The next morning Regina was surprised to find Emma Swan knocking on her door. Luckily, she had been up for a while and was already dressed to go to the dragon estate. "Can I help you, Miss Swan?"
"I brought you some coffee and breakfast." Emma said, following her into the house. She placed the food on the counter and looked at Regina's attire. "Maybe you should take some time off of work."
"I'm not going to work. I'm going to Mal's. I was invited to a sparring session."
Emma seemed to pause as she opened the bag. "Maybe you should stay away from them."
"What?" Regina said.
"Look," Emma turned to face her, placing both hands on the island between them. "It's your life and your business, I know, but all the dragon seems to do is hurt you. I know you care about her and the new one, whatever she's called, but I'm worried about you."
"I appreciate that, Miss Swan, but-"
"I'm not finished." Emma said. Regina flicked an eyebrow and crossed her arms, but chose to hear the blonde out. She knew she wouldn't get any peace until she did. "You haven't been yourself since you and Maleficent got together in the first place. You were always tired and stressed and you kept forgetting appointments because you were trying to divide your time between ten different things. When you broke up, when she chose the Evil Queen over you, you were broken for a long time. It hurt to see you like that. I don't know why you're drawn to them or they're drawn to you, but as a friend, I just think you should take a break from them." She paused to see Regina's reaction but she didn't give one. Emma sighed. "I know you took some time off after the breakup but you were always alone. Spend some time with me and Henry. We can talk to him about using the book and figure out what to do-"
"Emma, I understand." Regina said. "But this isn't about Mal. Mal and I already talked things over and Nyla is only going to be here for a week. It's about Lily."
"How is this about Lily?"
"I want to see her train and learn and be all she can be. She wants me there, Emma, to see it. How can I say no? I don't care if I have to sit with a thousand enemies or former lovers to do it. I just want to be there for her."
"At the cost of your own son?" Emma demanded.
"Because I spend time with Lily, the daughter I never met and didn't even know I had, I'm neglecting Henry? Emma, how do you think parents with more than one child survive?"
"Maybe deciding what to do about Henry is more important than going to watch some stupid fight! That's all they do. It's not like it'll be useful in this world anyway. I don't care if it is a dragon thing."
Regina felt herself shaking with rage. How dare this insolent blonde question her parenting when she'd been a mother to Henry for a fraction of the time Regina had spent raising him?! She should've understood what it meant to find Lily after all these years and wanting to get to know her after going through a similar situation with Henry. Speaking of Henry, she was not going to be like the idiots when it came to discipline. They were clueless when it came to parenting and they still seemed to think they should be forgiven after what they did to Lily. What he did will not be forgotten. It shouldn't be.
"Alright, Miss Swan. I'll forgo the sparring match, but only because we seriously need to get some things straight and then we can take care of our son."
"Regina-"
"You spoke, so let me have a turn." Regina said. Emma reluctantly nodded. "First of all, my relationship with Lily, Mal or anyone else is my business. Your opinion on that relationship or who it includes should be kept to yourself. I will spend as much time as I want with my daughter and you are going to have to accept that. Second, you do not get to question my parenting. I always do what is best for my son."
"Our son." Emma scowled.
Regina nodded. "Yes, our son. Our son who thinks casting spells on people without their consent is fine as long as he meant to do something good. Call him and bring him here and we will correct that right now."
"What are you going to do?"
"You will see." Regina pulled out her phone and sent a message to Mal. The dragon would arrive at the mansion in thirty minutes. Emma went to collect their son and returned not long later.
"Mom, before-"
"Sit." Regina said sternly. He quickly obeyed. "You know we need to discuss your punishment for using the Author's book without permission. You said plenty of times last night that you did it for me."
"I did. I thought that since you love her so much, what if I could make another Maleficent for you." He said earnestly. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone."
"That doesn't matter." Regina said. "You do not use magic on others against their will. You do not use that book for personal gain. That's what Isaac did and look what happened to him. You thought that you could make a person with magic? Do you hear how ridiculous that sounds?" Henry hung his head and Emma looked ready to speak up but a stern glare from Regina stopped her. "You thought that you could split someone in half? Look at what happened to me when I tried that. Not only that but you thought that you could just give this other Mal to me. You thought you could give me a person. How ridiculous does that sound?"
"I thought that since you two loved each other, she could fall in love with you again." Henry said.
Regina shook her head. "You pulled a Mal from the past, from hundreds of years ago, one who has no idea who I am and expected her to fall in love with me."
"Based on the last week I would say that she likes you." Emma murmured.
Regina pinched the bridge of her nose. "That doesn't matter!" She roared at the idiot blonde. "This is not okay! It was wrong. It was disrespectful to Mal and irresponsible. Or do you not have a problem with it?"
"Of course I do, but-"
"You think I'm being too hard on him? What would you do then? How would you discipline our son who thinks playing with magic is okay? You think grounding him is fine? Alright then, we can start there." She looked at Henry. "You are grounded. No comic books, no computer, no phone, no TV." Henry nodded, hanging his head again. "You will also apologize to Maleficent and Nyla. They'll be here soon enough for that and you will owe Mal a favor."
"I don't like our son owing the dragon anything." Emma said.
Regina ignored her and continued looking at Henry. "Do you understand why I am upset?" He nodded again. "Good and you should feel lucky, because if you were anyone else, you would probably be dead."
"How long will I be grounded?"
"A month or until I feel like you've gotten the message." Regina replied. "And do not ever do something like this again. If there is a problem and you believe you found a solution, always come to us first. If it involves magic, you come to me. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
Regina turned to Emma. "Satisfied?"
"I don't like this favor business. Didn't you owe the Dark One a favor once?"
"Did you really just compare Rumpelstiltskin to Maleficent? Mal would kill you over an insult like that." Emma only rolled her eyes and she looked at Henry again. "Have you eaten yet?"
"No."
"Come on. I'll make you some breakfast."
Henry and Emma joined her in the kitchen while she cooked and they sat down to eat. He was curious about Nyla and what would happen next, but Regina knew as much as they did. She thought that she knew Mal well enough to be able to predict what she would do, but she wasn't sure about Nyla.
"So is it true then?" Henry asked. "That you and her...like each other?"
"No." She said. Emma gave her a look but she ignored it. Her phone vibrated and she picked it up. It was a text from Lily. Be there in five. "Outside." She said. Henry sighed but he obeyed in leaving the table and going to grab his coat.
"Is this a good idea?" Emma asked.
"You have a better one that doesn't involve him getting off scot free?" Regina scowled. "You're just like your parents. You want to excuse his behavior, praise the good and ignore anything less than that. I won't have it, Emma." Emma rolled her eyes, yet offered no further protest. She left the table to follow their son and Regina put her phone in her pocket and did the same. She grabbed a black blazer and stepped out onto the porch. The morning was cool and crisp and made her want to go back inside and curl up under the blankets. Henry and Emma soon joined her, but she didn't bother joining in their bland conversation, done only to fill the silence. She didn't really mind the quiet.
