes widen as they dart around the small cafe with chairs outside. She remembers her first trip into the village, a number a bartender wrote on a napkin for her. She through it away before she returned to the palace thinking she would never be allowed back to the village.
"I..I'm sorry I just.."
"Hey don't be, no biggy. I have some time now if you want to grab a beer?"
Victoria pauses, fidgeting a little and the man softens, smiling warmly.
"Hey its cool if you have plans. I don't want to seem all creepy or anything so I'll just.." He cocks his thumb behind him and Victoria quickly reaches out.
"No no, your not creepy its just..I feel a bit bad for not calling you."
"You didn't have to call me you know, so don't be embarrassed."
"I'm not embarrassed."
He chuckles at Victoria's slight pout.."Good...So if your not busy.." He signals to one of the chairs outside the cafe and Victoria smiles, slipping passed him with a chuckle and sits down. He sits across from her, smiling and flagging over a young blond girl.
"Hey, can we get two beers?"
He looks at Victoria first to confirm and she nods, "Sure, why not."
"Two beers coming up."
Victoria watches the waitress head back inside until a large hand is presented to her.
"Hi I'm Joel."
"I know, you wrote it on the napkin next to a little love heart." Victoria takes ahold of a smirking Joel's hand and shakes it graciously.
"Too much?"
"A little yeah."
Joel chuckles, leaning forward on the table and showing off the muscles on his arms.."And you are?"
Victoria quickly focuses back on deep green eyes and grins.."Victoria."
"Victoria from England. So Victoria from England, what made you come back to this little village? Weren't you traveling?"
"Yeah but I found myself liking this place. I'm not a big fan of Cities."
Even though Victoria found herself living in London for years, shes always preferred living in a small town. Maybe its the peace that she finds most attractive, but the whole idea of getting a nice little house in a suburban area has always been like a dream to her.
"I hear that. That's why I got a cabin down by the lake. It cost me all my savings and then some, but the views and the work are just great."
"I bet its paradise. A nice little cabin by the water, renting a little boat to go out on, doing a bit of fishing.." Victoria's eyes slide shut briefly as she imagines herself floating in a little oar boat in the middle of the lake, her fishing pole hovering over the water and the sun beaming down on her.."Sounds like a dream."
"Who said you'd have to rent a boat?"
Blue eyes slide back open, refocusing on emerald orbs smiling at her across the table.
"I have a small row boat I've been working on, its nothing much but maybe if your passing back through the village one time, we could, you know, use it..Like I mean, Id be happy to take you fishing."
Victoria watches Joel fidget, a small smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. She'd like nothing more than to go out on the lake, a nice romantic picnic stashed on board where they could spend all day letting the water carry their problems away. But its not that simple, she can see the obvious attraction Joel has towards her, and once upon a time she would jump at the opportunity, but she already has her soulmate, and Regina is the only one she would want floating on that lake with her.
"Two beers?"
The waitress quickly sets two tall glasses of alcohol on the table, Joel and Victoria saying thanks to the blond before taking a sip. Victoria thanks god for the interruption, draining half of her pint and getting a chuckle for Joel.
"Thirsty? Or does it just taste really good?"
Victoria grins.."Yeah, to both." It was a lie, the beer just tastes like ash..
Joel chuckles again but soon clears his throat, fidgeting slightly.."So...What do you say about that boat ride?"
"That will be a definitive no."
The cruel and dangerous voice behind has Victoria's spine tingling and her muscles seizing. She quickly whirls in her seat, wide blue eyes staring up at dark and threatening orbs locked onto Joel.
"Regina?"
The woman's name comes out as a questionable whisper, Victoria's mind skipping into overdrive and her panic surfacing at the angry waves rolling into her from the cold monarch above.
The Queen looms over Victoria in Prada heels, a black and purple pantsuit clinging to the woman as several shady looking men in suits stand guard, hovering in the background behind their sovereign. But soon dark eyes dart to Victoria and she shivers from the intensity.
