AN: Before we get started, this shorter chapter shows the relationship between Maleficent and Regina. Do not worry it is a SwanQueen fanfiction will ultimately show SwanQueen, I just need to establish an urge to write the potential relationship or past DragonQueen had. (also essential to another fic that will follow after this one). So don't be too disappointed! And also thank you to the followers that followed my story, it makes me happy to see people reading _. Please leave reviews to let me know what you all think! Thank you! R.M
Limbs tangled within one another beneath the warm duvet; creating a warmth that surpassed the fire that roared at the foot of the bed."So, I can see even now as I did then that you are troubled." A low feminine voice came out while icy blue eyes gazed down at the woman within her arms. Her deep red lips pursed slightly as she felt the body shift beneath her.
"I am, I've done countless things but it's irritating that this situation had never once arose and I'm perplexed on what to do." Regina's dark brown brows furrowed with uncertainty. "Mal, what do you think I should do in this particular case?"
"Well-" She cleared her throat and turned her focus to the fire. "She is intelligent, despite her poor manners that I assume are to be blamed on by her upbringing in the other realm. It may be wise to learn of this place, you are wanting to curse the land are you not? Maybe you can find out about this land without magic and since she still has a particular unbiased opinion of you or the world around her now, she may be good to have near by to get an opinion." She answered honestly. Her words rolling from her lips as if it was warm honey and Regina soaked up each word with an open mind.
Maleficent had been there in her darkest of hours, since the young age of seventeen. Meeting the witch less than a year after her marriage to Leopold and she was here now even after her death. Regina had continually sought her companionship as both a comfort and a near apprenticeship still. Maleficent was older than her yet she had long stopped aging due to her dragon side, but none the less still older than the brunette.
Maleficent's warm hand lightly brushed the tousled brown hair from Regina's eyes and behind her ear; her eyes shone in warmth as she smiled. Wondering that if the queen were to cast the curse that she took back from her; how much longer this woman would need her."You're awful quiet tonight." Regina's lips pressed to the woman's defined warm jaw; closing her eyes before nestling into her. Her warmth bringing comfort to the queen. She truly was a mysterious woman.
"I'm just thinking dear. Now sleep, you have a long day ahead and your judgment is not long after sunrise. " She softly stated before pulling the duvet up a bit more, cradling Regina in her arms, hopeful the queen had a quiet night tonight.
Hushed whispers were heard within the queens chambers as the night grew higher, when demons came out from ones innermost depths and brought up the fears of past days. Deep pained cries that caused the blonds heart to wrench painfully. She knew better than to wake Regina up quite yet and had just let her continue on, but held her close and sighed softly; life wasn't fair but no one would know that apparent villains were just the could have been heroes that were never saved.
Hues of pinks and oranges dusted the clear sky as the morning star rose above the kingdom. Puffy red eyes slowly opened, revealing the dewy honey brown eyes that took in her surroundings. She looked up towards the burgundy canopy above her bed that draped across all four bed posts and brought a sort of enclosed comfort to her. Heat radiated all around her and she realized that Maleficent had not woke, the older woman's arms were still draped securely around her waist and pressed firmly into her while her chin rested at the crown of Reginae head. She breathed in the warm bergamot and vanilla smell that exuded her, finding it comforting.
Letting out a breath she didn't realize she held, she pressed her nose to the woman's neck before placing soft kisses upon its length. This was an arrangement that had been going on every several days after the kings death and Regina found that now more than ever it was appreciated. "Don't stir the dragon unless your ready to finish with a slumber that will rival Briar Roses that you will need after I'm done with you." Maleficent's husky morning voice came out in a sultry manner as her eyes remained closed.
"Morning to you too." Regina grinned before sitting up slowly, the covers being held to cover her naked torso while her back bared to the woman below. "When did you sleep?" She asked, her long brown slightly curled tresses swaying as she turned her head down towards the blond.
"Mmmn, around twilight. Do not worry I will retire not long after the judgment and I hope that you will go riding today as I do so. I know you haven't done so in a while." Maleficent tiredly smiled, her hand reaching up as her thin fingers traced feint lines that decorated her apprentices back.
"Well this may be a good idea and with how things went at that village, they're lucky I was feeling generous to spare them after the fiasco with that insipid woman."
"Now now Regina, don't cause yourself to get any gray hairs….I may not wander into your chambers if I see any premature wrinkles or aged hair." Maleficent bit playfully before running a hand through her curled blond tresses. The queens playful smile adorned her lips as she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the latters', feeling the thick plump lips press softly against her own. Parting, Regina then stood and stretched her aching limbs and looked out at the forest that painted the outside of her windows.