"Mom?" Henry said, drawing her attention. "I really am sorry about using magic without permission."
"I know." Regina replied. She tilted her head when she heard the wing beats. It was a few moments before Emma and Henry reacted to the sound she'd already noticed. Lily was the first to appear over the horizon, sparkling in the morning light like a ruby. She glided well, in better form than ever. Seeing her brought a smile to Regina's face. Behind her came who could only be Nyla. She was close to Lily's size, but she had a more slender build akin to what Mal looked like months ago. Those famous horns were still there. She flew almost lazily, moving from side to side like a shark. She let out a roar when she saw Regina and swiftly dove to land. She shifted in mid air and dropped to the ground with a resounding crack, splitting the earth at her feet. She smiled at Regina as she came towards her.
"Good morning, Regina." She was back to the curly brown locs and multicolored eyes and she must've borrowed some clothes from Lily because she was dressed in dark jeans and a black button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. She'd only buttoned two buttons in the middle and Regina couldn't resist glancing down at her toned stomach.
"Good morning, Nyla."
"I must thank you, as I thanked Queen Reina this morning." Nyla said, coming to stand in front of her.
"Thank me?"
"For you. Because of you, we have her." She looked behind her as Lily landed with barely a sound and shifted into human form. "The greatest daughter one could ever want." Both of them smiled as Lily approached, wearing a stunning little red dress that was uncharacteristic for her usual winter wardrobe. "Impressive landing." Nyla said,
"The moms taught me well." Lily purred before hugging Regina. "Good morning." She gave a disdainful look at Emma. "Morning, Savior." She glanced at Henry. "Mini-Savior."
"What are you wearing?" Regina asked, looking her up and down. "Did the Evil Queen put you up to this?" Lily was barefooted and wore no jewelry, like Nyla, and had a lot of her legs on full display. "As much as I would love grandchildren, I do not want my child walking around showing off all of her assets."
"Are you serious? You're really talking about this one dress-"
"One little dress."
"When you and the Queen were the definition of "scandalous" back in the Enchanted Forest. I'm also over 30, by the way."
"I don't care. It is inappropriate for someone of your status."
Lily only started laughing and she smiled to herself at hearing it. A part of her always worried about her relationship with her daughter. Reina and Mal lived with her. They could see her all the time, any time, but it seemed more difficult for her because of her other responsibilities and she wanted to build a stronger bond with Lily. She'd already missed so much of her life and she wasn't going to miss any more.
Regina felt a hand wrap around her arm and looked at Nyla. "Are you ready, Regina?" Nyla asked.
"Ready for what?"
"To bask in my glory." Nyla snapped her fingers and all of them were teleported to the beach. A cloak also appeared around Regina's shoulders. "In case you get cold." The brunette smirked.
"How was the fight this morning?" She inquired while they waited.
"I got my ass kicked." Lily said. "It was expected though. We're doing another one later on and you have to be there, Mom, because you have to be in it."
"Excuse me?"
"We need you if we want to stand a chance."
"Of doing what?"
"Beating Mom." Lily replied. "We have to take her down. It must be done." Regina rolled her eyes, but smiled and agreed to be prepared for a fight later on. "We're having lunch at the den. You should meet us then too. Nyla and Mom have been talking all night and they had some cool stories to share."
"We can save the stories for another time." Nyla said.
"Oh? You don't want me to tell her about the killer rabbit?" Lily smirked.
"Killer rabbit?" Regina said, arching an eyebrow.
"I was a dragonling and I eventually came out victorious." Nyla replied, looking away, as if listening to something. "Are you ready, Regina?" She asked again.
"Ready to bask?"
Nyla grinned and turned her to face the west. She heard the wingbeats long before she spotted the dark shape blanketing the sky. The Dragon Queen made her entrance as only she could. Even Regina found herself balking at Mal's size. Mal was already the biggest dragon she'd ever seen, but being pregnant, she would only get bigger. The morning light against the gloss of Mal's scales made her look magnificent and fearsome at the same time.
"Glorious, aren't we?" Nyla asked, still grinning proudly.
"Yep." Lily agreed as Mal came in to land, stirring up sand with her wings. She glimpsed Reina laying across her back, but the Evil Queen didn't bother to acknowledge them as she dismounted.
"You texted." Mal said, looking down at the gathered people.
"Henry has something he wants to say to you." Regina said. She nudged Henry forward.
"Um, I'm sorry, Maleficent, for using the Author's book on you without permission. I didn't think of the consequences or how disrespectful it was." Mal blinked slowly and glanced at Regina. "And," Henry continued, "Mom says in order to repay you, I have to fulfill a favor."
"Keep it." Mal said. "Keep your favor and your apology, as I will keep your book and your quill and your squid ink. I want nothing to do with you or your family. Just know that if you or your family attempt anything like this again, I will not stay my claws. Not again." Henry gulped and nodded. "Will that be all, Regina?"
"Yes. Unless you feel his punishment is inadequate."
Mal slowly looked over Henry and growled deeply. In the end, she nodded and moved away, nudging Lily towards the water. Lily shifted back into dragon form and joined her in the surf. Nyla ran after them and Regina noticed that Reina didn't join them.
"Something wrong, your majesty?" She asked.
Reina watched the dragons frolic and play for a moment, the earth shaking beneath their feet. "I require your assistance." She said, surprising the others in attendance. Regina most of all was shocked by the Evil Queen asking for help, especially hers.
"With?"
"Finishing my gift to my dragons. Nyla said she would only be here a week and she wishes to see it too." The queen was oddly soft spoken and Regina could hear how tired she was, causing her to wonder just what Reina had been doing in regards to this gift. Making the new lands shouldn't have taken this much energy.
"Why don't you ask Zelena?" Regina asked.
"I have. I will need her too."
"What kind of gift is this?"
"Creating the new lands takes time and precision. I want it to be perfect." Reina said, continuing to watch the dragons. "This is my gift to my mate and my children. A place of their own. One of the few good things I have brought into the world. It must be perfect before they see it." Reina took a deep breath and turned to face her. "I have no right to ask you for help and you know it pains me terribly to do so-"
"Of course I'll help." Regina scoffed. "Like it or not, they're my dragons too." She smiled and patted Reina on the back, earning a stunned glare from the Queen. "Text me the time and place to meet. Good day, Reina." She waved her hand, teleporting herself, Emma and Henry back to the mansion.
"I can't believe she has the nerve to ask you for help. Or that you agreed to do it." Emma said, following her back into the kitchen. "What the hell is going on with you?"
"The gift is for Lily as well. How could I not help?" Regina replied. Emma rolled her eyes again at her daughter's name. "Is there something going on between you two?"