"Wh..What are you.."
"Get up!"
Victoria swallows harshly, slowly rising to her feet and taking a step away from the furious Queen. Joel frowns, quickly standing.
"Victoria are you okay?" He lays a gentle hand on Victoria's shoulder and the Queen regards the move with bared teeth and a subtle hiss.
Victoria quickly slips from Joel's touch, smiling weakly at the puzzled man.."I'm fine I..I just have to go."
Joel's focus flickers from a timid Victoria to the furious Queen. He also regards a dozen or so men in the background with suspicion as they edge forward, eyes watching their interaction carefully.."Victoria.." He gently grabs Victoria's arm again but it was a critical mistake.
In a flash, the Queen grabs Joel's wrist harshly and twists, Joel crying out and forced onto one knee from the painful angle.
Victoria quickly grabs the Queens arm, desperate eyes staring into black.."Regina! Regina please! We were just talking!"
Dark eyes refocus on a pleading Victoria.."You dare lie to me?!"
"I'm not lying! We were just talking, that's all!" Victoria quickly looks around noting several people staring and whispering.."Regina your causing a scene."
The Queen hisses, putting more pressure on Joel's wrist and he cries out. Victoria grits her teeth, grabbing the Queens arm and yanking the woman's hand away. Joel quickly drops onto both knees, cradling his wist against his chest as Victoria squares up to the raging vampire Queen.
Victoria startles, swallowing harshly and fidgeting as dark eyes flash white and the Queens face pales considerably. She knows Regina is trying to hold in her transformation, and she knows she will probably get a beating when they return to Barthmont, but she cant let Joel pay the price for her mistake. To anyone passing, they could assume Joel was flirting with her and she was flirting back, but that's not entirely true. Now she just needs to convince the overly protective vampire Queen of that.
"Regina listen.."
"Silence!"
Victoria closes her mouth begrudgingly.
"GUARD!"
Victoria watches grimly as over a dozen men quickly flock to the Queens position and she waits for the rough hands that will undoubtedly come.
"Get her in the car, now!"
With a weak sigh, Victoria's man handled across the square, a backwards glance spared for a shell shocked Joel who still kneels by their table, Victoria's bags and beer forgotten and her happy day sullied..
The door is slammed with such ferocity, Victoria thought the walls were going to crack. She stands in the center of the Queens study, her hands scratching themselves to death and her bottom lip bitten mercilessly. The Queen prowls closer, with each step the sovereign takes, her bone structure shifts, cracks, warps until Victoria's back bumps against the oak table, a shaking hand clinging to the wood as six inch fangs and white eyes hover over her. Spider legs made of bone crunch to the floor around them as Victoria battles her fear. She can no longer feel her Regina within the Queens heart, only the woman's anger and primal fury remains which unsettles her greatly.
"Regina.."
A dangerous hiss is released, a vicious claw clamping onto Victoria's skull and forcing her to her knees with a painful grunt.
"You dare lay your hand on me in public?! You dare speak to me disrespectfully in front of my guard?!"
"I didn't mean.."
"SILENCE!"
Victoria whimpers, claws digging brutally into her scalp.."Regina your hurting me.."
"You promise me love and belonging only to court other filth behind my back?! You thought I wouldn't find out?!"
"Regina I didn't! I never would! We were only talking!"
"You think I'm blind?! I saw how he drew your eye, how you presented yourself to him!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything by it!"
An angry screech pierces the air as Victoria's sent soaring across the study and collides harshly with a marble pillar. A painful scream follows the thump of her body to the floor, a shaky hand reaching back and pressing gently against the slipped disk in her back.
Victoria cant help her tears at the impending pain about to come as the Queen looms over her again and pulls her up from the floor by her head. She cries out as shes hovered in front of snarling fangs and ghostly white eyes.
"You forget your place dievca!"
