(Belated) Day 17 of Femslash February: Feathers

The first thing Snow thinks when she wakes l is comfort. She has never felt anything like this before. Snow rolls around in the bed, hissing with pain. Her leg still throbs. She falls back on her back, blinking a few times. The ceiling above her is painted in a rich cream. She's not in any of the cottages.

"I've got you."

Snow leaps up in bed, screaming once more. Her hand reaches down to the wound. It's expertly bandaged, all blood gone. She looks around the room. Floral wallpaper in a deep shade of pink, furniture made from the finest oak. There's a huge wardrobe that'd probably take up her entire cottage back home. The room is warm, inviting, the complete opposite of what Snow ever expected from the vampire's mansion.

"Regina!"

The door barely moves as Regina walks inside. She's in a long black gown, the chest cut into a v neck. Snow backs up a bit, putting her hand over her chest. Her heart beats like a hummingbird's wings, bringing her some comfort.

"Good, you're awake," Regina says.

"How long have I been out of it?"

"A few days."

"Days?!"

"I tried waking you, but the doctor said you needed rest."

"I…I can't be here. This hunt was so important…"

Snow takes a deep breath, shutting her eyes. She counts backwards from 10, expecting the pain of her bones shifting to make room for her wolf form. Instead, she remains the same. Snow looks down at herself, frowning.

"I don't…"

"You're injured," Regina explains. "You can't turn until your leg heals completely."

Snow scoffs. "Who is this doctor you keep mentioning?"

"He works specifically with the supernatural. I wouldn't call him a friend," Regina makes a face before settling back into her regular demeanor. "But we work well together. He came as soon as I called."

"My pack, they have to be looking."

A strange voice comes from behind the door. "They are."

A shorter woman enters the room. She wears green rags, a matching kerchief holding up her blonde curls. Large yet beautiful ivy wings sprout from her back, flapping excitedly.

"This is Tinkerbell," Regina explains. "She goes by Tink, mostly."

"You're a fairy," Snow whispers.

Tink nods. "I don't work as closely with Blue, though. Her practices and beliefs are barbaric."

"I'm confused. What is going on here?"

"I've known Regina for a few years now. I'm…." Regina elbows her and Tink rolls her eyes. Snow raises an eyebrow. "Anyway. You said your pack is looking, they are. For your body."

"What?"

"In your wake, Regina left a lot of blood. She got rid of the hunter's body too. They all think you were killed."

Snow frowns. "Then I'll go back."

"It's not that easy."

Regina frowns, digging her slipper into the carpet.

"I was in a rush to get you out of there safely," she explains. "I left my scent everywhere. They think I killed you."

"I can explain…"

"They're never going to believe you," Tink interrupts. "They'll think she brainwashed you. The pack is already on the hunt for which vampire did this. Regina won't survive."

Snow falls back against the pillows, swallowing. She owes a great debt to her pack. They saved her mother when she was banished from the king's castle. For her entire life, they were her family.

Regina, she saved her life. Where was the pack when she was attacked by that hunter? Regina brought her here, didn't once try to drink her blood. She can't imagine how tempting it was for her. To have a bloody wolf in her arms and doing absolutely nothing about it?

For so long she's told herself, she can't pick. She can be a wolf, flirt with Regina. Snow can have it all.

Now, she has to choose. Her family or the woman who saved her life?

"We need to get out of here," Snow says. "It'd only take one bite to kill you."

Regina folds her arms over her chest. "Are you sure? Once we do this, there's no going back."

"They'll kill you otherwise. I can't let that happen."

Tink nods, as Regina's jaw drops. "I'll work on getting you two a passage out of here."

In a flash of green sparkles, she's gone. Regina walks closer to the bed. Snow holds her breath so she won't detect the decaying scent. Regina drops down, her ice cold hand taking hold of Snow's.

"This bed," Snow mumbles. "It's the most comfortable I've ever laid on."

"Feather mattress," Regina whispers "The best in all the kingdom."

"Ah."

"You don't have to do this, Snow." Her dark eyes fill with sorrow. "I should've just brought you to your cottage. Taking you here…"

"You saved my life," Snow interrupts. "The least I can do is save yours."