"No!" Emma scoffed. "She hates me as much as the Evil Queen hates you. That's why I don't understand why you bother helping her or why you want to spend any time with them after everything you've been through with them."
"The same could be said about me, you, and your family." Regina retorted. "I'm helping her because I want to and because the sight of the Evil Queen asking me for something makes me giggle. You have no idea how much joy it brings me." She knew Reina would not ask unless she desperately needed help and it was only because the gift was for the dragons that she would do so at all. A moment later her phone pinged with a text message from Zelena to meet at the town hall. "Well, that's her." She looked at Emma. "Don't eat all of my food." The blonde rolled her eyes as she teleported away and appeared in front of the town hall. Reina was already there, looking highly uncomfortable while Zelena was grinning at that discomfort.
"She finally arrives. Let's go. I want to see this place."
"Don't take anything from it, Zelena." Reina said with a glare, only making Zelena smile coyly.
"Me? I wouldn't dare."
Reina rubbed her temples. "I am regretting this already." She threw up her hands and the next thing Regina knew, they were standing on the edge of a cliff. On one side, the one they stood on, it was a bit bare. But the other was shrouded in a dense fog, but oddly enough she could hear running water. Smell it too. Reina walked by, leading them to some sort of pit in the ground that was nearly full of something golden. She recognized what it was instantly and couldn't help smiling.
"A sunstone. You made them a sunstone. They'll love this! No wonder you're tired all the time." Making a sunstone was delicate and exhausting work. Every layer of gold needed to be perfectly mixed and perfectly laid and dried before you could move on to the next layer. Once finished, it was a good place for a dragon to sunbathe. Dragons loved warm things and sunstones were called such because it was like a mini sun was inside of it.
"I need this finished by this afternoon and then we can work on the last thing." Reina said, already getting to work.
Regina removed her blazer and teleported it home and joined her in the pit so they could get to work. Zelena mixed the mixture for the next layer while she and Reina poured it and smoothed it out. They worked quietly together, laying down layer by layer. Mix, pour, smooth, dry. The only speaking came from Reina when she wanted to correct Regina or Zelena on something that no one would ever notice. Her attention to detail was a little annoying but Regina didn't say anything about it. Besides, it was Reina's gift and she could be picky if she wanted to.
Once that was done, they left the last layer to dry and moved on into the new lands. Reina removed her shroud spell and allowed others to see her creation for the first time. Regina's jaw dropped at the sight of the magnificent world ahead. Reina led them through the forest along a trail that ran parallel to a river. Regina looked down at the water that looked so clean and clear. The riverbed was covered in colorful stones and large fish raced across them. The trail they walked was surprisingly wide and there were all sorts of trees around: beautiful cherry blossom trees, Japanese maple trees, Wisteria, willow trees lining the riverbanks, huge oaks and beeches made of many groves and when there was a break in the treeline, Regina could see exotic trees dotting some kind of sandy area. Some of the trees were even odd colors. Fruit vines and berry bushes were everywhere and more than that was all of the life Regina saw. All manner of colorful birds nested among the canopy above, squirrels and rabbits ran across the path, she caught glimpses of deer and elk and even a moose amongst the trees. River otters played in the river while lemurs and monkeys looked on from the branches above. Regina smirked when she saw some wild horses racing across the meadows. She was sure there was much more than that.
"This place is amazing." Regina said. "The dragons will love it."
Reina smiled and looked around, as if it were the first time she'd taken the time to do so. "I hope so. Otherwise this will have been a waste of time." She continued, leaving Regina and Zelena to follow. "If you are hungry, you may eat some of the fruits, but keep moving. I don't plan on stopping for the rest of the day."
Regina flicked an eyebrow but chose to stop and pick a handful of grapes and berries to snack on as they walked. Zelena chose to pick an apple.
"What will you call them?" The redhead aked.
"Excuse me?" Reina said.
"Your new lands. Surely you will name them. Will you call it Dragon Land?" Regina rolled her eyes at the ridiculous name.
"Hopefully it will just be called 'Home' one day." Reina replied. "Although if it must be named, that choice will go to Mal, Lily and Nyla."
"Nyla?" Regina frowned. "She's only going to be here for the rest of the week."
Reina let out an amused chuckle. "She'll be staying, Madame Mayor."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Regina asked. "And what did you mean 'we can't escape her'?"
"Maleficent is the greatest woman in the world." Reina replied. "Whether she is a hundred years old or a thousand, whether she has tasted darkness or not. Nyla will never be the Maleficent we have come to know, but it will not change who she truly is. You will want her to stay and she will want to stay."
"She can't stay-"
"Why not?" Reina asked.
"Because she's from a different time." Regina answered. "Who knows how that will affect her or Mal if she stays."
"It hasn't affected them yet and as long as it hasn't, she will take it to mean that nothing will. We know Maleficent, Regina. Surely you know her true purpose in asking for a week."
Regina rolled her eyes. "What are we working on next?"
Reina stopped walking and pointed upwards. Regina and Zelena followed her gesture and saw the ruins of a castle sitting on the mountainside. "We need to finish that today, but it won't be as much work as you think." She resumed walking and the sisters followed. When they reached the base of the mountain they found a circle or briars and bushes of thorns serving as a barrier of sorts. Regina questioned the purpose of them. "The only way to reach this castle will be to fly. However, I know Maleficent is still...haunted by losing Lilith," Reina's eyes glowed a bright gold and flames suddenly exploded into existence in her right hand. The sheer heat caused Regina to back away but she was close enough to hear her counterpart counting softly. Reina took a few deep breaths and slowly extinguished the flames. She was back to normal by the time she reached ten. "I will make sure that this den, or any other she chooses, is secure against any and all threats. What happened before will not happen again."
"I'm sure your den is safe here. Who would come here?" Regina asked.
"Ask the bitch princess and her pet farmer who decided to go into the first den." Reina hissed, shaking with rage. Smoke started to curl off of her skin and Reina started counting again to calm herself down. Her eyes remained a bright gold as she teleported them up to the castle. Once there, Regina took a look around. What she thought were ruins were actually piles of different materials. There were several rows of stone pillars, each one differently carved and made of different kinds of stone. Amongst them were panels of glass, also made of different types and in varying colors. Reina walked through the piles of materials, picking and choosing the final pieces for the castle.
"What kind of castle will this be?" Regina asked. "Do you have any designs?" Reina waved her hand, conjuring a piece of parchment for her and Zelena to look over. The castle drawn on it was more like a palace, open and glorious. There were plans for huge gardens and pools and various balconies, fireplaces and magical lights. What really stood out was the proportions and measurements. This wasn't a palace for people, but for dragons. In the end, Reina chose limestone as the foundation for the palace and they began with that.