"I..I'm sorry..We were just talking.." The pressure on Victoria's scalp increases and she whimpers, blood seeping down her temples and dripping onto the marble floor. She thinks about fighting, about pulling her demon forward but considers that's not what will get her through this. Shes made a mistake and she should know by now what happens to people who make mistakes in this place. So with a shaky sigh, Victoria plays her part and submits.
"..I'll be good.."
The Queens snarl slips, white eyes staring at the blood, tears and snot dribbling down her life mates face as Victoria sobs weakly, eyes full of fear and reminding Regina of all the beatings and torment the girl has endured under her reign.
Victoria's suddenly released, her body hitting the floor with a cry and a hand gripping her lower back. She hears several thuds, several cracks and heavy breathing before a gentle hand lands on her bloody scalp. Victoria controls herself, weakly wrapping an arm around her head and refusing to look at the woman above.
"I...I-I'm sorry I.."
"Please leave.."
The whisper wasn't loud but the Queen heard it clearly, her hands hovering over Victoria but never touching encase they inflict pain.
"Victoria I'm.."
"Regina please.."
The strenuous whimper has the Queen rising to her feet and slowly backing away. Glassy brown eyes remain fixed on her wounded mate, heels hesitantly clicking to the door as slender hands fidget at the royals slim waist. She turns to grab the door knob when her focus is drawn to the sticky blood coating the tips of her fingers. A rebel tear escapes down her cheek, remorseful eyes turning back to the bloody mass curled up on her study floor, but the Queen heeds her mates command and slips through the door, closing it behind her with a soft click..
Yesterday she had taken one step forward but two huge steps back, the tension and uncertainty between her and the Queen had lingered throughout Barthmont. For once the Queen hadn't sought her out, had left her to heal alone.
After the incident in the Queens study, Victoria had crawled halfway across the room before Snow found her. The council woman was thorough and quick to give her medical attention, and after drinking some of the Queens blood, Victoria felt physically better, but emotionally she needed some space. She assumes the Queen could sense this, hence why this is the first time since yesterday they've laid eyes upon each other.
Victoria fidgets in her rickety chair, a weathered old table in front of her and the Queen sat by her side. Her focus darts around the shrouded warehouse, dozens of guards both lycan and vampire stand on multiple levels, their trigger fingers itchy and at full alert.
Blue eyes slide to Emma whose stood vigilant by the Queens side, a gun in one hand and Ruby's arm in the other. Ruby is the key to making this work, so Victoria was happy when she managed to get the Queen to release the wolf of her chains, but no words were exchanged, just a slight nod of the royals head had expressed her approval.
Victoria glances at Regina's eyes avoiding her and sighs weakly, her fingers rubbing her aching temples. She barely slept last night, was kept awake by the pain and fear beating into her from her Queens heart. But right now she'd rather be feeling that than the solid walls determined to keep her out of her life mates head.
There's a creaking of a door in the darkness and the Queen smoothly rises to her feet, a wary Victoria following the woman's example and the guards around them tensing anxiously. Eventually echoing footsteps draw closer, a short hardy figure stepping out of the darkness and narrow brown eyes locking onto the Queens.
Victoria studies Granny, the older woman looking like shes in her late fifty's, grey thinning hair pulled up into a loose bun atop her head and rounded spectacles bridged at the end of her nose. Even though she saw Granny over the video call, she never imagined the woman to look so deceivingly sweet. If she passed Granny in the street, she'd automatically assume the older woman was scampering back to her bungalow to bake cookies for her grandchildren.
They stand in uncomfortable silence for a beat, Granny and the Queen glaring at each other, the Queen a good foot taller in her heels but somehow Granny seems just as tall with her chin raised and her shoulders squared.
Victoria finally breaks the silence and clears her throat.."Please sit." Granny's focus darts to her, narrow eyes picking Victoria apart and she refrains from fidgeting.
"You're shorter than I imagined."
Victoria smiles weakly at the harmless barb, watching as both Granny and the Queen slip onto their seats in unison. She follows them primly and notes how the older wolf keeps a wary eye on Ruby.
"Emma, you can let Ruby go now."
