A/N I would love to hear how you are all liking this story. Is it going to slow? Too fast? Do I need to add or remove some aspects? I'm always open to suggestions and love to hear from you!
The glowing sun had set upon the horizon drawing down the moon and stars in the evening sky. Looking out the window, Emma stared into the darkness of the forbidden forest. Not even a full day had passed and she was yearning for the comfort of the Queen. Maleficent's castle kept her locked within the ominous walls, dark and dreary. Even the light of a candle made the shadows crawl. What if Regina never came back? What if this was her plan all along?
She sighed and fell back onto the bed only to find herself staring at the large ceiling. Minutes went by and then an hour, but Emma's eyes never fell shut. When she forced them to close she grew restless. Her dreams found her in her wakeful state. Clouds of smoke, glowing orbs of wonder, the beating of a heart held in the palm of her hands.
A book would have been a suitable option in this situation, but there was none in her possession. She could go searching for a library; there was bound to be one in this expansive castle. An even more tempting idea came to mind. There were more options than just reading about magic. She rose and made her way into the hall. Candle in her hand, she silently walked down the corridor to the door of what she assumed to be the witch's.
The door opened with only the sound of air. In the middle of the room was the blonde woman snoring softly. A book sat open on her nightstand, but that was of no interest anymore.
Where is it? Emma asked herself and after a quick scan she realized the object she was looking for was lying right beside the sleeping witch. The staff. Even in its slumber the crystal orb on the top glowed like a breathing dragon. Curiosity is a dangerous venture, the shadows whispered.
She crept towards the side of the bed as quietly as she possibly could, but when she was nearly in front of the staff she heard a loud noise from the corner. Clamping her hands over her mouth to keep from shrieking, she turned her head to see Mirella, the black Unicorn, staring at her through the darkness. Even then, the witch didn't move nor did the Unicorn. I guess you're more of a spoiled pet than a guard dog, she mused as she reached down to grab the staff.
It was cold as ice to the point of almost burning. This is what she came for. Not to steal, just to play with as the witch slept. What harm could it do? Maleficent would never even notice.
She held the staff firmly between her fingers taking in the strange weight of it. Was this wood made from the bark of a forbidden tree? Shrugging, she let the end of the staff hit the floor not aware that the enchanted weapon had a mind of its own.
A fog of black ravens shot from the staff thrusting her into the wall with a loud crash. With the sudden chaos, the blonde witch's eyes shot open as her hand instinctively reached for her staff, but when she realized it wasn't there her eyes widened.
"Who dares— you! What have you done?" Maleficent rushed over towards the terrified blonde and snatched the staff from the ground. As Emma tried to stand, her back was pushed into the wall by a flash of magic from the staff.
With Emma securely in place, Maleficent looked over her magical possession like a worried mother before glancing over to her pet finding her unharmed.
"Explain yourself, child," the older blonde sneered.
Emma had lost all control of the situation and was at the mercy of this strange woman. Maleficent's magic wasn't like the Regina's. While the Evil Queen felt taunting and devious, Maleficent was cold and irritating.
"I only wanted to mess around with it," Emma blurted out like a child.
"Mess around? Child, this is not a toy. I let you into my fortress out of kindness and you betray me with this? How dare you think that you have a right to steal my things?"
"I wasn't going to steal it! I was going to return it—"
Maleficent fumed.
"Has Regina taught you nothing?" A hand gripped the princess's arm and dragged her forward. Emma's defense mechanism kicked in, but her motions were lagged and weak. "I should save Regina the effort and lock you away."
"Please don't tell her about this," Emma pleaded, "I didn't mean any harm…I just…I wanted to know what it was like!"
"What what was like? To be a thief?"
"I wasn't going to steal it," she growled again, "I just wanted to know what magic was like…"
Nails gripped her tighter like dragon claws and yanked her closer. Her eyes narrowed with venomous thoughts, but as the seconds passed by they softened. She let go of the younger woman and took a step away.
"You have a very strange way of going about your wishes."
Emma tried to understand what was happening as the pace of the moment declined. Maleficent was softening her posture enough that Emma could relax herself. She sighed and rubbed a hand over her sleep deprived face.
"I don't feel like dealing with Regina's furry if she finds out I touched her things. Shall this be our little secret then?"
There came the sound of horses from the open window. As they grew louder Emma knew that they were approaching the castle. She almost landed on her face when she threw herself from the chair.
By the time she had packed her things, Regina was in the bottom foyer talking to Maleficent. She couldn't hear anything substantial, so she could only hope that she hadn't been ratted out.
"You're back early," Emma said with a weak breath and a dorky smile.
"It was a quick encounter," Regina noted quickly with a curt nod, "Thank you for watching Emma, but we must be getting back to my palace in order to make preparations."
"Of course," Maleficent responded and ushered Emma over to them, "time spent was rather…interesting."
She eyed the young blonde for only a second with a small grin that Regina didn't catch.
It was in the carriage that the brunette finally made full eye contact with the blonde. The smile she gave her was fragile as if it were meant to be true couldn't quite be. They looked at one another for what seemed like an hour as if the other had changed in the short duration.
It wasn't like the Queen to struggle for words, yet she found herself unable to speak what she felt. How could she? Very soon Lucia's army would be approaching and all she wanted to do was retreat away, taking Emma with her (which was a feat in itself.)
She could have avoided war. She could have had her peace, but that would have meant giving up this strange woman who had captivated her.
"The coming days aren't going to be easy," she finally said, avoiding emerald eyes.
She couldn't bear to look at them and find what may lie within. Emma didn't have to ask what she meant, for she could see it in the Queen's face. It was too late to turn back. War would soon be approaching. The impending bloodshed would be in her name.