Reina laid down the base, Regina built up the walls and Zelena added in the columns and supports. They accomplished their task by conjuring stone and shifting it, carefully laying down layer upon layer. Reina was insistent on checking the measurements and making sure everything was smooth and perfect. She even leveled parts of the mountain and knocked down larger chunks that were in the way. By that afternoon they had only completed the first floor which mostly consisted of empty rooms and fountains that Reina had her own plans for. Regina was quite tired, but Zelena seemed excited to begin the next floor. Reina glanced at them and told them to take a break, although Regina noticed that she didn't take her own advice. Zelena went with her down to the river to rest.
"How'd she rope you into doing this?" Regina asked, conjuring a wet cloth to dab her forehead.
"Funny," Zelena smirked, removing her shoes so she could sit on the bank and dip her feet in the water. "I was going to ask you the same question."
"You first."
"She asked." The redhead shrugged. "It isn't as if I was busy anyway. You?"
"Same, I suppose."
"Okay then, why did you agree?" Zelena leaned back on her hands and looked up at her.
"This gift," Regina gestured around them. "All of this is for Mal, but it's also for Lily and if there is anything I can do for her then I'll do it. I just want to see her happy and I don't care if I have to work with the Evil Queen to do it."
"You do realize that you can't make up for the thirty years you didn't know Lily, right?"
"I can try."
"Mmm." Zelena tilted her head, watching the water. "It gets annoying to watch but the way you three, well four now, fawn over Lilith...is quite lovely. She deserves it. She's a nice person. It's the way mothers should treat their daughters."
To Regina's knowledge Zelena didn't have much in Storybrooke, no friends, no job, few hobbies that wouldn't cause harm to others. Their relationship was on the mend but she doubted that they would ever see each other as sisters. She wasn't sure about the nature of her relationship with Reina. They seemed to be amiable some days and others they seemed willing to ignore each other. Regina was positive it was a better one than the one she had with Zelena, but the two, despite their histories, seemed almost supportive of each other. It was odd and she didn't understand it, but she had given up understanding Zelena and as much as she hated it, she understood a lot of Reina's behavior.
"You spend a lot of time with them?" She inquired, sitting down with her back against an apple tree.
"Eh, sometimes." Zelena shrugged. "Lily loves inviting me places, as well as insisting that Reina and I spend time together. Probably believes we're kindred spirits in a way."
"You must be bored."
"Sometimes." The witch shrugged yet again. "But I don't mind being alone."
Regina conjured a rejuvenation elixir to drink, restoring her magic energy before they continued construction. Zelena stood up and stretched. They were set to go back up the mountain when they felt the ground shake.
"What's that?"
"How would I know?"
They heard the trumpet before they spotted them. The bushes on the other side of the river parted and a baby elephant popped through, trumpeting and calling as it dove into the water. Regina found herself smiling until the baby's family made an appearance. She must've always underestimated the size of elephants because they were massive! She and Zelena both backed up as the parade of tusked animals entered the river for a cool dip. Some rolled around in the water while others sprayed it from their trunks, but each one appeared completely at ease.
"I wonder what other animals Reina brought here." Zelena said.
"There's no telling." Regina responded. "Let's go. We have another floor to finish."
They teleported back up the mountain and discovered that Reina hadn't stopped working at all. She had completed the first floor, which consisted of one huge indoor pool, big enough and deep enough for Mal's dragon form. She'd decorated the walls in beautiful mosaics and tiles all depicting colorful dragons. Elegant torches lined the walls at regular intervals and there was a giant fountain spewing water out of carved dragon heads. Reina had added in plants and vines for more decoration and added designs in the floor by filling squares with gold bricks inscribed with magical symbols.
"Holy shit." Zelena whispered. She led the way through the pool room to the other side of the palace. Outside, there was another giant pool and beyond that was a breathtaking garden. Reina was currently adding in another fountain.
"Create two more floors please." She said, without turning around. Her palace plans appeared floating in front of Regina, who took it. She and Zelena teleported up to the next floor and began putting up walls and supports. Her assumption that all of this was built for Mal and Lily's dragon forms seemed correct. Reina's plans left out doors and at some points whole walls so the dragons could fly right in.
"You sure these measurements are right?" Zelena asked, peering out of one place where there was no wall. The second floor was a sort of nest room and they were moving on to placing the beds down.
"Yes. It seems correct." Regina answered, raising her hands. She pushed down slowly and the floor deepened as she did so, forming a sort of bowl that would be used for a nest.
"Maleficent's wingspan is surely larger than this."
Regina glanced up at the empty wall that would serve as the entrance. "You're right, but I believe the entrances are geared more towards Lily's wingspan. Mal tends to tuck her wings when she lands, unless it's in an open field. Lily doesn't most of the time and Reina wouldn't want her to clip a wing."
"And Nyla's landing pattern?"
"How would I know the answer to that?"
Zelena scoffed and looked at the plans. "You're annoying."
"Excuse me?"
"Your attitude about Nyla. It's annoying." The redhead replied, making marks on the floor that they would eventually pry open to place down Reina's gold bricks. Each one was carved with magic symbols that would cause the floors to heat up, essentially creating their own version of heated floors.
Regina rolled her eyes. "So? This is not something I want to discuss, nor do I understand why you even care."
"Because life is pain, Regina." Zelena said. Regina arched an eyebrow as she paused in her work to look at her older sister. "If anyone told you differently, they were wrong. You want to be with Nyla, she wants to be with you. There are a thousand ways things could go wrong with that relationship and just as many ways it can go right."
"I don't care. Everything about this is wrong. It doesn't matter how I feel."
"According to Nyla, how you feel is the only thing that matters."
"You spoke to her?"
"I'm your sister, of course she spoke to me." Zelena scoffed. "I know what you're trying to do. Separating yourself from her, ignoring her, all so it'll hurt less when you send her back. It's going to hurt anyway. Why bother? Unless you don't. Take some advice from the Wicked Witch and the Evil Queen. Take your happiness. If you end up hurt in the long run, it might be worth the pain."
"You don't know that."
"No, but do you?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "Thank you. Enough about this."
Reina appeared in the middle of the room in a cloud of purple smoke and looked around at what they had done. She instantly shook her head. "No, the entire floor needs to be one big nest. They should be able to lay anywhere." Regina stepped back and let her take over. She joined Zelena in building the massive ornate marble fireplace that practically dominated an entire wall. When they turned around, Reina snapped her fingers, filling the nest with a mattress that fit the bowl shape and covered in dozens of blankets and pillows.
"You sure that's enough?" Zelena asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Probably not, but I'll adjust it once Mal lays down."
"What's on the top floor?" Regina asked.
"I haven't decided yet. For now, it can just be a landing platform. Lily might have an idea for it. That'll be all for today."
"We can help with decorating too, Reina."