Emma clenches her jaw, looking to her Queen for confirmation but the royals focus is purely on Granny. After a pause, the blond lets go of her prisoner and takes a step back with gritted teeth and a small bow.
"I just want to say thanks to you both for sitting down together. I know there's been a lot of destruction on both sides.."
"You have no idea girly!" Granny snaps.
"No, maybe not fully, but it doesn't have to be that way anymore."
"My terms are simple Eugine, you will surrender your territory and stand down immediately. In return, I will grant you and all those who follow my rule amnesty. You will be permitted to stay where you call home but all details relating to hideouts, underground groups and potential traitors will be divulged immediately, and all military groups you have will be disbanded or they will be destroyed."
Victoria has watched Granny's features darken and darken, the older woman subtly shaking with rage and she quickly tries to interfere but the elder woman beats her to it.
"Your demon actually had me fooled into thinking you wanted peace Regina, but all I see is the same power hungry monster you've always been! You make no compromises and expect everyone to bend to your will, well no! I am no traitor to my people, they will not suffer any longer under your thumb!"
Granny quickly launches to her feet, the Queen glaring up at the old woman as she leans across the table, leering down at the royal.."You bring my granddaughter here as leverage?! Well no matter what Regina, I will not surrender to you! I would rather die!"
Granny roars, causing the Queen to launch her feet with a dangerous hiss, the guards around them drawing guns as a panicked Ruby and Victoria glance at one another.
"Then so be it filth!"
Granny growls, her eyes shimmering a hue green as the Queens fangs slip forward.
Victoria panics, rushing between the furious pair and slams her hands down on the table so hard, it splits down the middle. The Queen and Granny dart backwards, wide eyes refocused on a panting Victoria.
Victoria refrains from placing a shaky hand on her throbbing skull, her anger receding as she takes in a shaky breath.."Just...Just stop it..Please."
Ruby quickly places a reassuring hand on Victoria's shoulder, standing strong next to her friend and faces her Granny.."Victoria's right, you guys need to stop with the whole whose bigger and badder thing. We get it, you both hate each other, but everyone else is suffering because of it."
"You know that's not the only reason Ruby!" Granny glares at the brooding Queen.
"You need to stop living in the past Granny. Moms gone, I've accepted it so why cant you?"
Victoria turns to her determined friend questionably..Ruby's mother is a part of this?..
"Your mother isn't the reason either. Regina only wants power, wants to destroy anything she cant control, and I'll be damned if I'm forced to kneel at this monsters feet just for the sake of peace."
"You sound just like Jefferson."
Granny's snarl slips, brown eyes coasting to her weary granddaughter. The older woman quickly takes one of the brunettes hands.."I just cant Ruby. She'll enslave us all."
"No she wont." Victoria steps forward confidently before all eyes are drawn to the silent Queen. The royal lifts her chin, Victoria's heart pounding nervously against her ribcage.
"I nether stated nor implied I would enslave you Eugine. I dictated my terms.."
"Which are unacceptable!"
The Queens eyes narrow but Victoria quickly steps forward.."Then we rearrange the terms."
"Unacceptable!"
"Regina.."
There's a deadly hiss and Victoria's mouth clamps shut at the blatant threat.
"Your majesty please.." Ruby steps forward, side eyeing a weary Victoria grimly but the brunette squares her shoulders determined.."There has to be some form of compromise. I understand your need to control and disband any potential threats, but I know a way you can get everything you want and then some."
Granny frowns deeply, stepping forward and pulling at her granddaughters arm but Ruby pulls away, taking another small step towards the intrigued Queen.
"Go on."
"Have Granny work with you as an equal. This would relieve pressure on you and your people, and you'd have a powerful new ally that could get you valuable info. Granny could run your territory, with me and Victoria acting as liaisons, its a no brainer. You get what you want and we get to live in peace."
"Ruby, we will still be under her thumb!"
Ruby whirls, narrow eyes glaring at her Granny.."So you'd rather we all die?!"