"I'll freshen up and expect your company soon?" She didn't look behind her but could already tell that her mentor only nodded lazily .
The throne room held three women that day, with Emma being the center of attention at the feet of the two powerful women."So, Em-ma did you have time to reflect upon our conversation two days ago?" Deep honey eyes scanning over the thin yet muscular details of the said woman.
"I-I believe that your majesty will do as she sees fit and nothing less." Emma responded carefully, yet her eyes shone with a sort of hope. The atmosphere wasn't as menacing as she thought it could be if the queen had truly wanted persecution.
"Indeed." The woman said a little lowly, almost to herself rather than the two others. "Now, since you were a sheriff I can imagine you truly do believe in upholding the law and seeking justice correct?" Regina questioned.
"Yes, I do."
"Then, are you prepared to listen to the details of what I have in store for you and keep yourself an open mind?" She inquired curiously, wondering if Maleficent was right and that this Emma was indeed unbiased.
"I'm ready your majesty." Her words left as Regina then stood from her throne, red velveteen dress hugging her body's every curve as she sauntered her way towards the prisoner.
"Then you will serve under me, do as I ask when I ask, and you will be rewarded with knowledge. You will learn of my kingdom and will learn skills you did not know such as any weaponry you're unfamiliar with as well as horseback riding. This will be every two days and in the mean time you will be kept in the dungeon until I see fit for you to be removed. If you don't prove yourself useful I will dispose of you. Do you understand?" Regina stated , gazing into the green eyes that felt so familiar but she couldn't place a name on to whose they reminded her of.
"Crystal clear." Emma stated firmly, yet she felt herself squirm under the firm icy blue gaze that came from the quiet woman that remained seated.
"Then swear your allegiance, breaking this oath will result in death." The queens chin tilted up in a regal manner; her long brown hair falling straight down to her mid back while half of it was up done beautifully.
Emma slowly sunk to her knees, recalling somewhat of how they did it in movies and let her head fall down while her hair had cascaded around her face, due to being un brushed and not as well taken care of; they were slightly tangled and unruly due to their natural curl. "I pledge myself to you, Queen Regina of the Dark Kingdom. Long live the queen." Emma said, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she didn't know quite what to say and felt slightly stupid for the formal cheesy line she stole from a medieval movie she slightly recalled from her teenage years.
Regina's brow rose as she looked back at Maleficent who was visibly trying to not laugh at the display in front of her. She had yet to have anyone submit to her willingly, much less to just do so in a slightly comical pledge that she's not familiar with. "Well then. That is something we will work on, you're not a man….nor are you about to have your head cut off." Regina stated slowly, her lips then pulling into a sadistic grin. "Well not now at least."The very sound of it caused a chill to course through the blondes spine."Ok, the guards will tend to you and you will be brought into a self study hall where I will instruct a subject of mine to tutor you in our ways since you are unfamiliar with the most common etiquette. " Regina started before turning her back on the girl and walked back up the steps to her throne, causing Emma's eyes to rise to the woman's backside and she could barely rip her eyes from the tasteful view before an audible voice cleared.
"Another thing is to not so lazily set your eyes on someone of higher status than you unless you are called upon." Maleficents voice came out sharply, annoyance coating her tone.
"Your first lesson will begin promptly and end at sunset, so do take in everything you can because when we next meet I will require a slight improvement in your mannerisms Emma." Regina cocked a brow as she sat back down comfortably on her hand rose and the throne-room doors flung open effortlessly as two women ushered in. Emma's eyes looked at them, slight amusement dancing within her emerald eyes as the two women nearly looked like something compared to a medieval nun.
Soft hands lightly pulled at her dirty clothes and they scrunched their noses up."May we get her garb, your highness?" One that looked younger than Emma called out to the queen humbly, her head bowed.
"Indeed, some new clothes and I expect that today's lessons will bring about some manners. She is as bad as those peasants and if I want her in my Castle she needs to have some sort of finesse." Regina smirked.
"Goodbye Emma, until next time." Her voice huskily came while watching the retreating figures leaving the room.
"You were good." Maleficent said after a pregnant pause. Her eyes cast down to her right and she slowly made her way to the front of Regina; her soft finger tips gripping the womans sharp jaw and tugged it up slightly, making her look into her eyes. "I expect you before night fall in your chambers. I have to leave for a couple days to take care of some things back home and I want nothing less than ravishing you thoroughly." She growled lowly, causing the brunette to shudder at the thought of what was to be done in a matter of hours. "See you soon, my queen." The last two words were spoken with such warmth that only intensified by the chaste kiss that followed the sentence before Maleficent vanished in a flurry of black smoke; leaving Regina to her thoughts.