Reina took another look around. "Alright then-" Reina suddenly doubled over, vomiting bile onto the ground. Zelena quickly put an arm around her to steady her so she wouldn't fall and Regina grabbed her hair and gently held it back. Even when Reina had gotten rid of everything in her stomach, she still couldn't stand and any attempt to move her caused her to shriek in pain.
"I'm calling Mal." Regina said, pulling out her phone.
"Does she have a phone?" Zelena asked.
"Yes, but she's sketchy about answering." Especially when it's me calling. "I'll call Lily then."
"Forget it." Zelena hooked an arm under Reina's legs and swept her off her feet. "Teleport us." Reina suddenly kicked her legs, nearly making Zelena drop her. Smoke started pouring off of her skin and when she looked up, her eyes were gold...
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"You said mining was one of your best childhood memories?" Lily said, walking back into the living room where her blonde mothers were.
"Yep." Nyla was watching Mal intently as she opened the box of pizza. It was a giant deep dish meat lovers pizza that Lily knew they would love. She was sure Nyla's pupils dilated when she saw it. "What is this thing? It smells delicious."
"Pizza. Lily loves to eat them." Mal answered.
Lily placed a set of plates on the coffee table and went back into the kitchen. "What do you want to drink, Nyla?" She called.
"Whatever we always drink."
"Wine then. Red or white?"
"Ew, we drink wine now?" Nyla frowned at Mal, who smirked at the disgusted look on her face. "Something else. Surprise me."
Lily poured Mal a glass of her favorite wine and fixed herself and Nyla some mountain dew. She brought the drinks back into the living room and accepted a plate of pizza before she sat down. "So tell me more about this mining stuff? How was that fun?"
"Mother made it fun." Mal replied.
"Yeah," Nyla agreed. "Once, she took us down the tunnel near our den and taught us how to dig for minerals and ore. The first time, we didn't find anything and we were so upset that she promised to take us to find another vein somewhere else."
"The next day," Mal continued. "She picked us up and flew in a giant circle, right back to the original vein. We went down and started digging and a giant sapphire fell right into my claws."
"How is that possible?" Lily asked. "Did your mom put it there?"
"She did." Mal laughed. "We went home that day with a bucket of gems and a complete diamond necklace."
Lily smiled. "And you didn't think that was odd?"
"No, I was a happy child who had a diamond necklace to give her mother. Or give back to her mother."
"We should go mining then." Lily said. "Maybe Regina can open a portal for us to go back to the Enchanted Forest Then you can teach me how to use your forge too."
"You mean that, Lilith?"
"Of course. I want to know everything you know, especially if it's something you enjoy." Lily said, biting into her pizza. She knew Mal loved her workshop. Most of her gems, ore, gold and silver went into her crafts. Her mother was a master blacksmith and liked making jewelry. She'd seen her one day, hammering away at red steel and twisting burning pieces of silver into beautiful designs, sometimes with her bare hands.
"And you will teach me as well?" Nyla asked.
"If you're still around."
"Of course I'll be around." Nyla smirked. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Mal sipped her wine and placed her glass on the table. "Enough with the sweet stories. You have something you want to ask. Ask it."
"Why did we abandon our mate?" Nyla said instantly, her voice dropping to a growl. Lily's eyebrow shot to her hairline and she glanced at Mal, wondering if there was going to be brawl. Nyla got her feet and Mal tilted her head, watching her closely as she rose to her feet as well. "I mean no disrespect. I've enjoyed seeing how far we've come and meeting our child. If anything, it makes me happy to have this future and makes me want it more, but...Regina was our mate, our chosen. Why didn't we stay with her? She is...wonderful. A perfect mate. Why is the Evil Queen better? Is she not the part of Regina that she regretted and hated?" Lily looked at Nyla and then back at Mal.
Mal slowly smiled. "Regina is beautiful and strong and fierce and complex. She's an incredible woman. Most people either love her or hate her. I know that look in your eye but make no mistake. You spent a week with Regina, I've known her for years. I've seen her fall and rise, do great things and terrible things. You don't know her as well as I do."
"She said it was the Charmings." Nyla said. "The reason you broke up."
"One of the reasons, yes. I despise them with every ounce of my being and I knew I would never be happy in that house where they can come and go freely, where they are welcome. If Regina and I stayed together, had a child, I would never be able to live there. They may be heroes now, but they weren't then and I cannot give them another chance to do what they did again. I still hate when they are near Lily now." Mal let out a low growl and fought to reign in her rage. Lily could see it. The way she clenched her fists and ground her teeth. She would never stop hating the Charmings. "Even with all of that though, I was willing to tolerate their existence for Regina. However, there were still many more problems in our relationship, more problems with her and myself that we couldn't help each other through, that we might not have even realized were there. Clearly there was something wrong if I come home one day and see that she's split herself in half. I was not warned or notified that this had even happened. Whatever made her do it is something we should've spoken about, but never did." Mal sighed. "Regina and I have fought each other for a long time. We've been dear friends, confidantes, lovers. Regina came to me to escape her life and she was a welcome change to mine. But in the end, it just wasn't enough. Sometimes you can't fix a relationship. It just can't be done. As for Reina, she is not the darkest parts of Regina. She is not Regina's evil, not her darkness or her regrets. She is not Regina simplify her in such a way is an insult." Mal let out a growl and Nyla took a step back and averted her gaze respectfully. "Lily and I gave her a piece of our hearts. She is a piece of us now. She is a dragon, a dragon's mate and soon, she will be a mother again. Any more questions?"
"You need to talk to her." Nyla said. "Regina."
"What else is there to say?" Mal asked.
"You are an important piece of her that she still needs." Nyla replied. "In so many ways, she is alone. She may have forgiven the Charmings to some extent but that's because of Emma and Henry. She's as angry as you about what happened to Lily. She cannot connect to them the way she connects to you because you hold no expectations for her." Mal tilted her head, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Nyla let out a growl of frustration as she struggled to explain. "You loved her when she was evil and you loved her when she was good. You didn't expect her to be either one. You just wanted her and that meant a lot to her. More than you know because she doesn't have that with the idiots. You helped her when she was lost and alone. I get that you and Reina are together now, but when you left her, you took away that security, that connection. All she needs is one person who understands and that person was essentially always you."
Lily glanced at Mal. This information wasn't entirely new to her. She knew from experience how Regina felt in most situations. Surrounded by people, even family, but always feeling disconnected and alone. It was how she felt growing up with her adoptive father. He was a good man and kind, but she never truly felt like she belonged in his family and it wasn't until she found Mal and Regina that she didn't feel that way anymore.
"Alright." Mal said eventually. "I'll talk to her."
Lily's phone started ringing and she turned it over to see the caller ID. "Um, speaking of Regina. Reina must have worn herself out again."
Mal rolled her eyes. "She is going to take a month off from this gift, I swear."