"At least we die free!"
"No we die being stupid! I don't know how long you've been listening to Jefferson but you've never been this thick! Evey decision we make on both sides will run by you and the Queen! You'll be leading our people into a future worth living! Why cant you see that?!"
Granny's focus flickers from her granddaughter to a weary Victoria and finally to the placid Queen.."You will leave me to my own people?"
"I will be notified of any potential threats immediately and a regular report will be sent directly to me at the end of every week, this is none negotiable."
Victoria watches their interaction, a small smile directed at an anxious Ruby as the whole warehouse waits for the older wolfs answer.
Granny releases a heavy sigh, her steely features softening as she looks at her granddaughter.."Very well. There are things to be discussed further in more detail but until then, my people will withdraw.."
Ruby smiles brightly, launching herself at her Granny and hugging the woman fiercely. Victoria almost chuckles, all of her hard work finally paying off, and she hardly had to open her mouth. She turns towards the Queen but finds the royal stiff and looking as stoic as every. She still cant wiggle passed the woman's defenses, but when dark eyes refocus on her, she somehow gets he feeling the Queen is angry with her. Victoria's small smile disappears and she releases a tired sigh.
Suddenly Victoria feels a prickle dancing up her spine, the pungent smell of wet fur almost overpowering. Blue eyes widen.
"GET DOWN!"
Too late a sea of bullets tare through the warehouse, Victoria tackling the Queen to the floor and shielding the woman with her body. The whizzing of metal, cracks and snaps, the sound of painful cries echo around them as Victoria curls herself further around her soulmate and feels Regina's hands grip her shirt fiercely.
There's a slow in gunfire, Victoria quickly scanning the warehouse and finding many dead bodies both lycan and vampire. She spots a bundle of blond hair safely behind some crates, Emma popping out every now and again to shoot at the darkness. But Victoria's focus soon darts to Granny, the older woman scooping up a bloody and unconscious Ruby into her arms. The elder wolf looks up at her, a moment of regret lost before the shooting starts again and Granny dashes into the darkness.
"VICTORIA!"
Victoria looks to a panicking Emma, several bullets striking the blond in the leg and blue eyes roll over red. She quickly pulls her demon, cracking and warping into shape until a brilliant flash of fire burns through one side of the warehouse. Victoria quickly looks around, only a handful of survivors left before shes looking down to her Queen. She panics finding the spot empty but the vicious hiss by her side has red eyes darting to the vampire Queen whose in her original form and charging into the darkness.
The next few minutes are a blur, her and the Queens anger melding together as their attackers are ripped to pieces and burnt alive. It seems like only a minute passes before the shooting stops and they're both watching the warehouse burn a few yards away.
Victoria's anger slowly melts away, sadness adding to her growing somber mood. She thought she had it, she thought she could broker a truce, but shes only made things worse for everyone.
The Queens angry voice reaches her ears, the royal barking orders at Emma and a few surviving elite who drag two unconscious lycan's from the fire. She can hear a helicopter and several cars in the distance. Its the Queens backup as ordered but Victoria ignores it, staring at the blazing flames. There's a sudden presence at her side and she turns grimly to the Queens ashen and bloody face. The royal glares, breathing heavily and for a minute, Victoria thinks the Queen will attack her, but nothing, nothing as they stare at each other, trucks and armored cars pulling up on the dirt track as elite swarm the area. This is her fault..What a mess..
A sudden stabbing in Victoria hip has her grunting, red eyes looking down at the steady flow of blood leaking from several bullet holes. Victoria frowns, her breathing getting more and more difficult as a shooting pain ricochets around her body. The bloody bullet holes don't seem to be healing and only increases her panic. Her limbs go like jelly, her vision spotty as she collapses to the grass with a painful cry. She doesn't understand whats wrong, shes been shot before and been fine. The bullets would usually work their way out of her skin and the holes would seal but nothing. There's muffled shouts, someone standing over her head before everything goes dark...