Lily answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Get Mal here right now!" Regina commanded. "Reina got sick and turned into a dragon. She says she's in pain."
"Reina's in trouble." Lily ended the call and followed Mal outside. Her blonde mother was in the sky before she reached the porch. Keeping up with her was impossible. Mal never seemed like the fastest dragon, but at the moment she was a blur. By the time they reached Reina's new lands Lily's wings were aching and Mal was already diving and calling for her other mother. Lily followed after her and Nyla sped after her. They landed at the base of a mountain where there was a bit of a clearing. Regina and Zelena were already talking to Mal when she landed and her mother took off through a break in the trees, knocking one of them over as she did so. She paused momentarily to sniff at the ground before running off again.
"Is Mom okay?" Lily asked, shifting into human form. "Are you guys okay? What happened?"
"She got sick all of a sudden." Zelena said. "Then she changed into a dragon and fell out of the palace."
Lily glanced up at the marvel of a palace sitting on the mountain. Reina hadn't learned to fly yet. She probably glided somewhere nearby. "I should go check on her." She followed Mal's trail through the trees, searching for anything large and black with horns. Her mothers hadn't gone far and was sitting in a small meadow. Reina was hunched over, her head low and her wings were slumped on the ground. Mal was seated across from her, giving her space for now. "Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Yes, give us a moment, dear." Mal said. "Please."
"Uh, okay. Let me know if you need anything and I want answers when you're done."
"Of course."
She backed away and rejoined the others. "Mom say anything before she got sick?"
"Nothing." Regina answered. "Just threw up and changed forms. We were going to teleport her to you guys but she jumped off the mountain."
Lily looked back at the break in the trees, hoping that everything was okay. "She overdid it again, didn't she?" Mal gave Reina a warning every day that she was becoming too skinny or she was overusing her magic and she knew it drove Mal crazy that she couldn't take care of her mate.
"She seemed fine until getting sick." Regina touched her arm and reached up to tap her chin. Lily looked at her. "Relax, I'm sure she's okay. Mal's with her."
Lily nodded but grabbed Nyla's arm anyway and dragged her to the break in the trees that Mal had smashed through. "Can you smell anything weird around here? Mom sniffed it before she went through." Tracking was not something she'd gotten the hang of yet but she knew it was an amazing skill to have. Mal could track prey on the ground and in the air. She could tell what animal was nearby, whether it was injured, old, sick and if it was male or female all with a sniff. It was incredible really.
Nyla crouched down and turned over a few leaves as she inhaled deeply. "What am I supposed to be-"
"Anything you think is different."
"Lily." Regina said, walking over with Zelena. "She might not have been long enough to notice a change in Reina or Mal's scents."
Nyla raised two fingers. "Maleficent said earlier that Reina would be a mother again? Does that mean she is pregnant?"
"No, Mal is." Regina answered.
"Then they both are." Nyla stood up and wiped her hands on her jeans. "I don't know Reina's natural scent, but hers is very sweet, like Maleficent's. That's usually a sign when a female dragon begins producing milk to feed her young."
"You're sure?" Lily asked, bouncing on her toes.
"I am."
/
It was quiet in the clearing. Maleficent could hear a number of creatures around her and the breeze stirring the trees was a bit grating, but her eyes did not leave her mate's. She didn't even dare breathe too deeply.
"You can stop, Mal. Look around. You're already here." Reina said softly, settling down in the grass.
Mal did look around at the forest surrounding them. She wanted to just run through it, seeing everything, smelling everything that her love had built here. She could feel Reina's magic flowing through this land and it made her scales tingle. "It's wonderful." She took a few steps towards Reina and sat down again. "Are you going to tell me what happened or make me guess?"
"I don't know what's wrong. I've healed myself twice."
"Could it be that you've overworked yourself? Spent your magical reserves? You're exhausted all the time, Reina. You barely eat enough to sustain you. I told you that you would have to eat much more than you do to stay healthy due to your recent transformations. You're not human anymore and you must eat enough for a dragon."
"I know, I don't need to be reprimanded like a child."
"Then don't be so hard headed. Have you finished this place?"
"No."
"Then you will take a break from it. At least a week."
"Mal-"
"Or you let me help you." Mal continued. Reina turned to meet her eyes. "I understand that you wanted this to be a gift, but I can't stand you doing this to yourself. If there is anything left to be built, we will do it together. It is not my intention to control you and by all means, you can do as you please, I know that you will anyway, but think about this…" She leaned forward with a growl. "You are sick because our child is angry with you. You're not eating enough for them." Reina's eyes narrowed. Mal had noticed her scent when she arrived. It was too sweet, too foreign. She was a fool for not noticing and for allowing this foolishness to continue.
"Are you saying I'm pregnant?"
"I'm saying that if you're not, I will eat that tree behind you." Mal replied. "This is my fault. When we confirmed I was pregnant, we should've had you checked as well. You were the one we meant to carry the children anyway and if I was able to get pregnant there's nothing to say you couldn't as well. You must eat more and eat better. Every day. Three times. And you must rest. You may feel like you're being lazy but you are not the only one using your body anymore."
"I know, I know. If I eat, I must eat enough for two, etc, etc. This sounds so familiar." Reina scoffed.
"It should. You said them." Reina shook her head, a growl rumbling out of her throat. "Are you not happy?" Mal asked.
"I am overjoyed."
"Tell that to your face then."
Reina let out a very unqueen-like snort, but Mal noticed her tail quivering. "I truly am, it's just...I have not changed enough."
"What do you mean?"
"You keep saying that I've gone through a lot of transformations but...I have been a fool about this whole thing."
"Nonsense." Mal scoffed. "You want to bring something good into the world, give something good to your children, your family. There is nothing wrong with that. Just...take a break every now and then, Reina, we just worry about you. Especially Lily, you know how she is. You've done enough. Understand?" Reina nodded. "Good, because now I get to build the den and the nursery. Understand?" Reina nodded again. "Now, come along."
"Where are we going?"
"Home. Lily and I will prepare a banquet for you and you will eat until you can't and then you will get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll go to the doctor and confirm whether or not you are pregnant. Then, if you are, we will celebrate and prepare for more children. How does that sound?"
"Wonderful." Reina purred. "And...I promise to listen to your advice from now on. I hope I am with child and I hope my decisions haven't caused them harm. I would never forgive myself if-"
"Children are resilient. Dragon children even more so." Mal said. "Look at the one we already have. I'm sure the child is fine, just hungry."
"Hmm." Reina hummed before dive bombing Mal. She was so shocked by the sudden display of affection that Reina managed to knock her over. She landed on her side and Reina furiously nuzzled her, purring like a boat engine. Mal returned the gesture full heartedly.
Lily appeared nearby. "What happened? I heard a thud and the ground shook."
Mal purred as Reina shifted forms and told their child that she might be pregnant as well. Seeing them so happy, so excited about the future, it made her look forward to what was to come even more. How could she not when her dreams were coming true before her eyes. She took another look around at this wonderland that Reina had built just for them. A part of her itched to explore it, but she could wait until they had gotten Reina taken care of. She would need to keep a closer eye on her mate from now on. Something like this would not slip by her again. Even if Reina wasn't pregnant she would have to do better in taking care of her.
"Mom!" Lily called, drawing her out of her reverie. "Come on, let's get to making that feast." Mal purred and fell into step behind her mate and daughter. "This is great news and all, but we just left a whole pizza at home by the way."
"You will be compensated." Mal said with a roll of her eyes.
"Thank you."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After seeing that Mal had everything handled, Regina returned home. She took a hot shower and wrapped herself in a fluffy white robe before going downstairs and into the kitchen to find herself something to eat. She was far too tired to cook after a day of using so much magic so she ate some leftovers and settled down with a glass of cider. Relaxing in the living room was where Emma found her not long later.
"Fun day?" Emma asked, sitting in the chair across from her and pouring herself a glass of cider from the decanter on the table.
"Wonderful." Regina said. "I helped build a sunstone, a palace and Reina may or may not be pregnant as well." Emma froze and looked at her. She nodded slowly. "I know. She got sick while we were working today."
"How do you feel about that?" The blonde asked, carefully watching her as if she expected Regina to break down or something.
Regina only shrugged. "It is not unexpected. Although I have to admit...I envy her. Reina. When Mal came back to life and we got back together, we planned to have more children." She chuckled sadly and poured herself some more cider. "She's living my dream. Well, I guess it was our dream."
"You say that as if you can't still live it." Regina lifted an eyebrow as Nyla appeared next to the fireplace. The dragon waved her hand, throwing the room in darkness and lit the fireplace with a fireball. The decanter tilted as she passed, pouring cider into a glass that appeared on the table and the young dragon sat on the chair next to Regina.
"What are you talking about?" Regina asked. "And why do people think it's okay to just walk in or teleport into my house?" She watched the dragon as she drank some of the cider. Eventually she finished the glass and placed it back on the table.
"I came to make sure you were okay." Nyla said, turning in the chair to face her and folding her legs underneath her.
"You and Emma really think I'm a lovesick teenager, don't you?"
"Of course not." Nyla smirked. "You are a grown woman, a very beautiful woman and there is nothing wrong with worrying about you."
"Because I don't have-"
Nyla leaned forward and growled deeply, eyes glowing golden. She looked especially dangerous in the dim light, like a predator ready to pounce on her prey. "Please do not degrade yourself in front of me, not even to be sarcastic. Please." She tilted her head and by the gods she looked like she could kill everyone and everything. Regina had seen this side of Mal before, although only in battle, when she was threatening someone or when she was particularly enthusiastic about having sex. Nyla looked ready to do any three of those things.
"And if I don't?" Regina asked.
Nyla smirked, her teeth stark white in the dark lighting. "I'll have to spank you."
Emma cleared her throat. "Still here."
"You can leave at any time, Savior."
"Excuse me, I was here first."
"And yet, still irrelevant." Nyla replied.
"Enough you two." Regina said. "You especially." She tapped Nyla's cheek and leaned forward to pour herself some more cider.
"This dream of yours entails more children?" Nyla pressed, relaxing back in the chair. "With Maleficent?"
"It's one I had when I was with Mal." Regina shrugged. "We talked about growing a family, building a life together. I certainly can't have it now. Why?"
"Why can't you?" She turned to look at the smirking dragon and she had a feeling that she wasn't going to like any ideas she might be having.
"No. Whatever thoughts are going through your head right now, forget them."
"I will...for now. But you have to answer a question for me. Why has Maleficent never turned you?"
"Turned her into a dragon?" Emma scoffed, her lip curling in disgust. "Why would she want to be one?"
Nyla looked at her and her eyes glowed again. Before she could form the rebuttal that Regina knew was brewing on her tongue, she reached over and tapped the blonde on her nose, drawing her attention once again.
"You were always so easily distracted."
"I completely understand, especially if you are the distraction. Answer my question."
"We discussed it once before back in the Enchanted Forest, but Mal was worried about my true intentions. She had every right to be. If she had turned me then I might've just burned that whole kingdom to the ground and everyone in it. I was in a dark place then and she decided that it would be a terrible thing if she turned me into a dragon. I was disappointed but I understood."
"And yet she wasted no time with the Evil Queen?" Emma said.
"Reina loves her," Regina replied. "She loves her more than anything and anyone and she was willing to die to prove it. She gave up everything for a chance at a life with the woman she loves."
"But you were the Evil Queen back then."
"And that's not who Reina is now. Look, regardless of my feelings or yours, they're happy and that's all there is to it." She looked at Nyla, whose gaze had not wavered from her for a moment. "What? Why are you staring at me?"
The corner of Nyla's lips lifted slightly and she allowed the golden glow of her eyes to fade. "I'm imagining you as a dragon. I don't believe I could even envision such a creature. I wonder what color your scales would take, if you would have feathers on your wings like Reina." She looked down for a moment, her gaze instantly falling when Regina crossed her legs to follow the motion.
"Are you asking to make an old dream come true?" Regina asked, taking a sip of cider.
"I could."
"I know, but you won't be here-"
"By the gods, Regina." Nyla let out an exasperated sigh. "Our deal still stands. For five minutes, I want you to think about what you want most right now and there was nothing stopping you from getting it. What do you want?"
"You mean what you can give me?" Regina retorted. "Leave, Dragon. I'd like some peace before I go to bed."
Nyla rolled her eyes and swung around to sit on the coffee table, facing Regina and looked her right in the eye. "If that is what you wish, but have you ever wondered why you and Maleficent, why we, manage to love each other through years of fighting? Through all of the craziness we've been through?" She asked. "I know I'm not the Maleficent you know but I've seen her memories. All of the great victories and triumphs, the darkness and depression and heartbreak. You are a necessary presence in our lives and you have been from the moment we met. We admire you greatly, Regina. And I am aware that you believe in pixie dust and fairy nonsense and that they say Robin Hood was your soulmate, but have you ever considered that maybe...you are ours?"
"Nyla…" Regina whispered, but the dragon shook her head before she could speak.
"It's just something to consider. It doesn't have to mean anything to you. I just…" Nyla let out a soft growl and abruptly teleported away.
Regina put down her glass, trying to ignore the desire to go and find Nyla and apologize. A part of her desperately wanted to remove that look of frustration on the dragon's face and that part of her was nearly overwhelming. After all, Nyla had done so much for her since they met and the least she could do was not push her away just because of the circumstances that led to their meeting. Zelena was right. She was only pushing her away because she knew it hurt when Nyla was sent back to her own time. She looked up to find Emma still watching her. "What?"
"She's in love with you." Emma answered, as if she wasn't already aware of that fact. Whether or not it was truly love, Nyla certainly seemed interested in her.
"I don't know if you noticed, but she just offered to get me pregnant."
"She also said she would spank you." The blonde deadpanned. "Whatever you guys did for a week has got her head over heels. You two had sex, right?"
"Excuse me?" Regina said, arching an eyebrow at the sudden and rather invasive question.
"I'll take that as a yes. Maybe you guys should get her checked too since everyone seems to be getting pregnant now. You can't send her back to her own time if she's pregnant."
"I know that and Nyla's not pregnant. She's just trying her best to stay in this time." Regina sighed and rubbed her temples.
"And how do you feel about her?"
"I'm not in love with her if that's what you're asking. I've known her for two weeks."
"Technically you've known her for years."
Regina glared at Emma, who only shrugged and rose to answer the door after they heard a knock. At least this person had the decency to knock before entering. As soon as she thought those words she heard the door slam against the wall as it was pushed open.
"Close your mouth, Em. You'll catch flies."
Regina found herself smiling when she heard her daughter's voice and when she looked up she was taken aback by the transformation she saw. Lily had begun to shed the fearful, skeptic skin of her past a while ago, opening herself up to her mothers and the new life they provided. She was becoming more confident and self assured by the day. Her attire had shifted from old boots and jeans and a single army jacket to all kinds of dresses and silks and cashmeres. She was experimenting with makeup and hair and enjoying her newfound wealth. It was just wonderful to see.
In the hours since she'd left Lily in the new lands, her child had done a wardrobe change. She was now in a long fitted blood red dress and she'd dyed her hair a lighter shade of brown and added in dark blonde highlights.
"What do you think?"
"Inappropriate." Regina said. "Who bought you that? Reina?"
Lily rolled her eyes and sat down next to her. "Cute, Mom."
Regina smirked. "I do believe Nyla was correct when she said no one was worthy of you."
"Stop it." Lily looked away to hide her reddening cheeks. "Speaking of Nyla by the way," she turned back around and Regina sighed and poured herself another drink. "She was irritated when she came back a few minutes ago. Did something happen?"
"Nothing of importance. I love your hair."
"Are you serious?" Emma scoffed. "She said she was in love with Regina and even offered to have her babies. That seems pretty important."
Lily suddenly grinned. "Are you serious?"
"Yep."
Regina glared at the blonde. "Why are you still here?"
Lily tucked a piece of Regina's hair behind her ear. "You know it's funny that you and Mom are completely different from Reina and Nyla. You all have different beliefs and thoughts and Nyla is from a completely different time and yet...you all find your way back to each other anyway."
"Nyla also insinuated that Regina might be Maleficent's soulmate." Emma added.
"That sounds plausible." Lily replied with a shrug. "But how do you feel about all this, Mom?"
"I don't understand it." Regina answered. "You and Mal and Reina are just okay with this? Especially Mal. She was pissed at first but now she doesn't seem to care that there is another her walking around. Messing with time cannot be good on any level. Whatever happened with me and Nyla is done. She's going back to her own time and everything is going back to normal so none of it will matter anyway."
Lily narrowed her eyes before answering."Mom's had her hands full with the pregnancy and Reina. Besides that, we all know that if Nyla ever becomes a problem she'll just kill her. As for the whole time thing, you do realize that you can't just send her back to her own time, right?"
"Erase her memories then." Emma shrugged.
"But you don't have to. That's not how time travel works." Lily took Regina's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Whatever Nyla does won't affect Mom. Unless she attacks her and Mom kills her or Henry changes it with the Author's book or something."
"How do you know that?" Regina asked.
Lily thought for a moment and Regina could almost see the gears turning in her head. Eventually, she raised her hands and conjured the image of a tree just in front of them.
"You've progressed to projections. I am impressed." Regina smirked.
"Thank you." Lily grinned. "Anyways, think of Mom as the trunk of this tree, so to speak. That's our timeline. The main timeline. Everything Mom has ever done, every decision she's ever made, are hers. They can't be changed because they've already happened. When Henry pulled Nyla from the past, he opened up another timeline. A branch." Lily waved her hand, causing one of the branches of the tree to turn blue. "That's the new timeline. Everything Nyla does, every decision she makes, are hers."
"What happens to Nyla's world then if she's here?"
"I assume it just continues without her unless Henry uses the book and sends her back to the moment he brought her here. I read what he wrote and I think he meant to bring back a version of Mom from before you split yourself in half, one from when you were still dating. His wording was too vague for the book to know what he wanted. I know this sounds like a crazy theory but it kinda makes sense. Otherwise, Mom's memories would be screwed up." She waved her hand again and the tree flickered. Lily frowned at it and fired a bolt of electricity at it causing it to burst into red sparks.
"That is not how you get rid of projections." Regina said.
"It's gone, isn't it?"
She rolled her eyes and grabbed her daughter by the ear. "That is not," Lily yelped, fighting back laughter. "How you get rid of projections. You most certainly do not charge them with electricity. Dragons are immune to fire, not electrocution."
"Yes, ma'am!" Regina released her and watched her rub her ear, glaring indignantly at her mother. "I am not a child, you know."
"I know, but do not be so reckless. You could have blown up this house and guess who would have survived and who wouldn't."
"We would survive, Emma would die." Lily said matter of factly.
"Excuse me?" The blonde snapped.
"You can't use magic to save your life. I'm still a novice and I know more than you do."
"How about you-"
"How about both of you get out?" Regina intervened before an argument could start. She was not in the mood and she was ready for bed. Lily had also given her a lot to think about. She escorted the bickering pair to the door but Lily turned around to hug her goodnight. "Good night, dear."
"Night, Mom." Lily turned to leave. She took a step forward before turning around. "Before I go, Mom, I just want to say that I know everyone expects Nyla to just be a replacement for Maleficent and that you two will automatically be together. I know it's almost expected for you to just be happy and accept it, but you shouldn't if you don't want to."
Regina smiled at her child's concern. "I'm okay, Lily, and I understand."
"Good." Lily nodded and stepped back. "Just uh, wanted to let you know."
"I do. Now, get home safely and tomorrow, bring me the Author's book from Mal's vault."
"Why?"
"I didn't read it after everything went down with Nyla and I should've. You said Henry's wording is the reason that Nyla's here, did you notice anything else odd about what he wrote?"
Lily shook her head. "He marked some stuff out but that was it."
Regina nodded. "In any case, I want to make sure he didn't accidentally bring anyone or anything else from the past."
"You think he did?"
"We know next to nothing about the book but I hope Henry isn't so reckless. It's unlikely but possible. Crazier things have happened in this town."
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